Content about Real estate

Foxborough, Mass. -- Gourmet cupcake bakery Cupcake Charlie’s will celebrate the opening of its fourth location on May 18, at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass.

The growing business also has locations in Mashpee, Plymouth and Newport, R.I.
 

Chicago -- General Growth Properties said that its Oakbrook Center property in Chicago has welcomed Fixtures Living, an experiential showroom concept based in San Diego.

The Oakbrook Center store is the company’s first outside of California. It is slated to open in spring 2014 and will be Fixtures Living's fifth overall and the second one situated within a luxury retail center – the other being Glendale (Calif.) Galleria.

Longmont, Colo. -- NewMark Merrill Mountain States named three new anchors for the redeveloped Twin Peaks Mall: Whole Foods Market, Regal Cinemas and Sam’s Club.

The project, which is slated to open in 2014, also unveiled its new name – Village at the Peaks.

Philadelphia -- Tex-Mex family restaurant operator Uncle Julio’s will join Plymouth Meeting Mall in late 2013, according to mall owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), based in Philadelphia.

The 9,300-sq.-ft. location will be the first in Pennsylvania, and marks the completion of The Plaza Shops extension, which is anchored by Whole Foods and includes Massage Envy, Coldwater Creek, Loft, Chico’s, Olly Shoes, Orvis, and Jos. A. Bank.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced an agreement to acquire a portfolio of prime power centers from its existing joint venture with Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII.  The acquisition is slated to close in fourth quarter 2013.
 
The joint venture between Blackstone and DDR currently owns 44 shopping centers, and DDR will acquire Blackstone's 95% common equity ownership interest in 30 of the shopping centers for $1.46 billion.

Simpsonville, Ky. -- Following on the heels of successful outlet projects in Atlanta and Oklahoma City, CBL & Associates Properties and Horizon Group Properties announced another joint venture – to co-develop The Outlet Shoppes at Louisville, in Simpsonville, Ky.

Boston -- The administration of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has agreed to allow the construction of a 4.5-acre complex called Fenway Center in the area around Fenway Park in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood. Developer John Rosenthal will pay $226 million in rental fees to build the development, which will include retail stores as well as homes and office buildings.

The development includes state-owned land as well as air rights over the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group released research findings on Tuesday that showed Hong Kong continued to keep its top spot as the world's most expensive global retail market, recording prime rents nearly 150% higher than New York City.

London ranked third, with prime rental rates 400% lower than Hong Kong’s.

New York -- A Tuesday report by Reuters said that J.C. Penney Co.’s real estate holdings – including stores, DCs and headquarters – are worth a total of $4.06 billion.

An appraisal was conducted for Penney and subsequently disclosed in a presentation to potential lenders that was also filed with U.S. regulators.
 

Minneapolis -- Cassidy Turley announced the promotion of five employees at its Minneapolis office.
 
Brian Woolsey has been promoted to managing director; he previously served as senior VP. Jennifer Pelant has been promoted to associate VP from associate; Mark Richardson has been promoted to assistant chief operating engineer, from lead operating engineer; Angela Samargia has been promoted to senior property manager, from property manager; and Robert Franks was promoted to business manager from senior office manager.
 

Seattle -- The national vacancy rate for shopping centers dropped slightly from 10.09% to 10.06% in the first quarter of 2013, according to a study by global real estate services company Colliers International. In addition, shopping centers absorbed nearly 4.5 million sq. ft. in the first quarter.