Apparel

Sarasota, Fla. – Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers and Sarasota, Fla.-based Benderson Development Co. announced the ground breaking on a $315-million, 880,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Sarasota, Fla.

The Mall at University Town Center will be a two-level enclosed mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s and Macy’s, and featuring more than 100 specialty stores and restaurants.

The Mall at University Town Center is scheduled to open in Oct. 2014.

Waynesville, N.C. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties announced the opening of its newest community center development, Waynesville Commons, a 127,500-sq.-ft. community center in Waynesville, N.C.  

Joining the existing Walmart, the 100% leased center is anchored by an 85,000-sq.-ft. Belk, Michaels and PetSmart, along with 11,000 sq. ft. of specialty stores including US Cellular and Rack Room Shoes.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Fameco Real Estate said that Party City and VisionWorks have signed leases at Upland Square, located in West Pottsgrove, Pa.
 
Party City has signed a lease for 9,000 sq. ft. and VisionWorks has signed a lease for 3,825 sq. ft. These retailers will join anchors Target, Giant, Best Buy, LA Fitness, TJ Maxx and Bed, Bath & Beyond at the 600,000-sq.-ft. power center.

Santa Monica, Calif. -- The Macerich Co. announced on Monday plans to acquire Kings Plaza, located in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Green Acres Mall, located in Valley Stream, N.Y., on the border of New York City and Nassau County. 

Kings Plaza is being acquired from a subsidiary of Alexander's for $751 million, with a closing date set for late 2012. Green Acres is being acquired from a subsidiary of Vornado Realty Trust for $500 million, with a first quarter 2013 closing date.

Tustin, Calif. -- Present Value Properties said it has negotiated a 10-year, 24,160-sq.-ft. lease for HomeGoods at the Sher Lane Shops, a 45,000-sq.-ft. community center in Huntington Beach, Calif.

TJX Cos.-owned HomeGoods, which joins Men’s Wearhouse, Stone Hedge Tiles and Vitamin Shoppe, is expected to open in spring 2013 in a former Office Depot space.

New York -- Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group said that jewelry designer Alexis Bittar will open a new store at 410 Columbus Avenue, between 79th and 80th Streets, in New York City. It is the designer’s fourth Manhattan store; the other three are on Madison Avenue, in Soho and in the West Village.

With nine stores nationwide, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Venice in California, Chicago, Manhattan and a brand new one in Greenwich, Conn., the brand is in expansion mode and currently planning possible Florida locations.

Hollywood, Calif. – Four new tenants have opened at Hollywood & Highland Center – the retail, dining and entertainment venue located on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Mr. Koji’s, GNC, Sweet! Hollywood candy store and Kitson fashion boutique have all recently opened and will be joined by another group of impending openings.

Chilli Beans, a Brazilian sunglasses retailer, is slated to open on Oct. 31; L'Occitane will open on Nov. 1; Zinzi jewelry will open Dec. 1; and Cho Oishi will open its Japanese restaurant in Feb. 2013.

Milwaukee -- Opus Development Corp. announced the scheduled openings of T.J Maxx, Ulta Salon and Cosmetics, Rue 21 and Charming Charlie’s by Oct. 28 at the company’s Shoppes at Fox River development in Waukesha, Wis.

Opus broke ground on the first development in Phase II of the Shoppes at Fox River in April 2012. The development includes more than 47,000 sq. ft. of retail space on six acres of land adjacent to the existing Phase I buildings, which opened in 2009 and include Target and Pick ‘n Save.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that American Eagle Outfitters plans to open a 5,732-sq.-ft. store at its Plymouth Meeting Mall property in spring 2013.

In addition, Mercy Health System, a consumer health and wellness satellite aligned with Mercy Suburban Hospital, recently opened, expanding the mall’s variety of services into the health sector.

Plymouth Meeting Mall is anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s and Whole Foods Market and Café.

Burlington, Mass. -- KeyPoint Partners announced it has been awarded the property management and retail leasing contract for the Woburn Mall in Woburn, Mass.

Real estate equity fund Multi-Employer Property Trust acquired the 276,200-sq.-ft. mall in September 2012. Tenants include TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Sports Authority, DSW and CVS Pharmacy.