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IN BRIEF

Highland Crossing coming
W/S Development Associates, Chestnut Hill, Mass., along with Olympic Realty & Development Corp., New York City, are developing the 270,000-square-foot Highland Crossing, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on the former site of a Wal-Mart store. Sam’s Club and Kohl’s will anchor the center, which will feature 25,000 square feet of small shop space, plus an outparcel for a bank or restaurant. The partners plan to open the center Oct. 1.

DeBartolo moves to big screen
DeBartolo Development, Tampa, Fla., plans to develop its first movie theater on a site adjacent to its Tuscany Village open-air center in Clermont, Fla. Rave Motion Pictures, Dallas, will operate the 15-screen, 3,400-seat complex. It is slated for completion sometime next year.

Streets of Copper?
Continental Retail Development, Columbus, Ohio, broke ground on The Streets of Copperfield, a lifestyle center in Houston. Planned as a 305,000-square-foot center, the Streets of Copperfield will include an 83,000-square-foot Rave Theater, a 25,000-square-foot bookstore and more than 142,000 square feet of specialty retail and restaurant space. Continental expects to open Streets of Copperfield next spring.

Casto nets tenants
Casto Lifestyle Properties signed three retailers to Lakeside Village, its planned lifestyle center project, in Lakeland, Fla. The three are a 73,700-square-foot Belk Department Store, a 1,218-square-foot Cold Stone Creamery, and The Tinder Box, a 1,238-square-foot store that sells tobacco products. When completed, Lakeside Village will offer 500,000 square feet of retail gross leasable area, anchored by an 18-screen Cobb cinema, a Belk, a Bed Bath & Beyond and a Kohl’s. Lakeside Village is slated to open in November. Meanwhile, Casto signed Morton’s Gourmet Market, Fred’s Restaurant and Chico’s to its planned Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, a 170,000-square-foot mixed-use development in Sarasota, Fla. Casto expects to open the project in October, with upscale retail, entertainment, dining, office and luxury condominium space.

A first for Donahue
Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Donahue Schriber bought the 271,000-square-foot Fig Garden Village, Fresno, Calif., billed as one of the country’s first lifestyle centers. Built in 1956, Fig Garden Village includes Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Talbot’s, Patrick James Men’s Shop, and Sharper Image as tenants.

Realty & Realty
Charter Realty & Development Corp., Greenwich, Conn., and WP Realty, Wynnewood, Pa., redeveloped the Lincoln (R.I.) Mall, converting it from a regional mall to a 500,000-square-foot open-air center. Major tenants in the project’s first phase, which opened in 2002, include HomeGoods, Marshalls and Super Stop & Shop. The second phase, featuring Target and a 14-screen cinema operated by Cinema World, is slated to open in October. The partners also redeveloped the 100,000-square-foot Saranac Lake (N.Y.) Plaza. A Tops Supermarket replaced an Ames supermarket. The project, completed in December, features an Ace Hardware, Dollar Tree superstore, Advance Auto Parts, RadioShack, Rent-A-Center and a Dunkin’ Donuts. Separately, Charter Realty redeveloped the 280,000-square-foot Twin City Plaza, Somerville, Mass., replacing a 35,000-square-foot Star Market grocery retailer with a 70,000-square-foot Shaw’s. The project also gained a 40,000-square-foot Bob’s Store, a Brooks Drugs, Dollar Tree, and several other retailers. Overall, the developers added 50,000 square feet to the center, plus a parking lot. The project was completed in March.

THF building Smithfield
THF Realty is developing a $20 million open-air center called Smithfield Towne Center, in Smithfield Township, Pa. The 189,000-square-foot center will be anchored by a 159,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter.

WestCity begins on Veranda
WestCity Partners, Boca Raton, Fla., selected locally based Marc Wiener Architecture to design the retail component of Veranda at Plantation, a mixed-use development in Plantation, Fla. New development and the redevelopment of a mitown district will constitute the $100 million project, which got under way in January. The first phase will include a 45,000-square-foot shopping center anchored by a 28,000-square-foot Publix supermarket. The project will also include about 201 condominiums and 12 three-story town homes in its second phase.

Caruso spruces up Waterside
Caruso Affiliated Holdings, Los Angeles, is renovating Marina Waterside, a 130,000-square-foot neighborhood center in Marina del Rey, Calif. Caruso will fix up the project’s facade and add a fountain, plaza meeting areas and new landscaping. Caruso expects to complete the work in September.

‘Great Escape’ to Missouri
McEagle Properties, an O’Fallon, Mo.-based shopping center developer, will add a 14-screen Great Escape brand cinema to its Caledonia lifestyle center, also in O’Fallon. Built by Alliance Entertainment, New Albany, N.Y., the Great Escape cinema will be one of three art deco-style buildings at the 250,000-square-foot development, and will serve as an anchor. It will feature stadium seating, seats for couples, wall-to-wall screens and digital sound.

Lakeside launched
Cincinnati-based North American Properties bought 40 acres of land in North Cobb County, Ga., to develop Lakeside MarketPlace, a 330,000-square-foot power center in Acworth, Ga., a town northwest of Atlanta. Books-A-Million, Circuit City, Petco and SuperTarget are among those that have signed commitments to join the $40 million project, which is slated to open next spring.

Menin begins Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-based Menin Development Cos. is building Downtown at the Gardens, a 60-acre mixed-use center, also in Palm Beach Gardens. A 16-screen Cobb Theater and a Whole Foods Market will anchor the 345,000-square-foot retail portion. A 20-acre lake and lakeside park featuring a children’s park and stage will border the project, which is slated to open in the fall. The site will also contain a hotel, condominiums, town houses and offices.

Lauderhill project in works
Boca Raton, Fla.-based Konover South bought 14 acres of land from the City of Lauderhill, Fla., and a 10-acre existing shopping center and says it plans to redevelop the properties. Publix anchors the existing center, The Shoppes of Inverrary. In the first phase of the redevelopment Konover South will build a new 47,000-square-foot Publix to anchor the new 90,000-square-foot center, to be called Inverrary Falls. In the second phase, Konover will replace the existing Publix with a convenience center that includes a gas station, a Blockbuster and a Bank Atlantic. It will build a CVS on an ourparcel to replace Eckerd. At press time, the project’s scheduled completion was for in the spring.

Macerich adds to Tysons
The Macerich Co. and Wilmorite say they plan to open an expansion exceeding 350,000 square feet at Tysons Corner Center, in McLean, Va., in the fall. The new wing will include a 16-screen AMC cinema complex, four high-end restaurants, a food court with 10 eateries, a two-level Barnes & Noble bookstore and 30 upscale retailers. The section will also feature new amenities, such as a children’s play area, valet parking, a customer-service center and 1,675 parking spaces.

Pembroke Lakes Mall redone
General Growth Properties renovated and expanded the Pembroke Lakes Mall, in Pembroke Pines, Fla., adding an 83,000-square-foot Macy’s Men’s and Home store and a four-level parking garage. The REIT upgraded the shopping center’s merchandise mix and put in tropical landscaping. More than 28 retailers have joined Pembroke Lakes’ roster, including American Eagle Outfitters, Guess, California Pizza Kitchen and Rampage. Construction on the new Macy’s store will begin early next year. Sears, Dillard’s, JCPenney and Burdine’s anchor Pembroke Lakes Mall, which has 145 specialty shops and such eateries as California Pizza Kitchen and Ruby Tuesday. To accommodate the increase of traffic, General Growth paid $1 million to improve the roadways surrounding the property.

Partners build Prairie Crossings
Mid-America Development Partners, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., and Harp Group, Lombard, Ill., are developing a retail, restaurant and hotel complex in Wheeling, Ill. The retail portion is an open-air, high-end shopping center called Prairie Crossings, which will feature three freestanding restaurants, a bank and two areas with in-line stores totaling 25,000 square feet of retail gross leasable area. Prairie Crossings will also feature a high-end spa compatible with a 441-room Westin North Shore hotel being built on the same site, said Judi Schindler, a spokeswoman for the developers.

Lifestyle tail added
Simon Property Group is adding a lifestyle center component to Tyrone Square, a 1.1 million-square-foot regional center in St. Petersburg, Fla. Simon will extensively renovate the building’s exterior to make the center look more like a street-level shopping district. It will also add stores and restaurants in an area between anchors Sears and Macy’s. Dillard’s, JCPenney and Sears also anchor Tyrone Square, which was built in 1972 and was last updated in 1998. The mall features more than 170 specialty retailers and eateries. Simon began the renovation in February and says it plans to finish in time for the holiday shopping season.

Simon, Ben Carter, open center
Simon Property Group and Ben Carter Properties in March opened the St. Johns Town Center, a mixed-use project containing 1.5 million square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space in Jacksonville, Fla. Major tenants include Barnes & Noble, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s and Target. Restaurant tenants include Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s. About 39 of the center’s retailers are making their Jacksonville debuts, including Apple Computer, Hollister and J. Jill. Aside from the retail, St. John’s Town Center includes 225 town houses, 225 luxury apartments and two hotels.

Design Row to grow
Coral Springs, Fla.-based Amera Corp., a commercial real estate development firm, is to build a 30,000-square-foot expansion for Design Row, a home furnishings shopping center in Coral Springs. The 74,000-square-foot Design Row opened in 1993 with a heavy emphasis on home furnishings and decor. Major tenants include Appalachian Wood Furniture, Barbeques Galore, Barstools to Go, Creative Kitchens, Doctor Mattress, Floral & Hearty and Richardson Interiors.

Fallbrook nears completion
General Growth Properties is wrapping up an extensive redevelopment of the Fallbrook Center, in West Hills, Calif., by adding several restaurants, food retailers and other tenants. Tikka Grill opened in mid-March and Trader Joe’s opened a grocery store. General Growth also added several fitness tenants, including Curves, a fitness and weight loss center for women. JKD Martial Arts Studio opened a unit at the mall, as did Ciara Dance Studio.

Vornado makes Beverly Connection
Vornado Realty Trust invested $10.7 million in the 322,000-square-foot Beverly Connection, a two-level shopping center across the street from Beverly Center, in Los Angeles, by buying a 50 percent interest in the venture that owns the property. Ralph’s Supermarket, Old Navy and Sports Chalet anchor Beverly Connection. Vornado and its joint venture partner plan to redevelop the center, building condominiums, assisted-living and additional retail onto the property.

Continental, Halo team in Tenn.
Columbus, Ohio-based Continental Retail Development has teamed up with Halo Properties to develop The Streets of Indian Lake this fall. The 500,000-square-foot lifestyle center at the intersection of Vietnam Veterans and Lake boulevards, in Hendersonvillle, Tenn., will contain a cinema complex with about 18 screens. Streets of Indian Lake will also include a power center and upscale multifamily housing. New feathers for Hawk’s Crossing LNR Property Corp., Miami Beach, Fla., plans to redevelop Hawk’s Crossing, a 260,000-square-foot shopping center in Coral Springs, Fla. A SuperTarget with 185,000 square feet of space will anchor the center, which will also have a junior anchor and several small shops. The development firm plans to break ground in the third quarter.

Life-power center planned
The Retail Connection, a Dallas-based real estate services, investment and development firm, says it plans to build Arlington Highlands Shopping Center, a 900,000-square-foot shopping complex that will combine the elements of a power center and a lifestyle center. The firm will add specialty retailers and restaurants within a parklike and pedestrian-friendly setting. Retail Connection is spending about $100 million on the two-phase project, which is slated to begin this fall with 600,000 square feet. The second phase will begin next spring.

Kierland Commons readied
Phoenix-based Woodbine Southwest Corp. and its investment partner, The Herberger Interests, also of Phoenix, has almost completed the last retail phase of Kierland Commons, a 38-acre mixed-use project in Phoenix, in March. Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Charles David (a women’s shoe store), and Coach have all opened stores at the center. The first phase of the 400,000-square-foot retail portion opened in 2001. Since then, Barnes & Noble, Cheesecake Factory, Crate & Barrel, The News Café, Restoration Hardware, housewares retailer Sur La Table and Talbots have opened stores there. Woodbine Southwest developed the office portion and plans to build at least 85 luxury lofts.

Great Island adds eateries
Great Island Development, Boston, has increased the capacity for tenants at three centers it owns in Pembroke, Mass., by building a wastewater treatment plant to service them. In conjunction with Boston-based KGI Properties, in which Great Island has a stake, wastewater treatment capacity was increased at Brigantine Village, Rainbow Square and North River Plaza. The partners built the treatment facility on a neighboring parcel occupied by Lowe’s Plaza. The work allowed Great Island to lease space to a new suburban concept, Au Bon Pain café, inside the 39,216-square-foot Brigantine Village. The suburban café, one of only two in operation at press time, features booth seating inside, café seating outside, an area with high-top tables and bar stools and a sitting area with couches. The suburban version also features an expanded bread selection. Quiznos opened a restaurant at Rainbow Square.

Piece of history
Buchanan Partners, of Gaithersburg, Md., is to start building a 2.8 million-square-foot mixed-use center next year called Arcola Center, in Dulles, Va. Components will include moderately priced housing and 800,000 square feet of retail space comprising a lifestyle center, a big-box center, a cinema, a hotel and office space. The $600 million project features a historical element: a stone building on the site’s northwest corner that housed slaves from the colonial through the emancipation eras. Buchanan Partners intends to work with the nonprofit group Friends of the Slave Quarters to restore the building as an educational and tourist destination. The project’s northwest corner will also serve as a link to nearby Village of Arcola, a tiny municipality that is also the target of revitalization efforts. If construction begins as planned in 2006, says Leslie Braunstein, a spokeswoman for Buchanan Partners, the project’s first phase containing some of the retail will open in 2007.

Forever 21 anchors restored 1920s building
Wilson Meany Sullivan, a real estate developer recently acquired by San Francisco-based SPI Holdings, restored a historic building at the corner of Market and Powell streets in San Francisco, converting it into a mixed-use building anchored by a 30,000-square-foot Forever 21 store. Built in 1921 as the headquarters of the Bank of Italy (now the Bank of America) One Powell currently features the apparel store on the ground floor, plus a retail and merchant banking center for Bank of America in the basement, and five stories of loft apartments above the retail.

Wilder adds Loop
The Wilder Cos., the Boston-based retail real estate developer, is building a 440,000-square-foot, open-air retail and entertainment center called The Loop, in Kissimmee (Fla.). Regal Cinema, Kohl’s and Macaroni Grill are among the major tenants at the center, which will have more than 40 retailers overall. Wilder expects to open the center by this winter. Wilder operates another open-air retail and entertainment center called The Loop in Methuen, Mass.

Dawn comes for Morningside
Morningside Group, Chicago, and Mid-America Development Partners, of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., began redeveloping the Oak Lawn Metra rail transit station in Oak Lawn, Ill., a suburb 16 miles west of Chicago. The $35 million project is part of downtown Oak Lawn’s redevelopment. It will feature a mixed-use component containing a 12,000-square-foot neighborhood convenience retail portion called Village Crossings, a 10,000-square-foot Oak Lawn Children’s Museum and some condominiums. Morningside and Mid-America Development hope to complete the rail station in the fourth quarter. The partners plan to ready the retail and museum during the first quarter and to complete the condominiums in the summer.

Chicago ’burb to get center
Tucker Development Corp., Chicago, plans to build a 176,000-square-foot neighborhood shopping center called Heartland Crossing, in Minooka, Ill., 50 miles southwest of Chicago. Tucker Development expects to open the first 26,000 square feet of retail in November. The firm will build the rest, containing several outlots with freestanding big-box stores and neighborhood convenience retail by the spring of 2007, says Jeff Burdick a Tucker spokesman. Jewel-Osco will be a shadow anchor for Heartland Crossing. The supermarket company is building a 61,000-square-foot store adjacent to the neighborhood center site and will open in conjunction with Heartland Crossing.

Prime Outlets unveils Huntley
Baltimore-based Prime Outlets renovated a 67,000-square-foot wing in its Prime Outlets-Huntley (Ill.), and plans to hold an unveiling later this month. Informally called “fashion avenue,” the wing added several retailers, including Ann Taylor, Anne Klein, Banana Republic and Guess factory stores.

Community center planned in N.J.
JSM Brick, a subsidiary of Piscataway, N.J.-based Edgewood Properties, is planning to build a 288,245-square-foot neighborhood and community center anchored by Costco. Aside from Costco, the property will feature national in-line tenants. JSM Brick expects to begin construction this spring and complete it as early as next summer.

Grand plan for San Marcos
Baltimore-based Prime Outlets is working on a 200,000-square-foot expansion for the Prime Outlets-San Marcos (Texas), a 658,000-square-foot center. Prime Outlets is building the new square footage using a Venetian theme with a bell tower, piazzas and a lagoon. Canals will be decorated with statues and surrounded by gardens with gondolas navigating throughout. Prime Outlets is already considered one of Texas’ biggest tourist and leisure destinations, aside from the Alamo and River Walk, a San Antonio shopping and entertainment district built along the banks of the San Antonio River. Neiman Marcus Last Call, Farragamo and Hugo Boss are among the fashion retailers that are to open stores in the expansion. The company says it expects to complete the expansion by this fall. Prime Outlets is also moving a Pottery Barn store at its Prime Outlets-San Marcos to a 65,000-square-foot space from a 14,600-square-foot space. The new store would make it one of the largest Pottery Barn outlets in the country, according to Prime Outlets. At press time the new store’s anticipated opening was to be April.