Deals

Greenwich, Conn. -- Private investment firm Starwood Capital Group announced that an affiliate of Starwood has completed its acquisition of a 90% majority interest in seven U.S. shopping centers from the Westfield Group.

Westfield retained a 10% minority interest in the portfolio.

Starwood also announced that it has formed a new subsidiary, Starwood Retail Partners, to be based in Chicago, to oversee the management of the newly acquired assets and has named Scott Wolstein, co-founder of DDR, as its CEO. 

Tucson, Ariz. -- Commercial Real Estate Advisors said that Rock’N Babies has relocated its store to Plaza Sonora, located in Tucson, Ariz.

The new 1,800-sq.-ft. resale boutique opened July 1.

 

Greensboro, N.C. -- High-end grocer The Fresh Market is making a stand in California, as it prepares to open its first three stores in the state.

According to a Tuesday report by Investor’s Business Daily, Fresh Market has signed leases and begun construction on one store in Santa Barbara, one in Palo Alto and a third in Roseville. The grocer said it expects to open its first store in the state either late this year or early 2013.

Austin, Texas -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said that three new store locations have been finalized for Baskins Western and Work Wear in Baton Rouge, La.; Lafayette, La.; and Katy, Texas. 

The new stores will include 12,000 to 15,000 sq. ft., and will bring the western apparel retail chain to 28 total locations.

Dallas -- X Team International said that Dallas-Fort Worth-based partner Venture Commercial has completed leases for Northern Tool + Equipment locations in Nebraska, Texas and Georgia. Houston-based X Team partner Baker Katz assisted with the Texas lease.

Northern Tool + Equipment has filled a 15,142-sq.-ft. box in Omaha, Neb., located in 72 Pacific Plaza; a 15,142-sq.-ft. box in Conroe, Texas, located in the Pine Hollow Shopping Center; and a 15,585-sq.-ft. box in Buford, Ga., located in Lee’s Crossing Center.
 

Miami -- Swire Properties announced it has broken ground on its Brickell CitiCentre project, a $1.05 billion mixed-use development that is billed as the largest private sector venture of its kind in Miami history.

Philadelphia -- Fameco Real Estate said that its Center City leasing team has signed seven new retail leases in Philadelphia.

On Walnut Street, Chipotle leased 2,300 sq. ft., Swarovski leased 1,800 sq. ft., and Urban Igloo entered the market with its first lease.   

Westbrook, Maine -- Olympia Sports announced it has recently surpassed its 200th location and has begun a march south and west from its home state of Maine.

The company plans to open 25 stores during its current fiscal year, including its first store in West Virginia and others in states south of New York. A similar pace of expansion is expected for the following fiscal year beginning in October, said Olympia.