REAL ESTATE

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said it has doubled its Los Angeles office space to accommodate a now 10-person team.

Robert Cohen has been promoted to president of the Southern California division and Rachel Rosenberg has been promoted to executive VP, now overseeing all Southern California operations for the firm.
 

Columbia, S.C. -- Edens & Avant announced Friday that its CEO Terry S. Brown has been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 Carolinas Award winner.

The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Brown was selected as the winner in the real estate category from nearly 100 nominations across the Carolinas.

New York City -- Chainstoreage.com columnist Jeff Green challenges the boon of the burgeoning burger concepts, posing the question: “Are burger joints here to stay or just a trendy restaurant theme that will overextend itself and “fall of the map” in a few years?

Check out Jeff’s latest column on the real estate community page: chainstoreage.com/article/burger-bonanza-rare-or-well-done

New York City -- Brazil jumped to first place in A.T. Kearney’s annual ranking of the top developing economies for global retail expansion, followed by Uruguay and Chile respectively.

The 10th annual Global Retail Development Index reflects the dramatic changes that have taken place in global markets, and the varying impacts they have had on different emerging economies. Notably, countries in South America, which fared well during the recession, posted an impressive 6% growth in 2010.

San Francisco -- At an investor conference on Thursday, Gap CEO Glenn Murphy announced the company will close 200 of its 900 U.S. namesake stores even as it expands its outlet presence.

While the company did not identify which stores will close, Gap said the 200 Gap brand closures over the next two years will be accompanied by a push to expand its Gap Outlet and Banana Republic factory chains.

New York City -- Centro Properties Group said Wednesday that Tuesday Morning stores have recently opened in Centro shopping centers in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The retailer opened a 10,440-sq.-ft. store at New Britain Village Square, located in Chalfont, Pa., and a 17,089-sq.-ft. store at Jefferson Green, located in Newport News, Va.

Enfield, Conn. -- Centro Properties Group announced a 13,865-sq.-ft. lease has been executed with Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts at Freshwater-Stateline Plaza, located in Enfield, Conn.

New York City-based Centro Properties Group is the owner of Freshwater-Stateline Plaza.
 

New York City -- Winick Realty Group LLC said that luxury luggage retailer Mitsosa Group has leased its second Manhattan location at 40 East 55th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

The 1,150-sq.-ft. store is expected to open in late summer or early fall, and will feature 35 feet of frontage on 55th Street.

According to Winick, the retailer is looking at other tourist-driven areas throughout Manhattan with plans to open three stores within the next 18 months.