REAL ESTATE

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.

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.

Northbrook, Ill. -- Pine Tree Commercial Realty and New York City-based Silverpeak Real Estate Partners announced they have formed a joint venture with the goal of acquiring retail assets and portfolios across the United States.

According to Chris Westfahl, principal of Silverpeak, and Peter Borzak, co-founder and principal of Pine Tree, the new JV – Pine Tree Silverpeak Retail Partners LLC – plans to pursue transactions greater than $10 million and across the risk spectrum, ranging from raw land for development to stabilized core assets.

St. Paul, Minn. -- Paster Enterprises announced Wednesday that six new tenants have been secured at the company’s projects throughout the Twin Cities area. 

New tenants include Massage Elements, V4U, Home Choice, Broadway Pizza, National Karate and United Family Medicine.

Pelham Manor, N.Y. -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said it has negotiated an 8,280-sq.-ft. lease for Five Below at Pelham Manor Shopping Center in Westchester County, N.Y.

The new store opened in April.

Plano, Texas --- The Weitzman Group/Cencor Realty Services said that Just Fitness 4 U has leased 21,577 sq. ft. of anchor space in Spring Creek Marketplace, a shopping center located in Plano, Texas, for its fifth Dallas/Ft. Worth location.

Just Fitness 4 U, which currently operates locations in Dallas, Carrollton, Mesquite and Hurst, also operates in key markets such as Atlanta and Salt Lake City.
 

Tampa -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Tampa, Fla. at Town Square Center to Great Clips.

The salon has leased 838 sq. ft. and is slated to open for business in summer 2011.
 
The 44,380-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Petco alongside national retailers such as Starbucks, Panera Bread, Verizon and Pier 1 Imports.
 

Indianapolis -- Commercial real estate firm Lee & Associates announced the addition of Robyn Smart as a senior advisor of the Indianapolis office.

Smart specializes in tenant representation, site acquisition and landlord representation. In her new role, Smart will be responsible for all aspects of retail brokerage.

Prior to joining Lee & Associates, Smart most recently served as an advisor for CB Richard Ellis.