Southeast

FORT MYERS, FLA. — St. Louis-based The DESCO Group will open its $55 million The Plaza at Island Pass retail development in Fort Myers next month. The 252,620-square-foot shopping center, which is located on a 34-acre site at San Carlos Boulevard and Kelly Road, is anchored by a 177,394-square-foot Super Target. Attached to the Super Target store is 21,726 square feet of space for specialty shops. Designed by Dallas-based Hodges Associates, the project contains four retail buildings and four outlots. Two buildings measuring 25,000 and 19,000 square feet will house junior anchors at the center; additionally, a third 9,500-square-foot facility will host specialty retailers.

PLANTATION, FLA. — Muvico Entertainment LLC has announced plans to construct a 14-screen theater within 321 North, US Capital Holdings’ $1 billion mixed-use development in Plantation. For an initial term of 20 years, Muvico Entertainment will lease approximately 70,000 square feet of space on a 35-acre site located off Broward Boulevard and University Drive. The facility will feature 3,300 seats, with one theater containing a stage for live events including local plays and concerts. Amenities will include theaters with 3-D capabilities, valet parking, childcare facilities, reserved seating, a bar and restaurants, and Muvico Entertainment’s new interactive gaming lounge. The theater is scheduled to open in October 2010. US Capital Holdings’ 321 North project will contain approximately 613,500 square feet of retail space; 474,000 square feet of Class A office space; and 600 residential units. Additionally, the existing development on the property includes a 650,000-square-foot enclosed retail mall, a 138,000-square-foot office pavilion, and a separately owned Sheraton Suites Hotel.

DOUGLASVILLE AND MILTON, GA. — The Atlanta office of Easlan Capital has begun site work on two retail developments totaling approximately 117,000 square feet of space in Douglasville and Milton. In Douglasville, The 81,000-square-foot Village at Chapel Hill, which is located at the intersection of Chapel Hill and Stuart Mill roads, will be anchored by a 45,000-square-foot LA Fitness. Atlanta-based CNNA Architects is providing the architectural services for the open-air development that is slated for completion in June 2009. Additionally, Easlan Capital is developing The Village at Webb Road located at the intersection of Webb Road and Alpharetta Highway/Highway 9 in the city of Milton. The 36,000-square-foot project, which will be anchored by a specialty grocer, will have 18,000 square feet of retail space for smaller shops and restaurants. Spaces at both of the developments range from 1,200 to 10,000 square feet in size. The Village at Webb Road is scheduled to open for the public in May 2009.