Development/Redevelopment

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. 

Vista, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Vista, Calif., at Vista Village to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. 

The restaurant leased 2,611 sq. ft. of retail space at the 232,543-sq. ft. Vista Village, which is anchored by Krikorian Premiere Theatre and Frazier Farms.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- MinuteClinic said Tuesday that it has opened two walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in Savannah and Richmond Hill, Ga.

They are the first retail medical clinics to open in the Savannah region and join 31 other MinuteClinic locations in Georgia situated throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

With its chief marketing officer, Michael Francis leaving to take on the role of president of JCPenney, Target is temporarily without an executive to head up its expansion into Canada, which should come as good news to Walmart Canada, which recently announced some leadership changes of its own.

Former Asda executive and Walmart Canada CEO David Cheesewright has a new role that opens up some intriguing growth possibilities, given his new responsibilities include oversight of geographic areas where Walmart doesn’t currently operate stores.

New York -- In a partnership with the U.K.-based retailer PC World, Google has opened its first-ever physical retail space, a pop-up shop in London.  It will be open for three months. 

The small,  285-sq.-ft. shop, called Chrome Zone, is devoted to Samsung’s ultra-portable Chrome OS-powered Chromebook computer and related accessories.  The space  has a high-tech look and is decked out in Google’s signature colors. 

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods announced the opening of three stores. 

The company will will open the doors to its stores in Suffolk, Va., Burlington, N.C., and  El Cajon, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 5

The current economic climate has us all thinking more about retail expansion than perhaps over the last two to three years, but real estate disposition/portfolio optimization isn’t just on simmer. There’s still plenty of action in that arena, and Chain Store Age talked with Spence J. Mehl, SVP of New York City-based RCS Real Estate Advisors, about the latest happenings.