Real Estate

Federal Realty and partners acquire Shops at Sunset Place for $110 million
Miami -- Federal Realty Investment Trust, along with partners Grass River Property and The Comras Company, acquired 85% interest in The Shops at Sunset Place -- a 515,000 sq. ft. mixed-use center in South Miami, Florida for $110 million.

The transaction includes the assumption of an existing $70.8 million mortgage with an interest rate of 5.6% and maturity date of September 2020.
Smart & Final to buy 28 stores from Haggen
The bankrupt Haggen supermarket chain is following through on its promise to unload some of its California locations as the company looks to refocus its operations on 37 stores in the Pacific Northwest.

Fort Howard Square acquired for approximately $11.5 million

Rincon, Ga. -- Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. announced the acquisition of Fort Howard Square in Rincon, Georgia, for a purchase price of approximately $11.5 million, using a combination of cash and debt to pay for the property.

The center is 95% leased and anchored by Lowe’s and Walmart Supercenter.
Sembler, Forge acquire St. Petersburg’s grocery-anchored center

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- The Sembler Company and Forge Capital Partners announced the purchase of Disston Plaza in St. Petersburg, Florida, which will be added to Forge Real Estate Partners III investment fund. The 123,000 sq. ft. shopping center is currently 98% occupied and is anchored by Publix and also includes Bealls Outlet and Dollar Tree.
Ross Dress for Less has big plans Oct. 10

Whatever you have planned for Saturday, Oct. 10, specialty apparel retailer Ross Dress for Less will probably be busier.

The Ross Stores Inc. banner is opening six new stores, including three in a new market, as well as relocating a store.
John Lewis, Birmingham, United Kingdom

British retailer John Lewis has opened one of its largest department stores ever, in the just-opened Grand Central shopping center in Birmingham.

The four-level, 250,000-sq.-ft. department store has a strikingly contemporary design and features several new services and concepts, including a new fashion and lifestyle department, loved&found, and the first John Lewis-branded spa, &Beauty. There is also a market stall-styled food offering, The Place to Eat.
More offline moves from Warby Parker

It’s been a busy fall for hip eyewear marketer Warby Parker.

The company opened its first permanent location in Washington, D.C., in the Georgetown section.

The 1,230-sq.-ft. store features Warby Parker’s signature classic library design, with custom brass library lamps, suspended globe lighting, chevron wood flooring, walnut shelving, and banquette seating for reading and relaxing.
First Look: Primark, Boston

Photos: Dalziel & Pow, London
Virtua Express Urgent Care Center to join Fairground Plaza in New Jersey

Mount Holly, N.J. -- Levin Management announced that Physician network Virtua Medical Group has leased 5,800 sq. ft. of space at Fairground Plaza in Mount Holly, New Jersey, where it plans to open its Virtua Express Urgent Care Center. Fairground Plaza is located on Route 541, serving a residential population of more than 81,000 people within a five-mile radius. The center is anchored by Acme supermarket and Staples.
Cullinan Properties welcomes senior VP of development and anchor leasing

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties announced the addition of Vic Pildes as senior VP of development and anchor leasing. In this role, Pildes will be responsible for development and municipal related activities for new projects, assist in the identification of new acquisition opportunities and lead anchor leasing efforts throughout Cullinan’s portfolio.
Phillips Edison acquires Publix grocery-anchored center in Florida

Cincinnati -- Phillips Edison & Company announced it has acquired Berry Town Center, located in Davenport, Florida, 15 miles southwest of Orlando. The grocery-anchored shopping center is 99,441 sq. ft. anchored by Publix and features retailers Leslie’s Pool Supplies, Regis, and Linksters Tap Room.
Eight Changes That Will Impact the Retail Real Estate Industry

The retail real industry has experienced its share of changes over the years, but nothing comes close to the transformation that it is currently undergoing.

As the industry undergoes what the International Council of Shopping Centers calls one of the “most profound transformations” in its 60-year year history, the association has releases its Envision 2020 report, a collaborative initiative that outlines where the industry will be in five years according to leaders from around the globe.