Article about Raanan Katz and RK Centers RK Pembroke Square Taco Bell and Panera Bread

Raanan Katz shares an update on one of his developments as owner of RK Centers.

 PEMBROKE SQUARE: Taco Bell open for business, Panera pushed to January

By Mark Burridge

mburridge@wickedlocal.com

November 22. 2014 1:10PM

PEMBROKE SQUARE: Taco Bell open for business, 

Panera pushed to January

The new Taco Bell in Pembroke Square opened for business on Halloween. But design and construction 

delays have pushed the opening of the new Panera Bread to January.

The Panera in its current condition. Wicked Local Photo/Mark Burridge

Taco Bell is open for business but Panera Bread is still under construction at Pembroke Square.

The two new restaurant chains were originally set to open in October, but design delays on the Panera store have pushed its expected opening to early in 2015.

"The Taco Bell opened on Oct. 31," said Ken Fries, spokesman for RK Centers, which owns the property. "But we're a month to a month and one half from the Panera opening."

Fries said the parking lots for both restaurants, originally set to be installed after the buildings were finished, are nearly complete.  Because of this, Taco Bell was able to open for business late last month.

"We set it up so emergency vehicles would still have access and people could get in and out," he said.

As for Panera Bread, Fries said builders are currently working on the interior. Last week crews began the treatment on the outside to keep the building weather proof heading into winter.

Lost construction time anticipated during the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays means Panera is now on track for a January opening, Fries said.

"We lose a better part of a week for Thanksgiving and another chunk of time for the holidays," he said.

The Pembroke Square project got underway in May when the previous buildings at 155-156 Church Street, which included Au Bon Pain and an Eye Health Services office, were razed.

RK Centers owns most of the commercial property in that part of Pembroke, including the Stop & Shop across the street and recently purchased the Lowe's store located behind Pembroke Square. In total, the company owns more than 30 properties in Florida and New England.

Mark Burridge may be reached at mburridge@wickedlocal.com.

http://pembroke.wickedlocal.com/article/20141122/NEWS/141129553

Breaking News! Raanan Katz Donates $45,000.00 to Charter a Plane That Will Take 150 Children To Watch The Israel National Basketball Team at the European Championship.

Israeli Businessman Raanan Katz - Owner RK Centers, Limited Partner Miami Heat

Raanan Katz has donated $45,000 to send 150 children from the settlements around Gaza to Cyprus where the Israel National Basketball Team is playing in the European Championship.

FIBA did not allow the European teams to play in Israel because it considered Israel an unsafe place, without justification.  Raanan Katz commented that, "walking in Tel Aviv is much safer than walking in many American cities."

RK Centers - Raanan Katz - Official Blog: Breaking News! Raanan Katz Donates $45,000.00 to C...
— Raanan Katz (@RaananKatz) August 7, 2014

RAANAN KATZ ACQUIRES THREE RETAIL PROPERTIES FOR $87.7M IN MASSACHUSETTS (rebusinessonline.com)

RAANAN KATZ ACQUIRES THREE RETAIL PROPERTIES FOR $87.7M IN MASSACHUSETTS
WORCESTER, WESTBOROUGH AND STOUGHTON, MASS. — Raanan Katz has added to its RK Centers portfolio with the acquisition of three retail properties in Massachusetts. In the first transaction, RK Centers purchased the 386,853-square-foot Worcester Crossing for $49 million from Madison Partners. Located along Route 146 in Worcester, the retail center is anchored by Walmart and Sam’s Club. RK Centers also acquired the 185,279-square-foot Westborough Speedway Plaza from Regency Centers for $18.7 million. Anchored by Stop & Shop and Burlington Coat Factory, the center is located along Route 9 in Westborough. In the final transaction, the company purchased an 89,126-square-foot single-tenant triple-net leased Kohl’s location in Stoughton. Stoughton Marketplace DST sold the property for $20 million. - See more at: http://www.rebusinessonline.com/main.cfm?id=17&date=20140708&state=MA&region=Northeast#link36543

Raanan Katz Property - Kohl's Stoughton MA

Raanan Katz Property - Kohl's Stoughton, MA

Raanan Katz  Speedway Plaza Westboro, MA

Raanan Katz Worcester Crossing - Worcester, MA

Raanan Katz  Speedway Plaza Westboro, MA

Raanan Katz Worcester Crossing - Worcester, MA

RK Centers (formerly known as R.K. Associates) is a privately held, family-owned real estate development company which currently owns over 6,000,000 square feet of retail space and 100,000 square feet of office space. RK Centers became the new name of our company on January 1, 2012 to better capture what our company does best acquiring, developing and operating prime "open air" regional and community shopping centers in New England and South Florida. With a stable business model utilizing a minimal amount of leverage, we are poised to acquire additional properties as we continue to grow our portfolio. Our company typically closes on acquisitions in less than 30 days with its own funds; thereby eliminating the need to obtain financing. With over thirty years of experience in real estate, RK Centers has a proven track record of success with tenants, customers and the communities in which we operate. All of RK Centers' leasing and management is performed in-house by company staff.

The company was founded and is principally owned by Raanan Katz, who entered the real estate development arena in the 1970s. He has guided the company with a steady growth rate which has withstood numerous market cycles. His "hands-on" approach and conservative borrowing practices have resulted in a portfolio of first-class properties with an extremely low debt structure, resulting in RK Centers being one of the more stable shopping center operators in the industry. RK Centers welcomes inquiries from national and regional retailers who are interested in drawing upon our considerable resources for assistance in site selection or other expansion needs. Please contact either Ken Fries, Andrew Fisch, or David Katz (781-320-0001) regarding our centers in New England, and Andrew Zidar, Suzie Wegrich or Dan Katz (305-949-4110) regarding our centers in South Florida

Raanan Katz first arrived in the United States in his early twenties with a reputation as an excellent outside shooter on the Israeli National Basketball Team. Raanan was invited to join the Boston Celtics training camp, where he was the final player cut from the Celtics roster, edged out by Hall of Famer, John Havlicek. Celtics Head Coach, Red Auerbach recommended Raanan to play for the U.S. All Stars, the sparring team for the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. After leaving the All Stars, Raanan settled in Boston, Massachusetts and purchased a small apartment building with the money he earned. During the next several years, he amassed over 2,000 apartment units in the Greater Boston area.

Miami Heat Raanan Katz Celebrate
 Championship On the Court

Raanan Katz Image Profile - In Israel

Raanan began to switch from residential to commercial holdings in 1980, when he acquired three retail properties in the Greater Boston area. Then, in 1984, Raanan purchased a block of stores on Miami Beach and continued to acquire properties throughout Southeast Florida and New England during the late 1980's to present.

Currently, RK Centers owns over 6,000,000 square feet of space in New England and South Florida. Raanan continues to apply his conservative real estate principles by operating with a minimal amount of debt, enabling him to sustain periodic declines in the real estate market; while continuously investing in improvements to his properties.

Raanan's vision provides for the long term viability of his holdings as a result of the constant attention to detail regarding even the smallest maintenance issues. Raanan's pride in maintaining top quality shopping centers is evidenced by his personal "signature" emblazoned on each building with the initials "RK" alongside the distinct company basketball logo. Raanan's unyielding passion for NBA basketball was finally fulfilled when he became an original partner of the Miami Heat expansion franchise in 1986. Since the team's inaugural season in 1988, he has been a fixture at courtside for Heat home games, along with his wife, Phyllis. The Heat have developed into one of the league's most successful and profitable franchises, culminating with NBA Championship titles in 2006 and 2012. With the much heralded nucleus of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, the Heat are well positioned to remain amongst the NBA's elite for many years to come.

Raanan also purchased a substantial interest in the Israeli basketballr team Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2003. Widely known as one of the most successful clubs in Europe and Israel, Maccabi reached the Euroleague championship game four times during Raanan's ownership tenure, including Euroleague Cup championship victories during Raanan's inaugural years of ownership in 2004 and 2005. Raanan subsequently sold his interest in Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2009, but remains heavily involved with Israeli basketball by sponsoring teams based in Jerusalem, Galil, and Holon.

Phyllis and Raanan Katz Sports Center

Raanan's tireless commitment to the development of the City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida recently has been recognized by the City in its renaming 170th Street in Sunny Isles Beach as "Raanan Katz Boulevard". Raanan was further honored with the dedication of the Phyllis and Raanan Katz Sports Center, located behind RK Village Plaza (18200 Collins Avenue), where Raanan remains a fixture on weekend afternoons taking on all basketball challengers with his still potent outside shot.

Additionally, Raanan's development efforts have been formally recognized by numerous communities throughout South Florida and New England.

Raanan Katz and RK Centers are excited to announce Boost Fitness is coming to RK Town Center in Hudson, MA.


Here is an article from the Metro West Daily News and the text from the article below.



Hudson: Boost Fitness moving into former TJ Maxx property

• Hudson: Boost Fitness moving into former TJ Maxx property

• 
  By Jeff Malachowski
  Daily News Staff 
  Posted May. 22, 2014 @ 2:23 am 
  

  HUDSON – The former TJ Maxx property at the RK Hudson Town Center Plaza will not be vacant for long, as Boost Fitness will move its Main Street gym to the Washington Street shopping center this fall.

  Just last week, TJ Maxx closed its store in the RK Hudson Town Center Plaza and relocated to a new building at the Highland Commons shopping center on Rte. 62. Boost Fitness recently agreed to move from its Main Street location to the former TJ Maxx property at the plaza, said Kenneth Fries, of RK Centers.

  "We consider TJX to be a valuable partner," said Fries. "We have them in a number of centers. They gave us sufficient time to find a backup tenant."

  With a continually rising membership, Boost Fitness has been outgrowing its 312 Main St. location for the past few years. The gym has more than 20,000 members at its locations in Hudson, Northborough, Worcester, Auburn, Oxford and Westford, said owner Mark Federico.

  "We just have grown out of the current location we’re at," said Federico. "We just needed a larger space with the number of members we have."

  Federico was considering leasing more space at the Main Street location, but said the current facility lacks the necessary parking needed for the rising membership.

  "Our biggest issue was a lack of parking," said Federico.

  That will not be a problem at the fitness center’s new location; Federico said there is ample parking and the former TJ Maxx building will have plenty of space for the gym’s operations.

  "It had the square footage we were looking for," he said.

  The TJX Companies are expected to turn the property over to Boost Fitness sometime in June. Federico anticipates the gym will move into its new home in September or October.

  Fries is excited that the former TJ Maxx will only be empty for a few months during the transition.

  "We are extremely pleased to have Mark (Federico) join our shopping center," he said.

  Jeff Malachowski can be reached at 508-490-7466 or jmalachowski@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmalachowskiMW
  

Weymouth Traffic Light @ Raanan Katz's RK Plaza is Moving Full Speed Ahead

RK Centers continues to move forward with the redevelopment of RK Plaza Weymouth. The project includes the installation of a new traffic signal and many site and building improvements.  

Here are some pictures from Raanan Katz of the progress.

Traffic Light Progress - RK Weymouth

New Traffic Pattern for RK Weymouth Plaza

Great Presentation of Raanan Katz's Real Estate Company RK Centers

Ranaan Katz and RK Centers provides this overview of properties in New England. They also own over 2 million square feet of retail in the Miami market. Please check out the website for more details.

www.rkcenters.com

Follow Raanan Katz @ www.raanankatzblog.com

Raanan Katz and His Team Start work on Weymouth, MA Redevelopment

Raanan Katz Started work on April 1st  at the RK Center - Weymouth. The project scope can we viewed in our March 31st Posting here: RK CENTERS - RK PLAZA WEYMOUTH SCOPE OF WORK

As of March 31st

Raanan Katz - RK Weymouth, MA - Redevelopment

Work has started. This image is from Today - April 17th. The initial EFIS work has started as well as the building painting prep.

Raanan Katz Progress - RK Renovation - Weymouth, MA

Here is the Brochure for the development
 

Raanan katz-weymouth-RK-Centers from RK Centers

Raanan Katz's Investment in Weymouth Shopping Center Starting to come to life!

This investment in the property shows Raanan's Katz and RK Centers commitment to creating new jobs in Weymouth, MA.

Raanan Katz is investing money in one of his shopping centers once again. As the quote by Titus Maccius Plautus says, "you have to spend money to make money."

With the upgrades in the hundreds of thousands of dollars Raanan Katz and his company RK Centers looks forward to giving new life to an outdated shopping center. The local residents will be most pleased with the addition of a red light at the Route 18 entrance. This will create a safer signalized entrance to the shopping center. The intersection has been dangerous for a long time and this will finally help keep motorist safe.

The improvements include a the new signalized entrance. RK Centers will begin the road work for this portion of the improvements in the coming weeks.

The new pylon signs are in production and the final details are being completed. Raanan was excited to get the approval for this part of the project after working with the town and getting ZBA approval the new signs will go in Spring 2014. The new signs are much more aesthetically pleasing. They have decorative stone bases and the Route 18 main pylon even features a flower bed.

Here are some pictures from Raanan Katz and RK Centers in regards to the project. You can Also view a brochure of the new shopping center here as well. It was posted on the RK Centers and Raanan Katz Slideshare page.

Raanan Final Rendering

Raanan Katz Pylon Rendering Wemouth

Raanan Katz Is Not Embarrassed by an ongoing scholorship donation to basketball player development

Raanan Katz is proud and invested in basketball player development. He is weekly player of the week scholarship gives players $1,000.00 to help deffer educational and living expenses while working to develop basketball skills.

Seen here in this picture is one of the recent winners of the scholarship. You can see the Raanan Katz staple RK Logo with basketball in the image as well.

Raanan Katz Weekly Donation - Player of the Week

Raanan Katz and RK Centers update Website to show new Pembroke Square Configuration

Updated today: Here is the new configuration of RK Pembroke Square. Demolition and the proceeding construction is scheduled to start Spring 2014.

RK Centers - Raanan Katz - RK Pembroke Square

Updated Raanan Katz and RK Centers News for January / February 2014

Raanan Katz and his company RK Centers continue to move forward on various Projects throughout the Boston, MA and Miami, FL area.

1. Pembroke,MA - RK Pembroke Square's demolition and redevelopment is moving forward. As reported on wickedlocal.com (http://www.wickedlocal.com/x110125618/Project-takes-another-step-forward-in-Pembroke) Route 139 is a step closer to enjoying Taco Bell and Panera Bread. Mark Burridge posted the story go to the link to read more. Raanan Katz added the comment, "We are excited at the possibilities this project could bring to the center and jobs for the Town of Pembroke"

Building to be demolished by Raanan Katz to make was for proposed Panera Bread and Taco Bell

2. Weymouth, MA - RK Centre - Weymouth As B19 departs Raanan Katz has told us that center is positioned for redevelopment and upgrades. This spring the center will start a facade renovation, pylon replacements, and the addition of a signalized entrance at the Route 18 side of the center (Main Entrance). The plans have not been all finalized but we can confirm that the signal is set to break ground that the new main pylon and rear pylon will be installed in early/mid spring. The vendor completing the installation of the new signs is www.viewpointsign.com.

Existing Pylon Sign @ Raanan Katz Property in Weymouth 

3. North Miami, FL - RK California Club is located 1/2 mile West of I-95 on the primary road
used to access Sun Life Stadium - home of the Miami Dolphins. Raanan Katz has announced that the extensive facade renovations are being completed in connection with a comprehensive “de-malling” project. The Center is being fully converted from an enclosed mall to an “open air” center in which all storefronts will lead directly to parking field. Raanan Katz also reported that the center is surrounded by a dense residential
population with over 176,000 people within a 3 mile radius. According to his website www.raanankatz.com the property with traffic counts in excess of 50,000 cars per day is anchored by Winn Dixie, Citi Trends, Dollar Tree, CVS, Planet Fitness and many more.

In this Image Raanan Katz captured the
hallways to the existing theater

Raanan Katz Captured this interior shot as you enter the mall

Raanan Katz Captured these
 before Construction Started

Raanan Katz's RK Centers Logo seen at Israeli Basketball Cup Final Game Picture

Raanan Katz's RK Centers Logo seen at Israeli Basketball Cup Final Game - In the picture Israeli President Shimon Peres

Raanan Katz's RK Centers Logo seen at Israeli Basketball Cup Final Game - In the picture Israeli President Shimon Peres

Raanan Katz Awarded Sunny Isles Beach Corporate Man of the Season Award

Raanan Katz Recognized for Outstanding Efforts Towards the Betterment of Sunny Isles Beach.

Raanan Katz was awarded the Corporate Man of the Season Award by the Sunny Isles Beach Chamber of Commerce. The award is known as the Moe Zimmerman Memorial Award. The award recognized  Raanan for his outstanding efforts toward the betterment of the community. 

Raanan Katz - Moe Zimmerman Memorial Award for Outstanding Efforts Toward the Betterment of the Community 

Raanan Katz Profile Image

For more History on Raanan Katz and News check out www.rkcenters.com

Raanan Katz reachinng the finish line on another redevelopment in Pembroke MA

Project takes another step forward in Pembroke

Project takes another step forward in Pembroke

Posted Jan 10, 2014 @ 12:21 PM

Pembroke residents are a little closer to being able to enjoy the Taco Bell and Panera Bread that will be constructed on Route 139.

Ken Fries, the spokesman for RK Centers, the project’s developer, said at this point the company has received approval from the Pembroke Zoning Board and been given the revisions by the town’s planning board.

Next Monday (Jan. 13) the developer will meet with the planning board once again and will demonstrate how they have made the revisions requested by planning board members. Fries said hopefully the team will get full approval from the planning board on Monday, but he can’t say for sure.

“They asked us to look at our circulation (how cars will travel through the property),” he said. “But in correcting any problems, another one might pop up.”

Fries said if the planning board does approve the project, then the developer will next go to the Pembroke Building Inspector for approval of a design. According to Fries, the design is finished for the most part, but could need to be adjusted depending on what happens with the planning board.

“The plans are done to a certain point, but we can’t have a completed version yet,” he said.

The project, named Pembroke Square, will involve knocking down the existing buildings at the Pembroke Square retail plaza at 155-156 Church St., Pembroke and constructing two separate buildings to house a Taco Bell and Panera Bread. The 99 Restaurant, in the same plaza, will remain in place.

Developer RK Centers purchased the properties soon after buying the Stop & Shop across the street late last year.l

RK Centers, which has more than 30 properties in Florida and New England, already has plans drawn up for the buildings to fit specifications for those restaurants. Fries said the Panera Bread building will be 4,100 square feet and the Taco Bell building will be about 2,000 square feet.

In addition, a Rockland Trust Bank ATM will be placed between the two buildings.

Fries said going to the building inspector and the planning board at the same time isn’t an option because if the planning board asks for something to be changed then the plans would have to be remade and the building inspector would have to start from square one.

“We have to be respectful of the building inspector’s time,” he said.

Fries said if the building inspector approves the project design, and permits are issued, than construction can begin. He said the project is still scheduled to start construction in the spring.