REAL ESTATE

Top Developers, Fastest-Growing Acquirers/3P Managers
Are you one of America's Top Developers, Acquirers or Third-Party Managers? Chain Store Age will release the results of the 26th Annual Top Developers and Fastest-Growing Acquirers and 3P Managers in the May 2015 issue distributed at the RECon show in Las Vegas.

The three surveys measure retail and shopping center space developed, acquired and contracted for management/leasing during the 2014 calendar year. The top five or six companies in each category (by square footage) will be ranked in the May issue. In short:
Cypress Equities acquires mixed-use project in Huntington Beach
Dallas -- Cypress Equities announced the acquisition of The Strand, a 96,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use development located in Huntington Beach, California.

The transaction was secured by a fund managed by Cypress’ real estate investment management group, which has acquired more than $500 million dollars of retail properties during the past two years.

A&G Realty Partners tapped by C. Wonder

Melville, N.Y. -- A&G Realty Partners, a leading commercial real estate, advisory and investment group, has been retained by C. Wonder to manage the sale of the three retail store leases and several office locations in New York City and Long Island, following the company’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
MiniLuxe opens expanding into Texas

Boston – Nail and beauty care chain MiniLuxe, which operates eight stores in the Boston area, is coming to North Texas. MinLuxe has opened the first of 10 stores planned for North Texas in the West Village shopping center in Dallas.

The investor group behind MiniLuxe also backs Chipotle, with Silverado Interests' founding partners Rick and Dan Slaven also participating.
Exclusive: The Big Easy Does It

By Kirsten Early, Partner and Director of Retail, SRSA Commercial Real Estate
Paster Properties announces new hires

St. Paul, Minn. -- Paster Properties announced that John Kohler has joined the team as director of development, and Jason LaPlant has joined as accounting manager.

As director of development, Kohler is responsible for driving the firm’s new development efforts, as well as managing ongoing projects within Paster’s Twin Cities portfolio. In his role as accounting manager, LaPlant oversees the company’s day-to-day accounting activities, monthly financial reporting and lease administration.
Vineyard Vines makes Ohio debut at Easton Towne Center

Columbus, Ohio -- Vineyard Vines, a retailer of preppy inspired clothing and accessories, has opened a 3,000-sq.-ft. store in Easton Town Center. The store is the brand’s third Midwest location after Chicago and St. Louis, and is part of a plan to open 10 more stores in major U.S. markets by the end of 2015.
DDR appoints David J. Oakes CEO

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp announced that David J. Oakes has been named the company’s new CEO, effectively immediately. Oakes has been DDR’s president and CFO since January 2013, and was senior executive VP and CFO for the three years prior. He succeeds Daniel Hurwitz, who stepped down December 31 by mutual agreement.

"After a thorough and robust search process, the board is confident that David is the right person to lead DDR into the future," said chairman Terry Ahern.
Baker Katz completes redevelopment in Port Arthur, Texas

Houston -- Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, announced the completion of its 90,000-sq.-ft. redevelopment located in Port Arthur, Texas.
Exclusive: As Leasing Demand Picks Up, the Next Generation of Retail Tenants Takes Hold

By Matthew K. Harding

With demand from national, local and franchise companies across a broad range of categories picking up markedly in the Northeast, this is an opportune time to take a look at the movers and shakers that are defining the next generation of retail tenancy. And interestingly, the most successful concepts are embracing a new reality that leverages technology and creative approaches for reaching consumers.

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