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IN BRIEF

Natick’s ladylike new Neiman

General Growth Properties’ Natick Mall, outside Boston, is due for a makeover that will include one of the more architecturally outstanding anchor stores at any U.S. mall, sources say. The facade of this two-level Neiman Marcus, designed by locally based architecture firm Elkus Manfredi, will emulate the undulating folds of a woman’s skirt. The 100,000-square-foot store is scheduled to open next fall as part of a 600,000-square-foot expansion of the 1.3 million-square-foot mall. Nordstrom will also anchor the new wing. General Growth plans to change the center’s name to simply Natick once the redevelopment is finished. Luxury condominiums are part of the plans for a second phase.

Aventura Mall in for rehab

Turnberry Associates is expanding and modernizing south Florida’s 2.4 million-square-foot Aventura (Fla.) Mall. A 167,000-square-foot Nordstrom and a 232,000-square-foot wing of new stores and restaurants are in the works and slated to open in the fall of next year. Italian porcelain tiles will replace the current flooring, and bronze railings, new seating and glass-enclosed elevators will be installed. The air-conditioning system, chairs and flooring will be replaced in the food court. Artists are redesigning the children’s play area, which will be unveiled in September. The center was built in 1983 and last expanded in 1997.

Stirling readies Louisiana center

Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties says it will build Stirling Bossier Shopping Center, a 600,000-square-foot, open-air project containing discount and entertainment retailers, in Bossier City, La. The center is scheduled to open later this summer with Target and Belk as anchors.

Italian outlet center makes debut

Barberino Designer Outlet, a 226,000-square-foot (21,000-square-meter), 100-store factory outlet center, has opened near Florence, Italy, in the heart of Tuscany. The center was developed by London-based McArthurGlen and the Fingen Group, of Florence. The center will attract 5 million locals and tourists a year.

GK redevelops Iowa mall

Barrington, Ill.-based GK Development is redeveloping the 340,000-square-foot North Grand Mall, in Ames, Iowa. The $30 million project includes the addition of an open-air center called the Streets of North Grand, which will house several retailers new to Ames. The existing enclosed portion of North Grand Mall will be redesigned. Completion is slated for 2009.