Home Improvement

Atlanta - With consumer confidence and the real estate market on the rise, many homeowners are ready to begin home remodeling or maintenance projects. According to an online survey conducted on behalf of SunTrust Banks Inc. by Harris Poll, 56% of homeowners plan to spend money on home improvement projects this year.

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators is expanding its board of directors from eight to nine members with the appointment of Nancy M. Taylor as a Class III director effective April 1. Taylor currently serves as the president and CEO of Tredegar Corp., serving in such roles since January 2010, and is a member of Tredegar's board of directors.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. opens a new store in Webster, Texas, on March 28. Each Sears Outlet Store, on average, offers shoppers more than 18,000-sq.-ft. of retail space.

Memphis, Tenn. – Fred’s Inc. reported a substantial 34.5% decrease in its net income during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, to $5.56 million from $8.49 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales declined 7.2% to $495 million from $533.4 million, and same-store sales grew 0.1%.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has announced the signing of two new leases for a combined 7,700 sq. ft. and one lease renewal for 3,612 sq. ft. in the greater Richmond area.

Sherwin Williams signed a new lease for 6,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the Town Hall Shopping Center in Colonial Heights, Va. DRE’s Richmond office represented the tenant in the transaction.

San Francisco — CBRE has introduced AIG Global Real Estate to Associated Estates Realty Corp. The two companies have formed a 50:50 joint venture partnership to develop a 3.36-acre mixed-use project at 8th and Harrison in San Francisco, Calif. The project will be known as 350 Eighth.

Located in the South of Market or SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco, 350 Eighth will consist of 410 rental apartment homes and 40,000 sq. ft. of office and retail space. Site work has begun and first occupancy is scheduled for fourth quarter 2015.

Chicago — Simon Property Group has awarded the leasing assignment for a trio of shopping centers totaling more than one million sq. ft. to JLL. Each is located at prime intersections in the southern suburbs of Chicago. They include:

• Country Side Plaza in Countryside, Ill. Anchored by Home Depot and Value City Furniture, the 400,000-sq.-ft. center has junio anchor and small shop space available.

RH (formerly called Restoration Hardware) continues its transformation from a hardware retailer to a lifestyle brand at its stunning Gallery store in Boston. The 37,670-sq.-ft. space, which took top honors in the 2014. A.R.E. Design Awards competition, is located in a landmark building in the heart of the city’s Back Bay.