REAL ESTATE

Philadelphia -- Forever 21 recently relocated and expanded to a two-story location in the newly developed wing at Willow Grove Park, located in eastern Montgomery County just north of Philadelphia. The mall is owned and operated by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust.

New York City -- Chain Store Age columnist Jeff Green, in his latest piece “On the Upswing?”, observes that there are three broad categories of retail driving the current expansion buzz.

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Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters announced Wednesday that it has opened stores in three new international markets — Morocco, Jordan and Egypt.

The company said it also opened its third store in Saudi Arabia, and has plans for a second store in Lebanon in early 2012. The retailer currently operates in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE through its franchise partner, M.H. Alshaya.

Chicago --General Growth Properties said its board approved the spinoff of its Rouse Properties Inc. subsidiary, to consist of 30 regional shopping centers in 19 states.

The separation will be completed through a pro rata taxable dividend on Jan. 12, to stockholders of record as of the close of U.S. exchanges on Dec. 30, Chicago-based General Growth said today in a statement.

New York City -- It’s true: Everything old is new again. New York City’s retail maven, Faith Hope Consolo, chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Leasing, Marketing & Sales Division, has put together a list of her favorite store makeovers of the past year. As Consolo notes, even the most iconic stores must constantly present a new, fresh face to keep shoppers coming. Here are her faves:

Bethesda, Md. -- Archiecture and design firm Streetsense said Monday it has created an all-new interior design scheme for La Madeleine French Country Cafe, a national chain of French-themed fast-casual restaurants.

A 1,194-sq.-ft. restaurant using the new prototype design is now open at Northpark Center in Dallas, while another is under construction in Tulsa, Okla. La Madeleine also has engaged Streetsense to design two new stores planned for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, one in Tysons Corner, Va., and one in Silver Spring, Md.

Short Hills, N.J. -- The Mall at Short Hills, located in Short Hills, N.J., announced that Carlo Pazolini and Ermenegildo Zegna have joined the mall’s tenant roster. 

Luxury menswear retailer Ermenegildo Zegna opened on the upper level near Neiman Marcus. 

Carlo Pazolini has located on the lower level near Macy’s, and will present Carlo Pazolini, Carlo Pazolini Couture and Adami collections.

Tampa, Fla. -- RMC Property Group said that Charles Boscarino has joined the company as the newly appointed VP of leasing. 

Boscarino replaces Bobby Eggleston, who has been promoted to VP of RMC and will be involved in the areas of acquisitions and new development.

Boscarino previously served as VP real estate and store development for Bealls Stores, where he was primarily responsible for the development, expansion, and marketing of 500 stores in 14 states.