Real Estate

The retail comeback of the New York City borough of Staten Island continues.

BFC Partners, which is developing Staten Island’s 340,000-sq.-ft. Empire Oulets center, announced it will develop an artisanal food market showcasing the best local and international purveyors for the center.

BFC is partnering with the creative team behind Gansevoort Market on the project.

One of New York City’s most iconic luxury apparel stores is getting bigger.

Bergdorf Goodman will relocate its executive offices and other non-sales related functions to 4 West 58th Street, adjacent to its iconic Fifth Avenue location. The move will create an additional 25,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the retailer’s flagship, including the entire 8th and 9th floors.

Allen, Texas -- Trademark Property, announced that jewelry designer Kendra Scott will open at Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms, the 800,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use center in Allen, Texas. The 2,054 sq. ft. boutique, which will be located near White House | Black Market and Anthropologie, is slated to open in spring 2016.

Seattle -- Madison Marquette announced that Din Tai Fung will open at Pacific Place located in downtown Seattle, in the summer of 2016. With only six U.S. restaurants, Din Tai Fung will be located in a 9,216 sq. ft. space on level four of the shopping center.

Din Tai Fung currently operates more than 100 locations worldwide with branches in Japan, the United States, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand and most recently in Dubai.

The Lone Star State is going to get its fourth Ikea.

The City Council of Grand Prairie, Texas, has approved Ikea’s plans to build a second store in the Dallas-Fort Worth-area. Pending remaining approvals and permits, construction of Ikea Grand Prairie could begin fall 2016, with an opening in fall 2017. It will be the company’s fourth store in the state of Texas.

Charming Charlie opened its first location in the Philippines, at Bonifacio High Street Central Square.

The location showcases the brand’s newest retail store concept, and features signature double doors in vibrant pink lacquer and a residential-style interior that mixes feminine, mid-century accents with luxe materials and whimsical details.

In the Philippines, Charming Charlie is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, a member of SSI Group, Inc., which has further growth planned for the brand in Cebu and Manila next year.

Vineland, N.J. -- PREIT announced its plans to open a Dick's Sporting Goods at Cumberland Mall in Vineland, New Jersey. The sports and fitness retailer will occupy the former J.C. Penney Department Store space in a 50,000 sq. ft. location.

“This transaction demonstrates PREIT's continued success in replacing anchors with in-demand retailers,” states Joseph F. Coradino, CEO for PREIT "The addition of Dick's Sporting Goods will improve the merchandise mix and solidify the tenant roster at Cumberland Mall.”

The demise of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. elevated the retail vacancy rate along central New Jersey’s major shopping corridors to 8.8% from 7.5% in 2014.

That’s according to the latest study by R.J. Brunelli & Co. Despite the uptick, the region’s 2015 vacancy factor remained a healthy distance from the 10.2% recorded in 2013 and the eight-year high of 10.5% set in 2011, but was well above the period’s low point of 4.8% posted in 2008.