A Michigan-based retail developer has acquired the Laulani Village shopping center under construction in 'Ewa Beach.

Westwood Development Group LLC said it has acquired the 260,000-square-foot project from a partnership that included Hawaiian Asset Management & Investment Corp. and the Bristol Group of San Francisco. The price of the retail center, at Fort Weaver Road and Keaunui Drive, was not disclosed.

When it is completed in spring 2009, Laulani Village will be the largest in 'Ewa Beach, which has experienced explosive population growth in recent years. Its construction is expected to cost about $100 million.

The retail center will be anchored by a 55,000-square-foot Safeway grocery store and will include room for another 50 to 80 tenants. Plans to sell the 20-acre property to retailer Target Corp. fell through earlier this year and Target is now looking to build its first Leeward O'ahu store at the planned Kapolei Commons shopping complex.

In addition to Laulani Village, Westwood Development owns the Lanihau Marketplace in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island and is building the Aina Le'a retail center on the Big Island and Koloa Gateway project on Kaua'i.

Westwood purchased Lanihau last year and is in the process of doubling the center's retail space to 320,000 square feet.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.