REAL ESTATE

Holland a perfect fit as ICSC chair
Members of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) elected Elizabeth Holland as chairman, marking only the fourth time in the past 59 years a woman has chaired the organization.

Holland brings a unique skill set to the role given ICSC’s top legislative priority and the upcoming presidential election. The period following the inauguration of a new president is always a critical time in Washington, heralding what is traditionally the most active time in the legislative cycle, according to ICSC.
Taubman talks mobile, malls and Millennials at RECon

Taubman Centers COO William Taubman offered insights on shoppers, property trends and how technology is changing the fundamental experience and brand promise of shopping centers.

To watch his wide ranging conversation with ICSC’s Jesse Tron, click here.

CASTO takes flight with LeasePilot

Doing deals with real estate development and services firm CASTO just got easier thanks to the roll out of a new Web-based software platform called LeasePilot.

LeasePilot was developed by Gadfly Legal Technologies to streamline the lease documentation process and helps owners manage valuable lease information. CASTO is currently using LeasePilot to create the first drafts of leases.
Getting Creative with Retail Real Estate

As the retail landscape continues to evolve in response to an explosion of creativity and innovation from both new and existing brands, this is an exciting and inspiring time to be in the business.
Dylan’s Candy Bar goes high-tech with 3D candy printer

Photo Credit: Dylan’s Candy Bar
Personalized gummy bears printed on demand are now among the offerings at Dylan’s Candy Bar stores. The retailer has partnered with Katjes Magic Candy Factory to bring what’s billed as the “first 3D candy printer in the world” to the United States. The U.K.-based Magic Candy Factory named Dylan’s as its exclusive partner for domestic retail and online sales.
Retail real estate execs place winning bets at RECon

A record 36,000 retail real estate professionals are gathering in Las Vegas this week for the annual RECon conference where for an intense few days they will exchange ideas -- doing deals and showcase hot projects against the backdrop of a challenging retail sales environment and heightened omnichannel activity.
GBT goes big in St. Louis

When the 300,000-sq.-ft. Shoppes at Mid Rivers opens in late 2017 the project will be the largest retail development the St. Louis area has seen in nearly a decade. GBT Realty Corporation, a national commercial development company headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, said the $54 million project located in St. Peters, Missouri, will have three anchor tenants, five to seven junior anchors, small shop space and four, approximately one-acre outparcels.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race

New-build shopping center construction was plodding last year — discounting the outlet category, which continues to grow at record speed. And, yet, sometimes one has to look at the quality of what is coming out of the ground — or expanding — and not just the quantity.
With no buyer, Sports Authority to close all stores

Going-out-of-business sales will start before Memorial Day at Sports Authority’s remaining 450 stores nationwide.

The moves comes after the retailer, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, was unable to find a buyer.
Gander Mountain opening more stores

Three new Gander Mountain stores are slated to open this fall in Colorado, Pennsyvania and Texas as the St. Paul, MN-based company looks to live up to its billing as the nation’s fastest-growing outdoor retailer.

The new stores, which range from 52,000 to 57,000 square feet are located in Parker, CO, Warrington Township, PA, and Frisco, TX and are among a group of 55 stores the company has opened since 2012, bringing its total store count to 160 units. The company has also remodeled roughly 85 locations since 2012.