REAL ESTATE

Chicago -- Englewood Construction announced Wednesday that its retail group has begun work on four new projects, including three in the Chicago market and one in Columbus, Ohio.
 

Dallas -- 7-Eleven announced Tuesday that the company achieved record store growth in 2012 and expects the number of 7-Eleven stores worldwide to pass the 50,000-store mark by the end of the first quarter.

The c-store chain added nearly 5,000 stores globally in 2012; 1,000 were in the U.S. and Canada. At year’s end, 7-Eleven operated 49,500 stores in 16 countries.

Columbus, Ohio -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that Limited Brands’ Victoria’s Secret banner would open its first stores in Hong Kong this year.

On the boards are two 1,500-sq.-ft. Victoria’s Secret shops at the International Finance Centre in the Central business district and at New Town Plaza. Bloomberg cited an emailed statement by Limited spokesperson Robin Hoffman.

Davenport, Iowa -- Von Maur Department Stores announced Wednesday it has signed a contract to open a 150,000-sq.-ft. store at the GGP-owned Quail Springs Mall in Oklahoma City in fall 2014.

The store will be the company's first location in Oklahoma.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers, owner of Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Mich., said Friday that The Cheesecake Factory will make a Michigan debut with a new restaurant opening at Twelve Oaks.

The 8,430-sq.-ft. Cheesecake Factory will open in latter 2013, and will feature French limestone floors, decorative columns, hand-painted murals and contemporary lighting.

Twelve Oaks Mall is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, J.C. Penney, Sears and the Lifestyle Café Food Court.
 

Tucson, Ariz. -- Presidential Pools and Spas said it is planning to relocate its Northwest Tucson store to the Shops at Costco Plaza.

The 3,369-sq.-ft. store to slated to open on March 1.

New York -- The SPECS conference, presented each year by Chain Store Age, will debut a real estate track as part of the 49th annual event. Held in Dallas from March 17 to March 20 at the Hilton Anatole, SPECS will feature real estate workshops designed toward educating and informing the retail development executives who attend the SPECS conference.

New York -- Winick Realty Group announced that it is exclusively representing Chipotle Mexican Grill in its leasing efforts throughout Northern New Jersey, Long Island and all five boroughs of New York City.

The Winick team is seeking 1,600-sq.-ft. to 2,300-sq.-ft. sites in these markets. Since opening its first Manhattan location in 2003, Chipotle has grown to 60+ locations in New York City, Long Island and Northern New Jersey.