Deals

It looks like Sycamore Partners, which owns approximately 9.9% of Express’ outstanding shares, is interested in acquiring the retailer.

Express confirmed that it has received a letter from Sycamore and has established a special committee of the board to determine a course of action that serves the best interest of all stockholders. The retailer has also engaged Perella Weinberg Partners LP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as advisers to itself and the special committee.

Queens, N.Y. — A new retail building is reportedly planned for the site of a former adult entertainment club in the Rego Park neighborhood of Queens. According to the Queens Chronicle, a 20,000-sq.-ft. building will occupy the location once occupied by the Goldfingers nightclub, which has been shuttered since 1999.  

Clifton, N.J. — Blink Fitness has leased a 15,000-sq.-ft. location at the 80,000-sq.-ft. Clifton Plaza shopping center in Clifton, N.J., according to Levin Management (www.levinmgt.com), the property’s managing and leasing agent.

Co-anchored by a 24,000-sq.-ft. Big Lots and a 14,000-sq.-ft. Dollar Tree, Clifton Plaza’s tenant roster includes GameStop, Radio Shack, Angel Tip Nails & Spa, Bruno’s Pizza, Sally Beauty Supply and Valley National Bank.

Beachwood, Ohio — DDR Corp. and an affiliate of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII have announced the formation of a third joint venture to acquire 76 shopping centers currently owned by American Realty Capital Properties, Inc.

The joint venture will acquire the portfolio in a transaction valued at $1.975 billion, including assumed debt of $461 million and approximately $800 million of new financings.  

Bethesda, Md. — Bed Bath & Beyond has opened a new 23,400-sq.-ft. store at Wildwood Shopping Center in California, Md. This is the retailer’s 19th store in Maryland. J.C. Penney and Belk’s anchor the 289,000-sq.-ft. center. Sax Realty (www.saxrealty.com) represented Bed Bath & Beyond in the transaction. Scheer Partners represented the landlord.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management Inc. has secured four new retail leases on behalf of three lifestyle shopping centers in the Chicago metropolitan area. Mid-America represented the landlord in each transaction.

In Algonquin, Ill., Pure Mountain Company has taken 8,824 sq. ft. at Algonquin Commons in Algonquin, Ill. Premier Commercial Realty represented the tenant. Dick’s Sporting Goods, DSW, Old Navy, PetSmart and Trader Joe’s anchor the 578,825-sq.-ft. Algonquin Commons lifestyle center.

Chicago, Ill. — Corner Bakery Café will open its first Wisconsin location later this year at The Mayfair Collection in Wauwatosa, Wis. The 4,000-sq.-ft. franchise location is near the center entrance at Burleigh Street and 114th Street.

Construction is slated to begin within the next few weeks. Neo Fourno Inc., the franchisee, plans to open 10 new cafes in Madison and Milwaukee over the next five years.

New York City — Restaurant chain Pret A Manger has leased a 2,577-sq.-ft. shop at 600 Lexington Avenue, a boutique 36-story office tower on East 52nd Street. The new location will bring the chains Manhattan locations to a total of 39.

RKF (www.rkf.com) represented Pret A Manger and the landlord, SL Green Realty Corp. in the transaction. Over the last two years, RKF has arranged a dozen new leases for the chain.