Real Estate

Dallas -- Trademark Property Co., the operating partner for The Shops at Highland Village, has announced a multi-million dollar renovation of the 352,000-sq.-ft. shopping center that includes enhanced common area improvements, upgraded landscaping, new amenities for adults and children, updated facades, and new signage throughout the property.

New York – At least two major suitors are vying for the hand of Ann Taylor parent company Ann Inc. According to Reuters, private equity firms Bain Capital and Golden Gate are both negotiating to purchase Ann Inc.

Ann Inc. has a $1.6 billion market capitalization. There is no guarantee either company will receive the financing they would need to make a purchase, and other potential buyers may emerge this week.
 

New York -- Bealls Inc., the 100-year-old Florida-based department store retailer, is developing a specialty store concept, called Bunulu, which will debut by the end of 2015.

The new banner, which already has its own website, Bunulu.com, will target a younger demographic, and feature coastal-inspired active lifestyle apparel and accessories for both men and women. National brands will be featured.

New York -- Dolce & Gabbana will open a flagship store in the 15,000-sq.-ft. 155 Mercer Street building in the SoHo area of New York City.

Thor Equities leased the entire building to the Italian luxury fashion house, which plans to re-create the original brownstone façade.

Originally built in 1855 as Firemen’s Hall, the historical property was most recently home to dance performance venue the Joyce Theater. The four-level building includes 50 ft. of frontage on Mercer Street.
 

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts, is recruiting franchisees throughout the state of Louisiana. The company is placing an emphasis on the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Lafayette markets.

Currently, there are nine Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the state.
 

For Los Angeles-based fashion retailer Forever 21, the journey from a single location on Figueroa Street in L.A. in 1984 to more than 680 global locations today has been transformative. Over the last three decades, the brand has not shied away from innovation and experimentation, implementing a range of different store sizes and concepts along the way: from smaller 5,000-sq.-ft. layouts in its early years, to larger 9,000-sq.-ft. concepts in the 2000s and a range of big-box stores that range up to 40,000 sq. ft.

New York -- Thor Equities has expanded its international portfolio by acquiring a retail property at 777 Saint Catherine Street in Montreal. The historical building is located on the corner of McGill College Avenue and Saint Catherine Street, in the heart of Montreal’s prime shopping corridor.

Publix continues to be a blockbuster in its industry, as the grocery chain posted a 7.4% increase in profits in the fourth quarter.

The Florida-based retailer reported a profit of $453.3 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $422 million in 2013. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter increased to $0.58 for 2014, up from $0.54 per share in 2013. Publix reported net sales of $7.9 billion; same store sales increased 6.4%.