The alms Shopping Plaza

The Palms at Town and Country celebrates new beginnings as the center announces new restaurants coming to its retail mix. Sweet Tomatoes, Corner Bakery and Devon Seafood Grill will be located in the Lifestyle Center at The Palms.

In addition, Outback Steakhouse is relocating into a new space next to Corner Bakery and will debut its new digs in December. Outback Steakhouse will remain open in its current location until the move.

As one of only two new developments under construction in all of Miami-Dade County, The Palms at Town and Country is referred to as the new Downtown Kendall. This destination brings the local flavor of Miami together with an unmatched depth of retail options to South Florida.

Bringing in restaurants such as Sweet Tomatoes, Corner Bakery and Devon Seafood Grill is what makes The Palms at Town and Country stand out as a destination for families and entertainment, said Joy Medlock, The Palms general manager.

Sweet Tomatoes: Scheduled to open in mid-June, the 5,434-square-foot Sweet Tomatoes will be located next to Hagen- Dazs. Celebrating over 30 years, Sweet Tomatoes was founded in 1978 in San Diego and currently operates 124 salad buffet-style restaurants across the western, southern and eastern portions of the United States.

Sweet Tomatoes has a daily selection of made-from-scratch soups and salads and hand-crafted muffins, focaccia, breads and tasty desserts. The restaurant concept is built around fresh prepared, great-tasting recipes with a salad bar full of seasonal vegetables and tossed salads prepared exhibition-style every 20 minutes.

Sweet Tomatoes is open daily for lunch and dinner and also for a special Sunday Breakfast that features a variety of delicious morning favorites in addition to regular selections.

Corner Bakery: Opening in spring 2013, Corner Bakery will be located in a 4,046- square-foot space near Hagen-Dazs. Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends, Corner Bakery features innovative, seasonal menu options while delivering a premier bakery cafe experience in the heart of neighborhoods everywhere.

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The Palms at Town and Country to add trio of new restaurants

Posted on June 5, 2012, Tuesday

ON TRACK: Photo shows an artists impression of the pedestrian sky bridge across the terminals. KLIA2, the new LCCT in Sepang is on track for full operations by April 2013.

KUALA LUMPUR: KLIA2, the new Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang is on track for full operations by April 2013, OSK Research said.

In a research note yesterday, it said with the construction now 51.78 per cent complete, the project was 89.9 days ahead of its original works schedule.

This will provide room for the its existing operations to make the transition to the new terminal, it said.

The research house said for the first time, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) had organised a site visit for the investment community to witness the progress of construction at KLIA2.

We note that the upcoming KLIA2, which will be the worlds largest low cost carrier terminal with an annual capacity to handle 45 million passengers, is designed with the flexibility to accommodate future growth and expansion, it said.

It added that KLIA2 would offer retail space of close to four times that in the current LCCT, and the revenue to be potentially chalked up might amount an additional RM120 million, at the very least.

The response from retailers had been overwhelming, with over 700 applicants eyeing the 225 outlets up for rental.

We see MAHB generating strong cash flow not only from the rising demand for travel but also from the development of townships near KLIA.

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KLIA2 on track operate by April 2013, construction in progress

Suffolk Downs unveiled its plans Tuesday to team up with Caesars Entertainment on a $1 billion casino development on the site of the aging, 1935 horse track, revealing a development plan that includes retail shops, nightclubs and a luxury spa that proponents said would create 2,500 construction jobs and 4,000 resort jobs for local residents.

The hopeful developers of the seaside race course in East Boston and Revere, who enjoy the backing of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, are competing for the eastern regions lone casino license against another proposal to locate a casino resort on a larger tract of forest in Milford next to Interstate 495.

The plan calls for up to 5,000 slot machines and 200 table games in 200,000 square feet of gaming space that developers said would generate an estimated $200 million in annual tax revenue and $150 million a year in annual spending at regional vendors.

Project officials also listed members of their development team, including architect Elkus Manfredi of Boston, general contractor Suffolk Construction of Boston, transportation specialists Vanasse Hangen Brustlin of Boston and Seagull Consulting of Winthrop, and engineers Haley & Aldrich of Boston, Nitsch Engineering of Boston, and McNamara/Salvia Inc. of Boston.

Meanwhile, the developer of the proposed Crossroads Casino in Milford has allegedly not met with the towns administrator since before the actual signing of the gaming law in November 2011.

The Board of Selectmen is waiting to hear an actual, definite proposal. To this day they havent had anything to weigh, Milford Town Administrator Louis Celozzi told the News Service. We just havent gotten to that point.

Crossroads developer David Nunes, a Bolton native who now lives in Colorado, disputed Celozzis take, writing in response to an email that he is in constant touch with the community and its officials. Earlier on Tuesday, Nunes told the News Service that his proposal was the first to secure an exclusivity agreement with the host community, a step Celozzi discounted as minor.

Its not that weve been inundated with proposals, Celozzi said.

Two of the three selectmen in Milford had different levels of optimism about the proposal, but both said they had not spoken with Nunes in nine months to a year.

Im questioning the seriousness of the proposal at this point, Selectman William D. Buckley said.

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Suffolk Downs offers casino proposal; Milford rival stands by plan

A public hearing lasting more than three hours Monday was still not enough for the Cupertino City Council to come to a decision on an apartment complex project slated for the corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Blaney Avenue.

A majority council's desire to see more retail and fewer apartment units is sending Prometheus, a San Mateo-based real estate and property management group, back to the drawing board.

The project as of now would see the demolition of a number of retail shops and restaurants at Blaney Plaza. Prometheus is seeking permission to demolish approximately 21,000 square feet of existing commercial space and construct a mixed-use project consisting of roughly 80 apartment units and a new 7,000-square-foot commercial building.

Construction will likely mean the bulldozing of nearby businesses such as Chili's Grill and Bar, Shan Restaurant and a number of retail shops in the rear of the property. A number of the retail pads date back to the 1960s and '70s.

Current businesses at Blaney Plaza include M&M Food Mart, Out of the Blue Consignment, Pinky Nail Spa, Ernie's Barber Shop and a cleaners. The Village Falafel is the only retail pad that was not acquired and will remain standing.

The loss of retail was a sore spot for residents and members of the council, who requested that Prometheus meet with city staff again to find a way to add more parking and more retail, while lowering the number of apartment units

"I want to see retail that works here, and I think parking is important to making it work," mayor Mark Santoro said.

As proposed, the project would see a 7,000-square-foot commercial building built along Stevens Creek Boulevard, with about half of the retail space going toward some kind of dining establishment.

Prometheus acquired the property at 20300 Stevens Creek Blvd. with plans to build apartments that will align with the already established Biltmore Apartments on S. Blaney Avenue. The project would add an additional 12 units to the Biltmore complex, and recreational facilities and entryways onto the property would be shared by the two properties.

The Biltmore Apartments include 179 apartment units. The apartments have been in operation since 1970s and most recently went through a renovation in 1999.

Continued here:
Cupertino apartment project stalls, as city council wants to see more retail, fewer units

Motorbikes parked outside City Mall in Phnom Penh yesterday. Photograph: Meng Kimlong/Phnom Penh Post

A Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd shopping centre, one of two large-scale international retail developments in the country, would push that increase in retail supply.

If planned developments come to fruition, there could be as much as 312,000 square metres of retail venues in shopping centres by 2017, up from last months count of about 105,000 square metres, the CBRE report said.

Malaysias Parkson has started construction on a shopping centre in Phnom Penh, Sung Bonna, president of National Valuers Association of Cambodia, said yesterday, although he declined to give details on the project.

Japanese retail developer Aeon Co Ltd was also in the process of developing what would be one of the countrys largest retail shopping centres on the capitals Sothearos Boulevard.

A lack of world-class brand management in Cambodian malls is driving the demand for internationally developed shopping projects, Knight Frank country manager Sunny Soo said yesterday.

At malls here, you have two floors of people selling shoes sometimes the same shoes. Its not profitable for the retailer or the mall owners, he said.

Until today, the city doesnt have first class shopping malls ... All the shopping malls here are suffering from bad leasing management.

Shortfalls in funding have led to developers selling off retail space, which limits the control they have over brand placement, he said.

International developers such as Aeon and Parkson could alleviate layout problems that hinder sales and dissuade name brands from entering the country.

The rest is here:
Retail space to triple: report | Business | The Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia's Newspaper of Record

A nearly $50 million project will soon bring 143 new units of affordable housing to the Flushing community, as well as additional retail space.

A nearly $50 million project will soon bring 143 new units of affordable housing to the Flushing community, as well as additional retail space.

Last week, the citys Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Mathew Wambua, the citys Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Marc Jahr, project developer BRP Companies Managing Partner Meredith Marshall, and Macedonia AME Church Senior Pastor Reverend Richard McEachern announced they have closed on $49.6 million in construction financing for the Macedonia Plaza mixed-use development.

Located at 136-50 37th Avenue, Macedonia Plaza will add 143 newly-constructed units of affordable housing. This project, which will be developed by BRP Companies, will transform an underused municipal parking lot into a thriving community hub with affordable low-income apartments, community facility space and economic opportunity through the addition of new retail space.

Macedonia Plaza is part of Mayor Michael Bloombergs New Housing Marketplace Plan (NHMP). The NHMP is a multi-billion dollar initiative to finance 165,000 units of affordable housing for half a million New Yorkers by the close of Fiscal Year 2014. For every dollar invested by the city, the NHMP has leveraged $3.41 in private funding, amounting to a total commitment to date of more than $19.4 billion to fund the creation or preservation of over 130,700 units of affordable housing across the five boroughs. More than 12,519 units have been financed in Queens.

Financing the transaction that allows Macedonia Plaza to be built is another important step in fulfilling the Mayors New Housing Marketplace Plans goal of creating or preserving 165,000 home by the close of the 2014 fiscal year, said Wambua. To date weve financed the construction or preservation of more than 130,700 homes, and every one of those units represents a family in need. In BRP Companies and Macedonia AME Church we have dedicated partners who are helping to bring affordable, sustainable housing to the Flushing community, and an opportunity for stability to hardworking New York families.

Macedonia Plaza will be constructed on approximately 30,000 square-feet of the current municipal parking lot, which was conveyed to the developer at a nominal cost to help subsidize the affordability of this development.

When complete, Macedonia Plaza will be 14 stories tall with 143 affordable apartments;113 of the apartments will be available to low-income families earning not more than $48,140 for a family of four. Nearly 30 of the apartments will be available for low-income families earning not more than $31,540 for a family of four. There will be one apartment reserved for the buildings superintendent. The unit distribution will include 27 studios, 58 onebedroom apartments, 55 twobedroom apartments, and two threebedroom apartments. It is anticipated that construction will be complete in the spring of 2014.

The total development cost for the Macedonia Plaza project is $49.6 million. HDC is providing a $26.3 million first mortgage and $9.3 million in tax-exempt bond subsidy through its Low-Income Affordable Marketplace Program (LAMP). HPD is providing $5.1 million in city capital funding and $1.7 million in federal HOME funding. Hudson Housing Capital is providing $1.8 million in tax credit equity, and BRP Companies has allocated $5.4 million for this project.

In additional to the affordable residential component, the Macedonia Plaza development will include approximately 6,287 square-feet of new retail space, and 2,767 square-feet of community space. It will also incorporate green building practices and amenities consistent with the citys mission to produce affordable, healthy and sustainable housing.

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Flushing set to get affordable housing, retail space

Southwest Florida real estate briefs

Renovation completed

Stevens Construction Inc., with offices in Fort Myers and Orlando, has completed an interior renovation and addition for Suncoast Beverage Sales. The company remodeled the existing 114,460-square-foot warehouse and distribution center located at 2996 Hanson St. in Fort Myers. The project also featured the construction of a 5,625-square-foot, 34-degree keg cooler. The Stevens Construction team included project manager, Dan Adams; superintendent, Todd Welle and Sue Ziegenfus was the project administrator. Burt Hill/Pollock Krieg Architects Inc. provided the design.

Military Rewards Program

In a show of appreciation for the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces, Taylor Morrison has instituted a Military Rewards Program that offers special discounts and incentives for participants. Under the terms of this program, military members who qualify for a VA loan will pay zero closing costs and zero down payment. They will also receive up to $5,000 in free design options for their new home. The Military Rewards Program is honored in all Taylor Morrison communities and may not be combined with any other offers. Taylor Morrison allows enlisted employees to fulfill their service tours while maintaining job security and health insurance benefits. They also participate in Homes for Our Troops, a national non-profit organization that builds specially adapted homes at no cost for severely injured veterans. For more information, visit taylormorrison.com.

People First certification

Prudential Florida Realty, Real Estate Services completed its inaugural People First certification program in April to become the first real estate services company in the world to receive the certification. Company employees participated in an in-depth leadership development program, focusing on tapping into the human spirit to embrace the full talent and potential of individuals. Prudential Florida Realty is the No. 1 Prudential affiliate in Florida, with more than 40 locations and more than 1,800 real estate services sales professionals and team members throughout Florida.

Tennis complex under way

Stock Development has begun work on a new tennis complex at The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort. According to Brian Stock, CEO of Stock Developoment, the new facility will nearly double the size of the existing one and is conveniently located adjacent to clubhouse and locker rooms. The new complex will include 13 Har-Tru tennis courts with a new private tennis pro shop and a maintenance building. It will be open for the 2013 winter season. The tennis complex is the latest project in a two-year long expansion of The Players Club & Spa, which provides a separate non-golf clubhouse in a casual, tropical atmosphere at Lely Resort. The sales center for Lely Resort is located at 8020 Grand Lely Drive, with entrances on U.S. 41 East and Collier Boulevard.

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Southwest Florida real estate briefs

After a four-year hiatus, developers have restarted construction of Green Lake Village, a closely watched apartment and retail project on the site of the old Vitamilk Dairy.

Lorig Associates stopped work in late 2007 when negotiations with a prospective grocery tenant fell through, leaving a 3-acre crater in the Green Lake neighborhood's center. The project came back to life a year ago when PCC Natural Markets agreed to lease half its 50,000 square feet of retail space.

But Lorig CEO Tom Fitzsimmons said the design needed to be updated before construction could resume.

"The project had gotten a little stale," he said.

Green Lake Village should be finished in January 2014, he said.

In addition to retail, the three-building, five-story project will have 297 apartments and 430 underground parking stalls. It will cover the entire block bounded by Woodlawn Avenue Northeast, Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 71st and 72nd streets.

Michael Cornell, president of the Green Lake Community Council, said the neighborhood "is anxious to see this project move forward, especially the PCC market."

Green Lake has needed a grocery store since the Albertson's later replaced by an apartment and retail complex closed in 2006, he said. And that need was magnified when the QFC in nearby Roosevelt closed last month to make way for a light-rail station.

No other retail tenants have signed on at Green Lake Village yet, Fitzsimmons said, "but quite a few folks are looking at it," including restaurants and fitness centers.

The project also has a new part owner insurance giant Northwestern Mutual, which formed a joint venture late last year with the family that owned Vitamilk. In addition to its equity stake in Green Lake Village, Northwestern Mutual also has loaned the project $50 million, according to county records.

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Big hole near Green Lake starts to fill up; Esterline investor prompts takeover speculation

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development, Inc. announces that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has signed a lease for 102,000 s.f. of industrial warehouse and office space in Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, the world's largest underground business complex. The new lease also includes options for expansion up to 372,000 s.f.

The new facility in SubTropolis consolidates several non-NARA certified locations to enhance productivity. "NARA's decision to combine several operations into one at SubTropolis is a great example of best-value procurement," said Ora Reynolds, president of Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development. "Not only does the underground offer excellent value compared to surface buildings, SubTropolis offers the efficiency and desired contiguous space NARA needs for cost-effective growth."

SubTropolis, which recently earned the highest ENERGY STAR energy performance rating possible from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE), is considered a NARA-certified location for a number of reasons including sustainability, constant temperature and humidity levels, security and energy efficiency.

NARA will join several other government tenants in SubTropolis. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a 43,200 s.f. emergency response operation in the underground. The United States Postal Service (USPS) Stamp Distribution Center, which distributes stamps and packaging products to post offices, operates in 217,114 s.f. The USPS also leases an additional 311,600 s.f. in SubTropolis for its Stamp Fulfillment Center that fulfills online orders for commemorative stamps, rst-day covers, Forever stamps and other postage products for the entire country.

"In total, federal government tenants will occupy nearly one million square feet of space in SubTropolis if NARA expands to the full 372,000 s.f. allowed for in this new lease," Reynolds said.

The NARA facility is the first project located in the newest phase of SubTropolis north of Derrough Drive. Access will be available from Parvin Road into SubTropolis via the new Derrough Drive entrance.

Hoefer-Wysocki Architects is the architect and Valor Construction is the general contractor for this project, which is set to be completed this fall. The initial phase includes two 45,000 s.f. storage pods with more than 1.6 million lbs. of steel shelving. NARA's facility will also include an additional 12,000 s.f. for office and staging areas.

About the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent Federal agency that helps preserve our nation's history by overseeing the management of all Federal records. Our mission is to ensure ready access to the essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of Federal officials and the national experience.

About SubTropolis

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National Archives and Records Administration Leases Space in Hunt Midwest SubTropolis

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -

A new multi-million dollar development complex is planned for the Georgia Power site on historic east River St.

A developer wants to build two hotels, a parking garage in excess of 500 parking spaces and retail complex on the waterfront property.

The Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Planning Commission approved a draft of the proposal during a special meeting Thursday.

Before the proposal is finalized, the developer will have to meet the historic district's height guidelines, which are set in place by the city to preserve the look of the historic district.

While the Georgia Power office building isn't a historic building, it will be preserved and not be demolished.

River Street may also be widened to accommodate additional traffic and pedestrians. Under the proposal, a pedestrian only access will be constructed that will connect Trustees Gardens and pedestrian traffic from Bay St. to River St. and the Savannah River Walk.

No public funding will be required for the project, but rather, all funds for the construction will be privately funded.

The Historic Board will go before the Metropolitan Planning Committee June 5 for further approval.

Copyright 2012WTOC. All rights reserved.

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Hotel, retail space planned on Georgia Power site on River St.