Baltimore, Maryland (PRWEB) December 04, 2014

The south end of Charles Street was once a rather unattractive industrial area that lacked the same notoriety that the rest of Charles Street has long enjoyed. Over the past few years, South Charles Street has been undergoing a major transformation. The first major improvement was a new luxury apartment community known as 1901 South Charles that opened in 2012. This community brought 193 luxury apartments and a clean, modern look to what was once a blighted industrial site. Currently under construction, 2 East Wells is another major improvement to the area and promises to bring 153 industrial-chic apartments and 6,000 square feet of retail space along Wells Street.

The site at 2 East Wells was formerly the home of a large warehouse and office building that was adjacent to the 1800 block of Charles Street, the 1800 block of Light Street, and the unit block of East Barney. The buildings were razed and the property was environmentally cleaned. Construction on 2 East Wells began in late 2013 and should be complete in early 2015.

The buildings exterior will feature several different types of material to give the look of multiple buildings. The first floor retail space will feature glass fronts and there will also be streetscape improvements along the perimeter of the building which will drastically improve the look of the area.

2 East Wells is classic Baltimore, with its warm brick faade, industrial-style, floor-to-ceiling multi-pane windows and, of course, roof decks with endless city views says Josh E. Fidler, Co-Chairman of developer Chesapeake Realty Partners.

The interior will feature a mix of Studio, 1 and 2 bedroom luxury apartments with spacious floor plans and 9 foot ceilings. The finishes will include hardwood floors, granite counters, clean steel appliances, rich wood cabinetry and each apartment home will feature a full-size washer and dryer.

The community will boast a lengthy list of world-class amenities including resident-controlled access, garage parking, two rooftop decks, a state-of-the-art rooftop fitness center, a furnished interior courtyard, and a residents club with coffee bar, fireplace, big screen TVs, free WiFiand much, much more.

Whats even more impressive is that in recognition of todays environmental sensibilities, 2 East Wells Apartments in Federal Hill have been built to LEED Silver standards. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In order to be certified, the community must achieve standards for high efficiency heating and cooling systems, energy efficient appliances, high efficiency hot water heating, energy efficient lighting, and indoor environment quality, just to name a few.

Pre-leasing for 2 East Wells apartments in Federal Hill has already begun and interest in the community has been extremely high. If the pre-leasing activity is any indication of future popularity, 2 East Wells is likely to be Federal Hills hottest new address. For more information about 2 East Wells, visit the communitys website at http://www.2eastwells.com

Excerpt from:
2 East Wells Apartments in Federal Hill Bring Industrial-Chic to South Baltimore

Mayor Paul Soglin worries that Madison's main drag, State Street, is becoming overrun with bars and restaurants.

So Soglin is contemplating taking regulatory action to ensure that the mix of retail remains strong on this historic commercial strip.

"What's happening is, we're getting more and more uses that are what I call 'beverage-oriented,' everything from coffee shops to restaurants and bars, as well as bars that pass themselves off as restaurants," Soglin says. "The retailers cannot afford the rents. They cannot compete with the coffee shops and bars."

The mayor says he doesn't have any answers, but would like to start a conversation about the future of the strip, possibly calling for a moratorium on any new bars, restaurants or coffee shops.

"I think the solution is to have a community-wide discussion on the future of State Street," he says. "Do we want a State Street that resembles Sixth Street in Austin or one that resembles the historic State Street, which is more focused on diverse retailers, whether they be paper goods, gifts or novelties."

Austin's Sixth Street is often compared to State Street because it's a thriving college commercial district. But Austin's street is much more of an entertainment district, with large clubs and music venues. "If you go to Sixth in Austin, you can go an entire block and the only retailer you'll see is something that reminds you of Times Square, selling licenses plates or snow globes with the Alamo," says Soglin.

A long-term solution will take a couple of years to develop, Soglin says, but he identifies two possibilities: an "absolute ban on new square footage for liquor licenses" or an overlay zone, which would regulate the mix of businesses.

Soglin says he's resisted banning new liquor licenses, because that inflates the value of existing licenses. But, he adds, it's increasingly tough for retail to survive on State Street. "I'm looking for options that will secure the present uses on the street before we go over a tipping point where we lose most of the retailers."

Sandi Torkildson, owner of A Room of One's Own bookstore on Gorham Street, has long raised concerns about bars and restaurants pushing retail out of the area. She says cities like Boston and San Francisco have laws that require certain types of businesses to get conditional-use permits, to protect retail space.

Mary Carbine, the executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District, says that retail stores are in a period of transition, not just downtown, but nationally, as "brick and mortar" stores face growing competition from online vendors.

The rest is here:
Is retail getting squeezed out of State Street?

The capital-expenditure plan targets Bt2 billion in rental income from both retail brands by 2019, Napat Charoenkul, managing director of the retail group, told a press conference yesterday.

The retail group, comprising Asiatique, Gateway, Centerpoint, OP and Food Court on Silom, recorded revenue of Bt500 million this year.

Nearly half of the capex plan, or Bt2.5 billion, will be spent on developing a new Gateway shopping centre in Bangkok starting next year, while Bt1 billion will be used to open two Asiatiques in Pattaya and Hua Hin in 2016.

About Bt1.5 billion will be needed to construct the second phase of Asiatique on Charoenkrung Road. Construction of the hotel and retail space will commence next year and be completed in 2016.

The two existing Gateways will be renovated and re-launched in the middle of next year - Gateway Ekamai at a cost of Bt500 million and Digital Gateway Siam Square for Bt150 million. The capex budget will be funded from internal cash flow.

The third and fourth phases of Asiatique Charoenkrung, including four hospitality and retail spaces, are under study. The projects would be developed from 2020-25 with an estimated budget of more than Bt5 billion.

After the renovations of Gateway Ekamai and Digital Gateway Siam Square and the second phase of Asiatique are completed, the company will raise its rental rates for all of them by 10-50 per cent depending on location.

Continue reading here:
TCC Land to invest for expansion of shopping complexes

Published on December 03, 2014

The Halifax Shopping Centre is getting a makeover to the tune of $70 million.

Halifax Shopping Centre

On Tuesday, the mall stated it is starting a $70 million development project this month to transform the property with about 75,000 new square feet of retail space, a relocated food court, and design upgrades throughout the mall.

Weve been reviewing options and looking at where wed like to see the direction of the Shopping Centre going, mall spokeswoman Stephanie Schnare said Tuesday.

Schnare said the new 30,000 square-foot food court will be moved to the bottom floor of the west lot where Fairlanes Bowling once was, have a new glass entrance and 1,000 square-foot open-air patio.

A release said the court will have a wider selection of food vendors, natural gas fireplace, and soft seating. Plans include a nursing lounge and new washrooms near the food court.

The redevelopment also converts one of the office towers to over 45,000 square feet of two-level retail space for new brands, Schnare said, and the hallway where Apple and Payless are now will feature a huge skylight reaching up one more floor.

It will almost simulate shopping on a street front, Schnare said.

Schnare said although they want to continue the momentum of bringing in popular stores like Victorias Secret, Apple and Coach, they are focused on getting all types of retail with any price point.

Read more here:
Halifax Shopping Centre to get $70 million redesign: new food court, stores, patio planned

Mayor Paul Soglin worries that Madison's main drag, State Street, is becoming overrun with bars and restaurants.

So Soglin is contemplating taking regulatory action to ensure that the mix of retail remains strong on this historic commercial strip.

"What's happening is, we're getting more and more uses that are what I call 'beverage-oriented,' everything from coffee shops to restaurants and bars, as well as bars that pass themselves off as restaurants," Soglin says. "The retailers cannot afford the rents. They cannot compete with the coffee shops and bars."

The mayor says he doesn't have any answers, but would like to start a conversation about the future of the strip, possibly calling for a moratorium on any new bars, restaurants or coffee shops.

"I think the solution is to have a community-wide discussion on the future of State Street," he says. "Do we want a State Street that resembles Sixth Street in Austin or one that resembles the historic State Street, which is more focused on diverse retailers, whether they be paper goods, gifts or novelties."

Austin's Sixth Street is often compared to State Street because it's a thriving college commercial district. But Austin's street is much more of an entertainment district, with large clubs and music venues. "If you go to Sixth in Austin, you can go an entire block and the only retailer you'll see is something that reminds you of Times Square, selling licenses plates or snow globes with the Alamo," says Soglin.

A long-term solution will take a couple of years to develop, Soglin says, but he identifies two possibilities: an "absolute ban on new square footage for liquor licenses" or an overlay zone, which would regulate the mix of businesses.

Soglin says he's resisted banning new liquor licenses, because that inflates the value of existing licenses. But, he adds, it's increasingly tough for retail to survive on State Street. "I'm looking for options that will secure the present uses on the street before we go over a tipping point where we lose most of the retailers."

Sandi Torkildson, owner of A Room of One's Own bookstore on Gorham Street, has long raised concerns about bars and restaurants pushing retail out of the area. She says cities like Boston and San Francisco have laws that require certain types of businesses to get conditional-use permits, to protect retail space.

Mary Carbine, the executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District, says that retail stores are in a period of transition, not just downtown, but nationally, as "brick and mortar" stores face growing competition from online vendors.

See more here:
Mayor Soglin contemplates moratorium on bars, restaurants along State Street

The owners of the Oak Bluffs building that once housed Seasons Eatery and Pub have plans to convert it to retail space.

The Circuit avenue establishment has been a restaurant for many decades, but interior renovations this winter will create three separate retail shops. Seasons, a year-round bar, closed its doors in February of 2013 after 27 years.

At the time, owner Bob Murphy cited fatigue with the many demands of running a restaurant. He had hoped that it would continue as a restaurant, under new ownership, but he couldnt find the right fit.

A restaurant is an intense use and there is a lot to it, so it had to be the right combination or the right person coming on, Mr. Murphy said by phone this week.

About a year after the bar closed, Mr. Murphy and his partner, Jim Ryan, began to discuss other possibilities for the building. They settled on retail; three stores of 1,000 square feet, each with a street-facing storefront.

It was the easier of the options, simply because its less maintenance and less traffic, and its an easier thing to live with, Mr. Murphy said. He said he has received a lot of inquiries about the space, he said, including from people who still see it as an eatery. Not that many people came forward when we were looking for restaurants, and now that we are doing this [renovation], people are coming out of the woodwork, saying, can we still have it as a restaurant?

The project is expected to be completed in early February. Mr. Murphy said he and his partner are just beginning to whittle down the inquiries they have received from prospective tenants.

Construction did not begin until late fall because of buildings prominent location on the towns business thoroughfare, and proximity to the Camp Ground.

We think its quality retail we are putting in, he said. We are hoping these will be up to date and nice-looking properties.

Architect Chuck Sullivan designed the buildings makeover. Mr. Murphy said he did not yet know how much it will cost to rent each unit. Before Seasons, 19 Circuit avenue was home to the Boston House, which occupied both the Seasons building and the adjacent structure.

Read more:
Pub No More, Seasons to Become Retail Space

The Nova Centre complex in downtown Halifax is delayed nearly a year, a major setback for the citys new convention centre.

The half-billion-dollar development, which includes the new Halifax Convention Centre, a hotel, financial towers and retail space, is now expected to be substantially completed by Sept. 30, 2016.

An official opening for the $164-million convention centre, cost-shared by the three levels of government, is planned for January 2017.

SEE ALSO: TAYLOR: Nova Centre delay: Deja vu all over again

Joe Ramia, head of Argyle Developments Inc., attributed the setback to design changes following public consultation, the approval process and a tough construction season last winter.

The delay is a major headache for Trade Centre Ltd., an arms-length provincial Crown corporation that oversees the World Trade and Convention Centre and its successor.

Trade Centre event promoters have spent months pursuing top national and international conferences and have already booked 30 events for the new convention centre, more than half of which are scheduled for 2016.

The Crown corporation issued a news release last January underscoring the conferences it had booked for that year.

The Canadian Library Association was cited as one key event it had secured, bringing hundreds of delegates in May 2016. Valoree McKay, the associations executive director, said she was informed Thursday of the construction delays.

Were aware, and were considering our options, McKay said.

The rest is here:
Nova Centre opening delayed by a year, customers already booked

Five-star class: An artist's impression of Pullman Sydney Airport.

A new Pullman hotel will open in Sydney as part of the planned $100 million development in Mascot, near the airport, that will include retail and offices.

Goodman Group is developing the O'Riordan Street site, in one of the biggest mixed-use projects in the area for some years. Accor will mange the new five-star hotel as part of the expansion of its Pullman chain.

The deal comes hot on the heels of the NSW government's plans to build a freeway from Sydney Airport to the south as part of a $20 billion infrastructure strategy.

Accor Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath said the project would be a key development for Sydney, and workers and residents near the airport.

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He said the key driver was the forecast growth in domestic and international tourism and also the rise in use of retail offerings near airports.

"It's not just about travelling, but also people who work and live in the area, where apartment blocks are replacing offices and warehouses in South Sydney," Mr McGrath said.

"Airports are no longer considered transport hubs; they are transforming into complete entities where hotels, conference centres, retail and office spaces co-exist."

Colliers International's head of retail, Michael Bate, said airports and other less traditional shopping areas were gaining traction from consumers.

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New $100m Sydney Airport precinct project to house Pullman hotel

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A 1.4-acre site just across S. 4th Street from the newest University of Louisville student apartment complex could be redeveloped next year as a restaurant, retail space or even another apartment building.

Louisville investor Jack Dulworth, a former chairman of the Louisville Metro Planning Commission, bought the site at 2400 S. 4th Street for $1 million in August through a company called University Point, property records show.

Dulworth said he's still considering what to do with the site, which is at the corner of Industry Road and S. 4th Street, directly across the Grove student apartment building.

Dulworth said the old building on the property, which was built as a Kroger in the late 1950s and has had a number of other uses since, could be converted to a restaurant -- sit-down, fast casual or fast food -- or retail space.

Dulworth said he's also considering razing the building and constructing a mixed-use development with retail on the first floor and apartments on upper floors.

We're kind of looking at different options right now; there is a lot of interest in it, Dulworth said. It's obviously a prime location for university-related activities as well as a commercial corridor.

The continued growth of students living on or near U of L's Belknap campus is driving investment around the university, Dulworth said.

Obviously the university is growing at record speeds, and any sizable commercial property in that area is considerably valuable, he said.

The 16,000-square-foot building was a Kroger until the 1980s, then a restaurant called the Luau Room until the 1990s, and has also been a daycare and a nightclub, Dulworth said.

Dulworth said he will continue to test interest in the site until after the first of the year, when he will decide what to do.

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Under-used site near University of Louisville to get new life

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Construction crews have begun demolition work for One Daytona, the biggest retail project ever done in Volusia County. Scott Bullock is overseeing the construction for International Speedway Corp. and had a twinkle in his eye watching the work.

"It's been a vision project for ISC over the past 10 or so years, so it's nice to see today finally happening."

The vision calls for more than 200 million dollars in spending to convert the large property behind and around ISC headquarters into the newest, hottest place to go in Daytona. Scott Bullock says the object is to draw more than just tourists.

"It's really creating a regional destination here in Daytona Beach that is a year round destination that offers play, stay, work, live environment. A true mixed use community."

The company is planning a boutique hotel, retail anchored by Bass Pro Shops and a full service movie theater, office space and restaurants. Bullock says more retailers and the national hotel proprietor will be announced during construction.

"This has been an underserved market. We are hoping this project brings a lot of national brands that people are familiar with, that they are excited about having, and will compliment what's already here."

The first piece of construction called Victory Circle will be open by 2016. It will take years beyond that to finish the entire complex.

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Construction begins on One Daytona retail project