REAL ESTATE

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Privately held European women’s apparel retailer, Desigual, said it has leased nearly 6,400 sq. ft. on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica from landlord Promenade Gateway, an affiliate of Maxxam Enterprises.

The store will serve as Desigual’s flagship West Coast location. The retailer currently has more than 170 retail locations and approximately 450 shop-in-shops in major department stores across Europe and Asia.

Dallas -- X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors, said Tuesday that Venture Commercial, through its Venturetainment division, assisted with site-selection efforts and completed two leases for global visitor attraction operator Merlin Entertainments Group to bring two of its iconic attraction brands to the Texas market for the first time.

Short Hills, N.J. -- Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Co. announced that The Cheesecake Factory and Forever 21 will open at the company’s Mall at Short Hills, located in Short Hills, N.J.
 
Cheesecake Factory is slated to open a full-service restaurant, bakery and bar this summer. Forever 21 will open a 40,000+-sq.-ft. store in late 2011.

The Mall at Short Hills features 160 specialty stores and restaurants along with anchors Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

North Haven, Conn. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said that RadioShack has opened for business at North Haven Pavilion, located in North Haven, Conn.

Target, Sports Authority and Michaels anchor the 274,000-sq.-ft. center.

RadioShack opened on Jan. 11 and leased a 2,200-sq.-ft. space.

West Palm Beach, Fla. -- Boca Raton, Fla.-based Woolbright Development announced that it has acquired Village Commons shopping center, located in West Palm Beach, Fla. 

Woolbright will oversee the center’s leasing, property management, construction management, marketing and promotions.

New York City -- Athletic goods and footwear company Asics has opened an ultra-modern flagship in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The two-level store, located next to the city's legendary Vondelpark running center, has a sleek, futuristic design and offers several exclusive services, including advanced biomechanical and running analysis systems. Click here to see photos.

Atlanta -- Columbia, S.C.-based Edens & Avant announced that Ulta, along with additional retailers and restaurants, will open at its Merchant’s Walk open-air center in the East Cobb area of Atlanta.

Rowland Heights, Calif. -- Shoe City has opened a 7,680-sq.-ft. store at Puente Hills Town Center, located in Rowland Heights, Calif.

The shopping center is owned by Centro Properties Group, based in New York City.