REAL ESTATE

Atlanta -- Transwestern’s Atlanta office announced Thursday that Russell Lipscomb has been promoted to SVP of property management services.

In his new role, Lipscomb will expand his oversight into business development initiatives and engage in new pursuits to further expand Transwestern’s footprint throughout the Southeast. He will continue to direct a team of 43 property management professionals and provide oversight for all Atlanta-based property management assignments.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers announced Thursday that, through its 2012 “greengenuity” program, it increased annual energy savings by 75%, achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for three projects, and tripled the amount of construction and demolition material recycled during the year.
 

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. on Thursday opened the first Destination Maternity superstore location in Canada. The 5,000-sq.-ft. store is in Langley, a suburb of Vancouver, B.C.

Hamilton, Bermuda -- Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results, helped by sales gains at its biggest division, Kay Jewelers. The company, which raised its quarterly dividend by 25%, said it anticipates opening 65 to 75 new U.S. stores for the year. 


Signet, which also operates the Jared chain in the United States and the Ernest Jones stores in Britain, said revenue increased 11.8% to $1.51 billion for the quarter ended Feb. 2.

Nashville, Tenn. -- GBT Realty Corp. said Wednesday it has closed on the purchase of approximately 20 acres along Pooler Parkway in Pooler, Ga., for the development of the Village on Pooler Parkway. The development will consist of more than 143,000 sq. ft. when completed in the first quarter of 2014.
 

Chicago -- Lemont, Ill.-based Englewood Construction said Wednesday that its restaurant group has begun work on four new projects, including a food court in New Jersey’s largest outlet mall, a steakhouse in a downtown Chicago luxury hotel and two suburban Chicago mall restaurants.

“As we head out of the recession, we’re seeing more importance placed on dining and entertainment, and the focus is on redevelopment,” said William Di Santo, president, Englewood Construction.

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group said Wednesday it is expanding its Puerto Rican presence via a multi-unit operator.

A.M.A. Pretzels International opened two Great American Cookies stores in Puerto Rico -- in Plaza Carolina in Carolina, and Plaza Rio Hondo in Bayamon.

"Global Franchise Group is thrilled to have such outstanding multi-unit franchisees expand the Great American Cookies brand in Puerto Rico," said Global Franchise Group chief development officer John Barber.

New York -- Kleinfeld Bridal, the iconic New York bridal retailer and star of the hit reality show “Say Yes to the Dress,” will open a 20,000-sq.-ft. salon in Hudson’s Bay’s flagship location in downtown Toronto in early 2014. The Hudson’s Bay Company has exclusive rights to the brand in Canada.