Development/Redevelopment

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart plans a modest acceleration of its small format stores in the coming years as investors were assured Wednesday morning that financial returns are now comparable with the company’s large supercenters.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group said Wednesday that the U.S. commercial real estate market continued to show moderate improvement across all property sectors in third quarter 2012.

In the retail sector, properties continued to see modest improvement in availability, which fell 10 bps to 12.9%, during the third quarter.

Washington, D.C. -- Grosvenor Americas and Skanska USA Commercial Development have announced plans for a mixed-use project of more than 650,000 sq. ft. directly north of the new Washington Nationals ballpark in the Capitol Riverfront district of Washington, DC.
     

Rogers, Ark. -- In its annual meeting with analysts on Wednesday, Wal-Mart Stores U.S. president Bill Simon said the retailer would accelerate small-store growth to compete with dollar stores and drug stores, and announced plans to have 500 Neighborhood Market stores and 12 Express stores by fiscal 2016.

“This gives us the opportunity to build more stores for less money," Simon said. Wal-Mart currently operates 217 Neighborhood Markets and 10 Express stores.

White Plains, N.Y. -- Oak Brook, Ill.-based Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust announced the acquisition of a majority interest in City Center at White Plains, a four-story, 381,905-sq.-ft. mixed-use shopping center and apartment property in White Plains, N.Y.

The property was acquired in a joint venture between a subsidiary of Inland Diversified and affiliates of real estate developer Cappelli Group. The joint venture valued the property at approximately $166.4 million.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Walmart Canada said Tuesday it will complete 30 real estate projects by the end of October, including two supercenter conversions and 28 new stores totaling 2.4 million sq. ft. of retail space.

The new stores were former Zellers locations; 10 will be converted to supercenters and 18 will be Walmart Canada discount stores.

“This is an exciting month for Walmart Canada,” said Jim Thompson, COO, Walmart Canada.

Atlanta -- The Sembler Co. said that Charlie Heard has joined the firm as VP development and southeast market leader for the company. He will be based in Atlanta.

Heard’s duties consist of pursuing new shopping center development opportunities in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.  He has been involved in development projects for retailers such as Publix, Kroger, Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, CVS and Walgreen's and has worked with top-tier retailers on site selection across industry sectors.

Philadelphia -- Fashion retailer Intermix has opened its 30th store at 1718 Walnut Street in Center City, Philadelphia, according to Metro Commercial, which negotiated the 3,386-sq.-ft. lease.

The retailer will occupy space on the ground floor of the Rittenhouse Claridge, a landmark building owned by Kaiserman Co. Metro Commercial searched for the ideal location for Intermix for over two years.

St. Charles, Mo. -- Peoria, Ill.-based Cullinan Properties said that MassageLuXe has opened at the Streets of St. Charles, a new mixed-use development in St. Charles, Mo.

MassageLuXe joins Streets of St. Charles Dental and the first Five Guys Burgers & Fries location in St. Charles County. Opening soon are two full-service restaurants that are new to Metro St. Louis -- Tucanos Brazilian Grill and Prasino.

NEW YORK — H&M will cement its place in New York City with the opening of its 13th store in Times Square.

The retailer has announced the lease signing for a 42,500 sq. ft. space that will become part of the NYC skyline, complete with 70 ft. by 70 ft. signage at the top of the store.

The store will feature three floors housing collections for ladies, men and children.