This year the company is opening four centers across the East Coast. They are: the 840,000-sf Almanac Crossing, Burlington, CT; the 302,000-sf Cobblestone Village, Palm Coast, FL; the 112,000-sf Milford (CT) Marketplace and the 291,000-sf York (PA) Town Center. Management will highlight future development projects at the International Council of Shopping Centers' annual convention in Las Vegas later this month.

The company is also undertaking $41.5 million in redevelopments this year, totaling 450,000 sf. Those endeavors include adding lifestyle-center additions to malls around the country, new restaurant spaces and outparcels.

Buying properties is not a major goal of the REIT, but Charles Lebovitz, chairman and chief executive officer, says he is not ruling them out. "If we see the opportunity to generate growth in acquisitions, then we will pursue them," he says. The company was rumored earlier this year as a suitor for the Pyramid Cos. Northeast mall portfolio, which is on the block.