Dunwoody, Ga. — The Ardent Cos. has acquired Perimeter Place, a 360,000-square-foot retail property located in Atlanta’s Central Perimeter submarket, with plans to transform the property into a mixed-use development. Renovations will include the prioritization of walkability and accessibility, an improved tenant lineup, the lease up of vacant space and remerchandising the existing tenant mix. The redevelopment will also feature the addition of a multifamily component to the property. Current tenants at Perimeter Place include Five Below, Office Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods and HomeGoods.
Development
Federal Realty Underway on Redevelopment of 925,000-Square-Foot Shopping Center in La Mesa, California
La Mesa, Calif. — Federal Realty Investment Trust is underway on the redevelopment of Grossmont Center, a 925,000-square-foot shopping center located in the San Diego suburb of La Mesa. The first phase of the multi-year renovation will include façade upgrades for storefronts; updated landscaping and greenery; enhanced common areas with new outdoor seating; and improvements to pedestrian foot traffic routes, lighting and overall visibility. Completion of Phase I is anticipated for October 2026. All existing businesses will remain open throughout construction. Federal Realty Investment Trust acquired Grossmont Center in 2021. Tenants …
Philadelphia — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard finished 2025 with more than 600 locations worldwide, with further expansion planned in the year ahead. In 2025, Rita’s opened 35 new shops systemwide, including new shop openings across the Southeast, Texas and Mid-Atlantic, as well as the brand’s first-ever location in Louisiana. This year, Rita’s expects to open approximately 45 additional shops. Drive-thru development emerged as one of Rita’s growth drivers in 2025. Across the system, the company reports that drive-thru locations are delivering more than 30 percent higher performance compared to …
Batavia, Ill. — Aldi, a German discount, small-format grocer, plans to open 180 new stores across 31 states this year. By the end of the year, Aldi will operate approximately 2,800 U.S. grocery stores, including its first Maine location in Portland and 10 new stores in the metro Phoenix area. The grocer has operated stores in the United States for 50 years and has gained a loyal following in recent years as the demand for discount grocery items increases in the face of inflation. The company disclosed that 17 million Americans …
Lincoln and Omaha, Neb. — Atlanta-based cheeseburger slider concept Smalls Sliders has signed a franchise agreement to open four new restaurants, dubbed “Cans,” in Lincoln and Omaha. Smalls Sliders plans to debut the first of its four Cans in 2026, with development site selections underway. Founded in 2019, Smalls Sliders currently has 375 Cans open or under development and is active across 30 states.
Accesso Acquires Development Site in Orlando for $70 Million, Plans 670,000-Square-Foot Mixed-Use Entertainment District
Orlando, Fla. — Accesso has purchased a 76-acre site in Osceola County to develop Ovation Orlando, a master-planned mixed-use entertainment district located at the northeast intersection of Interstate 4 and U.S. 192 in Orlando, for more than $70 million. The project is scheduled to break ground in the first quarter or 2026. Ovation Orlando will be divided into five adjacent zones across 670,000 square feet, which will offer experiential retail, dining, lifestyle amenities and entertainment, as well as 740 hotel rooms and condominiums. The new development will also feature green spaces, …
RCP Unveils Plans for $300 Million Mixed-Use Expansion at MidCity District in Huntsville
Huntsville, Ala. — RCP Cos. has unveiled plans for MidCity Arts + Innovation, a 12-acre development within the larger $2.2 billion MidCity District in downtown Huntsville. The project represents a $300 million investment and will expand the development’s master plan by three city blocks along Sanderson Road. MidCity Arts + Innovation will be anchored by MidCity Live, a 3,000-seat indoor music venue jointly designed by Matheny Goldmon Architects and Urban Design Associates. RCP will name an operating partner for the venue in early 2026. MidCity Live will join The Orion …
Venice and Naples, Fla. — Benderson Development will open two new Publix Super Markets in Florida. The stores will debut at North River Marketplace in Venice and Gateway Shoppes in Naples, both of which are owned by Benderson. The first property, North River Marketplace, is a new 51-acre ground-up development along the North River Road corridor, which will feature a mix of retail, restaurants and specialty services upon completion of the project. The second property, Gateway Shoppes, was originally built in 2008 and is currently under redevelopment, which includes the …
Tampa, Fla. — Strategic Property Partners (SPP) has announced plans to develop an entertainment district in downtown Tampa. The district is proposed for a vacant parcel across from Benchmark International Arena, the 19,092-seat home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team. Situated on Channelside Drive between Morgan and Jefferson streets, the new district will support the broader $3 billion Water Street Tampa neighborhood. SPP plans to partner with Lightning owner Vinik Sports Group (VSG) to manage the entertainment venue, which will be privately financed. “Water Street Tampa was designed …
Greenberg Gibbons Breaks Ground on $500 Million Midtown64 Mixed-Use Project in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Va. — Greenberg Gibbons has broken ground on Midtown64, a more than $500 million mixed-use development comprising 46 acres in Henrico County, located just outside downtown Richmond. Shamin Hotels is a joint venture partner for the project, which is being built on the former Genworth Financial headquarters campus. The personal finance firm signed a 175,000-square-foot office lease in late 2022 to move its headquarters to the SunTrust Business Center in the Richmond suburb of Glen Allen, Va. Located at the intersection of West Broad Street and I-64, Midtown64 will span 2 …