Jones Lang LaSalle completed construction on two new Uniqlo stores in Manhattan on behalf of Uniqlo Co Ltd. The stores, located at 666 Fifth Avenue and 31 W. 34th Street, total 153,000 sq. ft. The stores’ design will serve as the standard for new Uniqlo stores worldwide.
The company’s flagship store at 666 Fifth Avenue contains 49,800 sq. ft. of retail space and features a three-story atrium, a staircase with LED backlit risers, four glass elevators and three escalators. The 34th Street store contains 46,300 sq. ft. of sales space and features a glass facade, a staircase with LED backlit risers and two glass elevators.
JLL’s project and development services (PDS) group served as the project manager on the stores. It handled project planning, design management, furniture, fixtures and equipment coordination, procurement management and budget and schedule management.
“These two high-profile locations will serve as the basis for Uniqlo’s global standard for new store construction going forward,” said Laini Rey, JLL’s senior vice president and executive lead on the project, in a statement. “The Fifth Avenue global flagship, which is now the clothing retailer’s largest store in the world, makes a big impression with its edgy high-tech and brilliantly lit design.”
In addition to Rey, the team working on the stores included Amanda Moskowitz, Andrew Hellerman, Eric Desimone, Trisha Taylor, Tucker Schenk and Raymond Quartararo.
New York City-based Gensler and Tokyo-based Wonderwall Inc. served as architects on the project. Fiskaa Engineering, Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP and Structure Tone Inc. also participated in the design and construction of the stores.
Prior to construction, Jones Lang LaSalle worked on an extensive value engineering study for Uniqlo, which resulted in savings for the client. The firm is now serving as project manager on a number of new Uniqlo stores in Asia and Europe.
KeyPoint Partners Becomes Leasing, Management Agent for The Crossings at Fox Run in New Hampshire
Heitman LLC appointed KeyPoint Partners as the property manager and exclusive leasing agent for The Crossings at Fox Run, a 475,000-sq.-ft. power center in Newington, N.H.
Located adjacent to the Fox Run Mall, the Crossings at Fox Run sits in the shopping hub of the Newington/Portsmouth market. Tenants at the center include Regal Cinema, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, Staples, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Michael’s, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Cold Stone Creamery.
Alicia Busconi, vice president, and Rachel Cormier, property manager with KeyPoint Partner’s Burlington, Mass. office, will handle the property management for the asset. Don Mace, vice president, and David Hough, leasing associate, will be responsible for leasing initiatives.
“The Crossings at Fox Run is the premier power center in Southern New Hampshire. It’s a superior asset, and a significant addition to our portfolio,” said KeyPoint Partners Managing Partner Bob Lemons in a statement. “KeyPoint Partners has worked on several assets for Heitman, and our relationship has been long and mutually beneficent. We’re grateful for Heitman’s continued confidence.”
LA Fitness to Open at Laurel Shopping Center in Maryland
LA Fitness signed a lease with Federal Realty Investment Trust for a 40,822-sq.-ft. club at Laurel Shopping Center in Laurel, Md. The fitness chain plans to open in the fall of 2012. David Ward, Richard Rotner, Geoffrey Mackler and Marc Katz, of H&R Retail, represented the tenant in the transaction.
Regency Signs New Leases in Baltimore, Austin
Regency Centers signed leases with four new tenants totaling 10,774 sq. ft. at the Festival at Woodholme in Baltimore, Md. Ann Taylor LOFT signed a lease for a 5,164-sq.-ft. store and is scheduled to open in March of 2012. Wine Loft signed a lease for a 2,405-sq.-ft. space and will open in November. Francesca’s Collections signed a 1,605-sq.-ft. lease and plans to open in February of 2012. Couture Moda has already opened a 1,600-sq.-ft. store at the center.
Regency also signed two new leases at the Hancock Center in Austin, Texas. Foot Locker signed a 2,946-sq.-ft. lease, while Family Chiropractic signed a 1,100-sq.-ft. lease. The deals bring the center’s occupancy to approximately 98 percent.
Brixmor Secures More Tenants
Impress for Less signed a lease with Brixmor Property Group for a 16,075-sq.-ft. store at Huntington Village in Houston, Texas. Walter Salek, of The Retail Connection, represented the tenant in the transaction. Dianne Colella served as an in-house representative for the landlord.
In addition, Melrose signed a lease for a 16,132-sq.-ft. store and Cici’s Pizza and Buffet for a 4,500-sq.-ft. store at North 45 Plaza in Houston, Texas. Abe Charski, of Abe Charski Interest Inc., represented Melrose in the transaction. Clay Graham, of Fox Graham, represented Cici’s. Kay Walker served as an in-house representative for Brixmor;
Anytime Fitness signed a 7,720-sq.-ft. lease at Hillcrest in Spartanburg, S.C. Brad Toy, of Langston-Black Real Estate Inc., represented the tenant in the transaction. Jessica Gelling represented Brixmore in-house.
In a separate announcement, Brixmor appointed Thomas W. Litzler as senior vice president for the Central region. Litzler will be based in Chicago, Ill. and will direct leasing, property operations and redevelopment activity for 11.7 million sq. ft. of shopping centers located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. He has more than 25 years of experience in retail real estate. Previously, he served as executive vice president of development and new business initiatives with Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust.
Five New Retailers Open Stores in Center City Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Retail Marketing Alliance (PRMA) and the Center City District (CCD) arranged leases with five new retailers in Center City Philadelphia, Pa. Jack Wills opened a 6,800-sq.-ft. store at 1617 Walnut Street. Laila Rowe opened a 1,115-sq.-ft. store at 1712 Chestnut St. Dr. Martens opened a 3,800-sq.-ft. store at 1710 Walnut St. In addition, Papilio Inc. and Barbour both opened new locations in the area.
Summit Design Completes Chicago Restaurant
Summit Design + Build LLC completed work on Prasino, a 5,000-sq.-ft. restaurant in Chicago, Ill. The design features barn wood ceilings, polished concrete floors, a large lounge and dining area and a 100-person patio. Mark Heffron and Bryana Yergler, of Summit Design, handled on-site construction. Simeone Deary and Byrne Design provided architectural services.
Other Notable News
Vestar Development Co. hired Bob Cavanaugh as chief investment officer. Cavanaugh will be based in the company’s Phoenix, Ariz. office and will be responsible for overseeing the raising of third-party equity capital, identifying investment opportunities and structuring joint ventures. Cavanaugh has 25 years of experience in commercial real estate investment and finance. Prior to joining Vestar, he served as managing director with DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners.
The Hutton Co. hired Geoff Smith as president and Bob Elliot as vice president of Hutton Construction Inc. Smith has more than 23 years of experience in commercial real estate. Previously, he served as vice president of development with CBL & Associates Properties Inc.. While there, he was responsible for 5 million sq. ft. of new development. Elliot previously served as development manager with CBL. He has 16 years of experience and throughout the course of his career has managed approximately $580 million in new projects.
Lowe Enterprises Investors hired Thomas C. Whitesell as senior vice president. In his new position, Whitesell will oversee the firm’s high-yield real estate debt investment program, with a focus on senior and subordinated debt and preferred equity investments for commercial and hospitality real estate projects. Previously, he was founding principal of Whitehat Capital, a private equity firm.
Henry S. Miller Brokerage promoted Jason Du to assistant vice president for the Greater Houston commercial retail division. Du specializes in tenant and landlord representation and retail project leasing. He has worked for Henry S. Miller Brokerage for more than three years.
SR Commercial appointed Tim Gudim as director of operations. In his new position, Gudim will be responsible for growing the firm’s portfolio. He has 30 years of experience in commercial real estate. Prior to joining SR Commercial, he served as managing director of the West region with First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.
Transwestern hired Nick Hernandez as managing director of retail services group, Grant Walker and Tony Armstrong as vice presidents, Chris Reyes as associate, Gregorio Barrerra as director of retail information and Lauren Cahoon as retail support services. The entire team comes to the company from the Houston office of Page Realty Partners LLC.
Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group hired Madison Williams, Butch Ross and Tom Jackson for its recently formed commercial real estate finance firm.
SRS Real Estate Partners hired Caroline Hurley as senior marketing coordinator in its Dallas/Ft. Worth office. In her new position, Hurley will be responsible for branding, lead generation initiatives, communications, public relations, digital marketing and broker support. Previously, she worked as a receptionist with Colliers International.