REAL ESTATE

The Corners of Brookfield to break ground spring 2015; Von Maur will anchor
Milwaukee -- Contracts are finalized and on-site work will soon begin on The Corners of Brookfield, a new 750,000-sq.-ft. premier lifestyle center that will be located on approximately 19 acres of land bounded by West Bluemound Road, North Barker Road and I-94 near Milwaukee.

The final development agreement has been signed with the Town of Brookfield, demolition of the vacant Menards building on The Corners project site will begin in the coming weeks and a formal groundbreaking is planned for spring 2015.
Top Developers, Fastest-Growing Acquirers/3P Managers
Are you one of America's Top Developers, Acquirers or Third-Party Managers? Chain Store Age will release the results of the 26th Annual Top Developers and Fastest-Growing Acquirers and 3P Managers in the May 2015 issue distributed at the RECon show in Las Vegas.

The three surveys measure retail and shopping center space developed, acquired and contracted for management/leasing during the 2014 calendar year. The top five or six companies in each category (by square footage) will be ranked in the May issue. In short:

Uptown Village at Cedar Hill to undergo multi-million-dollar renovation

Cedar Hill, Texas -- Trademark Property Co., the operating partner for Uptown Village at Cedar Hill, has announced a multi-million dollar renovation of the 610,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Cedar Hill, Texas; the redo includes a re-brand, enhanced entrances, upgraded landscaping, common area improvements, a new children’s play area, new amenities for adults and children, and new signage throughout the property.

In addition, Trademark is working with several prospective junior anchors to add to the merchandising mix.
Walgreens opens flagship in Honolulu

Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens will celebrate the official opening of a two-story, flagship store in Honolulu, in the Ala Moana shopping district on Feb. 21 at 9 a.m.

This is Walgreens 15th flagship store, its 12th store on Oahu and 18th overall in Hawaii. The culturally inspired design reflects elements of traditional Hawaiian architecture, as well as embraces components of the natural landscape.
Dog Haus to make Ventura County debut

Thousand Oaks, Calif. -- Gourmet hot dog and burger concept Dog Haus will open its fifth franchise location in Thousand Oaks, California, on Feb. 21.

The Los Angeles-based brand is making its Ventura County debut at 50 East Thousand Oaks Blvd. in a former Denny’s space. Franchisee owners are Paul Homayoun and Gina Candari; the Thousand Oaks unit will be Dog Haus’s eighth location.
Gordon Brothers names business and corporate development leads

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, announced the appointment of Ian Levine as managing director, head of business development, and Blair Nelson as managing director, corporate development, to Gordon Brothers Group’s management team.
Cypress Equities acquires mixed-use project in Huntington Beach

Dallas -- Cypress Equities announced the acquisition of The Strand, a 96,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use development located in Huntington Beach, California.

The transaction was secured by a fund managed by Cypress’ real estate investment management group, which has acquired more than $500 million dollars of retail properties during the past two years.
A&G Realty Partners tapped by C. Wonder

Melville, N.Y. -- A&G Realty Partners, a leading commercial real estate, advisory and investment group, has been retained by C. Wonder to manage the sale of the three retail store leases and several office locations in New York City and Long Island, following the company’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
MiniLuxe opens expanding into Texas

Boston – Nail and beauty care chain MiniLuxe, which operates eight stores in the Boston area, is coming to North Texas. MinLuxe has opened the first of 10 stores planned for North Texas in the West Village shopping center in Dallas.

The investor group behind MiniLuxe also backs Chipotle, with Silverado Interests' founding partners Rick and Dan Slaven also participating.
Exclusive: The Big Easy Does It

By Kirsten Early, Partner and Director of Retail, SRSA Commercial Real Estate