Divaris Real Estate Inc. has been appointed as the exclusive leasing agent for six retail centers in Virginia, including Spring Knoll Plaza in Fredericksburg; Willow Oaks Shopping Center and Midway Shopping Center in Hampton; Francisco Village Shopping Center in Newport News; and Mill Dam Crossing and Kemps Corner Shops in Virginia Beach. John Wingfield, of the company’s Richmond, Va. office, will handle the leasing for Spring Knoll Plaza. Edward Salyers and Judy Jensen, of Divaris’ Peninsula office in Newport, Va., will handle the leasing for the other properties. Together, the new assignments total approximately 400,000 square feet of retail space.
Continental Real Estate to Manage, Lease Weston Lakes Plaza and Kendal Mall
American Realty Advisors appointed Continental Real Estate Cos. (CREC) as the exclusive leasing and managing agent for Kendal Mall in Miami and Weston Lakes Plaza in Weston, Fla. Kendal Mall is a 289,000-square-foot retail center in Miami’s Kendall submarket. The property is currently 87 percent leased. Tenants at the center include Publix, CVS, Bally’s Fitness, Staples and JC Penney Home.
Weston Lakes Plaza is a 96,000-square-foot center at the crossroads on Indian Trade and Saddle Club Roads in Weston. The property is currently 89 percent leased. Tenants include Publix, CVS, Bank of America and Starbucks Coffee.
Caruso Creates COO Post, Concentrates on Growth
Caruso Affiliated appointed Paul Kurzawa as chief operating officer. The position has been established for the first time in the firm’s 20-year history to help facilitate its comprehensive expansion program. Kurzawa has 15 years of retail management experience and previously served as executive vice president of operations with the firm. He joined Caruso Affiliated in 2006.
“Paul has been an exceptional leader at our firm and shown tremendous skill at increasing revenue, managing people and upholding our values and brand,” said company CEO Rick Caruso in a statement. “With Paul in this new role to oversee day-to-day operations, I can fully focus on the firm’s strategic vision, including our expansion into new business lines and new developments.”
Caruso also named Jackie Levy as senior vice president of operations and Matt Middlebrooke as senior vice president of development. In his new position, Levy will be responsible for all property management functions for the company’s retail and residential assets. Middlebrook will oversee the firm’s projects in pre-development and development stages. Both will report to Kurzawa.
Over the past 10 years, Caruso Affiliated has grown at a compounded rate return of 20 percent per year. It has also made strategic moves into luxury residential communities, hotel development and airport retail.
Harris Teeter Signs Lease at Regency Center in North Carolina
Harris Teeter signed a lease with Regency Centers for a 53,282-square-foot store at Harris Crossing in Wake Forest, N.C. The store is already operating.
In a separate announcement, Regency Centers Corp. appointed Jack deVilliers as leasing agent for Baltimore, Md. and the New England area. In his new position, deVilliers will be responsible for 13 properties totaling 1.8 million square feet of space. Previously, he served as a retail leasing associate with KLNB Retail.
CAN DO/ Koi Spa Signs Renewal at Princeton Forrestal Village
CAN DO/ Koi Spa Salon signed a long-term lease renewal with Investcorp International Realty Inc. and Lincoln Equities Group for a 61,000-square-foot space at Princeton Forrestal Village in Princeton, N.J. Daniel Ackerman, senior director of leasing with Lincoln Equities, served as an in-house representative for the landlord in the transaction.
PriceRite Signs Renewal at Allentown Center
PriceRite signed a 10-year lease extension with the Lightstone Group for a 33,800-square-foot store at PriceRite Mountainville Shopping Center in Allentown, Pa. Other tenants at the property include Retro Fitness, Family Dollar, Eckerd Pharmacy, Kmart, McDonald’s and Autozone.
Other Notable News
The American Institute of Architects elected David Miles Ziskind to its College of Fellows. The fellowship program recognizes architects who have made a significant contribution to the field and to society. Ziskind, who has 40 years of experience, currently serves as senior vice president and chief architect with STV Inc.
Colliers International hired Warren Dahlstrom as president of its investment services group. Prior to joining Colliers International, Dahlstrom served as principal of his own firm, Dahlstrom Real Estate Advisors. He has represented owners and investors in institutional commercial real estate since 1986. Colliers also hired Jason Lund as director in its New York office. In his new position, Lund will serve as a corporate advisor and tenant representation specialist. Previously, Lund worked for Cushman & Wakefield and the Staubach Co.
Robertson Properties Group appointed John Manavian as executive vice president of real estate, design and development. Manavian has been with the firm since 1997.
Grubb & Ellis Co. hired Robin Newton as vice president in its retail group. Newton has 27 years of experience in commercial real estate. Prior to joining Grubb & Ellis, she worked for Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark Knight Frank.
LCOR hired Brent E. Jenkins as development director in its New York office. In his new position, Jenkins will be responsible for new investment and development opportunities, as well as working with members of the LCOR team to optimize the firm’s existing portfolio. He has 18 years of experience in commercial real estate. Previously, he served as vice president on the structured finance and investment team at Archstone.