Real Estate

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Shopping center owner Regency Centers said Thursday that it has launched construction on Southpark at Cinco Ranch, a 260,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood center anchored by Kroger, in Fort Bend County, Houston.

In partnership with Excel Commercial Real Estate, Regency Centers began construction of the center’s first phase on Feb. 20, with anchor openings scheduled for fourth quarter 2012.

Shanghai, China -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, along with Chinese retail conglomerate Bailian Group, announced plans to jointly develop a branded Premium Outlet Center in Pudong, Shanghai, China.

Simon Property Group is the world's largest developer, owner and operator of outlet shopping centers, with interests in 70 Premium Outlet Centers located in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Columbus, Ohio -- Casto announced that Bruce Engelhardt has joined the firm’s property management team where his primary focus will be on a retail portfolio totaling 1.8 million sq. ft. of shop space.

Most recently, Engelhardt was the group manager of the Open-Air Division at Jones Lang LaSalle.

New York City -- Gordman's will open its first stores in Utah, in March, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

The value-priced department store operator will open a store in Farmington’s Station Park shopping center on March 23, and also one in The District shopping center in South Jordan, the report said. A third store is set to open, in Riverdale, in July.

“The Salt Lake MSA [metropolitan statistical area between Ogden and Provo] we see as a significant opportunity for us,” CEO Jeff Gordman said, in the report.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Henri Bendel will join Nordstrom, True Religion, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, and Guess by Marciano at Cherry Hill Mall this summer.  

The retailer will debut in a 2,300-sq.-ft. location by the Grand Court.

In 2012, Cherry Hill Mall has welcomed The Art of Shaving, and additional notable stores will be announced shortly, including a full-service beauty salon and upscale home furnishing retailer, according to PREIT.
 

Philadelphia -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said that it has promoted Mark E. Taylor to first VP investments.

Most recently, Taylor held the title of VP investments. He specializes in the sale of retail shopping centers and net-leased property investment real estate.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group announced that its first DestinationXL store in the Middle East will open this spring in Symphony Mall, Kuwait City, Kuwait, under a franchise agreement between one of its subsidiaries and The Standard Arabian Business & Enterprises Company (SABECO).

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. is expanding its footprint in Latin America. Leveraging its franchise model, the company has opened its first stores in Panamá and plans to introduce its brands to three additional Latin American countries: Colombia, Uruguay, and Peru.