Microsoft

One of many things that reaches a frenetic pace during the holiday season is social media activity, with brands ramping up promotions, suggestions and other communication to their followers. Aside from the fact that 23% of the world’s population — yes, 1.7 billion people — visit their Facebook profiles every month, the brands with the best social media presence are reaching upward of 40 million consumers.   

McLean, Virginia-based S2 Capital Partners has purchased an 8-acre center on the outskirts of Richmond with plans to build it out to its full potential.   The company paid $12 million for the 52,000-sq.-ft. Stonebridge Marketplace, and principal Rob Seidel told Richmond Biz Sense that it plans to add 7,200-sq.-ft. and 8,400-sq.-ft. buildings to fill out the strip that fronts a 123,000-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace.   Current tenants include Firestone, Panda Express, Mattress Firm, Qdoba, and AT&T.

After Neiman Marcus announced it would open its first New York store at Hudson Yards — the biggest development in that town in recent history — retail leases are being signed at a torrid pace.   According to developer Related Urban, The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards are 60% leased more than two years before their scheduled opening in fall 2018.  

The District at Green Valley Ranch outside of Las Vegas gave a shot in the arm to its healthy lifestyle credentials with the signing of three new tenants — CycleBar, Drip Doctors, and Pressed for Juice.   Owned by Vestar, the 385,000-sq.-ft. open-air center is the largest retail component of Green Valley Ranch, a master-planned community in Henderson whose centerpiece is a hotel-casino resort of the same name run by Station Casinos.  

Floor & Décor has signed a lease for a 74,200-sq.ft. superstore at the planned Richmond Plaza in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The site is located within the super-regional trade area commanded by General Growth Properties’ Woodbridge Mall.  

The South Plains Mall in Lubbock, a dominant retail center in the Texas Panhandle for 40 years, this week unveils a series of updates for customers.   The Macerich-owned mall has redesigned all three of its entrances, added new flooring and lighting throughout the building, and introduced amenities including center-wide Wi-Fi, charging stations, soft seating, and new restrooms.  

Among cities with more than 250,000 residents, Plano, Texas, has the highest median income in the land at $104,000. It’s also one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, so Eden’s Preston Towne Crossing and Berkeley Square in Plano have expanded and upgraded their food and beverage options in kind.   Recently opened at Preston Towne Crossing are SusieCakes Bakery, a specialist in old-fashioned sweets, cookies, and cakes, and Vom Fass, a purveyor of cask-aged vinegars, oils, wines, and spirits.  

Mid-America Asset Management has named Tracee Johnson senior asset manager, investing her with full responsibility for maintaining relationships with retail tenants.   Johnson, a 10-year veteran of Mid-America, will also be responsible for budgeting and operational planning and oversight of the more than 60 million sq. ft. of retail the company leases and manages throughout the Midwest.   Johnson is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois.

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