Hospitality

Liberty Center is a 64-acre, 1.1 million-sq.-ft. mixed-use development located in the North Cincinnati market. It will be comprised of 600,000 sq. ft. of retail, including at least one 200,000-sq.-ft. department store and 370,000 sq. ft. of specialty retail and restaurants. Liberty Center will also include 100,000 sq. ft. of Class A Office, a 135-key hotel and 220 luxury residential multi-family units. A 60,000-sq.-ft., 14-screen second-level upscale theater with integrated dining is also planned.

As part of Von Maur's march beyond its core Heartland markets, in 2008 it opened a 130,000-sq.-ft. anchor store at the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. The Greene Town Center, located in Beavercreek, Ohio, and owned by MPI. That store has become the fashion heartbeat of a vibrant mixed-use destination that was originally built by MPI in 2006, expanded in 2008, and slated to expand again in 2014 with another 40,000 sq. ft. of retail.

Destiny USA leads in size and environmental consciousness

Billed as the largest LEED Gold-certified retail commercial building in the world, Destiny USA is more than an environmental leader. It is a shopping and entertainment mecca.

The 2.4 million-sq.-ft. tourist destination in Syracuse, N.Y., is an unexpected blend of luxury outlet tenants with restaurants and big entertainment names in a high-impact setting that includes a sweeping, three-story atrium, a replica of an upside-down city destroyed, and a suspended-rope adventure for the kids.

New York -- North American consumers opened their wallets in the first quarter of 2013 and exhibited a desire to spend again, although they remain cautious, according to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions. Forty-two percent said they plan to spend on discretionary items this year, a six-point rise from fourth quarter 2012, and up from the average of 33% over the past three years.

By Rana K. Williamson, PhD, Better Merchant Accounts

Honolulu -- Jones Lang LaSalle said that it has named Wendell Brooks III as senior VP of the firm’s retail brokerage business in Hawaii.

Brooks will work closely with Hawaii Retail Market Lead Kirk Horiuchi to assist landlord and retail clients. He will be joined by James “Kimo” Greenwell and Robert Kelley, who will focus on retail leasing and sales.  Additionally, Melissa Masicampo joins the firm as brokerage coordinator and Mark Ching joins as graphic designer and marketing specialist to support the growing retail team.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is shaking up its senior management team with five promotions and two new appointments. John Culver, head of the China-Asia Pacific region with more than 10 years of Starbucks experience, is being promoted to group president, China and Asia Pacific (CAP), channel development and emerging brands. Jeff Hansberry, a three-year Starbucks veteran who has worked on the channel development and emerging brands team, is being promoted to president of China and Asia Pacific and will report to Culver.

As part of Von Maur's march beyond its core Heartland markets, in 2008 it opened a 130,000-sq.-ft. anchor store at the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. The Greene Town Center, located in Beavercreek, Ohio, and owned by MPI. That store has become the fashion heartbeat of a vibrant mixed-use destination that was originally built by MPI in 2006, expanded in 2008, and slated to expand again in 2014 with another 40,000 sq. ft. of retail.