Development/Redevelopment

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. announced the promotions of Andrew Cobb to senior VP and director of accounting, Stuart Smith to senior VP - planning/redevelopment, Jennifer Cope to VP - shared services, Jon Meshel to VP - development/redevelopment, and Ken Wittler to VP - development.

Andy Cobb joined CBL in June 2002, as VP - accounting. In February 2007, he was promoted to VP and director of accounting. Prior to joining CBL, Cobb was an audit manager for Arthur Andersen.

Santa Ana, Calif. -- As part of Westfield MainPlace’s redevelopment plan, the Santa Ana, California, center announced two new dining destinations: Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que and Wokcano. Slated to debut late summer/early fall 2015, these announcements come on the heels of three recent restaurant openings: Panini Café (December 2014), Dog Haus and Blaze Pizza (both November 2014).

Atlanta -- JLL announced the expansion of its management platform with the addition of Brett Earp as the new Southeast and Florida property management lead. Based out of the firm’s Atlanta office, he will partner with Atlanta Retail Market Lead John Bemis and Florida Retail Market Lead John Lambert to maximize the firm’s clients’ property values. He will be responsible for increasing or maintaining their net operating income by developing and executing strategic operational efficiencies.

One of the interesting retail real estate trends I’ve been seeing pick up steam in the last couple of years is the willingness of many retailers to look beyond the traditional mall locations. Many are choosing locations on “hot streets,” bustling avenues within major communities that happen to be the retail hub, or in the downtown/village center area of the market.

Chicago -- Famed British toy retailer Hamleys is coming across the pond. The 255-year old company, famous for has retained JLL to facilitate a multiple store roll-out throughout the United States.

New York -- Forever 21 opened a 36,000-sq.-ft. store on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, joining such other fast-fashion retailers already in the neighborhood as Uniqlo, H&M and TopShop.  

The four-level space houses all of retailer’s collections under one roof, including Forever 21 Men. The store is located in a building that formerly housed an H&M store, which closed in December when the retailer moved to a different location on Fifth and 48th Streets.

For Los Angeles-based fashion retailer Forever 21, the journey from a single location on Figueroa Street in L.A. in 1984 to more than 680 global locations today has been transformative. Over the last three decades, the brand has not shied away from innovation and experimentation, implementing a range of different store sizes and concepts along the way: from smaller 5,000-sq.-ft. layouts in its early years, to larger 9,000-sq.-ft. concepts in the 2000s and a range of big-box stores that range up to 40,000 sq. ft.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets has promoted James Walker to president of operations and development. Formerly Johnny Rockets' chief development officer, Walker was recently promoted because of his role in orchestrating the franchise's record growth and development since joining in December 2013.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts is recruiting franchisees to develop an estimated 10 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout Birmingham, Alabama, and the surrounding areas. In addition, a number of existing operating restaurants may be available for purchase.

Currently there are 21 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants operating in Alabama.

Forever 21 has joined the crowded fast fashion scene on New York City’s Fifth Avenue by opening a new 36,000 square foot flagship store.

The store is spread out over four floors and will carry Forever 21 Men, Forever 21+, F21 Contemporary, basics, denim and shoes.

The new flagship takes over the site of a former H&M store, which closed in December a few months after the opening of its own new flagship on 48th Street.