Development/Redevelopment

Nordstrom continues to expand its off-price format, with plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at The Marketplace at Braintree in Braintree, Massachusetts. The approximately 35,000-sq.-ft. store, leased from Seritage Growth Properties is scheduled to open in fall 2016.

Nordstrom Rack at The Marketplace at Braintree will join a diverse group of retailers including Ulta Beauty, Sports Authority, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond and PetSmart. The 351,282-sq.-ft. center is located south of downtown Boston and near main highways including I-93, I-95 and Route 3.

Redding, Calif. -- Rouse Properties announced it has significantly improved key operating metrics at Mt. Shasta Mall located in Redding, California, through execution of its leasing strategy with prominent national and regional retailers, as well cosmetic enhancements to the interior and exterior of the mall.

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- The Sembler Company added 420,000 sq. ft. of new acquisitions to its portfolio in 2015, in addition to breaking ground on three new shopping centers and inking deals for three more – all while maintaining more than 95% portfolio occupancy.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group announced that Andrew Turf, a high street luxury retail real estate expert, will join the company’s Retail Services team as senior VP. Turf will also act as tenant representative on the West Coast and beyond and collaborate with capital markets teams on a variety of real estate projects.

New Hyde Park, N.Y. -- Kimco Realty Corp. announced that Conor C. Flynn, president and CEO, has been appointed to the company’s board of directors effective January 1, 2016, simultaneous with his elevation to the CEO role. Flynn succeeds David B. Henry who retired as vice chairman of the board of directors and CEO on January 1, 2016.

RANDOM NOTES: The North Face puts its passion for adventure and the great outdoors front and center in its new flagship in London. Designed to inspire customers to explore the world, the 4,300-sq.-ft. store features skylights, live greenery, tree trunks that extend through the ceiling windows, and such tech enhancements as a virtual reality experience that takes viewers on a journey through Nepal. Digital screens (“sky windows”) set in the ceiling have imagery that reflects outside weather conditions.

Westfield Corporation established Westfield Labs in 2013 with the purpose of innovating the retail environment. And this year the company did just that with the opening of BESPOKE at Westfield San Francisco Centre. The 37,000-sq.-ft. space incorporates co-working, event and technology demo spaces all under one dome. With an eye for retail, and a heart for tech, Westfield wanted to create a place where fashion runway shows and hackathons could happen side by side.

Nintendo World in Rockefeller Plaza in New York City is getting a big upgrade.

The two-level store, which opened in 2005, will temporarily close on Jan. 10, and then reopen on Feb. 19, with a new look and a new feel. The overhaul will include an updated interior design, new demo units for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, a 15-ft. gaming screen and more fun elements.

In addition, a large bronze coin installed at the store entrance will display the store’s tagline: “Where everyone comes to play.”