Development/Redevelopment

Oakbrook, Terrace, Ill. -- A report released Monday by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. suggested that new shopping center construction in and around Chicago could ramp up significantly after this year.

According to the 2011-12 Chicagoland Shopping Center Report, with a 13.4% decrease in new shopping center GLA in Chicagoland last year, 2011will likely mark the bottom of a four-year decline in retail center construction. After a flat 2012, shopping center development could double in 2013, according to Andy Bulson, author of the report.
 

Washington, D.C. -- CBRE announced Tuesday that Louis G. Christopher has joined the firm as vice chairman, charged with focusing on tenant representation on a local, national and global level.

Christopher was previously with Cushman & Wakefield’s, where he was chairman of the firm’s Tenant Advisory Group.

Milwaukee -- NAI MLG Commercial said Tuesday that Brian J. Vanevenhoven has been named principal of the firm.

Vanevenhoven joined NAI MLG Commercial in 2000 and became a retail associate in 2001. In 2006, he was promoted to VP, and in 2007 was promoted to senior VP of the retail team. 

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said Tuesday that its debut store in Israel will open on Thursday at Ramat Aviv Mall, in Tel Aviv.

Ten additional locations are planned over the next month, in locations such as The Big Mall in Petach Tikva, Kiryat Ono Mall, and Mall of Haifa. The franchise stores will be operated by Fox-Wizel Ltd., a leading retailer and wholesaler in the region.

Minneapolis -- Target on Monday announced it will seek independent pharmacists to own and operate the pharmacies in its stores in Canada. The chain said it will utilize a pharmacy franchise model for its stores north of the border, the first of which will open in March/April 2013. The strategy is different than in the United States, where Target operates its own in-store pharmacies.

Cranston, R.I. -- The Wilder Cos. announced that Garden City Center has detailed a multi-phased strategy to expand, reconfigure and redevelop the historic shopping center.

Construction of a new 20,000-sq.-ft. building will begin an extension that will eventually turn former large-format retail space into a mix of mid-size and smaller specialty stores. Later phases include construction of several new restaurant spaces and improved traffic and pedestrian links to the Whole Foods Market section of the center.

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Landmark Retail Group, a subsidiary of NewMark Merrill Cos., announced that Clay Toombs has joined the company as senior project manager, responsible for overseeing development projects from design through entitlement approvals, permitting and construction.

Toombs previously worked for Evergreen Devco Inc. as senior project manager.
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Town Center at Boca Raton, in Boca Raton, Fla., will celebrate the expansion and relocation of Forever 21 to its soon-to-be-completed Cafes at Boca. The 19,000-sq.-ft. upgraded store will offer upgrades and added offerings.

“With the relocation of our store at Town Center at Boca Raton, we are able to accommodate more brands and new concepts,” said Larry Meyer, Forever 21 executive VP.

Chalfont, Pa. -- Brixmor Property Group announced a 3,200-sq.-ft. Anytime Fitness recently opened at New Britain Village Square, located in Chalfont, Pa. 

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of New Britain Village Square.

West Bridgewater, Mass. -- Shaw’s Supermarkets has reopened its store in Ludlow, Vt. The store had been closed after being severely damaged by flooding in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene.

In addition to repairing the damage from the flooding, Shaw’s invested additional resources to remodel the store, including expanding the store to 19,000 sq. ft., upgrading equipment and adding to offerings in several key categories.