Development/Redevelopment

That’s not a bad headline leading into RECon 2012 next week in Las Vegas. Not that I can take credit for the verbiage; “Regional malls alive and kicking” is a report issued Tuesday by SNL Real Estate, Charlottesville, Va.

Chicago-based General Growth Properties is taking steps toward reducing the carbon footprint of four New Jersey-area malls by outfitting them with state-of-the-art solar panels.

Bridgewater Commons (shown here), Paramus Park, Willowbrook Mall and Woodbridge Center will in total be equipped with 20,000 5.1 megawatt panels that will provide an estimated 12% of the properties’ energy needs.

Ontario -- Ikea said Tuesday that it has begun construction on the expansion of its current Montreal store to what will be its largest store in North America.

Set to be complete summer 2013, the new Ikea Montreal will be 469, 694 sq. ft. and will feature expanded inventory and services such as a 600-seat restaurant and 1,400+ parking spots.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. said Tuesday that its newest store, located in the State Street shopping district of downtown Chicago, is slated to open on May 10, bringing the shoe retailer’s total downtown Chicago store count to two and 17 in Chicagoland.

The new two-level store features 25,000 sq. ft. of space.
 

New York -- St. Louis Real estate services provider Cassidy Turley announced that its retail corporate services team has been awarded project management services for DEB Shops new and remodeled stores throughout the United States.

Cassidy Turley will work with DEB to manage all components of the program, from store planning and design through construction, fixturing, closeout, and opening.

Armington Hills, Mich. -- Agree Realty Corp. announced it has been named a Florida development partner for Wawa, which operates more than 590 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

“We are extremely pleased and tremendously excited to partner with Wawa on their expansion into Florida. Their pioneering approach to the convenience store and fuel station experience will offer Floridians additional choices and varieties that they have never had,” said Joey Agree, president and COO.
 

New York -- Barneys New York said that it has reached an agreement with its largest lender, Perry Capital and other lenders to significantly reduce the retailer’s debt and improve its capital structure. Under the arrangement, Perry Capital has become the majority owner of Barneys. Under a debt-for-equity swap with Perry Capital, as well as other lenders, Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos and current owner Istithmar World, the chain's long-term debt will fall to $50 million from $590 million. The deal makes Perry Capital the majority owner of Barneys.

New York -- Cabela’s plans to open a store in Ashwaubenon, Wis., on property owned by the Green Bay Packers. The store is scheduled to open in the summer of 2013, with construction to begin this fall.

Alice Walton, the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton and his wife Helen, is slated to deliver the commencement address at the University of Arkansas on Saturday, May 12.

Canton, Mass. -- Baskin-Robbins announced Friday a plan to nearly double its U.K. presence over the next three years, adding 80 freestanding units to the 100 stores currently operating in the region.

The announcement comes as the ice cream chain celebrates the official opening of three new shops in London, each featuring the brand’s new international design that includes lounge-style seating, interactive LCD menu displays and upgraded wallcoverings reminiscent of waffle cones.