CIM Group Brings Must-Have Fashion Retailer to Hollywood Blvd. HOLLYWOOD, CA ? XXI, a new prototype store from the company who founded the popular Forever 21, will make a Hollywood debut. Forever 21 has been celebrated by shoppers as today?s source for the most current fashions at the greatest value. XXI will feature men and women?s fashions in a 10,480 square-foot store leased from CIM Group at Hollywood & Highland Center. Housed in a prominent location on Hollywood Boulevard, XXI is scheduled to open mid-2007. A phenomenon in the fashion world, Forever 21?s XXI concept provides style-conscious and trend savvy shoppers with an unprecedented selection of today?s fashions for women and men, which are always changing. XXI offers new and exciting store environments featuring a constant flow of fun. Allowing customers to be fashion-forward all at the right price, XXI designers create head to toe runway-inspired clothing designs and accessories. ?Hollywood has the trendy, cutting-edge vibe that appeals to Forever 21?s fashion-focused customer,? said Shaul Kuba, principal, CIM Group. ?Their selection of Hollywood Boulevard for their newest store underscores the renewed attraction of Hollywood as a retail and entertainment destination.? It all began in a 900 square-foot shop on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles in 1984 for Forever 21. Their first store was called Fashion 21. By the end of the first year, sales had risen from $35,000 to $700,000. Their successes led the company to open new stores every 6 months, eventually changing the name to Forever 21. Now Forever 21 operates more than 400 locations nationwide with brands Forever 21, XXI, For Love 21, Heritage 1981, Reference and Gadzooks. XXI will be located on Hollywood Boulevard within the Hollywood & Highland Center, which has 387,000 square feet of national and local fashion and luxury retailers, some of Hollywood?s hottest clubs and restaurants and the 3,400-seat Kodak Theatre. Since acquiring the center in 2004, CIM Group has added premier retailers including Virgin Megastore?s west coast flagship, BCBG Max Azria, Lucky Brand Jeans, Sketchers and American Eagle Outfitters. Complementing the Center?s collection of top retailers and restaurants will be H&M, the popular fashion-forward Swedish apparel retailer set to open in a location across the street from Hollywood & Highland Center in 2008. CIM also has made substantial improvements to Hollywood & Highland Center with escalators to transport guests from Hollywood Boulevard to all four levels of the center, enhanced lighting and signage, and an interactive water feature in the center courtyard. ?The growing success of Hollywood & Highland Center has brought scores of Los Angeles residents back to Hollywood Boulevard for shopping, dining and entertainment. This, coupled with the large number of tourists, has given the area a significant daytime and nighttime population,? observed Kuba. CIM Group has identified Hollywood as a premier urban district for investment and development. In line with its long-term view of a flourishing Hollywood community, the company has built a portfolio that includes a variety of properties. They include housing, office, entertainment and a diverse mix of restaurants and retailers to support the revitalization of the area as a vibrant urban center serving residents, visitors and businesses. The company made its first investment in Hollywood in 1998 with the acquisition of the office building now known as the TV Guide Hollywood Center, which also is the company?s headquarters. Today, CIM Group is one of the largest property owners in Hollywood. About CIM Group CIM Group is an integrated, full service real estate investor with in-house acquisition, development, finance, leasing, and management capabilities. CIM Group directs its efforts towards districts of high population density, including the downtown areas within large cities, smaller "main street" districts within towns and suburban cities, and other locations which lie within the metropolitan areas of the country. Since its inception in 1994, CIM Group has been a leading force in the creation of great streets in the cities of Santa Monica, San Diego, Pasadena, Brea and Hollywood. About Hollywood & Highland Center Situated in one of the country?s most densely populated markets, Hollywood & Highland Center attracts over 15 million visitors per year. At this one-of-a-kind, high profile destination the best in retail, fine dining and unique entertainment venues come together with the vibrant world of today?s Hollywood. Directly connected to the historic Grauman?s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood & Highland Center is a hot spot for locals as well as a ?must see? destination for international visitors. The center features over 60 top retailers, nine of L.A.?s finest restaurants, Grauman?s Chinese 6 Theatres, two popular nightclubs and Lucky Strike Lanes, a high tech and trendy bowling alley/nightclub. Virgin Megastore?s west coast flagship has recently opened at the center. Unique in the chain, the store features apparel, electronics, books and accessories in addition to a full selection of music and DVDs. The store?s one-of-a-kind design includes a staging area where new, cutting edge musical talent is frequently showcased. The center?s renowned Kodak Theatre is the venue for the world-wide live broadcast of THE ACADEMY AWARDS? CEREMONIES as well as other notable awards shows such as THE BET AWARDS, THE ESPYS, THE AMERICAN IDOL FINALS and THE AFI LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS. Throughout the year, live performances at the theatre include musicals, ballets, concerts, plays and original programming. The center?s award-winning Renaissance Hollywood Hotel features 640 sumptuously appointed rooms, including 33 luxury suites and an elegant, Mid-Century Modern d?cor. With nearly 50,000 square feet of state of the art meeting facilities, the four star hotel attracts major events and conventions. The Grand Ballroom located on the fifth level of the center is operated by famous chef and restaurateur, Wolfgang Puck. The popular venue draws A-list events, parties and conventions. Most notably, it is the site of the exclusive Governor?s Ball, following the Academy Awards? ceremonies each year.