Real Estate

Covington, La. -- Stirling Properties said Monday that River Chase Shopping Center Phase Two, which broke ground in August, has added eight new national tenants that will bring 85,000 sq. ft. of retail space to River Chase as part of an expansion to the development’s existing shopping center. All stores are expected to open spring 2012.

Any early skepticism about the longevity of mixed-use has been silenced. The art of combining components to create a live-work-play project has evolved into a science. And those that have become particularly adept at building, leasing and managing mixed-use properties say that the right formula makes for a successful development. 
Chain Store Age talked with three top developers of mixed-use projects and uncovered several trends that are governing, and continuing to evolve, the format.


Trend #1: Adding local flavor 


Marietta, Ga. -- LaVida Massage said it will open a new location in Marietta, Ga., on Lower Roswell Rd.

The newest location is slated to open Oct. 1 in 3,000 sq. ft., and is owned and managed by Georgia Master Developers Terry Sharp and Duane Goodwin.

Huntley, Ill. -- Tucker Development Corp. said that AT&T has opened a new store at Huntley Grove, the developer’s 350,000-sq.-ft., multi-tenant shopping center in Huntley, Ill.

AT&T occupies a 1,000-sq.-ft. space at the center.

Huntley Grove is anchored by a 176,000-sq.-ft. Walmart Supercenter, joined by State Farm, T-Mobile, AutoZone, The UPS Store and Jimano’s Pizzeria.
 

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods announced it is opening two stores this week, in Yonkers, N.Y., and Norcross, Ga.

The Yonkers location will be the retailer's 32nd store in the state of New York and their 458th nationwide. The Norcross location will be the retailer's fifteenth store in the state of Georgia and their 459th nationwide.

 

New York City -- Office Depot will celebrate the grand opening of its new store in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 27.

The new store features a number of upgrades designed with the customer in mind, including colorful and clear signage, and carpeted floors for a warmer feel. The floor plan is simple to navigate with a layout that is intuitive, logical and convenient for the customer to shop.

In the December 2007 issue of Chain Store Age, I wrote about an historic structure on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, long-occupied by House of Bultman Funeral Home that was undergoing an extensive redevelopment to accommodate the first Borders bookstore in Orleans Parish.