REAL ESTATE

Nashville, Tenn. — Opry Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Tennessee, has expanded its staff with the addition of three new professions. Natalie Smailis has been named marketing/tourism coordinator. Jamie Phillips will serve as guest services manager. Billy Patton will step into the role of director of operations.

Beachwood, Ohio – Shopping center operator DDR Corp. is commencing a multi-year proactive lease termination initiative aimed at recapturing high-quality anchor store locations across its portfolio. Through this initiative, DDR is collaborating with retailers in the books, electronics, toys, office and traditional department store categories to right-size their real estate footprints by regaining control of locations in advance of natural lease expiration.

New York — Restaurateurs Carlos Suarez and Mark Barak, known for their two popular eateries, Bobo and Rosemary’s, have taken space for a new Provencal restaurant to be called Claudette in New York City.

Located at 24 Fifth Avenue close to Washington Square Park, Union Square and New York University, the 2,409-sq.-ft. restaurant, which includes 2,044 sq. ft. in the basement, features menus from Chef Wade Moises and Chef de Cuisine Koren Grieveson that focus on local produce, seafood and North African aromatics.

Philadelphia — Brandywine Realty Trust, Amtrak and Drexel University have selected Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP in association with Parsons Brinckerhoff, OLIN, and HR&A Advisors to develop a comprehensive master plan for the area around Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station.

Planning will begin immediately. The goal is to develop a vision that locates the station at the epicenter of a dynamic, urban neighborhood that provides opportunities for community development, economic development and improved transportation connections.

Glenview, Ill. — The Tabani Group has acquired The Glen town Center in Glenview, Illinois, in the Chicago metro area.

The 267,732-sq.-ft. center is located just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago in the affluent North Shore suburb of Glenview. Dick’s Sporting Goods and separately owned Von Maur, anchor the center. Tenants include Jos A. Bank, Yard House, Bravo! Cucina Italiana and the Regal Glen 10 Movie Theatres, which are also separately owned.

New York -- Make Meaning is expanding its East Coast presence with the opening of its sixth U.S. location, at Bethesda Row in Bethesda, Maryland, on June 9. Make Meaning has five additional locations nationwide – two in New York City, as well as locations in Dedham, Massachusetts, Thousand Oaks, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. The company plans to roll out additional locations nationwide and abroad.

I indulged in a shopping center grand opening on May 22 – and I’m glad I did.

Themed “Indulge,” the opening event marked the official unveiling of the nation’s first truly downtown outlet center, Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, located in the heart of New Orleans, and built by West Coast developer Howard Hughes Corp.

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods on Tuesday announced grand openings for three new stores.

The company will hold opening celebrations June 6 through June 8 for the following locations: Lawrence, Kansas; Culpepper, Virginia; Arden, North Carolina.

With the openings, Dick’s will operate 570 stores nationwide.