Monday, November 9, 2009

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida negotiates $1.213 Million Purchase of Tampa Industrial Facility

TAMPA, Fla. -- Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently negotiated the purchase of three industrial buildings totaling 12,731 square feet on a 6.3 acre site in Tampa for $1,213,000.00.

Josh Tarkow, associate in the Industrial and Flex Services Group at Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, negotiated the transaction on behalf of the buyer, Nashville-based Hayes Pipe Supply who purchased the property at 9416 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. for its new Tampa Bay area branch facility. Hayes has eight locations throughout the southeastern U.S.

Rockdale Pipeline of Conyers, Ga. is the seller.

About Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable or tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Josh Tarkow, Associate 813-639-1111
Jeffrey Sweeney, President 407-481-5387
Larry Vershel Communications

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contract to Design Publix anchored Shopping Center in Neptune Beach

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, has been awarded a contract to design a 62,350 square foot Publix anchored shopping center on Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach in Duval County.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, said the Publix-anchored retail center includes 15,000 square feet of retail stores.

Jacksonville-based Regency Centers is the developer of the shopping center.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Ashton Woods Homes Starts Construction of Two New Model Homes, Three Move-In-Ready Homes at McCormick Woods in Ocoee

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has started construction of two new single family model homes and three move-in-ready homes at McCormick Woods, a gated community located on McCormick Woods Road off SR 429 in Ocoee

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said 74 home sites are available at McCormick Woods for three, four and five bedroom homes that range in size from 1,530 square feet of living space to 2,984 square feet.

Roche said both model homes underway offer four bedrooms. One model with 2,364 square feet of space, offers a game room, three baths and a three-car garage and the second model, with 2,688 square feet, offers a den and game room, three-and-a-half baths and a three-car garage.

The models are expected to open in early January.

New homes at McCormick Woods are priced from under $170,000.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

For more information, contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando 407-647-3700;
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

ABD Development Company to introduce new smaller, smarter homes at Toscana in Palm Coast

ORLANDO, Fla. --- ABD Development Company, which ranks as one of the largest and most active custom home builders in the Central Florida region, plans to introduce two new smaller, smarter luxury homes at Toscana, a gated luxury community located off Old Kings Road in Palm Coast in Flagler County.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the new smaller, smarter homes at Toscana will range from 3,000 square feet of living space to 5,000 square feet.
Kohn said pricing will range from $500,000.

“In these challenging times innovative home builders are offering smaller, smarter homes that are significantly more energy efficient and simpler and easier to maintain,” Kohn said.

“Collectively, these new smaller, smarter home designs will help reduce our nation’s energy dependence and lower the cost of owning a luxury home,” Kohn said.

For more information contact:
David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400
Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates New Lease at St. Petersburg’s City Center

TAMPA, Fla. -- Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, which is associated with 130 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide, recently negotiated a new lease for 2,022 square feet at 100 2nd Ave. South at the City Center in St. Petersburg.

Sean Kennedy, associate in the firm’s Office Services Group and Tom Kennedy vice president negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Atlanta-based Behringer Harvard Real Estate Investments and the tenant, CafĂ© 100, a local fresh fast gourmet food restaurateur and caterer.

About Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Tom Kennedy, 813-830-7892-
Jeffrey Sweeney 407-481-5387
Larry Vershel 407-644-4142

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two New Lease Agreements totaling 4,453 square feet of office and flex space at South Park Business Center

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two new lease agreements for a total of 4,453 square feet at South Park Business Center located at 8600 Commodity Circle in Orlando.

Tom Kelley CCIM, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered both transactions on behalf of the landlord, South Park, LLC of Miami and the tenants.

Orlando-based First Credit Commercial Capital Corp. leased 2,307 square feet of office space and PPT Strength & Conditioning, LLC of Orlando leased 2,146 square feet of flex space at the business center.

For more information, please contact:
Tom Kelley, CCIM, Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, tkelley@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest in Orlando, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Villages of Royal Palm by Winston-James Development Company launches special programs to help homebuyers sell their former homes

SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. --- The Villages of Royal Palm, located in Port Orange, has introduced two new incentives to help homebuyers sell their former homes.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., which is developing the Villages of Royal Palm, said the developer will grant a bridge loan that means interest only with no payments for up to six months while the buyer’s former home sells.

Winston-James Development will also assist the homebuyer in selling the former home, said Schwartz.

A Guaranteed Purchase Program offers a guaranteed sale of the former home within one year, Schwartz said.

“We will place the former home with a qualified realtor who will guarantee sale of the home in one year or buy the home,” Schwartz said.

“In these challenging times, we have to develop creative ways to help people buy the new home they want,” said Schwartz.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555

James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Lennar reorganizing online sales division, promotes Robin Bennett to Internet Sales Lead


CLEARWATER, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds new single family and town homes priced from the $100s to the $400s in more than 30 Lennar communities in the Tampa Bay, Orlando and Space Coast regions, has appointed Robin Bennett to Internet sales lead.
Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division, said Lennar is revamping its Online Sales Division and expects to hire three additional Internet sales consultants.
Bennett has more than 10 years of experience in general real estate, construction and mortgages, Metheny said. She joined Lennar six years ago as a new home consultant, and two years ago she was promoted to Internet sales consultant.
Bennett will manage Internet sales consultants in the Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando and Space Coast areas.
For more information contact:
Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar, 888-317-7489
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 15550 Lightway Drive, Clearwater, Fla. 727-479-1700;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contract for Mixed-Use Office Building on Narcoossee Rd. in Southeast Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – The architectural firm of Cuhaci & Peterson, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, has started construction drawings for a mixed-use office building on Narcoossee and Moss Park Rds. in southeast Orlando.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC said the facility, which is being developed by Kissimmee-based Reich Properties, offers 23,000 square feet of office-retail space.

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For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142