Insights

Phoenix — CBRE Group, Inc. announced that Geoffrey Harris has joined the firm’s Capital Markets’ Debt and Structured Finance team as senior VP.

Based in Phoenix, Harris will play a key role in originating net-leased transactions for the firm nationally, in the multi and single-tenant, office, retail and industrial properties space.

Harris joins CBRE from Meridian Capital where he was managing director. He previously served as VP of Capital Markets at Marcus & Millichap.

By Sandy Skrovan, U.S. research director at Planet Retail

Oak Brook, Ill. — Inland Real Estate Income Trust announced the acquisition of the 86,800-sq-ft. Pick ‘n Save Shopping Center in West Bend, Wisconsin. Lou Quilici, senior VP of IREIT Business Manager & Advisor, Inc., assisted Matthew Tice, VP of Inland Real Estate Acquisitions in the purchase of the property.

Dallas — SRS Real Estate Partners has hired Daniel Poku as an associate in the Dallas/Fort Worth office. A newcomer to the industry, Poku has a background in economics.

Poku is a recent graduate of Southern Methodist University. Poku is also currently pursuing a new venture called CauseCakes, with plans to launch fall 2014. CauseCakes partnered with a local bakery to provide cupcakes with wrappers that prompt acts of random kindness for special events and corporate meetings.

New York -- At first glance, the IBM-Apple partnership may seem to do little more than formalize a connection between two technologies that are mainstays of most retailers’ infrastructures. The fact is many retailers already use Apple iPhones and iPads as devices for in-store activities like product lookup, checkout and inventory management. And IBM is a leading provider of retail data analytics technology.
 

Aurora, Ill. — Simon has launched construction of its expansion of Chicago Premium Outlets, adding 50 new stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, and including a comprehensive renovation of the Chicagoland center.

Beachwood, Ohio — DDR announced the grand opening of Seabrook Commons, the company’s most recent ground-up development project located in Seabrook, New Hampshire, a northern suburb of the Boston MSA.

The 380,000-sq.-ft. power center is 96% leased, anchored by Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, PetSmart, Michaels, ULTA, Famous Footwear and Five Below, and features a complementary restaurant lineup that includes Panera, Outback Steakhouse and Noodles & Company.

Flowood, Miss. — Inland Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. has purchased the 187,610-square-foot Dogwood Festival Shopping Center located in Flowood, Mississippi, approximately 10 miles northeast of Jackson, Mississippi.

Constructed in 2002, the center is 97.8% leased to 36 tenants, including T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Old Navy, Gap, Men’s Wearhouse, Hibbett Sports and several other national tenants. The property is shadow-anchored by Belk, an upscale department store, which was not acquired.

Livonia, Michigan — Schostak Brothers & Company, Inc. announced the acquisition of 23 shopping centers from Coldwater Liquidating Trust. The purchase is part of a bankruptcy liquidation in which Schostak Brothers purchased the majority of the remaining Coldwater Liquidating Trust portfolio, totaling 405,000 sq. ft.

The 23 shopping centers span 19 states, and is the third acquisition of Super Walmart shopping centers in less than a year.

Denham Springs, La. — Belk will open a 75,000-sq.-ft. store in Denham Springs, Louisiana, near Baton Rouge, that will become the first department store anchor at the regional lifestyle center at Juban Crossing. The grand opening is slated for October 15.

The new, $7-million store will feature the latest retail design and décor for the Charlotte, North Carolina chain.