The Avenue

The Avenue Murfreesboro is an 808,000-square-foot open-air retail center in Murfreesboro. The development has capacity for 110 retailers and restaurants. It is the eighth, and largest, Avenue project since introducing the concept in 1998, and The Avenue Murfreesboro should serve as a model for future large-scale Avenues with its wide ranging merchandising offerings," said Joel Murphy, president of Cousins' Retail Division.

Retailers that have committed to the project include Ann Taylor Loft, Barnes & Noble, Belk, Chico's, Jos. A Bank, New York & Company, Talbots, Ulta. White House/Black Market. Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods and Cost Plus World Market. Other retailers include: Aveda, Carters, Champs Sports, Lane Bryant, Limited Too, Off Broadway, Osh Kosh B'Gosh and the project's first restaurant commitments, Longhorn Steakhouse and Romano's Macaroni Grill.

Construction on The Avenue Murfreesboro began in the third quarter 2006 and the project is expected to open in fall 2007.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Faison is a privately-held real estate and investment company with a portfolio that includes retail, commercial and residential projects. The company's holdings are valued at about $1.3 billion. It also manages and develops properties throughout the South and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Atlanta-based Cousins (NYSE: CUZ), a real estate investment trust, invests in office, retail, medical office, industrial and land development projects. Its portfolio includes stakes in 7.2 million square feet of office and medical office space, 3.2 million square feet of retail space and 2,000 acres of land held for development or sale.