Thursday, January 13, 2022

Rollins College Retains Hold-Thyssen to Manage Its Winter Park Office Properties – Firm’s Property Assignments have Increased by 460,000 Sq. Ft. in 2021 and now include SunTrust Plaza

WINTER PARK – Hold-Thyssen, Inc. a full service commercial real estate firm based in Winter Park was retained by Rollins College as its exclusive management representative for five office buildings totaling more than 137,836 square feet. Robert P. Hold, Principal, said the assignment includes the 76,900 square foot SunTrust Plaza built in 1999 on Park Avenue, with ground level retail space, Class A office space, plus four levels of covered parking.
Four other buildings included in the Rollins management portfolio total another 60,936 square feet. The additional four are also located in downtown Winter Park and range from 1,800 to 32,040 square feet in size.
Hold said his firm will cover all management responsibilities from accounting, lease issues and annual budgeting to maintenance, vendor selection and scheduling for all locations.
The Rollins assignment brought the total square footage the firm was assigned this year alone to more than 460,536 square feet. In total Hold-Thyssen currently manages over 3.5 million square feet of property.
The additional properties assigned in 2021 totaling 322,700 square feet comprise the newly built Andco Building with 23,400 square feet and the Seacoast Building, 47,500 square feet – both office buildings on Morse Blvd. in Winter Park; West Colonial Oaks with 131,000 square feet and Ecco Plaza, 57,700 square feet – both retail centers in Orlando; Gentry Building, a 12,700 square foot office building in Apopka; The 12,000 square foot Exploration Avenue Medical Office Building in Lakeland and the Forest Oaks Plaza, 38,400 square feet of retail in Spring Hill (Pasco County), Florida.
About Hold-Thyssen
Hold-Thyssen Inc. is a full service commercial property firm that provides commercial property brokerage, leasing and management services to institutional and private investor clients nationwide. The 40-year old firm’s current management portfolio includes more that 100 commercial properties throughout the United States.
* * *

Photo Caption: Robert “Bob” Hold, (left) and the SunTrust Building on Park Ave. (top right) Andco Building on Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. (lower right).

Hold-Thyssen Closes Land Deal for Development of Maitland Fitness


MAITLAND --- The sale of a 1.21-acre site at 425 Sybelia Parkway in Uptown Maitland was facilitated by Martin Forster, CCIM of Hold-Thyssen, Inc. a full-service commercial property firm based in Winter Park. Orlando-based J5Properties 8650, LLC purchased the property for $950,0o00 cash. The seller was Uptown Maitland, LLC.
Forster says the buyer plans to construct a 12,500 square foot building that will house Maitland Fitness, an upscale training and fitness facility; 3,000 square feet of office space for lease on the second level; a ground floor corner café and snack bar serving coffee, smoothies and juices with outdoor patio seating that will overlook a pond.
Forster listed the property and represented both buyer and seller as a transactional broker.
Hold-Thyssen, Inc. provides commercial property brokerage and leasing and management services to institutional and private investor clients nationwide. The 40-year-old firm’s current management portfolio includes more than 100 commercial properties throughout the United States.

Dream Finders Homes Now Selling Large Section of Silverleaf Development Plans More than 400 New Homes


ST. JOHNS – Dream Finders Homes acquired 436 homesites at Silverleaf, an 8,500-acre master-planned development, and plans to build both townhomes and single-family homes.
The company’s new Silver Landing community will have homesites – many on conservation or water – in widths of 40, 50 and 60 feet, as well as townhome sites for three newly-designed floorplans, according to Division President Brad Muston.
“We’ll have several floorplans from which homebuyers can choose to build their dream home,” Muston said. “The plans, which range in size from 1,289 to 3,518 square feet of living area, should appeal to everyone from first-time homebuyers to growing families to retirees.”
Located on Brandon Lakes Drive, just south of County Road 210 along the St. Johns Parkway, Silver Leaf “is a fantastic community with many amenities and more than 3,500 acres of conservation land,” he said. “It has all of this, plus quick access to Interstate 95 and only a 25-minute drive to St. Augustine or Jacksonville.”
Prices at Silver Landing start in the low $300,000s. Three single-family home models and two townhome models are expected to be ready for touring by summer, Muston said.

For more information, please visit www.dreamfindershomes.com or call 888-208-7736. 

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Florida Business Leader John Crossman to Launch Weekly Radio Show ~ The Crossman Conversation will Debut in January


ORLANDO -- Well-known influential business leader, real estate executive and author John Crossman, a frequent guest speaker on diversity in business and mental health, will launch his own weekly radio show January 22 across The Shepherd Network.

The Shepherd Radio is available on three stations, each part of the MARC Radio group. The newest station is 1270 AM – WIWA in Orlando. This station is a powerhouse – 25,000 watts daytime, which enables the radio station to cover the entire Central Florida area.

In the Ocala/Villages area, The Shepherd is heard on 103.5 FM and 720 AM, while Gainesville listeners can hear the broadcast on 96.3 FM or 1430 AM.

His new venture, The Crossman Conversation, targets young professionals and executives, college educated men and women age 25-55. The show will air for 30 minutes every Saturday at 1:05 pm when Crossman and a guest will tackle today’s tough topics and offer solutions.

Crossman, who has a long and accomplished history of problem-solving and assisting companies in dealing with difficult topics, is also passionate and relatable, with a natural ability to connect with an audience. He plans to feature experts on the show to provide tips, professional advice and personal experiences.

“I am about locating and collaborating with all kinds of people -- every culture, profession, rank, station in life, vocation or trade -- who can offer some insight and help our listeners,” said Crossman.

The goal of The Crossman Conversation is to find solutions for the tough problems and challenges being faced today by those who need a different perspective outside of his/her family or work circles. “We want to hear from young professionals embarking on a career, as well as business owners or CEOs who need advice on work-life balance or promoting a better work environment that may mitigate any systemic issues and move toward growth,” he explained.

Throughout his 25-year+ commercial real estate career Crossman developed a solid reputation as a highly ethical and entirely professional dealmaker with a desire to give back through philanthropy in education, especially real estate scholarships at HBCUs to open doors for minorities. Over the past two decades Crossman, his family and companies have endowed scholarships at more than a half-dozen universities.

At the same time Crossman became one of the most requested speakers at colleges and universities and his successful book aimed at millennials – Career Killers / Career Builders is based on his most popular speech. The sequel coming out is called If I were 21. He connects with audiences through powerful storytelling, vulnerability and transparency that allows the audience to see him as more approachable and a trustworthy advisor.

"I'm excited to embrace the power of radio to connect every week live with men and women seeking answers, and to help them find a solution," said Crossman. "This is an incredible privilege.”

* * *

M/I Homes Now Selling at the Towns at Lake Monroe Commons in Sanford ~ Construction on Two Models to Begin in January


SANFORD – Prospective homebuyers looking for a carefree lifestyle with beautiful views and a convenient location should look no further than the Towns at Lake Monroe Commons, now open for presales.

The 18-acre parcel – which was purchased earlier this year by M/I Homes – is near Lake Monroe, the Sanford Riverwalk, SunRail and about three miles east of Interstate 4 at West First Street and Marbella Lane in Sanford.

Towns at Lake Monroe Commons will have 150 two-story townhomes featuring three distinct floor plans ranging from 1,379 to 1,700 square feet, according to David Byrnes, M/I Homes’ area president. Prices will start in the $300,000s.

“This gated enclave will offer roomy townhomes that live more like single family homes,” Byrnes said.

Construction on two model homes – The San Jose and The Granada – are scheduled to begin in January, he said, adding that presales currently are being handled by consultants at M/I Homes’ Towns of White Cedar 1½ miles away.

“M/I Homes has developed a collection of three- to-four-bedroom townhomes in a prime Seminole County location,” Byrnes said. “This community will be within walking distance to the Lake Monroe Promenade and Sanford Riverwalk, minutes to historic Downtown Sanford, Orlando Sanford International Airport, and shopping, dining and world-class entertainment.”

Amenities at the Towns at Lake Monroe Commons will include a swimming pool and cabana, a large community pond that many of the townhomes will overlook, and a walking path to one of the largest trail systems in the state.

For more information, visit www.mihomes.com.

Monday, December 20, 2021

Site Construction of High-End DeBary Community’s Last Phase Is Complete and Ready for Buyers



DEBARY – Now in its ninth and final phase, Riviera Bella – The Henin Group’s upscale, single-family home development along the St. Johns River – is preparing to welcome its last group of new families.

According to The Henin Group’s president and CEO Jerome Henin, site construction just off Fort Florida Road near Lake Konomac, was completed by Jon M. Hall Construction of Sanford and the 153 homesites were sold to Dallas-based D.R. Horton.

“The builder has closed on their first 36 homesites and construction is now underway,” Henin said, adding that all of the remaining sites should close by the end of next year.

D.R. Horton is offering three-, four- and five-bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,672 to 2,807 square feet and priced starting in the mid-$300,000s.

With an anticipated sell-out by 2022, Henin said the development – which started in 2004 – is more than two years ahead of projection.

“The opening of phase nine marks the completion of the entire 710-homesite community.”

* * *
About the developer: France native Jerome Henin, the founder and owner of several companies involved in real estate development and sales, has more than 30 years of experience in property development in Europe, Florida and Virginia. His largest Central Florida development – the award-winning Riviera Bella – is divided into villages with production homes’ pricing from the mid $300,000s and custom homes that are priced up to $2 million.

Dream Finders Homes to Open New St. Cloud Community in December


ST. CLOUD – Dream Finders Homes plans to open Prairie Oaks, its newest central Florida single-family home community, in December.

Located in St. Cloud just off Narcoossee Road and east of Lake Tohopekaliga, the development will feature some the company’s most-popular plans, as well as two new ones specific to the community, according to Gerry Boeneman, president of Dream Finders Homes’ Central Florida division.

“Buyers at Prairie Oaks can choose from a handful of floor plans on 50-foot lots,” he said, adding that three to six-bedroom homes there will range in size from 1,856 to nearly 3,000 square feet of living area.

Boeneman said because of its location near major roadways like State Roads 417 and 528, U.S. Highway 192 and the Florida Turnpike, Prairie Oaks is a quick commute to Lake Nona and its many conveniences as well as other Central Florida areas and attractions.

Paired with the community’s fantastic location, the homes’ designer series of floorplans offer open spaces with a natural flow. Modern interior finishes include nine-foot ceilings throughout, 42-inch upper cabinets with crown molding, while partial stone exteriors lend a classic look.

For more information about homes at Prairie Oaks please call 888-354-9924 or visit dreamfindershomes.com for community updates.
* * *


Photo Caption: Dream Finders Homes’ Coastal Marbella -- one of two models designed specifically for Prairie Oaks -- offers from 4 to 6 bedrooms, 3.5 to 4.5 baths, and a 2 or 3-car garage.

About Dream Finders Homes
Dream Finders Homes, founded by Patrick Zalupski in 2008, is routinely honored as one of the nation’s fastest growing companies. Based in Jacksonville, FL, the company has homebuilding operations in Orlando, FL, Savannah, GA, Bluffton, SC, Fayetteville, NC, Austin, TX, Denver, CO and the Washington, DC Metro area. Dream Finders closed over 3,000 homes in 2020 and is currently the 35th largest homebuilder in the nation according to 2020 Professional Builder magazine.

Developer Wants to Grow Brooksville’s Southern Pines Condominium Plan into a Single-Family Home Community


The Company Wants To Rezone the Development and Decrease the Original Number of Condos Planned

BROOKSVILLE – DIX Developments is seeking rezoning of property at Southern Pines to single-family, and has requested an amendment to Hernando County’s master plan that would add 169 single-family homes to the existing 32 condominiums.

The gated 37-acre Southern Pines community currently has 32 completed condominium units in two buildings, and a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, according to James Dicks, president of DIX Development LLC. He said the rezoning would decrease the original plan by 55 dwelling units.

“We’ve spent the past four months reviewing the feasibility of the existing project,” Dicks said. “Brooksville is a great market right now with interest that’s growing every day. We believe that creating a single-family community will generate value for all businesses and residents in the area.”

Dicks, who named CPH as the civil engineering firm in charge of the plan, said the project will create many jobs and subcontractor opportunities while boosting the local economy.

“Now that we own the property, we will ask for an amendment to the existing planned development. We’re excited and look forward to delivering a value-added project to this area.”

* * *
About DIX Developments LLC
DIX Developments – an award-winning firm that focuses on land acquisition, real estate development and investment – has been developing Central Florida real estate for seven generations with creative vision, acquisition strategy, expert due diligence, and superior results.

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Developer Receives Zoning Approval for 71 Homesites on 28 Acres at Wekiva Reserve

APOPKA, FL – The Henin Group has received final zoning approval from Orange County to create Wekiva Reserve, a 71-site, single-family home community on 28-acres of land at 1401 and 1433 Votaw Rd. in Apopka  

The plan – according to Jerome Henin, CEO of the Winter Park-based firm is – for 50 and 65-foot-wide homesites that will contain houses from 2,500 to 4,000 square feet of living space. Prices are expected to start in the mid $400,000s.

“We’re excited about the creation of this community and want to keep it consistent with the local, low-density neighborhoods already developed,” he said.

This is how Henin said he would like to see the community developed if his company is the builder. But, things could change slightly as he also is entertaining offers from numerous national homebuilders.

“If we receive an acceptable offer with a similar vision, the final size and price range could change a little,” he said, adding that the company has prepared a conceptual site plan for presentation to Orange County early next year.


Photo Caption
:    Wekiva Reserve Conceptual Site Plan prepared by Steve Young of Civil Design Solutions in Maitland.

* * *

About the Developer: France native Jerome Henin, the founder and owner of several companies involved in real estate development and sales, has more than 30 years of experience in property development in Europe, Florida and Virginia. His largest Central Florida development – the award-winning Riviera Bella – is divided into villages with production homes’ pricing from the mid $200,000s and custom homes that are priced up to $2 million.