REAL ESTATE

New York -- RKF announced the opening of a Chicago office as part of its ongoing expansion into key urban markets nationwide. This is the firm’s seventh office; others include its New York headquarters, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Northern New Jersey, and San Francisco.

“The opening of our Chicago office is a crucial part of our national strategy to expand RKF’s on-the-ground presence in key urban markets in the U.S.,” said RKF chairman & CEO Robert Futterman.

Dallas -- Venture Commercial said that LA Fitness has signed a long-term lease to open a 45,000-sq.-ft. facility in Garland, Texas.

The sports club will build a prototype building on the site of the former Mervyn’s building, which is being razed.
 

Somerdale, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said that YoGo Factory opened at CooperTowne Center in April.

The 366,865-sq.-ft. shopping center is located 10 miles from Philadelphia and is anchored by Walmart Supercenter, Cinemark 16-screen theater and LA Fitness.

YoGo Factory is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop with seven locations open in southern New Jersey and an additional 22 stores opening in the coming months.
 

Las Vegas -- Irvine, Calif.-based Passco Cos., said it has negotiated a $25.8 million loan to refinance Silver City Plaza, a 41,583-sq.-ft. neighborhood shopping center in Las Vegas.

The new loan was arranged with Cantor Commercial Real Estate, an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, and was uniquely structured to accommodate a challenged market.

Orlando, Fla. -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced that it was selected for two retail assignments in Florida: management and leasing for the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale in Ft. Lauderdale and management for Vero Beach Outlets in Vero Beach.

The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is a 964,423-sq.-ft. super-regional mall in South Florida, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Dillard’s.

Chicago -- A recent report from Jones Lang LaSalle showed that the current state of real estate markets suggests a temporary deceleration in the on-going global real estate market recovery.

According to JLL’s latest Global Market Perspective report, sentiment is, however, recovering and full-year 2012 commercial real estate volumes are expected to match the robust levels seen in 2011.

Houston -- Discount supermarket operator Aldi announced it is preparing to enter the Houston market with 30 new stores over the next three years. The expansion will begin in spring of 2013, with the opening of more than 10 new locations.

With this expanded Texas footprint, Aldi is expected to bring 400 jobs and an investment of over $100 million of capital expenditures to the local community. The first Aldi stores in Houston will open in the spring of 2013, with more than 10 new locations.

Dallas -- Restaurant chain Seasons 52 said it has selected NorthPark Center for its first location in Dallas. The new Seasons 52 restaurant at NorthPark Center is expected to open this fall.

The restaurant will be located between Neiman Marcus and Dillard's, with entrances from both inside the mall and street side.