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VIERA, FL-With a resounding debut in Florida's specialty retailmarkets, Atlanta-based Cousins Properties Inc. has opened the first371,000-sf, estimated $33-million phase of the 415,000-sf theAvenue Viera here by preleasing 78% of the open-air shopping centerproject to 40 of the country's top merchants and restaurateurs.

The Avenue Viera, 60 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando inSpace Coast country, is Cousins' seventh national Avenue-brandenterprise. Company officials declined to disclose the averageasking base rent range and terms of the signed leases, but Orlandobrokers familiar with comparable high-end projects tell GlobeSt.comthe average rent is probably in the $25-per-sf to $35-per-sf range.Several brokers, however, tell GlobeSt.com that range is low andput the number at $30 to $50 per sf.