REAL ESTATE

Austin, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it closed on the acquisition of Tech Ridge Center, an 187,529-sq.-ft. neighborhood shopping located in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 26.  

Built in 2001, Tech Ridge Center is anchored by an 84,352-sq.-ft. H-E-B alongside national retailers including Office Depot, Petco, Subway and Massage Envy.  The center is 93% occupied.

New York — British apparel retailer Jack Wills is looking to nearly double its store count in the United States, according to various reports in the U.K. media.

The company, which specializes in preppy clothing for young men and women, currently operates 11 U.S. locations and has plans to add eight to 10 stores next year. It made its U.S. debut in 2010, in Massachusetts.

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments announced the formation of a joint venture with RED Development to focus on future acquisition opportunities, recapitalizations and note purchases in the retail real estate sector. 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- Columbia, S.C.-based Edens & Avant said it has purchased Union Planters Plaza, a 155,000-sq.-ft., Whole Foods-anchored retail center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

Located in one of Broward County’s most active regional corridors, Union Planters Plaza was originally built in 1989 and expanded in 2000 and sits on a total of 14.6 acres. Union Planters Plaza is the 25th retail center owned by Edens & Avant in the Florida market, including 12 centers in South Florida. 

Thousand Oaks, Calif. -- Shoe repair store Shoe Lab has opened at Janss Marketplace, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., joining tenants such as Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, Buca di Beppo, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Gold’s Gym, Old Navy, Mann Theaters, and TGI Friday’s. 

Janss Marketplace is managed by NewMark Merrill Cos., LLC.

Madison, Wis. -- Lee & Associates’ Madison office said it has completed $2.8 million of leases at The Shoppes at Hartford; a 24,000-sq.-ft. retail center in Hartford, Wis. 

Located next to a new Wal-Mart Super Center, Lee Madison had the center 75% pre-leased before construction commenced and 100% leased before construction was finalized. Construction commenced April 1, and all tenants are expected to open before Christmas 2011.

Ridgefield, Conn. — Spanish fast-fashion retail giant Zara has chosen Schimenti Construction Company to build its new flagship at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The 39,000-sq.-ft. store is located in the former home of the NBA Store.

“We have begun the first phase (demolition and structural work) of the project which has included lowering the second floor to provide a higher ceiling and installing new steel beams,” said project executive Joseph Schimenti.

Cherry Hill, N.J. — Noted fashion designer and retailer Michael Kors has opened a new store in Cherry Hill, N.J. — at the Cherry Hill Mall, a property owned by Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust.

The store opening is part of the mall’s $200 million complete renaissance, which includes the addition of white-linen restaurants, a new parking deck, the addition of an upscale retail wing, a redesigned and relocated food court now called Cherry Hill Cafés, and extensive interior and exterior renovations.