Hospitality

Watters Creek, in Allen, Texas, began life in a 2005 focus group with two-dozen women from Allen.

Organized by the property’s developer Trademark Property Co., the focus group asked participants what they would like to see in this new mixed-use center. What should it offer? What should it look like? What do you need in Allen, Texas?

Sunrise, Fla. — So far this year, 30 new retailers have signed into Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Fla.

The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills, the open-air promenade part of the property recently added a number of new-to-South Florida retailers, including Diane von Furstenberg, Gucci, Versace, Robert Graham, Ippolita, Wolford, Jimmy Choo, Frette, Roberto Cavalli and others.

Seattle — Jones Lang LaSalle’s Capital Markets group has announced the sale of Slater 116, a mixed-use property in Kirkland, a Seattle suburb. The property features 108 apartments and more than 10,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail space. Essex Property Trust bought the recently completed property from Mainstreet Property Group for $29.6 million.

Indianapolis — Mid-America Real Estate Corp.’s Net Lease Investment Group recently brokered the sale of an 8,320-sq.-ft. Family Dollar in Indianapolis. An investment fund in Texas purchased the property from a private developer for $1.142 million, which is a 7.5% cap rate. The building is leased to Family dollar for 10 years.

The newly constructed Family Dollar is in the Lawrence Commons shopping center anchored by LA Fitness.

Denver – Quiznos is preparing to expand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the recent signature of Royal Bun Cafe as its newest franchisee. Quiznos and Royal Bun Cafe worked together to establish the blueprint for the venture that will bring more than 70 restaurants to the UAE during the next eight years.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah will be the first UAE expansion locales, with stores expected to be complete by early 2014. Quiznos recently expanded into Mexico and Russia.

Boston – Retailers including CVS and Starbucks, as well as Tavern in the Square and an independent bookstore, are soon coming to the South Station transportation terminal in Boston.

According to the Boston Globe, real estate management firm Equity Office says CVS will open a two-story store in South Station in March 2014. Construction, including an elevator and escalator, is expected to start in November 2013.

New York -- The Howard Hughes Corp. on Thursday officially broke ground on the redevelopment of Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, with a ceremony at Pier 17.

The redeveloped Pier 17 is expected to open in 2016, with a mix of retail, dining and entertainment options highlighted by a one and a half-acre rooftop that will include a restaurant, two outdoor bars and an amphitheater that will hold up to 4,000 people for concerts and special events.

New York -- Royal Properties has announced three lease signings in Orange County, N.Y. — two with Miracle Ear and one with Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts.

Miracle Ear has signed a seven-year lease with a five-year option for 1,500 sq. ft. at Wallkill Plaza in Middletown. Royal Properties and Rand Commercial Services were the brokers in the transaction. Wallkill’s co-tenants include Big Lots, Ashley Furniture, Hobby Lobby, Papa John’s, Texas Roadhouse and Boston Market.