Jones Lang LaSalle promoted Kristin Mueller to COO. In her new position, Mueller will be responsible for executing the firm’s services platform, ensuring standards consistency across the property portfolio as well as driving results and efficiencies across the business. She will also oversee client accounting, property management and specialty leasing departments.
Mueller has more than 27 years of experience in the retail industry. Prior to joining Jones Lang LaSalle in 2008, she worked for Urban Shopping Centers Inc.
McKinley Receives 39-Property Management Assignment
McKinley Commercial Client Services has been appointed as property and asset manager for a 39-property, 4.25 million-sq. ft. retail portfolio.
The portfolio contains primarily grocery-anchored shopping centers ranging in size from 52,000 sq. ft. to 245,000 sq. ft. The centers are located across 13 states, with tenants including national grocery chains, Staples, The Home Depot, Dollar Tree, Lowe’s and Ross Stores.
NewMark Merrill Spearheads Redevelopment of California Center
NewMark Merrill Cos. started a $2.5 million redevelopment of Park Plaza on Maine, a 165,000-sq.-ft. retail center in Baldwin Park, Calif.
The projects includes updated facades, new pylon and monument signage, the addition of outdoor seating and a water feature, in addition to the creation of space for more street-front retailers along Maine Avenue and Ramona Boulevard. NewMark Merrill plans to complete the project in February 2013.
ShopRite to Open its Largest Tri-State Region Store at Brooklyn’s Gateway Center
ShopRite signed a lease with Related Cos. for a 90,000-sq.-ft. store at Phase II of Gateway Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The store will be ShopRite’s largest in the tri-state region and is scheduled for opening in the fall of 2014.
Glenn Goldstein, president of Related Retail, Alex Arancio, of Wakefern Food Corp., John Hanlon, of CBRE, and RIPCO negotiated this transaction.
Brixmor Brings New Tenants to Multiple Properties
Cleveland Furniture Bank signed a 58,245-sq.-ft. lease and Tuesday Morning a 14,151-sq.-ft. lease at Brixmor Property Group’s Southland Shopping Center in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Jerry Herman, of Herman & Associates, represented Tuesday Morning in the transaction. Greg Slyman, of Kelly & Visconsi Associates, represented Cleveland Furniture Bank. Ron McGehee represented Brixmor in-house.
Big Lots signed a 39,003-sq.-ft. lease at Brixmor’s Rising Sun Towne Centre in Rising Sun, Md. Save-A-Lot opened a 34,103-sq.-ft. store and Maison De Macarons a 1,000-sq.-ft. store at Brixmor Property Group’s Eisenhower Square in Savannah, Ga. Josh Durigan represented Brixmor in-house in the transactions.
Planet Fitness signed a 27,370-sq.-ft. lease at Southland Shopping Plaza in Toledo, Ohio. Robert Saggese represented Brixmor in-house.
Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts signed a lease for a 24,920-sq.-ft. store at Conyers Plaza in Conyers, Ga. Ruth Coan, of The Shopping Center Group, represented Jo-Ann Fabric, in the transaction. Greg Levine and Tracy Lojek represented Brixmor in-house.
CareMore’s Nifty After Fifty opened an 18,229-sq.-ft. store at Northmall Centre in Tucson, Ariz. Omar Dauod, of Cresa Orange County, represented the tenant in the transaction. Nancy McClure, of CBRE, represented Brixmor.
Hard Knocks signed a lease for a 13,199-sq.-ft. store at Pointe Orlando in Orlando, Fla. Elliott Jamison, of Realty Capital, represented Hard Knocks in the transaction. Nichole Katulich represented Brixmor in-house.
Royal Hibachi Buffet signed a 10,100-sq.-ft. lease with Brixmor Property Group for a store at Westridge Center in Naperville, Ill. Brad Ratajczak represented Brixmor in-house.
Party City signed a lease for a 12,000-sq.-ft. store at Brixmor’s North Dover Shopping Center in Dover, Del. Will Ferrell, of Trout Daniel & Associates, represented Party City in the transaction. Greg Levine represented Brixmor in-house.
Fresh Market Signs for Two New Locations in Florida
The Fresh Market signed a lease for a 25,575-sq.-ft. store at the Eagle Creek shopping center in Naples, Fla. and an 18,091-sq.-ft. store at Lithia Crossing shopping center in Brandon, Fla. Kalyn Brandewie, of Florida Retail Partners, represented the tenant in both transactions.
TJX Brands to Take over Linens N Things Space at Deer Grove Centre
TJX signed a 10-year lease to open a 50,000-sq.-ft. combined TJ Maxx/Home Goods store at Deer Grove Centre in Palatine, Ill. The space was formerly occupied by Linens N Things. Joe Parrott and Michael Gold, of CBRE, represented the landlord in the transaction.
The Retail Connection, Bed Bath & Beyond Partner at Willowbrook Plaza
A joint venture of The Retail Connection and Long Wharf Real Estate Partners bought Willowbrook Plaza, a 384,556-sq.-ft. retail center in Houston, from CBL Properties. The new owners than signed a 92,000-sq.-ft. lease with Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. for its Bed Bath & Beyond, buybuy BABY and Cost Plus World Market concepts.
Willowbrook Plaza is currently 73 percent occupied, with other tenants including AMC Theaters, Finger Furniture, Sprint, Mattress Firm Buffalo Wild Wings and Saltgrass.
R.J. Brunelli Becomes Leasing Agent for Woodhaven Plaza
R.J. Brunelli Becomes Leasing Agent for Woodhaven Plaza
Atlantic Realty appointed R.J. Brunelli & Co. LLC as the exclusive leasing agent for Woodhaven Plaza. The property will be ready for delivery in the summer of 2013.
Other Notable News
SRS Real Estate Partners hired Joseph Clark as a research consultant in the firm’s Houston office. In his new position, Clark will be responsible for broker transaction support, SRS identity building and lead generation initiatives. Previously, he worked as a chartist and contractor with Global Forex Strategies. SRS also hired Barb Brandt as senior human resources specialist in the company’s corporate headquarters office in Dallas. In her new position, Brandt will be responsible for managing payroll and tax reporting, day-to-day benefits administration processes, recruiting and the on- and off-boarding of all employees. Previously she worked for an oncology education company.