Based in Opus West's Irvine office, Wattson will also pursue new retail development opportunities throughout Southern California in addition to overseeing existing retail projects in the area. Projects that Opus West has under way in the region include two in Chino Hills: the 400,000-sf Shoppes at Chino Hills lifestyle center and the 500,000-sf Commons at Chino Hills.

Wattson brings 20 years of experience in retail development to his new position. In his most recent position, as SVP of retail for Trammel Crow, he was responsible for retail development activities in the Western US. His background also includes 18 years at Wattson Brevast, where he developed and repositioned retail projects throughout the West Coast. Among the projects he was involved in were the one-million-sf Shops at Tanforan regional mall in San Bruno, CA; the 600,000-sf FireCreek Crossing power center in Reno, NV and the 550,000-sf Foothill Marketplace power center in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Opus West has developed 39 retail projects totaling more than 6.6 million sf and has 13 projects totaling nearly 3.9 million sf planned or under development. The company's projects include lifestyle and town centers, grocery-anchored centers, power centers and mixed-use developments.