Toro Development hires leasing chief to direct its first two projects

Leasing pro Kimberly Goetz’s new mission is simply stated but not simply achieved: Curate hundreds of thousands of sq. ft. of new retail space from scratch.

Goetz, a leasing veteran of New Market Properties and SITE Centers, has been hired by Toro Development Company to direct both office and retail leasing for two mixed-use projects still in the planning stages: the 60-acre Ovation on the campus Mars Petcare’s headquarters in Franklin, Tenn., and the 43-acre Medley in Johns Creek, Ga.

The company intends to announce some of Medley’s first retail tenants in the spring, but company founder Mark Toro—who developed the groundbreaking Avalon Center in Alpharetta, Ga.—likes to keep retail tenants churning.

“The fact that the retail offering can be shifted over the term of the community is very helpful,” Toro told Chain Store Age in a recent interview. “It refreshes the street-level experience, so five-year or one- or two-year terms and pop-ups are preferable.”

At Medley, Goetz is charged by Toro with leading Franklin Street Properties’ leasing team to create a “magnetic entertainment destination.” At Ovation, she will define and execute the retail vision and leasing strategy along with Mark Masinter, chairman of global retail at Open Realty.

“Toro Development Company takes a thoughtful and original approach to real estate development by focusing first on the human experience,” said Goetz. “I am inspired to have the opportunity to deploy creative leasing strategies that drive human energy and activate the street level.”

Goetz served as senior vice president of leasing for New Market, directing tenant curation across a portfolio of 54 retail centers in the Southeast. At SITE, she handled leasing for a 6 million-sq.-ft. portfolio.

“The right retail mix is a critical component to creating true third places. This is where rooftops buzz with activity, patios spill into sidewalks, and local bands enliven plazas,” said Toro.

Toro Development was created last year by Mark Toro and other North American Properties executives that developed Avalon and redeveloped Atlanta’s Colony Square: John Kelley, Richard Munger, Vicky Boyce and Carla Cox.