Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contract to Design Remodel of Hannaford Supermarket in Hudson, N.H.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park was recently awarded a contract to design the exterior and interior renovations of a Hannaford Supermarket.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the 35,000 square foot facility is located in Hudson, N.H., a bedroom community of the metropolitan Manchester area.

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

Mattamy Homes Offers Five-Year Deferred CDD Fees at Sevilla in St. Augustine

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, is offering a five-year deferral on Homeowner Association CDD fees on selected lots and inventory at Sevilla, located in the World Golf Village off World Commerce Parkway and International Golf Parkway in St. Augustine.

Dennis Ginder, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group in Jacksonville, said monthly CDD fees, which pay for maintenance and upkeep of amenities including the community swimming pool, clubhouse and children’s water feature, basketball court and children’s playground, can add up to as much as $150.

“We are pleased that we can offer this incentive to help keep our customer’s monthly expenses low,” Ginder said.

New single-family homes at Sevilla priced from the $150s range in size from 1,450 square feet of living space to 2,960 square feet.

Only 41 home sites remain for sale at Sevilla and most offer conservation area or lake views.

For more information, contact:
Kerry Soltis, Marketing Manager, Mattamy Homes-Jacksonville 904-279-9502
Dennis Ginder, Division President Mattamy Homes-Jacksonville 904-279-9500
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About Mattamy Homes:
Mattamy Homes expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and has divisions in Jacksonville, Orlando, Charlotte, Phoenix and Minneapolis. The homebuilder is the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com.

Emerson International starts Preleasing of Emerson Plaza II overlooking Crane’s Roost, Emerson Plaza I fully occupied

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. --- Emerson International has started preleasing of luxury apartment homes at Emerson Plaza II, one of two 12-story luxury residential towers overlooking Cranes Roost Park at Center Pointe on the Park in Altamonte Springs.

Eric Emerson, vice president of Emerson International, said Emerson Plaza I is fully occupied.

One, two, three and four-bedroom luxury apartment homes in Emerson Plaza II will lease from $1,200 per month, Emerson said. Altogether, 64 luxury residents are available for lease.

The Twin Towers at Emerson Plaza ranks as one of Central Florida's most prestigious new, gated master-planned communities and is being developed by Emerson International Inc., a member of The Emerson Group a global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies in the U.K.

For more information contact:
Eric J. Emerson, Vice President / General Manager Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560; ejemerson@emerson-us.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Lennar Expecting Hundreds of Visitors during Holiday Festival of Lights at Stoneybrook at Venice and Bella Terra Estates in Estero

FORT MYERS, Fla. --- Lennar, Florida’s largest home builder, and residents of Stoneybrook at Venice and Bella Terra Estates in Estero, expect visitors by the hundreds during the Holiday Festival of Lights Dec. 18 and 19.

Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said Lennar is teaming up with home owners at both communities to create magical neighborhoods of lighted displays to celebrate the traditional Christmas holiday.

“Our residents are very excited about the Festival of Lights and many of them are competing for prizes for the most creatively-lit homes,” Devereaux explained. “It will be something to see, that’s for sure,” he said.

Lennar is participating in a big way---festooning the community’s gated entrances, city streets and Lennar’s Welcome Home Centers to the max for the duration of the holidays.

The gates will be open until 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday nights to accommodate the expected crowds, Devereaux said.

Santa Claus will be on hand to greet families at the Welcome Home Centers and Lennar is providing free photos with Santa for the kids.

“This is our way of giving back to the community,” Devereaux said. “We’ll be happy if everyone in the Venice and Estero areas comes for a visit,” he said.

Stoneybrook at Venice is located South of Venice Farm Rd. on N. River Rd. in Venice.
Bella Terra Estates in Estero is located south of Corkscrew Rd. approximately 2.5 miles east of I-75.

For more information, contact:
Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales, Lennar-Southwest Florida 239-278-1177
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mattamy Homes starts construction of new Innovations Series model home at Covenant Cove near Jacksonville Beach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, recently started construction of a new Innovation Series model home that is sure to draw lots of attention at Covenant Cove, located off Beach Blvd. minutes from Jacksonville Beach.

Dennis Ginder, division president of Mattamy Homes in the Jacksonville region, said the new two story Innovation Series Plan 5 model home at Covenant Cove is one of seven new designs by Mattamy’s architects in Canada and based on results of extensive consumer research in northeast Florida

“We conducted extensive surveys of new home buyers to find their most desirable preferences,” Ginder explained.

The Innovation Series Plan 5 model home features a massive back yard. — the number one important feature home buyers said they want in a new home. Plan 5 also boasts a unique split two-car garage and is the model that so far is drawing the most interest among homebuyers since the new series was introduced this fall, Ginder said.

“Once we open the new Innovation Series Plan 5 model home we expect a big jump in the number of visitors at Covenant Cove, Ginder said.

“Mattamy’s Innovation Series Plan 5 model home at Covenant Cove features 2,514 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and an oversized second level loft with option as a fourth bedroom with a third full bath, all priced from the mid-$200s.

Mattamy currently has more than 40 homesites remaining with 60-foot widths at Covenant Cove for new three and four bedroom, one or two-story single family homes.

For more information contact:
Kerry Soltis, Marketing Manager, Mattamy Homes-Jacksonville 904-279-9502
Dennis Ginder, Division President Mattamy Homes-Jacksonville 904-279-9500
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About Mattamy Homes:
Mattamy Homes expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and has divisions in Jacksonville, Orlando, Charlotte, Phoenix and Minneapolis. The homebuilder is the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com.

Scheduled Auction of the Plaza's entire 10th Floor Cancelled by Legal Counsel in Bankruptcy Proceedings

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 18, 2009.... Worldwide Auction Realty Services’ auction of the entire 61,545 square foot 10th Floor of the Plaza on Orange Ave. and Church St. in downtown Orlando scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 has been cancelled.

In a prepared statement, Jon Chipps, managing director for Worldwide Auction Realty Services said his firm was informed by the legal counsel for Plaza LLC, Elizabeth Green, that the United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida granted a continuance to parties involved in the Plaza LLC bankruptcy. Green confirmed that the Plaza creditors did not approve the debtor’s reorganization plan and as such, a new hearing date was scheduled for Jan. 18, 2010.

Chipps said Green’s announcement was unforeseen and that the auction had been approved by Plaza LLC managing member, Cameron Kuhn.

Chipps added that the Worldwide Auction Realty Services team had made a considerable investment in facilitating the auction and that he was very disappointed that the parties were unable to reach an agreement.

Chipps also expressed his apologies to any potential auction buyers that had invested their time in preparing to purchase at the auction.

For more information, contact,
Jon or Lori Chipps, Worldwide Auction Realty Services, 800 327-104
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407 644-4142

Volume of Distressed Commercial Properties to Increase in 2010 as Lenders Respond Lethargically, Says Leading Broker


ORLANDO, Fla. --- The volume of distressed commercial properties---offices, retail buildings and industrial properties in danger of foreclosure---will likely increase substantially in 2010, says Jeffrey Sweeney, SIOR, president or Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, one of the state’s largest commercial property companies with offices in Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne and associated with 130 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide.
“Lenders have developed the internal processes to deal with distressed properties and are now ready to deal with them,” Sweeney said.
“Regulators have put significant pressure on banks to shed underperforming loans, and the real estate downturn has depressed the loan value of many commercial property assets,” Sweeney said. “Property sales volume will increase in 2010 but prices will be depressed,” he said.
The situation is a mixed blessing for commercial property companies, Sweeney said. Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida projects its brokerage business will grow by 10 percent or more next year due primarily to distressed property sales.
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 Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa 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 http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.
Contacts:
Jeff Sweeney, SIOR 407-481-5387 315 E. Robinson St. Suite 555 Orlando, FL 32801
Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Kolter Homes Starts Construction of 10 Luxury Townhomes at Grande Oaks at Heathrow

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- Kolter Homes has started construction of 10 luxury townhomes in the Oak Building at Grande Oaks at Heathrow.

Steven Bovio, senior project director for Kolter Homes at Grande Oaks at Heathrow, said four-bedroom townhomes in the Oak Building will range from 2,387 square feet of living space and are priced from $279,900.

Kolter Homes recently topped out the Evergreen Building at Grande Oaks at Heathrow with six two and three bedroom luxury townhomes ranging from 1,926 square feet and priced from $259,900.

Luxury townhomes in the Evergreen Building will be ready in late December.

The new four-bedroom townhomes in the Oak Building are expected to be completed in late February.

Both buildings are elevator ready, Bovio said.

Located at the corner of CR 46A and Orange Blvd. in Lake Mary, Grande Oaks at Heathrow (www.KolterGrandeOaks.com) features its own private lakefront recreation center with fitness area, meeting rooms, kitchen, swimming pool and spa with deck area and a tot lot.

The Grande Oaks at Heathrow sales and preview center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and Sunday Noon to 6 at 1450 Lake George Drive. From I-4 go west on H.E. Thomas, Jr. Pkwy. (CR 46A) to the community entrance just past International Parkway. For information, call 407-829-8961.

For more information contact:
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Steven V. Bovio, Senior Project Manager, Kolter Homes/Orlando 407-333-1733 sbovio@kolter.com

About Kolter Homes:Kolter Homes is part of the Kolter Group, a private investment firm focusing on real estate development, investment and construction. Kolter Homes brings more than a decade of experience in Florida homebuilding to each of its communities in Orlando, South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Visit www.KolterHomes.com for additional information.

Recession Generating Big Changes in Retail Property Strategies, but Classic Values, Conservative Approach is Winning


ORLANDO, Fla. --- All economic cycles help generate evolutionary changes in the way people buy and sell things and the current national economic recession may be responsible for more than its share, according to one longtime retail analyst.
John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, said that despite a number of new trends, the most successful retailers today embrace core conservative values.
“Look at a chain retailer like Publix,” Crossman said. “Publix stock is up. They are doing deals---opening new stores and redeveloping old ones in down a market when some of their competitors are closing stores. They have weathered the storm and they will grow their market share because they developed a classic conservative strategy to the recession,” Crossman said.
Other retailers are taking a more progressive approach to practical necessities.
“One of the hottest trends in retail leasing right now is short-term leases,” Crossman said.
Historically, retail spaces have been leased in five and 10-year terms.
“Recently, we’ve seen three-year, one-year, and even month-to-month lease terms, and ‘temporary tenant’ who need space for 30 days for a big event or a seasonal sales campaign.” Crossman said. “We’re seeing a lot of that for the upcoming holiday season.”
Crossman said such short-term tenants create activity, traffic and energy at a retail center or mall, and that helps other tenants.
But some property owners aren’t so sure.
“Some people see the negative, and assume that more tenant rollover will shadow a retail center’s image,” Crossman said, “but that’s a misnomer. Fifth Avenue in New York has plenty of rollover tenants, and Fifth Avenue is still the number one retail destination in the world,” he said.
For more information, contact:
John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com
Justin Greider, Senior Associate, Crossman & Company/ICSC Florida Next Generation Chair, 407-581- 6225; jgreider@crossmanco.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com
About Crossman & Company:
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit http://www.crossmanco.com/, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Lennar offers to double your tax credit now through Dec. 31 in Four Lennar communities in Southwest Florida

FORT MYERS, Fla. --- Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division has announced it will double the U.S. Federal Tax Credit available to qualified new home buyers through Dec. 31 on the purchase of any new home in four Lennar communities in Southwest Florida.

Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the $8,000 Federal tax credit is available to first time home buyers through next April and a new $6,500 tax credit is now available to home buyers who already own homes.

“Lennar will double the tax credit and new home buyers can apply the savings to their down payment, to their closing costs, to upgrade on their new homes or pocket the cash,” Devereaux said.

The offer is good through the end of the year at all of Lennar Southwest’s communities, including:

Bella Terra in Estero, where Lennar builds Villa homes priced from the high $100s, Manor homes priced from the high $200s, Executive homes priced from the $200s, and Estate homes priced from the mid $300s;

Heritage Bay in Naples, where Lennar builds town homes priced from the low $100s, Terrace condominiums priced from the high $100s, Coach homes priced from the high $200s, Verandas priced from the low $200s, Executive homes priced from the high $400s and Classic homes priced from the $500s;

Stoneybrook at Venice, where Lennar builds Inaugural homes priced from the mid $100s and Manor homes priced from the low $200s;

River Strand at Heritage Harbour in Bradenton, where Lennar builds Terrace condominiums priced from the mid $100s, Coach homes from the low $200s, Manor homes from the mid $200s, and Classic homes from the mid $300s.

For more information, contact:
Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales, Lennar-Southwest Florida 239-278-1177
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mattamy Homes U.S. Group Reports Sales of Eight New Homes at Heritage Park in Woodbury

BURNSVILLE, Minn. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, www.mattamyhomes.com the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, reported it has sold eight new homes over the past 60 days at Heritage Park in Woodbury, located off Lake Rd. and Independence Way south of Valley Creek Rd. in Woodbury.

Jennifer Anderson, marketing manager for Mattamy Homes in Minnesota, said Mattamy Homes launched its new Classic series of model homes during the Parade of Homes in mid-September with the Yorkshire model home, priced from $269,990 with three bedrooms, a loft and an open floor plan, formal living room, upgraded kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, granite counters and a spacious dinette.

"We have sold four new Classic Series homes, the majority of which are the Yorkshire floor plan,” Anderson said.

Mattamy Homes recently started construction of a ready-to-move-in single family home priced from the high $200s and six ready-to-move-in three bedroom, three bath town homes priced from the high $100s at Heritage Park.

Anderson said the Oxford II will be ready in December. The two-story Traditional design, single-family home with four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, 2,129 square feet of living space and a three-car garage is situated on a look-out home site with unfinished basement on ground level.

Town homes range from 1,680 to 1,876 square feet of living area, plus two-car garages.
Only 70 single-family home sites and 20 town home sites remain to be sold at Heritage Park, Anderson said.

For more information contact:
Jennifer Anderson, Marketing Manager, Mattamy Homes-Minnesota 952-898-6131; Jennifer.Anderson@mattamyhomes.com

Steve Parker, President Mattamy Homes US Group 407-599-9994; Steve.Parker@mattamyhomes.com

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

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group:
Mattamy Homes U.S. Group builds single-family homes priced from the high $100s in the Twin Cities area. The Canadian based homebuilder, with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion, operates US home building divisions in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Charlotte, Jacksonville and Orlando. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com.

Crossman & Company Announces Long Term Lease at Orlando Fashion Square with Barnie’s Coffee

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Orlando Fashion Square has added another tenant to their lineup. Barnie’s Coffee will be opening in the mall in time for the Holiday season this month [November].

John Crossman, President of Crossman & Company said the owner and landlord Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) leased the space to Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Co., a 1,288 SF space near the center of the mall.

Crossman & Company serves as exclusive local leasing representatives at Orlando Fashion Square mall on Colonial Drive and Maguire Blvd. in Orlando.

* * *

For more information please contact
Justin Greider, Senior Associate, Crossman & Company/ICSC Florida Next Generation Chair, 407-581-6225; jgreider@crossmanco.com

John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

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

About Crossman & Company:
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Paul P. Partyka, Real Estate Executive, Former Winter Springs Mayor to Announce Candidacy for U.S. Congress, will challenge Suzanne Kosmas


WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. --- Former Winter Springs Mayor Paul P. Partyka is expected to announce his candidacy for U.S. Congress District 24 during a luncheon meeting of the Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce starting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Tuscawilla Country Club, 1500 Winter Springs Blvd., Winter Springs, Fla. 32708. Partyka will run against Suzanne Kosmas in the Democratic Primary.

CONTACT:Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142