New developments Jackson, Miss. - Aronov Realty Management Inc., Montgomery, Ala., has announced plans to develop Dogwood Festival, a 304,000-sq.-ft., upscale retail specialty center. The open-air lifestyle center, to be designed by Birmingham, Ala.-based architects Crawford McWilliams Hatcher, will emphasize strong pedestrian connections and individualized exterior storefronts. McRae's, Borders Books & Music, Old Navy, Linens `N Things, AnnTaylor Loft, Gap, Victoria's Secret and several other national retailers have already committed to the project. Construction on Dogwood Center will begin soon with completion set for spring 2002.
Concord Township, Pa. - Wynnewood Development is nearing completion on The Shoppes at Brinton Lake, a 160,000-sq.-ft. lifestyle center. Scheduled to open next month, the center has attracted tenants such as Borders, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, J Crew, Talbots, Eddie Bauer, Zagara's Gourmet Grocer, Pier 1 Imports, AnnTaylor Loft and Organized Living. All leases were negotiated by Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based Michael Salove Vo. Commercial Real Estate.
Tallahassee, Fla. - New York-based UrbanAmerica LP, in conjunction with KSJ Development Corp. of New Orleans, will design, build, and construct Renaissance Plaza in the heart of Tallahassee's historic Frenchtown district. The 129,000-sq.-ft. office and retail project will be developed with the help of Tallahassee's Community Development Corporation. Plans include an April 2001 ground breaking and June 2002 grand opening.
Lombard, Ill. - Mid-America Real Estate of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. broke ground on The Highlands, a new, upscale mixed-use project including residential, restaurant, hotel and office components in addition to retail. A 133,000-sq.-ft. Sears' The Great Indoors, the first in the Chicago area, will anchor the first phase of the development. The Highlands is scheduled to be completed by fall 2002.
Richmond, Va. - Construction recently began on Cleveland, Ohio-based Forest City Enterprises' 1.1-million-sq.-ft. Short Pump Town Center. The open-air regional mall, to be completed in fall 2002, will be anchored by Hecht's and Dillard's. Additional anchors Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor are making their first entries into the Virginia market.
Redevelopments Burbank, Calif. - Gangi Development Corp. recently completed leasing its $25 million, mixed-use infill project, Media Village. The village features 146 units of affordable seniors housing with several hip entertainment venues and 55,000 sq. ft. of upscale retail in the downtown Burbank area. Tenants signed include Body Balance, Survival Strategies, Gitana Le Cafe, Gourmet 88 Seafood and Comfort By Design.
New York - The city's Housing Preservation and Development Agency has selected Baltimore-based Williams Jackson Ewing to lead the redevelopment of Cooper Square, a multi-site, urban renewal located in the East Village. Chrystie Ventures, a joint venture between Williams Jackson Ewing, Avalon Bay, Blackacre Capital and Phipps Houses, will develop and build the $210 million project on four sites located on two acres. Current plans include more than 600 apartments, a community center and 170,000 sq. ft. of retail.
Los Angeles - A 33-acre urban district on the southern edge of downtown is being redeveloped by The Los Angeles Arena Land Co. LLC and Baltimore-based RTKL. Entertainment, retail, residential and offices uses, as well as a large civic plaza are planned for the district, which is adjacent to the Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center. The total redevelopment program covers an eight- to 10-year period and will amount to a total of 4 million sq. ft., including 1 million sq. ft. of retail GLA. The project's first phase is scheduled for completion in 2004.