Development/Redevelopment

Philadelphia -- Men’s and women’s apparel retailer, Theory has taken 3,000 sq. ft. at 1616 Walnut Street in Center City Philadelphia near Rittenhouse Square, according to Fameco Real Estate.

Fameco represented the building’s ownership group of Federal Capital, Alterra Property and Cross Properties in the transaction.

Greer, S.C. -- Buffets, the parent company of six family style steak buffet restaurant chains, has named Chip Romp to the newly created position of VP Training and Jay Allen to Senior VP Real Estate and Development.

A 20-year training veteran, Romp comes to the company from the Italian Fast Casual concept Fazoli’s, where he served as VP Training, Development & Ops Services. He also has training experience with Applebee’s International, Damon’s International and Jillian’s Entertainment.

The mantra of “move, nourish, believe” occupies a prominent spot on the blue walls of Lorna Jane, Santa Monica, Calif. With its bright colors, fashionable accents, and welcoming atmosphere, the store has an upbeat, sporty-girl vibe that is very much in keeping with the Australian active wear brand’s positioning. Motivational expressions can be found throughout the space.

Secaucus, N.J. – The Children’s Place is partnering with Israeli fashion chain Fox-Wizel Ltd. to open stores in Israel, starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The two companies inked a 10-year franchise agreement.

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- Swedish children’s wear brand Polarn O. Pyret USA has opened its first Boston-area store at THE STREET in Chestnut Hill, according to WS Development, the center’s developer and owner. This is the fifth Polarn O. Pyret (pronounced POH-lahrn oh PEE-rhet and nicknames PO.P) in the U.S. and the fourth on the east coast.

Richmond, Va. -- Five retailers have signed five leases, taking a total of 23,700 sq. ft. of retail space in the metropolitan Richmond, Va., market, according to Divaris Real Estate, Inc., the broker representing the retailers.

Davenport, Iowa - Von Maur announceed that its newest store, located at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville, Iowa, will open on July 27, 2013.

The 80,000-sq.-ft., free-standing brick store will feature Von Maur's signature exterior entrance and residential ambiance, along with an expansive open floor plan and larger departments that are designed to allow for greater product selection and more easily navigable aisles and common areas.

San Francisco - Converse has opened its first Northern California location — and its largest store to date — in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district. With 8,200 sq.ft. of selling space, the store offers a comprehensive assortment of Converse footwear, apparel and accessories, along with an interactive personalization process for designing one-of-a-kind Converse sneakers and clothing.

Minneapolis - Target announced plans to open new stores in Fresno and Rocklin, Calif., in March 2014.

The Fresno store will be part of the Marketplace at El Paseo shopping center. The Rocklin store will be part of the Rocklin Commons shopping center.

The Fresno Northwest store will be approximately 140,000 sq. ft.

Atlanta - Spanx, the fast-growing dollar undergarment and apparel company, will open a custom designed, expanded company headquarters and a flagship store in Buckhead Atlanta, a major mixed-use project in the heart of the area’s business district. (The project, now under construction, was initially called Streets of Buckhead.)

The headquarters will occupy three floors, a rooftop garden terrace and additional balconies. Spanx is anticipated to move in November 2014.