Vanessa Cross

Vanessa Cross has practiced law in Tennessee and lectured as an adjunct professor on law and business topics. She has also contributed as a business writer to news publications such as the "Chicago Tribune" and published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Cross holds a B.A. in journalism, a Juris Doctor and an LL.M. in international business law.

Store design and layout is important to a new retail business. A well-designed retail shop considers customer traffic patterns. It also seeks to maximize inventory sales for each foot of floor space. The total amount of selling space needed will ultimately be determined by the type of business and retail merchandise being sold.

One of the most vital pieces of equipment for any retail business -- small or large -- is going to be the...

If the top item on your bucket list is opening a retail store, you're in good company. Nearly every retailer starts out...

If you're selling a product, you may need a space from which to hawk your wares. Don't sign a lease on the...

Living in a small house or apartment, or even in a studio or a dorm room, is a challenge in many ways....

The employee workstation cubicle is only part of the total space allocation. ... Needed for a New Business. Once you ... within...

Design software; Fixtures and displays; ... Move into the store's interior with your design plans. ... you need to know trends in...

Retail design employs various decorative and graphic disciplines with an emphasis on interior and architectural design to make the best use of...

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How to Build a Retail Space | eHow

If youre counting cranes, more of them are perched over construction sites in Dallas Uptown neighborhood than anywhere else in North Texas.

Sure, all the buzz about Toyota Motors move has got the folks up in Plano excited, but if you want to see an honest to gosh building boom, drive to Uptown.

In the area stretching between Victory Park and CityPlace, the number of projects just keeps growing.

This week, construction crews broke ground on a 23-story apartment tower off McKinney Avenue. The residential high-rise will front on Maple Avenue next door to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The project is developer StreetLights Residentials second high-rise apartment building in Uptown and will open late next year.

The 212-unit high-rise is one of five apartment towers being built in Uptown. At least a couple more are in the works.

Forget low-rises

With the best building sites now selling for more than $250 per square foot, you wont see low-rise apartments started in Uptown.

Developers are scrambling to find enough building sites. Theres even a nine-story apartment block being built on top of the parking garage at 1900 Cedar Springs Road, at Harwood Street.

On June 19, ground will be broken on the vacant block next door, between Olive and Harwood streets, for a 20-story office tower.

Crescent Real Estate is starting work there on the 530,000-square-foot high-rise, called McKinney & Olive and designed by award-winning architects Pelli Clarke Pelli.

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More than $1.5 billion in projects in the pipeline in Dallas Uptown district

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

By: Murray McNeill

Posted: 06/5/2014 1:00 AM | Comments:

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Enlarge Image

The Land at The Forks known as Parcel 4. Changes could be made to the plan for its development depending on feedback, officials say. Photo Store

LOTS of green space, some housing, some retail and two parking structures -- it's all there in the initial draft of a new development plan for the last piece of undeveloped land at The Forks.

The president and CEO of The Forks North Portage Partnership (FNPP) isn't ready to reveal all of the details yet, saying they still need to fine-tune the plan for redeveloping Parcel 4 and Rail Side surface parking lots at the north end of The Forks site.

"But we do have a vision and a plan that we do want to take out to the public" in the next four to six weeks, Jim August said.

"We know that some people will really endorse it, and that some people will... well, we'll see," he added. "But we want to go out with something we feel comfortable with, that's doable and that's acceptable to the public. I think we've got a very good plan here, and I think the community will be engaged by it."

-- Jim August, president and CEO of The Forks North Portage Partnership

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Draft plan for finishing The Forks

Homes by Hendriks: Your first choice for construction

Homes by Hendriks 4618 Sandy Cove Drive, Beamsville, 905-563-768

With 50 years behind us, Homes by Hendriks is the Golden Horseshoes contractor of choice for luxury custom built houses. But do you know we also build budget-conscious homes and more recently have branched into commercial construction?

Many of our satisfied clients were so pleased with our work on their homes they demanded the same quality, customer service and attention to detail for their commercial construction needs. We obliged with the development of our light commercial division.

Whether its an office or retail space, we use the same approach with our commercial projects as we do building homes people love to live in. We listen to your needs and wants and interpret your ideas to build your vision. We offer competitive rates, coupled with quality construction and creative skills, to exceed your expectations.

Not in the market for a new build? We also offer additions and renovations to both commercial and residential properties. At Homes by Hendriks, we can take you from the planning and design phase all the way to building the space of your dreams. Our award-winning team of professionals can assist you through every step of the process from concept to completion. We can help you pinpoint costs, explore design options and determine construction prerequisites.

Likewise, if youre undertaking a project with your own contractors and are in need of a project manager with industry experience, we can help. Have peace of mind knowing there is a professional overseeing your project whether its in the pre-construction, construction, or post-construction phase. Additionally, hiring us to manage your project ensures a broader range of competitive sub-trades, materials and suppliers than managing your project independently.

Of course, well always be known for building our clients dream homes, and have been privileged to have built some of the regions finest houses. Realizing your dreams is what we do best. And with every commercial project we take on, we apply the same team of highly experienced and skilled architects, designers, builders and tradespeople to ensure your commercial construction experience with us is an enjoyable one.

For details, call 905-563-7681 or send an email.

Visit our website to view a gallery of our work. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Homes by Hendriks: Your first choice for construction

Cold Storage Spokane LLC, of Anchorage, Alaska, is renovating a former warehouse at 116 W. Pacific downtown into retail, office, and possibly residential space in a phase of work valued at $1.7 million, says owner Jerry Neeser.

Another of Neesers companies, Neeser Construction Inc., also based in Anchorage, is the contractor on the project, he says. Neeser says he hopes the project will be completed this fall.

The project is occurring along a stretch of Pacific that has come to be known as creative alley to resident businesses there, because of an influx of arts-related tenants in the last few years. The Wetzel Building, at 114 W. Pacific, boasts a media design firm, professional photographers, a makeup artist, and an interior design business and retail furnishings shop. The building at 121 W. Pacific also was renovated late last year, and has become home to another design agency and a yoga and spin studio.

The current Cold Storage remodel, part of a multiphase project, involves adding parking in the basement level, bathrooms, a new elevator, stairways, and lighting, and wall finishes in the four-level, almost 38,000-square-foot structure.

The finished building will have retail or restaurant space on the ground level, offices on the second and third level, and potentially loft residences on the fourth, Neeser says.

Were creating an office out of a warehouse, basically, he says.

At this time, Neeser says there arent any signed tenants for the spaces.

Spokane firm Nystrom+Olson Architecture is providing design services for the project, and Reno, Nev.-based Engineering & Development Services did the engineering on the project, he says.

The building, located on the north side of the street, first served as an icehouse in the early 1900s before becoming a furniture store and a warehouse, Neeser says.

Were getting it on the federal historic register, Neeser says. Im from Spokane originally I just enjoy downtown Spokane and wanted to be part of bringing it back.

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Another project emerges in downtowns creative alley

BRISTOL, Va. Construction of retail stores and restaurants at The Falls could be closer to starting following approval Monday of land subdivision details by the citys Planning Commission.

A final plat was unanimously approved by the board and will be considered by the City Council at its June 10 meeting, according to commission member and Mayor Guy Odum.

Interstate Commercial Real Estate Services applied to planners for final clearance on the land proposal, which would subdivide 44 acres into 13 separate parcels, including seven parcels that are already earmarked for commercial development, according to city documents.

Odum said Mondays decision and a final council vote will turn the parcels over to the Industrial Development Authority and then to the respective companies so they can begin construction.

The city is developing the giant retail center in the Exit 5 area of Interstate 81. Workers are already placing final touches on the building pad for Cabelas, the outdoor sporting goods retailer that has agreed to place its first Virginia store in Bristol.

Mondays vote will assist already announced tenants who will occupy up to 1 million square feet of retail space. Restaurant chain Zaxbys, Tennessee-based Calhouns and Smoky Mountain Brewery, and the Sheetz convenience store chain are among other retailers that have been announced as tenants. Lowes Home Improvement warehouse also is expected to open a new store there.

Odum said the move for final plat approval had been delayed because of a closer look at an easement issue conducted by Bristol Virginia Utilities that has been resolved.

Everyone is getting their piece of the pie today, Odum said.

Financiers with the commercial center are currently out selling bonds to help finance the estimated $200 million cost of development.

The project got much needed support from Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who penned legislation, approved by the Virginia General Assembly, which will allow the city to being collecting tax revenues as soon as each store or restaurant is operational. The governor signed the bill in April, during a stop at The Falls.

The rest is here:
The Falls lots are divied up to deliver to retailers, restaurants

Fourth Street in Mission Bay has been billed as the emerging neighborhood's answer to Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights or Clement Street in the Richmond.

But five years after the first residential tower opened at 1201 Fourth St., residents of the new San Francisco neighborhood still have no place to buy an apple, a pair of socks or a half-gallon of milk - never mind a steak or a bottle of Pinot Noir.

Retail specialists say it's the old chicken-before-the-egg conundrum. Few savvy retailers - except the sort of national chains that nobody in the neighborhood wants there - have the patience and money needed to build businesses before the neighborhood fills out.

But as residents grab new units in Mission Bay as quickly as they become available, some are starting to question whether Fourth Street will ever offer the eclectic mix of working, living and shopping that animates a city neighborhood - while others see a brighter future.

"I'm concerned about" Fourth Street, said Retail West Partner Matt Holmes, who represents retailers ranging from startups to Whole Foods. "I see retail spaces sitting in the shadow of these large buildings, without difference or distinction. They look like office buildings that have drooped down to the street."

Mission Bay South - a neighborhood bordered by Mission Creek to the north, 16th Street to the south, the bay to the east and the Caltrain tracks to the west - now has 1,497 completed housing units. About 90 percent of these are occupied. There are 575 rental units, 491 condos and 431 UCSF student housing units. An additional 1,045 units are under construction, including 149 affordable units, 263 condominiums and 633 market-rate rentals.

It's likely that within the next 12 months Mission Bay South will have between 4,000 and 5,000 residents. That is in addition to a $1.6 billion UCSF hospital, opening in 2015, and a corporate roster that includes Old Navy, FibroGen and Cisco.

But retailer brokers say some relief may be on the way.

Los Angeles-based Primo Hospitality Group is moving ahead with a 7,500-square-foot cafe and marketplace in Channel Mission Bay, a 315-unit apartment community being built at the corner of Channel and Fourth Street.

Primo operates two cafes in Los Angeles, one in Hollywood and one downtown. Both offer an extensive menu: salads, pizzas, gelatos, wraps, frittatas, crepes, rice bowls and smoothies.

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Without retail Mission Bay missing neighborhood feel

Wellington's commercial property market has improved during the last six months as the city begins to feel the positive effects of a growing economy, reports CBRE.

Prime CBD office space remains in strong demand and this has been reflected by increasing rents in the past six months.

The limited pool of prime office stock has also seen tenant and investor interest in seismically acceptable secondary CBD office space.

Despite an increase in CBD shop vacancies, demand for quality well-located retail space remains high.

But secondary CBD retail property faces a difficult year as a number of leases are about to expire, with a reduction in the number of potential tenants.

Prime industrial stock saw a slight increase in rents as the sector continues to rebound from weak conditions in late 2012 and early 2013.

The agency's latest Marketview report says 2014 is likely to see an increase in investment activity.

A number of CBD office buildings are already on the market and several more potential listings are understood to be in the pipeline.

"Growing confidence in the Wellington economy, coupled with the ongoing appeal of New Zealand commercial property yields to overseas investors, means that investment conditions in the city remain favourable."

Low interest rates and continued strong growth in New Zealand's construction sector had been key drivers in the country's economic recovery.

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Positive CBD property outlook

Fourth Street in Mission Bay has been billed as the emerging neighborhood's answer to Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights or Clement Street in the Richmond.

But five years after the first residential tower opened at 1201 Fourth St., residents of the new San Francisco neighborhood still have no place to buy an apple, a pair of socks or a half-gallon of milk - never mind a steak or a bottle of Pinot Noir.

Retail specialists say it's the old chicken-before-the-egg conundrum. Few savvy retailers - except the sort of national chains that nobody in the neighborhood wants there - have the patience and money needed to build businesses before the neighborhood fills out.

But as residents grab new units in Mission Bay as quickly as they become available, some are starting to question whether Fourth Street will ever offer the eclectic mix of working, living and shopping that animates a city neighborhood - while others see a brighter future.

"I'm concerned about" Fourth Street, said Retail West Partner Matt Holmes, who represents retailers ranging from startups to Whole Foods. "I see retail spaces sitting in the shadow of these large buildings, without difference or distinction. They look like office buildings that have drooped down to the street."

Mission Bay South - a neighborhood bordered by Mission Creek to the north, 16th Street to the south, the bay to the east and the Caltrain tracks to the west - now has 1,497 completed housing units. About 90 percent of these are occupied. There are 575 rental units, 491 condos and 431 UCSF student housing units. An additional 1,045 units are under construction, including 149 affordable units, 263 condominiums and 633 market-rate rentals.

It's likely that within the next 12 months Mission Bay South will have between 4,000 and 5,000 residents. That is in addition to a $1.6 billion UCSF hospital, opening in 2015, and a corporate roster that includes Old Navy, FibroGen and Cisco.

But retailer brokers say some relief may be on the way.

Los Angeles-based Primo Hospitality Group is moving ahead with a 7,500-square-foot cafe and marketplace in Channel Mission Bay, a 315-unit apartment community being built at the corner of Channel and Fourth Street.

Primo operates two cafes in Los Angeles, one in Hollywood and one downtown. Both offer an extensive menu: salads, pizzas, gelatos, wraps, frittatas, crepes, rice bowls and smoothies.

Excerpt from:
Mission Bay still missing neighborhood feel

Officials said construction on the 23,969 square foot space would start later this summer.

H&M will have both interior and exterior entrances to the mall.

The store, along with the states first American Girl, will be located in the redevelopment of the former Sears Store. The plans for that location include creating 160,000-square feet of new retail space with a newly created mall entrance. More top retailers were expected to be announced as the project progresses.

We are excited to bring H&M to CoolSprings Galleria to further solidify its status as the premier shopping destination in the region and demonstrate our commitment to investing in the malls continued growth, commented CBLs President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Lebovitz. H&M is an international fashion leader that will bring its fashion-forward styles for men and women to many excited CoolSprings Galleria shoppers.

Other plans for CoolSprings Galleria include a $12.6 million expansion and renovation of Belk this fall, along with the Cheesecake Factory set to open near Belk on the Mallory Lane side in November.

H&M opened its first store in Tennessee at Opry Mills Mall in June 2013.

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H&M To Open At CoolSprings Galleria In May 2015