The mega-shopping centre that will change the face of retail in the Lower Mainland is steadily taking shape at the Tsawwassen First Nation.

Located at the northwest corner of Highway 17 and 52nd Street, Ivanho Cambridges Tsawwassen Mills will include 1.2 million square feet of retail, while the adjacent Tsawwassen Commons, a Property Development Group project also under construction, will have 550,000-square-feet of outdoor retail.

Both are scheduled to open in May of next year.

A spokesperson for Tsawwassen Mills said in the next few months construction will include structural steel work continuing from the east side of the building to the west side, installation of exterior walls, installation of the roof, which will include energy-efficient skylights, and installation of underground utilities.

Tsawwassen Mills is expected to have 16 anchor stores, a mix of premium fashion brands and factory outlets as well as a 1,100-seat food court. The mall is modeled on the successful CrossIron Mills in Calgary and Vaughan Mills in Greater Toronto. The first Bass Pro Shops in B.C. is the only confirmed tenant thus far, but a Tsawwassen Mills spokesperson said more tenant announcements are expected in the coming months.

Tsawwassen Commons will include a blend of national, regional and independent retailers, big-box outlets, restaurants and financial services. PDG Investments is managing the leasing of its project with FORM Retail Advisors, a Vancouver-based retail broker.

Tsawwassen Commons only announced tenants thus far are Walmart and Rona, however the project is already 50 per cent pre-leased, with 78 per cent of the retail area under letter of intent or offers to lease, according to GVest Private Equity LP, which has come on board as a 50 per cent shareholder in the project.

When completed, Tsawwassen Mills and Tsawwassen Commons will combine to be the second-largest shopping centre complex in B.C., slightly smaller in leaseable retail space than Metropolis Metrotown in Burnaby.

Meanwhile, work continues on Highway 17 to widen the highway from east of 56th Street to Tsawwassen Drive. Upgrades are also being made at the 52nd Street and 56th Street intersections.

As the roadwork continues, Delta is seeing what, if anything, can be done to alleviate noise concerns by residents across the highway in Imperial Village. Delta council recently discussed a petition asking for a berm to help block out the noise.

Continued here:
Tsawwassen First Nations malls taking shape for 2016 opening

Thursday, February 12, 2015, 12:10pm

By Steve Adams

Banker & Tradesman Staff

A valid subscription is required to read the article or use the tool you've selected. Already a subscriber? Please enter your information below to log in.

Don't have a subscription yet? You're missing out. Subscribing to Banker & Tradesman gives you unlimited access to all of our award winning content and data tools. Interested in subscribing?Click here now to signupfor a new account, oractivate your web accountif you are a new print subscriber.

Our subscribers have access to the most current, comprehensive real estate and credit records available for the state of Massachusetts. We are the only body that collects all transaction data from every city and town in the state - and we deliver that vital information via our Records & Research section as fast as we can.

By becoming a subscriber, you will have access to all of our credit and real estate records dating back ten years, searchable by address, name and transaction date. This is valuable intelligence that you can use every week to make decisions and grow your business. Become a subscriber today!

Subscribe to Banker & Tradesman

Go here to read the rest:
Assembly Row Close To Signing Second Tech Tenant

For nearly a decade the dream was nothing more than a ghostly expanse of dirt lots. Empty roads, sidewalks and a lonely clock tower were the only testament to the city's grand vision of a vibrant downtown area.

It was an ambition that struggled to take flight.

Officials' hopes of an urban center bringing new energy to this city of 160,000 Broward County's second largest were derailed over the years by reluctant developers, a housing slump and a stalled economy.

But now the City Center dream has returned.

Groundbreaking is scheduled next month on a $58 million civic center, the centerpiece of the city's resurrected ambitions. There will also be entertainment venues, office and retail space, restaurants, a hotel and other amenities on 80 city-owned acres near the intersection of Pines Boulevard and Palm Avenue.

"It's taken much longer than I wanted, much longer, but I am happy to say that we are at a point right now where everything is going forward," said Mayor Frank Ortis.

The City Center plan dates to the late 1990s. But work was limited. Roads, sidewalks and a clock tower, along with a seating area and series of fountains, were built on the site in 2006.

Then the recession came and stalled further construction. Thirty five acres of undeveloped land still sit shovel ready.

The civic center will contain a 3,500 seat auditorium and conference space suited for trade shows or conventions. City Hall will also relocate to the civic center, which Stiles Construction has been hired to build. The Broward County Commission approved Tuesday a $462,000 grant for the civic center.

The groundbreaking signals a significant step for the City Center. While about 450 apartment units have already been built and housing construction continues on the site, this is the first imminent construction of a commercial space.

More:
After years of struggle, Pines City Center ready to rise

Habhegger is gone, and the redevelopment of the riverfront land near Brady and Water is underway.

Published Feb. 11, 2015 at 8:12 a.m.

The old Habhegger Wheel and Axle building at 1701 N. Water St., near Brady, is completely down now and Wangard's project to bring residences and retail to the space is underway, albeit a bit late.

The plan was to begin construction in 2014, with completion on the roughly 160 apartments and 6,600 square feet of retail space slated for later this year. There's been nothing so far to suggest it won't be finished on time.

Workers are on the site which Wangard has called "one of the most desirable sites in Milwaukee right on the Milwaukee River" today clearing and excavating.

Here's what Wangard's website for the project says about the development:

"The project sits at the convergence of two showcase urban corridors North Water Street and East Brady Street. As the visual terminus to Brady Streets west end, the property has the ability to become a major landmark building in the neighborhood and enhances Brady Street as one of the most successful retail and entertainment streets in the City."

A stretch of riverwalk is planned for the development, too.

The Wangard site continues: "By providing high-quality rental housing and retail amenities to the neighborhood, this development helps to improve the connectivity between the Water Street District and the Lower East Side, develops a pedestrian walkway along the south side of the underutilized Milwaukee River, and further enhances this area as one of the most dynamic urban neighborhoods of the City."

The rest is here:
Wangard's Brady and Water project moves forward

Rendering shows the corner of Hennepin Avenue and Lourdes Place in Minneapolis. (Courtesy of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and Schafer Richardson Construction)

A plan calling for a 29-story apartment tower with thousands of square feet of retail space is in the works for what is now Nye's Polonaise Room in Northeast Minneapolis, though a nearby church is opposing the plans.

The 29-story, 189-unit apartment tower with several levels of parking and about 6,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space would require the demolition of two buildings, but two of the oldest structures, including the "Harness Shop" built in 1905, would be preserved, according to city documents.

The plans still need to move through the Minneapolis city approval process and win backing from the city's Heritage Preservation Commission, which is slated to discuss the proposal Tuesday.

The proposed plan isn't without resistance. Located on the same block as Nye's, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church issued a statement to parishioners Sunday that outlined the church's resistance to the development.

The letter said experts have advised that the church will be harmed by a construction project of the proposed scope -- a risk the church's foundation, laid in 1857, can't take. The letter also listed obstructed views of the church, a 30-foot stone wall, shadows and density concerns as reasons for the church's opposition.

A Facebook group called "Save Nye's Polonaise," formed shortly after the Minneapolis institution announced plans to close in September, has nearly 9,000 likes.

Events are in the works to celebrate Nye's 65-year history, but nothing is official yet.

Read this article:
29-story apartment tower in works for Nye's Polonaise Room site

Store wars is threatening to break out over a developers expansion plans.

A retail centre owner is objecting to a rivals multi-million pound plan to expand the Silverlink complex, claiming the scheme puts North Tynesides regeneration at risk.

Property giant The Crown Estate has submitted a planning application to extend the Silverlink Shopping Park, potentially creating 50 new construction jobs.

The application details how the former Travelodge site opposite the park will be converted into a retail area, with 102,000sqft of space split into four units, the largest of which would be earmarked for a flagship Next Home and Garden store.

And a specific proposal in the application which has been welcomed by North Tyneside mayor Norma Redfearn would see The Crown Estate work with the council to deliver two training packages, creating almost 50 new construction jobs for local young people.

Now, however, NewRiver Retail owners of Wallsends Forum Shopping Centre and The Beacon Centre in North Shields has offered a stark warning that the regeneration of North Tynesides town centres will be put at risk if the Silverlink complex plans are approved.

NewRiver Retail said experts GL Hearn are predicting an annual loss of 1.1m and 3.5m in trade in Wallsend and North Shields respectively, should the plans be allowed to go forward.

The key town centre investors have made a detailed representation to the council urging them to think very carefully about the consequences of an expansion in out-of-town shopping for fragile and recovering local town centres.

The company believes that the Silverlink planning application should be refused when it comes up for decision on Tuesday, February 17.

Allan Lockhart, property director at NewRiver said: Taking spending power out of the town centres will reduce the willingness of retailers to open in Wallsend and North Shields.

Originally posted here:
North Tyneside retail owner hits out over multi-million pound Silverlink expansion plans

(MENAFN - Gulf Times) Qatari retail market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% in five years up to 2018, the fastest in the GCC region, a new study has shown.

According to Alpen Capital, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) retail sales are expected to grow at a 7.3% CAGR between 2013 and 2018 to reach 284.5bn.

"While retails sales growth across all the GCC countries is expected to remain positive between 2013 and 2018, the outlook for Qatar is the most optimistic during the period," Alpen Capital said in its 'GCC retail industry report'.

"While Qatar's retail market is expected to register a CAGR of 9.8%, the other five GCC countries are seen registering an annual average growth rate of 6%-7% during the period," Alpen said.

Based on the moderate growth scenario for Alpen's supply-side estimates, occupied modern retail sales area in the GCC is projected to reach 6.6mn sq m in 2018, while expected growth in the supply of modern retail sales area over the forecast period is partially lower than the demand-side CAGR estimate for retail sales. The supply of new modern retail sales area is expected to adequately meet the increasing demand for retail space over the next five years.

The population base of the GCC region is one of the fastest growing, with 41% of its population in the age group between 15 and 34, having a strong preference towards international brands. The region also has one of the most attractive corporate tax regimes, which works as an "attraction" to retailers.

Over the years, the region has emerged as an international tourist hub, enjoying popularity among leisure travellers, international shoppers and pilgrims. A high influx of tourists presents an environment conducive for the growth of the retail industry.

The region's economy has emerged as one of the richest and fastest growing in the world, largely on the back of its proven crude oil reserves. The region is comparable to some of the strongest developed economies of the world, supported by its cash-rich governments, healthy credit ratings and strong currency reserves.

Dubai's successful bid to host the World Expo 2020 paves the way for further growth of its non-oil sector, lending momentum to the construction, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Qatar's non-oil sector increased by more than 10% in 2014, stimulated by its major infrastructure projects such as the Doha Metro and the Hamad International Airport. Some countries in the region are, however, yet to reduce their dependence on the hydrocarbon sector to a meaningful degree.

Continued here:
'Qatar retail market growth to top Gulf'

UDA welcomes bumiputera investment in BBCC project

Kuala Lumpur: UDA Holdings Bhd is inviting bumiputera investment in its RM8 billion gross development value mixed development project, the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC), under the construction and retail section.

UDA Chairman Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani said under government rules, any new retail development must have at least a 50 per cent participation from among bumiputera businesses.

"We are looking for bumiputera investors with a good track record, in terms of handling retail businesses, as well as building and maintaining any past development projects.

"We are aware that most bumiputeras do not carry an international or well known brand.So, we've decided to build the Malaysian Grand Bazaar, specifically to give them an opportunity to market their products," he told reporters here Wednesday.

He was speaking after the signing of the BBCC's tripartite agreement here Wednesday for the development of the project.

The Malaysian Grand Bazaar will showcase the best of Malaysian food, handicraft, arts, heritage and culture, together with a wide variety of local designer and homegrown brands.

Johan, said however, only qualified bumiputeras, in term of experience and track record, will be considered got the Malaysian Grand Bazaar and the development site, to ensure the quality of the BBCC as the next tourist attraction.

Meanwhile, the BBCC project, a redevelopment of the 7.85-hectare former Pudu Jail site, will be a partnership between UDA, Eco World Development Group Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund board.

The project will commence in the second quarter of this year and stretch over eight years.

See the article here:
UDA welcomes bumiputera investment in BBCC project

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) - One building in downtown Quincy may be getting a makeover.

The building at 218 North 6th Street has been vacant for two years, but that's about to change.

Austin Properties plans to develop the building into a loft apartment and retail space on the lower level after it was approved for a revolving loan through the city Monday.

The company owns other buildings nearby and says it plans to bring more business to the block.

"What we're trying to do is kind of group develop a few of the buildings together, provide parking access, just sort of tie them together so they have a little bit better of a chance of success as a group," owner Bret Austin said.

Austin expects to finish construction on the loft by fall if the sale of the building goes through.

Continue reading here:
New loft and retail space for downtown Quincy

CRYSTAL LAKE A new restaurant is moving to Crystal Lake, and another Crystal Lake classic is opening a new space devoted to retail and carryout.

The Nancy's Pizza location in Lake in the Hills will be moving to a slightly larger space at 1295 Randall Road, between Ackman Road and McHenry Avenue, sometime this spring, said Bill Gluck, the restaurant's owner.

That is dependent on whether there are additional delays, he said, but hes hoping to start construction within the next month. The work will take about eight weeks, he said.

The storefront is already built but hasnt been occupied yet, Planning and Economic Development Manager James Richter said. Gluck will have to remodel the inside and turn it into a restaurant.

The restaurant will be one of 27 franchise locations in the Chicago metropolitan area. Like other Nancys Pizza spots, the 1,700-square-foot restaurant will offer its signature stuffed pizza.

Another business a scaled-down, carryout version of Benedicts La Strata with a front retail section stocked with unusual food items and gift items is set to open around the third week of February, said its owner, John Pilafas, who also owns Benedicts Eggs & More in East Dundee.

The whole retail part is new to me, so Im leaving it up to my wife, said Pilafas, who hopes to squeeze in a bit of vacation before opening the newest location.

A Taste of Benedicts will offer a variety of coffee and pastries in the morning and some of its popular lunch items, including salads and sandwiches, later in the day, he said. The food will all be prepared and packaged at Benedicts La Strata, which is across the street from the new store at 39 N. Williams St.

The goal is for A Taste of Benedicts to take some of the pressure off the lunchtime carryout rush at La Strata, he said.

The location previously was the resale shop Fionas Finds and J. Scott Menswear before that.

Read the rest here:
Restaurants look to expand, move into Crystal Lake