REAL ESTATE

Redevelopment draws national tenants to Coralwood Center
Cape Coral, Fla. -- Stiles Realty announced 57,829 sq. ft. of leasing activity at Coralwood Center, one of the largest power centers in Cape Coral, Florida. HomeGoods and Ulta signed new leases totaling 33,819 sq. ft. in fourth quarter 2014. At the same time, anchor tenant Bealls Outlet has signed a lease to expand into a new 24,010-sq.-ft. store, increasing the center's occupancy to 81%.
Sonic Drive-In entering Rhode Island as it expands in Northeast
Oklahoma City -- Sonic Drive-In announced two new agreements for franchise development in Rhode Island, the 45th state for the expanding brand. A mainstay in the South and Central Plains, the chain is aggressively expanding in the Northeast.

The first new Sonic franchisee for Rhode Island will bring the state its first location in the Providence, Rhode Island, market in mid-2015, with plans for more down the line.

Retail Solutions Advisors to lease Towne Square

Lakeland, Fla. -- Retail Solutions Advisors said that it has been selected as the exclusive leasing representative for Towne Square, a 126,374-sq.-ft. community shopping center located in Ocoee, Florida. Towne Square is anchored by Old Time Pottery.

The property is owned by Continental Real Estate Companies, who will continue to manage the center.
Cushman & Wakefield to lease flagship space at 2 Herald Square

New York -- Cushman & Wakefield announced today that the real estate firm has been appointed exclusive leasing agent for the retail space at 2 Herald Square.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s largest shopping district, 2 Herald Square touts 60,500 sq. ft. of available space spread among three floors. It features a 75-ft. storefront right across from Macy’s, and neighbors including H&M’s new Herald Square flagship, The Gap, and Victoria’s Secret’s international flagship.
Retail Rap: Hitting the Streets

One of the interesting retail real estate trends I’ve been seeing pick up steam in the last couple of years is the willingness of many retailers to look beyond the traditional mall locations. Many are choosing locations on “hot streets,” bustling avenues within major communities that happen to be the retail hub, or in the downtown/village center area of the market.
CBL & Associates announces promotions

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. announced the promotions of Andrew Cobb to senior VP and director of accounting, Stuart Smith to senior VP - planning/redevelopment, Jennifer Cope to VP - shared services, Jon Meshel to VP - development/redevelopment, and Ken Wittler to VP - development.

Andy Cobb joined CBL in June 2002, as VP - accounting. In February 2007, he was promoted to VP and director of accounting. Prior to joining CBL, Cobb was an audit manager for Arthur Andersen.
REI expanding with three new stores

Seattle -- REI will enter two new states in the fall, opening a store at the new Christiana Fashion Center, in Christiana, Delware, and another at the new Mills Crossing, in West Des Moines, Iowa.

The outdoor gear and apparel retailer also plans to open a store in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at Pembroke Mall, in spring 2016.
Westfield MainPlace to add two new restaurants in fall 2015

Santa Ana, Calif. -- As part of Westfield MainPlace’s redevelopment plan, the Santa Ana, California, center announced two new dining destinations: Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que and Wokcano. Slated to debut late summer/early fall 2015, these announcements come on the heels of three recent restaurant openings: Panini Café (December 2014), Dog Haus and Blaze Pizza (both November 2014).
Michael Kors’ Soho flagship is its largest store yet

New York -- The fast-growing Michael Kors has opened its largest and most comprehensive location to date, a three-story, 22,000-sq. ft. flagship in the Soho section of Manhattan. The store features the debut of the men’s collection in the brand’s own retail stores, with the first-ever in-store presentation of men’s shoes and and an entire floor dedicated to accessories, and the first dedicated Michael Kors shoe salon. Huge, floor-to-ceiling video screens, set on all three floors, help bring the products to life.
CSA opens up nominations for “10 under 40” in retail real estate

New York -- For the third consecutive year, Chain Store Age will select 10 individuals in retail real estate as “retail stars;” all will be featured in the May 2015 issue with bonus distribution to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon show in Las Vegas in May.

The award recognizes people under the age of 40 who are making an impact in retail real estate – whether from the tenant (retail) or the landlord (shopping center company) side.