Development/Redevelopment

Somerdale, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said that YoGo Factory opened at CooperTowne Center in April.

The 366,865-sq.-ft. shopping center is located 10 miles from Philadelphia and is anchored by Walmart Supercenter, Cinemark 16-screen theater and LA Fitness.

YoGo Factory is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop with seven locations open in southern New Jersey and an additional 22 stores opening in the coming months.
 

New York -- Manhattan-based ATCO Properties & Management said it has acquired a Whole Foods retail location in Mill Valley, Calif., for $17.3 million.

Situated within the Alto Shopping Center on Mill Valley’s North side, the 23,200-sq.-ft. store opened a year ago and has established itself as one of the chain’s best performers, according to ATCO senior VP Damon Hemmerdinger.

Country Club Hills, Ill. -- Midwestern shopping center owner/developer Tucker Development announced that Le Club has signed a lease at Country Club Plaza, located in the southern portion of Country Club Hills, Ill.

The woman’s apparel retailer, which operates four locations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, will occupy a 2,500-sq.-ft. inline space at the 450,000-sq.-ft. center. According to Tucker’s VP leasing Adam Moschin, approximately 5,600 sq. ft. of space remains available for lease.

Dallas -- Venture Commercial said that LA Fitness has signed a long-term lease to open a 45,000-sq.-ft. facility in Garland, Texas.

The sports club will build a prototype building on the site of the former Mervyn’s building, which is being razed.
 

New York -- RKF announced the opening of a Chicago office as part of its ongoing expansion into key urban markets nationwide. This is the firm’s seventh office; others include its New York headquarters, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Northern New Jersey, and San Francisco.

“The opening of our Chicago office is a crucial part of our national strategy to expand RKF’s on-the-ground presence in key urban markets in the U.S.,” said RKF chairman & CEO Robert Futterman.

Thousand Oaks, Calif. -- NewMark Merrill Cos. announced the May 13 opening of the first Hooters Restaurant in Ventura County at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The new 5,700-sq.-ft. restaurant is located near Burlington Coat Factory and features seating for 230 guests. 

Hooters is the newest tenant to join Regency Theaters, Toys “R” Us, Old Navy, Marshall’s, Buca di Beppo, Panera Bread, Burlington Coat Factory and other national, regional and community tenants at Janss Marketplace. 

New York -- Winick Realty Group said that Latin Fusion restaurant Blend has signed a lease for 4,284 sq. ft. in Long Island City.

The restaurant is situated at the base of a newly constructed luxury rental building, part of a waterfront residential complex constructed by developer TF Cornerstone.

Purchase, N.Y. -- National Realty & Development Corp. said it has been chosen to receive the New Jersey Future 2012 Smart Growth Award for the redevelopment of CooperTowne Center in Somerdale, N.J.

The award recognizes the best development or redevelopment projects around the state that embrace sustainable growth and environmental preservation. CooperTowne Center was classified as a greyfields project, one of the first in the state, by the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth.

Dallas -- Restaurant chain Seasons 52 said it has selected NorthPark Center for its first location in Dallas. The new Seasons 52 restaurant at NorthPark Center is expected to open this fall.

The restaurant will be located between Neiman Marcus and Dillard's, with entrances from both inside the mall and street side.

Yorkville, Ill. -- Tucker Development Corp. said that Athens Gyros & Kebabs will open a location at Yorkville Marketplace, located in Yorkville, Ill.

The Middle Eastern restaurant signed a lease to occupy a 1,258-sq.-ft. space within the 145,000-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by Jewel-Osco and OfficeMax.