REAL ESTATE

London -- A Friday report by the United Kingdom’s The Independent newspaper said that San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma is planning a U.K. launch in 2012.

The report said that the company has appointed a U.K. retail property agent and plans to open its first store in the first half of next year.

Plans call for a London debut and the report said the retailer is seeking 5,000-sq.-ft. to 8,000-sq.-ft. spaces.
 

Los Angeles -- Westfield Group shopping center owner said in a statement that it has agreed in principle to joint-venture with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey the new retail precinct at the site of the New York World Trade Center.

Westfield, upon completion of the deal, would manage and lease out the retail space expected to open in early 2015.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties and Horizon Group Properties announced Friday that they will open The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City on Aug. 5, fully leased with 83 stores.

Half the stores are new to Oklahoma City.

The center is scheduled to open to the public with such designer outlets as Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Polo Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Guess, Chico’s, Coach, Banana Republic, DKNY, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, Levi’s and Carters.

Rome -- Gap said Friday that it will debut its first Gap flagship store in Rome on Via del Corso, the city’s premier shopping district, on July 30.

The opening in Rome is part of Gap’s ongoing international growth strategy; it opened its first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Milan in November 2010.

Four additional Gap and Banana Republic stores are slated to open in Italy this year. The company also recently introduced its outlet concept to the country and said it expects to open additional stores in Italian outlet centers.

Topeka, Kan. -- Collective Brands, parent to Payless ShoeSource, announced Thursday the opening of its 100th franchise store, which is located in Cirebon, Indonesia.

The store represents the seventh store in Indonesia to date and the overall rapid international expansion of the Payless store chain over the past two years through its franchise strategy.

Newark, Calif. -- NewPark Mall, in Newark, Calif., has opened an in-house cultural arts center, the NewPark Mall Cultural Corner.

The just-opened cultural center, located on the lower level near Sears, provides exhibit space for the work of local artisans, including painters, sculptors, photographers and digital artists.

NewPark Mall is anchored by Macy's, Sears, J.C. Penney, Target and Burlington Coat Factory. It is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Chicago.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said Tuesday that Tory Burch will open a new boutique at Town Center at Boca Raton. The new 2,600-sq.-ft. store is slated to open in early August.

It will be the company’s 53rd boutique.

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said Tuesday it has arranged a long-term, 1,140-sq.-ft. lease for fine leather luggage and handbag retailer Ghurka at 781 Fifth Ave., located at 59th Street in the Plaza District. 

The new Ghurka flagship, which will augment an existing location at The Plaza Retail Collection, will occupy 915 sq. ft. on the ground floor and 225 sq. ft. in the basement at its new Fifth Avenue space.