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Shopping centre owner Hammerson has said that conditions in the UK retail market have improved since the half-year stage but are still subdued in France. Successful 'Back to School' performances by retailers and strong growth in menswear, catering and jewellery pushed sales across UK shopping centres 2.8% higher in the third quarter ended 30 September. Year-to-date UK retail sales were up 2.6%.

Sales from French shopping centres were 0.5% higher than the previous year in the third quarter but were still down 2.8% for the first nine months.

The company, which owns the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham and Brent Cross in London, said long-term leases were achieved 9% above estimated rental value (ERV) across the group and 8.5% ahead of previous passing rents.

Retail leases were struck 15% above ERV in the UK but just 1% above ERV in France.

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Hammerson says UK retail strength offsets 'subdued' France

NEW YORK "We did it!"

The words of the lead engineer on the new Fulton Center punctuated more than a decade of work Sunday to create the primary transit link between the rebuilt World Trade Center and the rest of the city.

Nine existing subway lines converge in the $1.4 billion, 180,000-square-foot complex that will serve up to 300,000 riders a day and that includes retail and office space.

"Welcome to the station of the 21st century," said engineer Michael Horodniceanu, who led the project as president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Capital Construction.

He spoke to top transit and political officials at the opening of the city's biggest subway hub that merges century-old stations with the latest digital technology and design.

The facility will open to the public Monday at 5 a.m. Eastern time.

Hundreds of thousands will enter what officials called Lower Manhattan's "next great public space." Its soaring street-level atrium is encased in a glass-and-steel shell, with luminous interior panels leading to a skylight designers call the "oculus" Latin for eye.

Livening up the climate-controlled, energy-saving spaces are various avant-garde artworks.

Construction of this vital subway hub was fraught with challenges. The five underground subway stations partly damaged on Sept. 11, 2001, were closed for months. Then, in 2012, flood waters roared into the tunnels, crippling service.

Now, just feet from the revitalized trade center, the complex is part of a "new hot area," said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY.

Read the rest here:
Biggest NY subway hub opens; expects 300,000 daily

Some 28 cranes towered over construction sites around uptown Charlotte in 2008, but they became a rare sight as the recession ground development to a halt.

Today, the cranes are rising again in the citys center.

A dozen or more projects are under construction or newly completed inside the Interstate 277 loop, as well as just outside it along Morehead Street and parts of Kings Drive.

Look toward the north end of uptown and youll see the nearly complete SkyHouse Uptown apartments rising 24 stories above North Tryon. Over by NASCAR Plaza, dirt is moving for a 10-story Embassy Suites hotel.

And bigger projects are in the works: Three real estate groups are angling to start construction next year on uptown office towers, vying to throw the first new one skyward since the recession.

But its the flurry of apartment construction that draws the most notice and questions of whether its too much for the citys population to sustain.

Real estate developers behind the construction wave say it isnt. Theyre placing increasingly large bets on the rebounding local job market and on demographic trends that are seeing more and more young urban professionals move to Charlotte.

Uptown Charlotte is one of the most desirable places to live in the Southeast, if not the country, said real estate developer Clay Grubb, part of the group behind the SkyHouse tower. The real question should be, why has it taken this long for construction to boom.

A growing number of real estate studies and experts back that up. Charlotte landed at No. 7 out of 75 U.S. real estate markets to watch in 2015, according to a new report from the Urban Land Institute a think tank focused on development and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The only cities faring better: the Texas boomtowns of Houston, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, along with San Francisco, Denver and Los Angeles.

Continued here:
Uptown Charlotte construction is roaring back. Can demand keep up?

High Plains Food Bank Turkey Drop High Plains Food Bank Turkey Drop

Updated: Friday, November 7 2014 12:00 PM EST2014-11-07 17:00:48 GMT

Amarillo, TX - The High Plains Food Bank is hosting The Great Turkey Drop on November 7th from 11 am-7 pm at the Market Street United on Georgia and Soncy.

Amarillo, TX - The High Plains Food Bank is hosting The Great Turkey Drop on November 7th from 11 am-7 pm at the Market Street United on Georgia and Soncy.

A public meeting held on Thursday focused on the Downtown Development Project, specifically focusing on the proposed hotel and parking garage.

A public meeting held on Thursday focused on the Downtown Development Project, specifically focusing on the proposed hotel and parking garage.

Tucumcari, NM - A several week long investigation by the New Mexico state police linked a series of fires in the city to former officer Dustin Lopez.

Tucumcari, NM - A several week long investigation by the New Mexico state police linked a series of fires in the city to former officer Dustin Lopez.

Amarillo, TX - The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that could help feed millions of hungry people and the High Plains Food Bank is joining the call for action.

Amarillo, TX - The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that could help feed millions of hungry people and the High Plains Food Bank is joining the call for action.

Read more:
Downtown Development Project coming close to beginning construction

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) November 07, 2014

Intended to touch every exterior edge of the mixed-use development, Crescent Property Services LLC today announced plans to spend more than $30 million to upgrade The Crescent with an emphasis on opening the iconic office towers and adjacent hotel, retail and entertainment amenities as a gathering space for the vibrant Uptown neighborhood. The first major renovation since its 1986 completion, the $30 million investment follows nearly $15 million spent during the past three years enhancing Dallas premier office address, increasing energy reliability and efficiency, and improving customer mobility throughout the project.

Designed by John Burgee and Pritzker Prize-winning architect Philip Johnson, The Crescent opened as a self-contained, mixed-use project with full-service amenities for workers and guests. As Uptown Dallas evolved as an energetic, urban hotspot in recent years with condos and apartments, retail and top restaurants, a flourishing Dallas Arts District and the popular Klyde Warren Park nearby auto and pedestrian traffic in Uptown has risen dramatically. Recognizing that positive progression, The Crescent will focus on creating greater street presence to attract Uptowns ever-growing crowds to its dining and retail outlets.

The Crescent is Dallas most prestigious address in the regions most vibrant market Uptown, said John Zogg, managing director for Crescent Real Estate Equities, LLC. We have three of the best designed office towers with adjacent upscale shopping and premier hotels and restaurants on 11 acres in the heart of Uptown. We are opening our arms to the neighborhood embracing our great neighbors and welcoming them to work, shop and dine with us.

Historically, the nearly 11-acre self-contained complex appeared isolated from the neighborhood. Thick stone walls and iron grillwork gates projected an exclusive and internally focused business. The upgrades will signal an open and inclusive office space and fashionable retail atrium that will encourage residents and visitors to drop by for a bite to eat, to grab a coffee, meet with friends or do some shopping. Changes will include outdoor courtyards with open gardens and terraces serving as gathering spaces and facilitating community access.

Renovation plans to the 28-year-old complex call for a new storefront for retail outlet, Stanley Korshak, plus larger, more enticing window displays with revolving, eye-catching merchandise showcased against white-box backdrops. Palomino restaurant will get a street entrance and more outdoor seating. The revamp and greening of the motor court located between the office buildings, the Rosewood Crescent Hotel and entertainment spaces will involve the removal of curbs and the Stonehenge-like structure that dominates the center. Pavers and stained concrete will be installed; high rise live oak and river birch trees will be planted to create a piazza-like, tree-lined drive and pedestrian walkway; and new signage will be installed throughout the entire project.

Knowing that Dallasites are eager for parks and green space, The Crescent has recruited The Office of James Burnett, who crafted the award-winning Klyde Warren Park, to create the landscape design, which includes turning unused areas of the complex into intimate spots for relaxation and fun. At the corner of Pearl Street, an old bank drive-through will be removed, and visitors will find new landscaping, benches, moveable furniture, an event deck and even an activity lawn with game equipment to play bocce ball. The Office of James Burnett also handled the landscape design for two neighboring Crescent properties spread over 20 acres in the heart of Uptown The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, and McKinney & Olive (which opens in 2016).

We are very excited to be a part of the transformation of The Crescent, it will be another notable, active, greenspace for Uptown Dallas, said Burnett.

Other improvements include elegant, ground-level lighting of the iconic buildings. The lobbies in the office towers are also getting a makeover with new furniture and rugs, art and a wall of TVs. The lobbies will become user-friendly hubs where workers can hold a quick meeting or catch up on work.

Also coming to The Crescent are exciting new retail options, one of which was announced earlier this week. Ascension, the extremely popular coffee house and wine bar that originated in the Dallas Design District, will open its second location this spring. Described by Zagat as one of the hottest coffee shops in 15 U.S. cities, Ascension will occupy approximately 2,900 square feet adjacent to the Bank of America offices at the 200 Lobby fronting the motor court, making it 50 percent larger than the original location. Ascension founder Russell Hayward promises a similar menu (including full-service breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner), the same coffees and possibly a larger wine list along with expanded operating hours.

See the original post:
The Crescent Announces $30 Million Renovation to Transform Acclaimed Development into an Open, Inviting Gathering ...

Former Tucumcari police officer arrested for alleged arson Former Tucumcari police officer arrested for alleged arson

Updated: Thursday, November 6 2014 7:16 PM EST2014-11-07 00:16:37 GMT

Tucumcari, Nm - A several week long investigation by the New Mexico state police linked a series of fires in the city to former officer Dustin Lopez.

Tucumcari, Nm - A several week long investigation by the New Mexico state police linked a series of fires in the city to former officer Dustin Lopez.

Lubbock, TX - Day nine of the Thomas Dixon murder trial is underway as convicted murderer David Shepard testifies to the court.

Lubbock, TX - Day nine of the Thomas Dixon murder trial is underway as convicted murderer David Shepard testifies to the court.

Amarillo, TX - Amarillo Crime Stoppers is asking for your help in finding this week's fugitive.

Amarillo, TX - Amarillo Crime Stoppers is asking for your help in finding this week's fugitive.

A public meeting will be held today (Thursday) in the Bud Joyner Auditorium at Amarillo College at 6:30 p.m. to talk about the Downtown Development Project, specifically focusing on the proposed hotel and parking garage.

A public meeting will be held today (Thursday) in the Bud Joyner Auditorium at Amarillo College at 6:30 p.m. to talk about the Downtown Development Project, specifically focusing on the proposed hotel and parking garage.

Continue reading here:
Downtown Development Project open to public comment

The new Lakeside shopping centre, where WA's first new Myer buidling in 20 years will be built

With four years of approvals and planning behind them since caps on retail floor space were lifted, shopping centre owners in Perth are now in expansion mode.

Owners AMP Capital Shopping Centres and Lend Lease are the latest to cross the line.

Tomorrow, AMP Capital's Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in Clarkson opens its $108 million expansion and later this month Lend Lease's Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City finishes its two-stage $300 million expansion, which will include the first new Myer store in Perth for 20 years.

The $750 million development application for AMP's Garden City Booragoon is due early next year and the Scentre Group is moving through the planning process with the recent lodging of a development proposal for public comment for Carousel Shopping Centre with the City of Canning.

Last month Federation Centres completed an 8967sqm expansion at Warnbro Centre and the Perron Group opened its $100 million expansion at Cockburn Gateway Shopping City.

In 2010 the State Government removed floor caps, which had kept retail space at shopping centres under 80,000sqm, as part of its planning document Directions 2031 and Beyond.

The removal of the caps ended a frustrating barrier for shopping centre owners and set the scene for the wave of expansions under way or being planned.

AMP Capital Shopping Centres State development manager Scott Nugent said the cluster of expansions was unusual for an industry where expansions tended to be staggered.

"In Perth, because everyone was held back in the starter's gate until the policy was lifted, everyone is playing catch up, " Mr Nugent said. "We are just one of many operators who are trying to pull their socks up and get an exciting offer on the ground."

Read the original:
Shopping centres grow across Perth

The new Lakeside shopping centre, where WA's first new Myer buidling in 20 years will be built

With four years of approvals and planning behind them since caps on retail floor space were lifted, shopping centre owners in Perth are now in expansion mode.

Owners AMP Capital Shopping Centres and Lend Lease are the latest to cross the line.

Tomorrow, AMP Capital's Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in Clarkson opens its $108 million expansion and later this month Lend Lease's Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City finishes its two-stage $300 million expansion, which will include the first new Myer store in Perth for 20 years.

The $750 million development application for AMP's Garden City Booragoon is due early next year and the Scentre Group is moving through the planning process with the recent lodging of a development proposal for public comment for Carousel Shopping Centre with the City of Canning.

Last month Federation Centres completed an 8967sqm expansion at Warnbro Centre and the Perron Group opened its $100 million expansion at Cockburn Gateway Shopping City.

In 2010 the State Government removed floor caps, which had kept retail space at shopping centres under 80,000sqm, as part of its planning document Directions 2031 and Beyond.

The removal of the caps ended a frustrating barrier for shopping centre owners and set the scene for the wave of expansions under way or being planned.

AMP Capital Shopping Centres State development manager Scott Nugent said the cluster of expansions was unusual for an industry where expansions tended to be staggered.

"In Perth, because everyone was held back in the starter's gate until the policy was lifted, everyone is playing catch up, " Mr Nugent said. "We are just one of many operators who are trying to pull their socks up and get an exciting offer on the ground."

Original post:
Shopping centres hit expansion button

The new Lakeside shopping centre, where WA's first new Myer buidling in 20 years will be built

With four years of approvals and planning behind them since caps on retail floor space were lifted, shopping centre owners in Perth are now in expansion mode.

Owners AMP Capital Shopping Centres and Lend Lease are the latest to cross the line.

Tomorrow, AMP Capital's Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in Clarkson opens its $108 million expansion and later this month Lend Lease's Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City finishes its two-stage $300 million expansion, which will include the first new Myer store in Perth for 20 years.

The $750 million development application for AMP's Garden City Booragoon is due early next year and the Scentre Group is moving through the planning process with the recent lodging of a development proposal for public comment for Carousel Shopping Centre with the City of Canning.

Last month Federation Centres completed an 8967sqm expansion at Warnbro Centre and the Perron Group opened its $100 million expansion at Cockburn Gateway Shopping City.

In 2010 the State Government removed floor caps, which had kept retail space at shopping centres under 80,000sqm, as part of its planning document Directions 2031 and Beyond.

The removal of the caps ended a frustrating barrier for shopping centre owners and set the scene for the wave of expansions under way or being planned.

AMP Capital Shopping Centres State development manager Scott Nugent said the cluster of expansions was unusual for an industry where expansions tended to be staggered.

"In Perth, because everyone was held back in the starter's gate until the policy was lifted, everyone is playing catch up, " Mr Nugent said. "We are just one of many operators who are trying to pull their socks up and get an exciting offer on the ground."

Excerpt from:
Perth shopping centres grow

Brick-and-mortar retail has been increasingly troubled over the years as online shopping has become near universal. In a fitting turn of events, server hosting companies are increasingly turning to vacant retail locationsas a source of cheap floor space for server farms. In fact, your local mall could be hosting several small clusters of servers any youd never know it.

Millions of square feet of retail space sit idle across the US as department stores continue to close up shop in marginal markets to focus on the ones that remain profitable. These large open spaces arent good for much without serious refitting, but several aspects of your average department store makes for an excellent server room.

The basic construction makes it easy to reinforce the walls and roof to withstand tornadoes and hurricanes, which is important for servers hosting vital information. The lack of windows is also a big plus. Some malls have also served as bomb shelters in the past, so its possible the structure is already sufficiently sturdy that little to no modification is needed. No matter where a company decides to set up a server room, they will have to add a high-capacity fiber internet connection. That sort of thing doesnt come standard with a vacant Target store.

In some cases these retail spaces have been empty for years, so any economic activity is better than none. However, the handful of employees it takes to run a small data center dont compare to the small army of employees it takes to run a department store.

One notable drawback of this new residential data center approach is the relative lack of security. An active mall isnt going to be suitable for housing certain kinds of sensitive data and services. However, smaller customers like law firms and hospitals that need a few racks to save important documents can get a good deal on server space from a company operating out of what was once a K-Mart.

Now read: NSA data center will use 1.7M gallons of water per day to read your email

Excerpt from:
Your local mall may also be a data center