Tenant Update

Mansfield, Conn. -- Westport, Conn.-based Charter Realty & Development Corp. said that ground was broken on Storrs Center, a new mixed-use town center to be located adjacent to the University of Connecticut in Mansfield.

At completion, the project will include approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 700 residential units, and significant open space.

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that J.C. Penney, Nordstrom Rack, Bravo Cucina Italiana and Forever 21 will join The Cheesecake Factory in 190,000 sq. ft. of anchor space formerly occupied by Strawbridge’s at Willow Grove Park in suburban Philadelphia.

The reconfiguration of the former Strawbridge’s store sets the stage for continuing the fashion-oriented merchandising strategy that differentiates the mall and appeals to a wide range of shopping and dining tastes.

Baltimore -- Oak Brook, Ill.-based Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust announced that Reisterstown Plaza Associates LLC, one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, has signed a lease with Big Lots to occupy a 35,000-sq.-ft. location at Reisterstown Road Plaza in Baltimore.

The Big Lots is slated to open this fall and brings the center to more than 92% leased.
 

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments announced Monday that it has signed leases totaling approximately 278,000 sq. ft. at Cole-related retail properties through the first half of 2011.

The leases consist of approximately 129,000 sq. ft. of new leases and approximately 149,000 sq. ft. in renewals, bringing the occupancy rate for Cole’s portfolio of more than 1,450 properties to 97.3%.

Naperville, Ill. -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Gordmans opened a 50,000-sq.-ft. store at Westridge Court, located in Naperville, Ill.
 
The new discount store opened on July 29, joining recently opened retailers Savers thrift store (38,490 sq. ft.) and Dots (4,466 sq. ft.).

Westridge Court is owned by New York City-based Centro.
 

Youngstown, Ohio -- Shopping center owner Cafaro Co. said Wednesday that Books-A-Million will fill vacant and soon-to-be vacant spaces in a lineup of its malls around the country.

Beginning in August, new Books-A-Million stores will open at Spotsylvania Towne Centre, Fredericksburg, Va.; Millcreek Mall, Erie, Pa.; and Meadowbrook Mall, Bridgeport, W.V.

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said Tuesday it has arranged a long-term, 1,140-sq.-ft. lease for fine leather luggage and handbag retailer Ghurka at 781 Fifth Ave., located at 59th Street in the Plaza District. 

The new Ghurka flagship, which will augment an existing location at The Plaza Retail Collection, will occupy 915 sq. ft. on the ground floor and 225 sq. ft. in the basement at its new Fifth Avenue space. 

San Mateo, Calif. -- Hillsdale Shopping Center, located in San Mateo, Calif., is currently undergoing an extensive 80,000-sq.-ft. renovation to an area previously occupied by Mervyn’s.

The transformation will feature San Mateo County’s first Cheesecake Factory, a two-story Forever 21, and H&M as anchors of the center’s south end.