COLUMBUS, OH-In a push to beef up its presence in the area, developer Casto has acquired three centers in North Carolina, totaling more than one million sf, for an undisclosed price. The three centers, in Burlington, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, are the locally based company's first in the state.

In Burlington, which is about one hour north of Charlotte, the 236,213-sf University Commons was acquired from New Hyde Park, NY-based Kimco Realty Corp. Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy and Michaels are among the anchors at that center.

The 469,056-sf University Place, made up of the Village at University Place and the Shoppes at University Place was bought from Atlanta-based Ronus Properties. Dick's Sporting Goods, Office Depot and T.J. Maxx are examples of that property's tenants, and a Casto spokeswoman says that her company is looking at redevelopment opportunities at the center.

Hanes Point, the center in Winston-Salem, totals 361,165 sf, and was purchased from Charlotte-based Collett & Associates. Kohl's, Linens 'n Things and Target are some of that development's main retailers.

Casto executives are continuing to look for retail-development and acquisition opportunities in the Carolinas because of population growth in the area, Casto's spokeswoman says. In conjunction with their latest transactions, the company hired Dixon Fleming and Diane Coulson to head a new Charlotte office. Fleming, now a partner at Casto, was formerly chairman and CEO of former REIT Factory Stores of America. Coulson, vice president of leasing and asset management, was last with Tanger Factory Outlets.

Casto owns about 90 centers, mainly in Ohio, as well as in the Southeast. An affiliate, Casto Lifestyle Properties, based in Florida, owns four centers in that state and is exploring development opportunities there and in Ohio.