Real Estate

New York -- Multiple reports on Tuesday revealed that private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has upped its stake in shoe retailer DSW Inc. to 1.3 million shares – or 3% of the company.

The news sent DSW shares upward as much as 6% on Tuesday.

Leonard Green previously owned 981,196 shares in DSW before raising its stake. It was forced to disclose its new position after a request for confidential treatment expired on Nov. 28.

Chicago -- Store opening plans for 2013 are at a four-year high even as positive retail trends tempered with uncertain fiscal policies signal a cautious start to the new year, according to a report released Monday by Jones Lang LaSalle.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s 2013 National Retail Real Estate Outlook, retailers will open as many as 78,325 stores in the next two years – up 11% from year-end plans in 2011. Construction will add 52 million sq. ft. of space in 2013, more than double the 20 million sq. ft. completed in 2012.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Terranova Corp. said that Anna’s Linens will open an 8,100-sq.-ft. store at Lakewood Shopping Center, located in Margate, Fla., and marking the retailer’s 21st location in the state.

The new store will open in early 2013, joining a tenant line-up that includes Marshall’s, Ross Dress for Less and Staples.
 

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management Corp. announced that it has secured three new management and leasing assignments involving six properties in New York and New Jersey.
 
The first appointment involves a portfolio of four, privately owned shopping centers in Tappan, N.Y., totaling 76,000 sq. ft. The properties include Tappan Plaza, an adjacent 15,000-sq.-ft. center anchored by Retro Fitness, and twin strip centers Stateline Plaza I and Stateline Plaza II.

South Elgin, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management Inc. announced that Shoe Carnival recently leased 10,072 sq. ft. at Shops at South Elgin in Chicago’s west suburbs.

The retailer plans to open in spring 2013 in the 164,502-sq.-ft. shopping center. Shoe Carnival is taking space formerly occupied by Famous Footwear and joins Kohl’s, T.J. Maxx, Pier 1 Imports, Petco and the newly expanded Fruitful Yield Health Foods.  

Panama City Beach, Fla. -- The St. Joe Co., together with Casto and Strategic Retail Advisors, announced a joint venture to develop Pier Park North, a 390,000-sq.-ft. shopping center located across from Pier Park Lifestyle Center in Panama City Beach, Fla.

Confirmed retailers include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michaels, Pier 1 Imports and Kirkland’s. Pier Park North anticipates opening in spring 2014.

From ultra-lux boutiques to fast-fashion emporiums, New York City saw an influx of new stores this past year. Here’s our list of the top new must-see stores in the city:

C. Wonder: The brand’s second Manhattan location is even more whimsical and colorful than the first. With decor that includes polka-dot horses, multicolored striped zebras and 6-ft. logo teddy bears, the 8,000-sq.-ft. store personifies C. Wonder’s fun, upbeat personality. (Shops at Columbus Circle, 18 Columbus Circle)

Seattle -- Nordstrom said it plans to move its full-line store located at South Bay Galleria three miles south to Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance, Calif. The two-level, 138,000-sq.-ft. store will open in 2015 as part of a major renovation of Del Amo Fashion Center that was announced Monday by Simon Property Group.