REAL ESTATE

Dublin, Calif. -- Ross Dress for Less opened two new stores in the Pacific Northwest on July 19. The stores opening are in Columbia Crossing in East Vancouver, Washington, and Pioneer Crossing in Bend, Oregon.    

These new openings are part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year.

Westminster, Colo. -- Brixmor Property Group, owner and operator of the largest wholly owned U.S. portfolio of grocery-anchored shopping centers, has leased more than 97,000 sq. ft. of retail space to five national retailers at Westminster City Center in Westminster, Colorado. 

San Francisco -- Continuing its global growth, Gap Inc. on Monday announced that it will introduce the Gap brand to Slovenia and Austria through agreements with new and existing franchise partners. Magistrat International, a new partner, has been selected for the launch of Slovenia. Gottex, which currently manages the Gap franchise business in Israel and Hungary, will launch Austria.

Hamilton, N.J. -- Discount optical retailer America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses has leased 4,500 sq. ft. at Hamilton Plaza in Hamilton Township, announced Levin Management, exclusive leasing and managing agent for the 175,000-sq.-ft. shopping center.

The lease signing brings the Mercer County retail destination to 100% occupancy.

Maywood, Calif. -- CBRE senior VP Philip D. Voorhees announced that he, Jimmy Slusher and the National Retail Investment Group – West (NRIG-West) team, along with CBRE’s managing director, Richard Rizika, completed the sale of Maywood Village Square, a 48,324-sq.-ft. convenience strip center located in Maywood, California. The center is anchored by O’Reilly Auto Parts and features Subway, U.S. Bank, Yoshinoya, Western Dental Services and a new Fitness 19 health club.

New Hyde Park, N.Y. - Kimco Realty Corp. has acquired a portfolio of 10 shopping centers from its joint venture with SEB Asset Management for $275.8 million, including $193.6 million of mortgage debt. Kimco, which previously held a 15% ownership interest in the properties, paid approximately $69.8 million for the remaining 85% equity interest held by SEB Asset Management, the group’s specialist real estate manager.

Virginia Beach, Va. -- Home furnishings retailer West Elm will open a new store at Town Center of Virginia Beach, the retailer’s first in the Hampton Roads market.

The new store will be located on Main Street on the first floor of the newly constructed 4505 Main Street Tower, next to the recently announced Anthropologie store. A grand opening is slated for 2015.

Hackensack, N.J. -- Dress Barn has renewed its lease for 4,200 sq. ft. at Summit Plaza in Hackensack, New Jersey. The 100,000-sq.-ft. retail property is owned and managed by Alfred Sanzari Enterprises.