Development/Redevelopment

New York — British apparel retailer Jack Wills is looking to nearly double its store count in the United States, according to various reports in the U.K. media.

The company, which specializes in preppy clothing for young men and women, currently operates 11 U.S. locations and has plans to add eight to 10 stores next year. It made its U.S. debut in 2010, in Massachusetts.

Ridgefield, Conn. — Spanish fast-fashion retail giant Zara has chosen Schimenti Construction Company to build its new flagship at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The 39,000-sq.-ft. store is located in the former home of the NBA Store.

“We have begun the first phase (demolition and structural work) of the project which has included lowering the second floor to provide a higher ceiling and installing new steel beams,” said project executive Joseph Schimenti.

New York City -- Centro Properties Group US announced it has officially changed its name to Brixmor Property Group, Inc., effective immediately. 

The name change follows the acquisition of the company in June by an affiliate of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI L.P. 

Brixmor is the second largest owner of community and neighborhood shopping centers in the United States with 585 properties aggregating approximately 92 million sq. ft.

Madison, Wis. -- Lee & Associates’ Madison office said it has completed $2.8 million of leases at The Shoppes at Hartford; a 24,000-sq.-ft. retail center in Hartford, Wis. 

Located next to a new Wal-Mart Super Center, Lee Madison had the center 75% pre-leased before construction commenced and 100% leased before construction was finalized. Construction commenced April 1, and all tenants are expected to open before Christmas 2011.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Dallas-based Cypress Equities said that its West 7th mixed-use development in Fort Worth, Texas, has signed specialty women’s fashion retailer Peruvian Atelier for a 2,357-sq.-ft. shop slated to open in late 2011.

The new store will be located between Flirt Boutique and the soon-to-open Keena’s.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced the hiring of Brandon L. Singer as a first VP in the New York office.

Singer will join SRS’ newly formed SRS Urban team, which consists of seasoned retail specialists focused on major urban retail markets in the United States. In the Metro New York market, he will help lead the SRS Urban push into landlord services and investment sales.

Singer was most recently a senior director at Robert K. Futterman and Associates. 

Houston -- Baker Katz, X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm in Houston, said it has completed the sale of one of Houston’s modern landmark properties formerly occupied by a men’s fine clothing retailer.  

The 14,000-sq.-ft. building was sold to Braun Enterprises for an undisclosed amount. It had been occupied for more than 61 years by Harolds, one of the area’s most well known men’s fine clothing retailers until the retailer closed its doors in August. 

Arlington, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 3,588 sq. ft. of retail space in Arlington, Texas, at Cooper Street Plaza to Mattress Firm.  

The store is slated to open for business in October 2011. 

The 235,196-sq-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 137,840-sq.-ft. Home Depot alongside national retailers such as OfficeMax, T.G.I. Friday’s and State Farm Insurance. 

New York City -- O'Connor/Wafra Retail Partners, a fund sponsored by O'Connor Capital Partners and Wafra Investment Advisory Group, said it has acquired a 278,209-sq.ft., open-air center, Baybrook Village, in Houston.

Baybrook Village is anchored by Sports Authority, Ross and Toys ‘R’ Us, and also features PetSmart, Ulta, Jos. A. Bank and Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts.  

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments announced the formation of a joint venture with RED Development to focus on future acquisition opportunities, recapitalizations and note purchases in the retail real estate sector.