FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—Stiles and Levine Properties are planning an aggressive strategy to develop real estate in the Carolinas. The companies just formed a joint venture to develop both commercial and residential properties with a primary focus on grocery-anchored centers.

“We were attracted over a year ago to the Carolinas due to our belief that Publix was going to enter that market as well as our longtime interest in the urban core office market in Charlotte,” Robert Breslau, president of Stiles Real Estate Investment Services, tells GlobeSt.com. “Strategically, we see our ourselves pursuing not only grocery-anchored retail, but also multifamily and office properties in Charlotte and throughout the greater Carolinas.”

The joint venture already has several projects in the planning stages and is actively acquiring other properties for future development in the Charlotte market. The first project is Ballantyne Town Center, a Publix-anchored shopping center at Providence Rd. West and Johnston Rd. in the Ballantyne community. Scheduled to open in early 2014, this project marks Publix’s entry into the greater Charlotte area.

“Stiles has built nearly two dozen successful grocery-anchored shopping centers in part due to our long-standing relationship with Publix,” Breslau says. “In addition to grocery-anchored shopping centers, urban retail development is also a part of our core expertise and business strategy, and it remains a favorable segment to the retail asset class.”

The Carolinas may be just the beginning for Stiles and Levine. Fort Lauderdale-based Stiles has opened an office in Charlotte. Breslau says the joint venture plans to grow the development pipeline in the Southeast from that office.