Real Estate

So much for the argument that the U.S. market is saturated with retail stores and e-commerce is hurting mall traffic. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers brought four new properties online in 2015 and still managed to achieve a portfolio occupancy rate in excess of 95% for the 35th consecutive year.
 

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that it closed on a new 10/90 joint venture for Triangle Town Center and Commons in Raleigh, North Carolina, with DRA Advisors. The new joint venture acquired the property from the existing 50/50 joint venture between CBL and The Richard E. Jacobs Group for a total consideration of $174.0 million, including assumption of a $171.1 million loan secured by the property. CBL now holds a 10% ownership position in the asset and is responsible for leasing and managing, earning customary fees.

Los Angeles -- Westwood Financial Corp. appointed Jeanne Lazar as CFO. Lazar joins the company with more than 20 years of diverse commercial real estate finance experience. As CFO, Lazar will oversee all finance and accounting functions, including portfolio performance review and the development of financial and operational strategies.

“I’m honored to join Westwood Financial Corp. and look forward to working with the team to further the company’s goals to grow and expand in the grocery-anchored retail space,” said Lazar.

Sak Off 5th's first location in New York City will feature a pop-up shop that appeals to the retailer's target market.

Saks announced that Gilt will open its first ever in-store shop at the Saks Off 5th store in New York. The pairing of these two brands in a physical space marks Gilt's entry into brick-and-mortar retail and demonstrates the company's plans to bring an all-channel shopping experience to Gilt customers.

Minneapolis -- Mid-America Real Estate announced five new retail leases recently signed on behalf of retailers. Mid-America Tenant Representation team represented the tenants in the following transactions, listed below in order of transaction size.

St. Louis Park, Minnesota (Hennepin County) – J. Crew Factory signed a 6,500 sq. ft. lease at Shoppes at Knollwood located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The 456,554-sq.-ft. center is anchored by Kohl’s and Nordstrom Rack.

A combined 7.1% same-store sales decline at Sear and Kmart stores in the fourth quarter has parent company Sears Holdings vowing to undertake a wide range expense reduction and cash generating moves, including more store closings and asset sales.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced plans to add home retailer West Elm at Friendly Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, as part of a 12,700-sq.-ft. expansion project for the center. West Elm will occupy approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of the total expansion, which also includes Pieology Pizzeria and an additional soon-to-be-named retailer.

The new development will be located between Anthropologie and Whole Foods. Construction on the space is currently underway, and both West Elm and Pieology are scheduled to open fall 2016.

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

When Walmart announced in January that it planned to close 269 stores this year (154 locations in the U.S.), there was a good deal of chatter out there comparing the planned closures to a Macy’s announcement just over a week earlier revealing the upcoming closure of 40 stores and a restructuring plan that would eliminate more than 4,500 jobs.