Development/Redevelopment

Philadelphia — Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) announced that it has hired two new directors of retail leasing— Peter Elliott and Amy MacLaren.

Both will be responsible for the leasing of regional malls and retail relationships with key national tenants. 

Yonkers, N.Y.  — Forest City Enterprises announced that National Amusements’ Cinema de Lux has opened at its Westchester’s Ridge Hill mixed-use development in Yonkers, N.Y.

With 12 state-of-the-art auditoriums and wall-to-wall screens, Cinema de Lux also features the area’s first full-service restaurant, Studio 3. The opening comes just a few months before the first buyers prepare to move into their new homes at Monarch at Ridge Hill, the luxury condominium on Ridge Hill Boulevard. 

Minneapolis — Mill Valley Kitchen, a new restaurant concept from former Excel Bank CEO, Craig Bentdahl, is opening on Tuesday, June 7, in the Ellipse on Excelsior development in St. Louis Park, Minneapolis. 

The design of the 5,000-sq.-ft., farm-to-table restaurant was handled by Minneapolis based design firm, Shea Inc. 

Boca Raton, Fla. — Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that Ann Taylor will open a new store at its Town Center at Boca Raton development in Boca Raton, Fla.

The retailer’s first new-concept store in Palm Beach County, the space features a runway of mannequins running down the middle of the store as well as a series of shops-within-shops.

Chicago — A report released by Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle found that the retail sector is edging toward recovery driven by growth in job market, gains in corporate profits and improvements in credit markets.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s North America Mid-Year Retail Outlook, the environment is still not without risk as rising fuel costs and a continued weak housing market, coupled with an increasingly volatile global geopolitical climate, continue to slow retail recovery as consumers remain tentatively cautious. 

Gurnee, Ill. — Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that Macy’s will open at Gurnee Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Illinois.

The nearly 140,000-sq.-ft. Macy’s full-line department store is slated to open in spring 2013. It will anchor a new full-price wing at the center, adding a new dimension to Gurnee Mills’ value shopping experience. 

St. Paul, Minn. — Paster Enterprises announced that grocer Jim’s Market will open a 24,800-sq.-ft. location at Doddway Center, located in St. Paul. 

The new Jim’s Market will be the fourth location in the St. Paul area, and will take the place of current anchor tenant, R.C. Dick’s Foods. Jim’s Market will make significant renovations to the property during the coming months, including new flooring, an updated front entrance and upgrades to the deli section, frozen foods department and meat counter. 

Washington, D.C. — Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. and The Peterson Cos. announced that they have entered into a joint venture agreement to develop, manage and lease Tanger Outlets at National Harbor.

Toronto, Ontario  — Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group and Toronto-based Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust announced they will develop the first Premium Outlet Center in Canada. 

The center will be located in the Town of Halton Hills, Ontario, just 15 minutes outside of Toronto. Construction is slated to start in spring 2012. 

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General Corp. announced that it plans to open its first stores in California in 2012 following successful expansions in such other western states as Arizona and Colorado in recent years.

“Our California stores will mark a significant milestone for Dollar General, giving us a coast-to-coast presence for the first time,” said Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO.