REAL ESTATE

Five top U.S. markets for luxury retailers
New York - New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco rank at the top of the list, reporting the highest luxury sales in per square foot, according to JLL’s “The New World of Retail Report.” But while core metro areas ranked at the top of the list of preferred locations, several emerging retail markets like Dallas, Houston and Orlando possess the attributes for longer term success driven by ongoing population and income growth.
Macy’s to become downtown LA flagship at The Bloc
Los Angeles - The Ratkovich Company, with partners National Real Estate Advisors and Blue Vista Capital, announced that Macy's at The Bloc will receive a major upgrade to become a downtown Los Angeles flagship store. The partners will also bring San Francisco-based men's emporium Wingtip to The Bloc, along with a new retail gallery concept conceived in collaboration between CNTRLgroup and Otto Design Group.

Simon Premium Outlets heads into 2015 with 6.4 million sq. ft. in development

Simon Premium Outlets heads into 2015 with 6.4 million sq. ft. in development New York - Simon Property Group is expanding its Premium Outlets portfolio with a worldwide development pipeline of 6.4 million square feet and a total investment of $2.5 billion.
H&M’s upscale COS brand opens in SoHo

New York — Swedish fashion giant H&M’s higher-end brand COS will make its New York debut on Friday, in the SoHo section of Manhattan. It’s the brand’s second U.S. store—the first, in Los Angles, opened in October.
COS, known for its clean lines and minimalist look, targets a more sophisticated customer than the more value-priced H&M. The SoHo store has a upmarket feel and gallery-like look, enhanced by the use of glass and white-washed wood.
Starbucks’ new Roastery format dazzles; will serve as launchpad for 100-store chain
Heslin Holdings acquires retail property in Albuquerque for planned redevelopment

Laguna Hills, Calif. — Heslin Holdings, Inc., a privately owned commercial real estate investment and development firm, has purchased 1640 Rio Rancho Blvd., aretail property located in Rio Rancho, a city within the major metropolitanregion of Albuquerque, N.M. The firm will redevelop and re-tenant the property as part of a value-add investment strategy. Additionally, the firm has announced plans to invest up to $100 million in commercial properties in 2015.
Avison Young completes $15 million sale of Brannon Crossing

Atlanta - Avison Young has completed the $15 million sale of Brannon Crossing, an upscale shopping center with 60,780 sq. ft. of leasable space located at 405-435 Peachtree Parkway in Cumming, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. The transaction comes on the heels of the firm’s recent disposition of the 27,057-sq.-ft. Lindbergh Crossing Shopping Center in Atlanta for $7.06 million.
Aeropostale closing 75 stores as Q3 loss widens and same-store sales fall 11%

New York - On the heels of its eight straight quarterly loss, Aeropostale said it would close about 75 stores in the current quarter, and could close 50 to 75 more namesake locations in 2015, and 126 P.S. from Aeropostale stores by the end of January. The struggling teen retailer reported a net loss of $52.3 million in the third quarter ended Nov. 1, up from $25.6 million, in the year ago period. It also forecast a bigger-than-expected fourth-quarter loss.
Dollar General to open 730 stores and remodel 875 locations in 2015; entering three new markets
Avison Young completes $15 million sale of Brannon Crossing

Atlanta - Avison Young has completed the $15 million sale of Brannon Crossing, an upscale shopping center with 60,780 sq. ft. of leasable space located at 405-435 Peachtree Parkway in Cumming, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. The transaction comes on the heels of the firm’s recent disposition of the 27,057-sq.-ft. Lindbergh Crossing Shopping Center in Atlanta for $7.06 million.