New developments Bend, Ore. - Plans for the first segment of the Village Center, the retail hub of Bend's Old Mill District mixed-use development, recently were approved. The site, located along both banks of the Deschutes River in the city's downtown area, covers nearly 11.5 acres, including eight buildings containing a total or more than 110,700 sq. ft. Tenants signed for the Village Center include The Gap, Gap Kids, Banana Republic, Chico's, Sunglass Hut, The Jennifer Lake Miller Gallery, Compleat Bed & Breakfast (linens and other items for the bedroom) and Dieci Soli (Italian pottery, table linens, etc.). In addition, a 10-screen Regal multiplex cinema at the southern end of the center is under construction and expected to open this summer, while an outdoor amphitheater is planned on the west side of the river and expected to open a year later.
Village Center, scheduled to get under way next month and open a year later, is a development of locally based River Bend Limited Partnership.The firms of Ken Kay Associates, San Francisco, as well as Mayer/Reed landscape architects and WPH Architecture, both of Portland, collaborated on the retail center's plan and building designs. Buildings will be oriented toward the Riverwalk, a paved pedestrian pathway that ultimately will run nearly a mile along the eastern bank of the river. A number of paved plazas, outdoor cafes and landscaped open areas also are planned. A pedestrian bridge will link the Riverwalk and Village Center to the amphitheater and other features on the west side.
Chino Hills, Calif. - Phase I construction is under way on Crossroads Marketplace, a 795,000 sq. ft. retail and entertainment center in Chino Hills. It is being developed by Lennar Partners, a subsidiary of Miami-based LNR Property Corp. Sport Chalet and Sav-On Drugs will join existing, freestanding tenants Eagle Hardware & Garden and Costco in Phase I, expected to be completed in August. Overall plans for the project include 454,000 sq. ft. of big-box retail alongside 219,000 sq. ft. of entertainment components, including a multiplex theater, restaurants, specialty shops and a hotel.
Bradenton, Fla. - Construction is under way on Creekwood Crossing, a 380,000 sq. ft. community shopping center, in Bradenton. Anchors for the project, expected to open in April 2001, include Lowe's, Big Kmart and Beall's. Approximately 20 additional retailers as well as five outparcels also are in the plans. Creekwood Crossing is a development of Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties Inc.
Brevard County, Fla. - The Sembler Co., St. Petersburg, Fla., is developing two Publix-anchored shopping centers in Brevard County. Construction will begin this month on Publix at Cocoa Commons, a 74,920 sq. ft. center in Cocoa. The center, which also will house 23,500 sq. ft. of retail stores and service providers as well as four outparcels, is expected to be completed in March 2001. In Palm Bay, the company is building Publix at Bayside Lakes, a 65,000 sq. ft. shopping center that will serve as the only grocery-anchored retail center within the Bayside Lakes development, a 583-acre residential complex with a planned commercial district and golf course. Construction on Publix at Bayside Lakes is expected to begin next month and be completed in spring 2001.
Dallas - Construction is under way on Mockingbird Station, a 10-acre, multi-use urban village adjoining the Mockingbird Lane light-rail commuter station in Dallas. The project will include 216 loft apartments, 220,000 sq. ft. of retail, an entertainment center and redesign of an existing office building. A mid-size hotel also is being considered. Virgin Megastore and Angelika Film Center & Cafe, focusing on independently produced films, will anchor the complex. Other tenants will include Rockfish Seafood Grill, Cafe Express, Urban Outfitters, The Gap and Victoria's Secret. The project is expected to be completed in No-vember.
Mockingbird Station is a development of Dallas-based UC URBAN, a joint venture between Kenneth H. Hughes and David Dunning. The financing resource is Denver-based Simpson Housing Limited Partnership. The Los Angeles office of Baltimore-based RTKL and Dallas-based Selzer Associates Inc. are serving as the architects.
Indianapolis - Poised to benefit from the growth in northeast suburban Indianapolis, locally based Duke-Weeks Retail Group is planning to develop Stony Creek Marketplace. Accommodating up to 410,000 sq. ft. of retail space, the project is expected to include a 12-screen cinema and large home improvement center as end cap anchors, with several 12,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft. big boxes as well as specialty shop space in between. Preleasing is under way, and no tenants have been named to date. Duke-Weeks Retail Group, an affiliate of Indianapolis-based Duke-Weeks Realty Corp., expects site work to begin this fall with construction starting in early 2001.
Phoenix, Ariz. - Phoenix-based Eisenberg Co. is partnering with Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Realty Corp. on five retail properties anchored by Safeway in the Phoenix area. The deal is the result of Eisenberg's long-standing relationship with the grocery chain. Regency Realty, brought on board by Eisenberg, negotiated the purchase of the sites from the grocer, which had independently completed construction and opening of the Safeway stores. The surrounding land and pad sites purchased by Regency Realty will be used to develop Safeway-anchored neighborhood shopping centers. Eisenberg Co. will oversee development and provide leasing and property management services for each of the projects.
The new centers are South Mountain in Phoenix, Stonebridge Center in Mesa, Vistoso Plaza in Oro Valley, The Provinces in Chandler, and Ocotillo Lakes in Chandler. Construction began last month on all of them with delivery of tenant sites expected to begin in late summer.
Kent, Ohio - Plans are in the works for University Town Center, a 415,000 sq. ft. open-air power center in Kent. The development is scheduled to break ground later this year and open in 2001. When completed, it will consist of eight anchors as well as several specialty shops and restaurants. No tenants have been named yet. University Town Center is a development of Cleveland-based Developers Diversified Realty.
Center openings Nashville, Tenn. - Opry Mills, a shopping and entertainment complex featuring 1.2 million sq. ft. of GLA, will be opening this month in Nashville. Featuring 200 retailers, the tenant lineup will include manufacturer and retail outlets, off-price retailers, category-dominant stores and dining and entertainment venues. Leases have been signed with Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Gibson Guitar Corporation Presents The Gibson Bluegra ss Showcase, BLACKLION, Banana Republic Factory Store, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Bliss Soaps, NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, Jillian's, Regal Cinemas/IMAX Theatres, Tower Records, Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Alabama Grill and Boot Country. Opry Mills is a development of The Mills Corp., Arlington, Va., and locally based Gaylord Entertainment Co.
Major tenant happenings Phoenix - Costco Wholesale is making plans to join Chris-Town Mall in Phoenix with its first enclosed mall location. The 150,000 sq. ft. store along with a tire center and gasoline facility is scheduled to open in late fall. Other anchors at the 1.25 million sq. ft. superregional center include Wal-Mart, Dillard's Clearance Center, Wards, Ross Dress for Less, Harkins Theatres, Walgreens and Fashion Bug. Chris-Town Mall is owned by locally based Grossman Company Properties.
Deptford, N.J. - JCPenney will be the newest anchor at Deptford Mall, a 1.27 million sq. ft. complex in Deptford. The store, joining existing anchors Sears, Macy's and Strawbridge, will feature 147,000 sq. ft. of GLA on two levels. Construction is expected to begin this summer with completion slated for fall 2001. Kravco Co., King of Prussia, Pa., is the mall's managing agent.
West Palm Beach, Fla. - Dillard's recently opened a 206,000 sq. ft. store at Palm Beach Mall in West Palm Beach. The department store joins existing anchors JCPenney, Sears, Lord & Taylor and Burdines at the 1.2 million sq. ft. mall. The additional anchor is part of a multimillion dollar renovation and expansion project that was unveiled last month. In addition to Dillard's, two other major tenants recently opened locations at the mall. Borders Books and Music has a 23,500 sq. ft. store at the center, and F.Y.E. (For Your Entertainment) has a 12,000 sq. ft. location. Palm Beach Mall is owned and managed by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group.
Fayetteville, Ark. - Construction is under way on Old Navy at Spring Creek Centre in Fayetteville. The 25,000 sq. ft. store will join other anchors Wal-Mart SuperCenter, Home Depot, Goody's, T.J. Maxx, Bed Bath & Beyond, Shoe Carnival and Factory Card Outlet. Old Navy is scheduled for completion this summer at the 593,133 sq. ft. open-air center. Cleveland-based Developers Diversified Realty owns Spring Creek Centre.
Springdale, Ark. - U.S. Factory Outlets plans to open a 23,000 sq. ft. outlet at Ozark Center Point Place in Springdale. The retailer, which features bargains and closeouts of all types of merchandise, will join existing tenants Stage Department Store, Hobby Lobby and Fred's Dollar Saver at the 265,500 sq. ft. center, formerly known as Ozark Factory Outlet Stores. The retail complex is owned and managed by locally based Mathias Properties.
Pittsburgh - Several major tenants have committed to The Waterfront project, a $300 million mixed-use complex under development in Pittsburgh. Expected to open this fall are: Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods, Marshalls, Bed Bath & Beyond, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Pier 1 Imports, Old Navy and Petco. Two restaurants, Atlantic Fish Company and Steel City Diner, are scheduled to open this summer. The Waterfront is being developed by Continental Real Estate Cos. and Nationwide Realty Services Ltd., both based in Columbus, Ohio.
Renovations La Jolla, Calif. - Renovation work is expected to be completed in mid-June on Prospect Square, a 28,860 sq. ft. upscale retail center located in downtown La Jolla. The project entails a complete remodeling of the three-story, concrete and steel building, which contains three levels of subterranean parking. Tenants will include a new, as-yet-unnamed restaurant as well as Ultra Optique and AES Jewelry. Prospect Square is a project of Los Angeles-based Pacific Equity Properties Inc. Keeton Construction Co., San Marcos, Calif., is the general contractor, and San Diego-based Gafcon is serving as the construction management firm.
Los Angeles - Work is under way on a complete interior renovation of the enclosed main mall portion of Westside Pavilion shopping center in west Los Angeles. According to The Macerich Co., the Santa Monica, Calif.-based owner of the 750,000 sq. ft. complex, plans call for the creation of a "casual California lifestyle ambiance," improved customer circulation and better access to stores. Highlights include new paint and flooring, upgraded lighting, new signage and graphics, updated seating and amenities, the addition of a new elevator near Nordstrom, and a fresh look in the food court. The renovation is expected to be completed this year.
In addition to upgrading the physical plant, Macerich continues to improve the tenant mix by leasing to more upscale merchants. Among the stores recently opened or opening soon at the mall are ABS by Allen Schwartz, Aldo Shoes, J.Colton menswear, Thomas Kinkade Westside Gallery, Canyon Beachwear, Ann Taylor, Select Comfort and Tiny Computers.
Springfield, Va. - An extensive renovation is in the works at Springfield Plaza, a 40-year-old shopping center in Springfield. The project will include a major upgrade to the facade, including a new color scheme and architectural features; repair and reconfiguration of the parking lot; new lighting and signage; replacement of sidewalks, curbs and gutters; and upgraded landscaping. The 274,579 sq. ft. center features more than 45 tenants and is anchored by Giant Food, CVS, Mars: The Musician's Planet and Gateway Country. A new 24,795 sq. ft. Hearth USA store is expected to open soon. Springfield Plaza is owned by locally based Springfield Plaza Limited Partnership. The Rappaport Cos., Vienna, Va., is the project manager for the renovation.
La Mesa, Calif. - A comprehensive renovation recently was completed on La Mesa Village Center in La Mesa, a suburb of San Diego. The center, which includes 57,643 sq. ft. of GLA, comprises three single-story structures with shops and offices, plus a freestanding Round Table Pizza restaurant. The $500,000 project involved remodeling the building exteriors and renovating all vacant spaces, including a 20,000 sq. ft. anchor location. In addition, the parking area was resurfaced, and signage was updated. Other tenants include Cal-Med Drugs, La Mesa Dialysis and Village Station Barber Shop. The Abbey Co., Garden Grove, Calif., owns and manages La Mesa Village.
Expansions Fort Wayne, Ind. - Phase II construction is under way at Apple Glen Crossing, a 475,000 sq. ft. development in Fort Wayne. Work will involve 93,000 sq. ft. of retail space that will be occupied by a variety of retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, PetsMart, Pier 1 Imports, Shoe Carnival and Fashion Bug. These stores will join existing tenants Kohl's department store and Wal-Mart in the shopping center. During Phase II, Wal-Mart also will expand its store to be a SuperCenter with 210,000 sq. ft. of space. All second-phase tenants are expected to open this summer. Ground will be broken at that point on a third phase, which will complete construction of the center. It will add 80,000 sq. ft. of space and will include at least one additional anchor along with smaller retailers and restaurants. Apple Glen Crossing is a joint venture between Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark and the landowner, locally based Bobeck Real Estate. The general contractor is locally based Irmscher Inc.
Fort Worth, Texas - Plans are in the works for The Town Houses at Ridgmar, a 150,000 sq. ft. upscale, open-air center that will serve as an expansion of Ridgmar mall in Fort Worth. Although no tenants have been named, the proposed center will include lifestyle retailers, themed restaurants and entertainment venues. It will be attached to Ridgmar, a 1.3 million sq. ft. center now undergoing a $70 million redevelopment and expected to celebrate its grand reopening in July. The mall is anchored by Neiman Marcus, Foley's, Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears and AMC Ridgmar 18 Theatres (opening this fall). New York-based Shopco Advisory Corp. owns the complex.
Redevelopments Sterling, Va. - Work recently was completed on Sugarland Crossing, formerly known as Sugarland Plaza, in Sterling. The redevelopment project involved the demolition of an existing 40,000 sq. ft. of space to make way for the expansion and reconstruction of the center. Space was expanded for existing tenants Burlington Coat Factory and Shoppers Food Warehouse, both of which renovated their stores. It also involved adding a new tenant, The Room Store. Other changes included parking lot improvements, enhanced landscaping and new lighting. Sugarland Crossing is owned by Washington, D.C.-based Combined Properties. L.F. Jennings, Falls Church, Va., served as the general contractor.
Fairfield, Conn. - Work is under way on Fairfield Center, a $16 million redevelopment of downtown Fairfield. It is being done on the site of the former Fairfield department store and an adjacent parcel, which will result in the creation of 80,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space as well as parking. The former department store site consists of 40,000 sq. ft. and the adjacent parcel, which now houses single-level retail facilities, will be expanded from 20,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft. with a second-level expansion. Borders Books, Music and Cafe has signed a letter of intent to serve as the retail anchor for the development. Completion is expected in October. Fairfield Center is a project of Fairfield, Conn.-based Starwood Ceruzzi LLC.
Boca Raton, Fla. - Work is under way on a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion project at Town Center at Boca Raton. Upon completion, the 1.32 million sq. ft. center in Boca Raton will increase in size to 1.5 million sq. ft. The centerpiece of the expansion will be the mall's sixth anchor, a 170,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom department store, joining Bloomingdale's, Burdines, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Sears. Several other new stores also will be added, including Old Navy, Sephora, Tourneau, Pottery Barn, Explorium, Discovery Channel, Swarovski Crystal Gallery and Talbots Petite.In addition to the expansion, renovation work will include new entrances; new indoor and outdoor signage, lighting and landscaping; as well as upgraded floors, ceilings and decorative appointments throughout the mall.
The mall's interior and exterior transformation will create a new, contemporary shopping environment that complements the center's upgraded tenant mix. Construction is scheduled for completion in November. Town Center at Boca Raton is owned and managed by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group.
Newport, R.I. - Demalling of the former Newport Mall into Newport Towne Center has been completed. The development process involved assembling multiple parcels of land, extensive state and local permitting, and several lease terminations and tenant relocations.
The new, open-air, 280,000 sq. ft. shopping center is anchored by Wal-Mart, Super Stop & Shop and T.J. Maxx. It is owned by Newton, Mass.-based R.K. Associates.
Evanston, Ill. - Construction is under way and expected to be completed this fall on the main pavilion and parking garage at Church Street Plaza, a redevelopment project involving the creation of a new neighborhood in the heart of Evanston's historic district. Plans include converting seven acres of downtown land into a mixed-use retail and entertainment district. Tenants will include Century Theatres' Art House and General Audience cinemas, Urban Outfitters and Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe. Other components of the project, in which retail and restaurant spaces will be incorporated, include a residential building of approximately 250 units and a 175-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel. Northbrook, Ill.-based AHC Evanston LLC, an affiliate of Arthur Hill & Co. LLC, entered into the redevelopment agreement with the city of Evanston.