Increased Spring and Summer Lease Activity Brings New Business to LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch

New Leases Total Nearly 20,700 Square Feet of Center Space

Katy, Texas (SEPTEMBER 1, 2010) –  Lease activity for LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch has been rising with the Texas temperature this summer. Center management announces that more than 11,200 square feet of retail space and almost 9,500 square feet of office space has been leased. Additions to LaCenterra’s tenant roster include boutiques, restaurants and specialty food retailers, along with business offices. That’s nearly 20,700 square feet of additional services at LaCenterra. LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch was developed by Amstar and its local development partner, Vista Equities Group.

New retailers include Berripop Frozen Yogurt, Fit N Fresh Gourmet, Otto’s Deluxe Grille and Paper Lane Stationery and Gifts too!  Relocating business offices to LaCenterra include Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, the Law Office of Scott P. Callahan, P.C. and Woodco Fund Management.

Franchisee Justin Schoeneman of Katy has leased 1,540 square feet of center space for a new Berripop Frozen Yogurt location. Born in the great state of Texas in December 2007, Berripop offers parfaits, Hawaiian shaved ice, signature smoothies and -of course - fresh, all-natural non-fat yogurt with healthy toppings. Guests will find the latest music videos played on flat screen televisions and free Wi-Fi in this bright, modern yogurt shop. Berripop will open in early September in Ste. E100, also overlooking Heritage Square.

Business partners, Mike Rizutto of Sugar Land and Al Gross of Round Rock have leased just over 2,000 square feet of retail space for Fit N Fresh Gourmet. The specialty food store will offer freshly prepared healthy meals and customized meal plans. Katy area residents dreaming of a personal chef need look no further when Fit N Fresh Gourmet opens for business in Ste. R100 in mid-October.

Houston’s famed Otto’s Barbecue and Hamburgers will open a new concept restaurant: Otto’s Deluxe Grille. The rustic 2,648-square-footeatery will offer certified angus burgers, gourmet salads and sandwiches along with comfort food favorites including chicken fried steak, real mashed potatoes, homemade cobbler and, of course,Otto’s acclaimed brisket and sausage. The new “finer dining-comfort food” concept will alsofeatureweekend fish and seafood specials. The restaurant will serve their famous weekend breakfast from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m, Saturday and Sunday. Otto’s Deluxe Grille promises the area’s best country breakfast complete with fluffy pancakes, made-to-order omelets and piping hot homemade biscuits. While an official date has not been announced, a late October opening is anticipated. Otto’s Deluxe Grille will open in Ste. D100 and will offer restaurant and patio seating overlooking LaCenterra’s central courtyard, Heritage Square.

Mother and daughter-in-law duo Janice and Chris Therrien have leased 1475 square feet of retail space forPaper Lane Stationery and Gifts too! The colorful store will give residents a reason to celebrate by offering custom invitations, stationery and greeting cards from notable names including Crane & Co., William Arthur, Tickle Bellies, Bella Ink, Inviting Company, Kate Spade and Vera Wang. They will also stock artfully designed paper products and gifts from Caspari, CR Gibson, Mudpie and Illume candles. Planners, journals, pensanddesk accessories from makers such as momAgenda, Moleskine, Retro 151 and Pierre Belvedere are other gift ideas. Paper LaneStationery and Gifts too!  is scheduled to open in Ste. D120, between Otto’s Deluxe Grille and The Wine Next Door, in late September.

Two trusted names are working together to create a more rewarding real estate experience in Katy. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - Anderson Properties has leased 3,534 square feet of center retail space in Ste. C140. The residential real estate company represents a growing network of local brokerage offices in the greater Houston area. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agents and brokers offer professional, knowledgeable advice and services for home buyers and sellers.  

The Law Office of Scott P. Callahan, P.C. has just relocated from its Galleria/Uptown location to LaCenterra. Attorney Scott Callahan has leased over 1,200 square feet of office space in Suite B240. The Law Office of Scott P. Callahan, P.C., a personal injury trial law firm, is devoted to representing victims and their families in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. Most recently, Mr. Callahan was instrumental in forcing a nationwide recall of the product Stand ‘N Seal from stores due to consumer deaths and severe lung injuries. Mr. Callahan is on the Board of Directors of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the American Association for Justice, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, and State Bar of Texas. For additional information, visit www.scottcallahan.com.

Woodco Fund Management, a private asset management company firm, leased just over 1630 square feet of office space. Woodco Fund Management relocates to the Katy area from its Dairy Ashford address in Houston. Doors have recently opened for business in Ste. B225.

Retail leases were secured by Donna Keith, vice president of leasing for Vista Equities Group and leasing representative for LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch. For retail space availability and Phase II pre-leasing information, call  (281) 560-7314. Office leases have been secured by Louann Pereira with CB Richard Ellis. For information regarding office leasing, contact Louann Pereira or Steve Rocher at  (713) 577-1600.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway in Katy, Texas. Center hours: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. Individual store hours may vary. For more information, visit www.lacenterra.com or call  (281) 395-5533.

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About LaCenterra

A joint venture of Houston-based Vista Equities Group and Denver-based Amstar Group, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is greater Katy/ west Houston’s premiere mixed-use town center development.  Located within the 7,600-acre master planned community of Cinco Ranch, the $140 million project represents the ultimate amenity.  Designed to serve as a gathering place and town center for this growing community, the 34-acre development offers national and local specialty retailers, Class “A” office space, residential living and quality dining options in an inviting, pedestrian-friendly environment with outdoor common areas, lakes and water features.  Phase I of LaCenterra opened March 1,

2007 with approximately 170,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 90,000 sq. ft. of Class “A” office space. 

About Amstar

Established in 1987, Amstar is a real estate investment manager that offers both commingled funds and tailored separate accounts to its international and domestic clients. With more than $1.65 billion of assets under management, Amstar’s current portfolio consists primarily of office, hospitality, and multifamily holdings within the major markets of the United States and select markets in Europe and Latin America.

For more information on Amstar, go to www.amstar.com, or contact Executive Director Rob Toomey at rob.toomey@amstar.com.