ICI Homes Premiers New Model Home, 12 New Floor Plans Priced from $209,900 at Plantation Grove at Julington Creek in St. Johns County

JACKSONVILLE - ICI Homes has opened a new model home and introduced 12 new luxury floor plans priced from $209,900 at Plantation Grove, a gated luxury community located on Summerdown Way within Julington Creek Plantation, off Race Track Rd. and Flora Branch Blvd. in St. Johns County.

Don Wilford, North Florida division president of ICI Homes, said new single-family luxury homes in Plantation Grove at Julington Creek Plantation range in size from 1,850 square feet of living space to almost 2,800 square feet.

The new Groveton model home offers four bedrooms and three baths with an open floor plan that boasts 1,935 square feet of living space priced from $216,900.

Plantation Grove at Julington Creek Plantation features nature trails, bike trails, private fitness center, a community swimming pool and children's water world.
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For more information, contact: Sherrie Williams, Vice President Interior Design ICI Homes-Jacksonville, 904 652-2513; Don Wilford, Division President ICI Homes-Jacksonville, 904-652-2530

About ICI Homes: ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 privately owned homebuilders in the nation. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida negotiates eight year office lease for The Florida Bar in Tampa Airport Marriott Hotel

TAMPA – Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently negotiated an eight-year office lease of 8,746 square feet in the Tampa Airport Marriott Hotel at 4200 George Bean Parkway.

Mia Jarrell, managing director of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida in Tampa, and Anne Deason-Spencer, vice president of the firm’s office group, negotiated the transaction representing The Florida Bar. The landlord is Tampa-based Marriott Hotel Services, Inc.

The Florida Bar is an official agency of the Florida Supreme Court charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the 88,000 plus lawyers admitted to practice law in Florida. It is dedicated to promoting professionalism among its members and to advocating for access to affordable legal services and to the courts for all Floridians.
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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 which serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace. Visit www.commercialfl.com.

About Grubb & Ellis: Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE:GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,500 professionals in more than 100 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 its investment subsidiaries, 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), mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Crossman & Company Senior Associate Negotiates Seven New Retail Leases at Publix Shopping centers, more than 61,000 square feet in less than 60 days

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, recently negotiated seven new lease agreements at for a total of 61,450 square feet of retail space in less than 60 days.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, said senior associate Justin Greider negotiated all seven transactions on behalf of the landlord at Publix anchored centers in Orange, Seminole, Polk and Collier counties. All of the centers are part of the 10.4 million square foot Publix-owned shopping center portfolio handled by Crossman & Company.

At Imperial Lakes Plaza, 2040 Shepherd Rd. in Mulberry, Polk County, Joshua’s Diner leased 3,200 square feet and Dollar Shop leased 2,800 square feet;

Coast Dental leased 1,403 square feet at Plantation Square located at 5375 N. Socrum Loop Rd. in Lakeland;

Tri-Florida Pool Supply leased 1,247 square feet at the Publix in the Highlands shopping center located at 2125 E. C.R. 540A in Lakeland;

Passion Nail and Spa leased 1,200 square feet at Palm Springs Crossing, 482 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs. Michael Battey of CBRE Orlando represented the tenant;

Halloween Express subleased space in two retail centers commencing July 1 for the Halloween season (six months) – at Tarpon Springs Plaza, 2415 Tarpon Bay Blvd. in Naples, 21,600 square feet and 30,000 square feet at Colonial Marketplace, 2999A E. Colonial Drive in Orlando.
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For more information, 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

About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently, their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeastern US. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and services clients that include Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Crossman & Company Negotiates New Long term Lease Agreement for Restaurant Facility at Belle Isle Commons on S. Conway in Orlando

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, recently negotiated a new five-year lease agreement for 1,600 square feet of retail/restaurant space at 5174 S. Conway Rd. just south of CR 528 in Orlando.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, said associate Katherine Rush negotiated the lease agreement with Restaurant Realty LLC the new tenant, who plans to open a Quiznos Subs at Belle Isle Commons retail center.

Rush negotiated the agreement on behalf of the Landlord Belle Isle Commons, LLC.
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For more information contact: Katherine Rush, Associate, , 407-581-6232; krush@crossmanco.com; Molly Delahunty, Crossman & Company, 407-481-6220 mdelahunty@crossmanco.com; John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently, their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeastern US. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and services clients that include Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Ashton Woods Homes Names Kyle Upper Vice President of Land Acquisition in Orlando, Tampa

ORLANDO - Ashton Woods Homes has appointed Kyle Upper vice president of land acquisition in the Orlando and Tampa regions.

John Reny, president of Ashton Woods Homes in Orlando and Tampa, said Upper graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and has more than 20 years of experience.

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-Tampa 407-647-3700; John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes Orlando-Tampa 407-647-3700

Ashton Woods Homes to Start Presales of Town Homes Priced From $179,990 at Independence near Windermere

ORLANDO - Ashton Woods Homes will start presales of new town homes priced from 179,990 in July at Independence, located off Independence Parkway and Fiquette Rd. near Windermere in Winter Garden.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the homes builder plans to build 34 new town homes at Independence.
Three and four bedroom town homes at Independence will range in size from 1,807 square feet of living space to 2,049 square feet, with two-and-a-half baths, private courtyards and two-car garages.

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

Crossman & Company Negotiates New Retail Lease at Publix at University Walk Shopping Center in Sarasota

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, which ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast, recently negotiated a lease agreement for 1,800 square feet at the Publix at University Walk shopping center in Sarasota.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company said associate Ashley Thornburg negotiated the lease on behalf of the landlord.

The new tenant is Sniglet’s Pet Bakery.

“This tenant – two local entrepreneurs with an ingenious concept – helps bring an end to the current void in the market,” Thornburg said.

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For more information, contact: John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently, their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeastern US. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and services clients that include Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Vertical Construction is now underway on 53,351sf Avocet Hangar at Orlando Sanford International Airport

SANFORD - Vertical construction is now underway on the Avocet commercial aircraft hangar – the largest hangar building at Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Diane Crews, vice president of administration at Orlando Sanford International Airport, said the 53,351 square foot facility at 2551 Hellcat Lane will be completed by January 2011.

For more information, please contact:Diane Crews, VP of Administration, Sanford Airport Authority, 407-585-4010Larry Dale, President, Sanford Airport Authority; 407-585-4002

UCF Business Incubator-Sanford Welcomes City, County Officials to Open House Showcasing Expanded Facilities

SANFORD - The UCF Business Incubator-Sanford recently hosted local business leaders and city and county officials during an open house to showcase its newly expanded facilities at 110 W. First St. in Sanford.

Rafael Caamano, point of contact for the UCF Business Incubator-Sanford, said the facilities at the UCF Business Incubator-Sanford have grown from 3,800 square feet of office space to 5,700 square feet and is currently housing five client companies.

Caamano said the UCF Business Incubator-Sanford expects to add one more client company within the next two weeks, and with the expansion there is now available space for a couple more new companies.

The University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program operates eight business incubation sites at the UCF campus, Research Park and E. Colonial Drove in Orlando, as well as Sanford, Leesburg, Winter Springs, Kissimmee and St. Cloud.
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For more information, contact: Rafael Caamano, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-407-4297, rcaamano@mail.ucf.edu; Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business
Incubation Program 407-882-1577, ghogan@mail.ucf.edu;

About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies (including 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Lennar appoints three veteran sales associates to focus on new home sales in Active Adult Communities

TAMPA - Lennar’s Central Florida Division has appointed three veteran sales associates to focus on new home sales in two of Lennar’s active adult communities in the Tampa Bay region.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said new home sales associates Ken Webb, Harry Miklas and Jeff Hastings will concentrate on sales of new two and three-bedroom homes priced from the $120s at Cascades at Southern Hills in Brooksville and Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio in Pasco County.

Hastings earned his B.S. Degree in Architecture from Fairmont State University in West Virginia. He formerly served as regional director of purchasing for Kimball Hill Homes in Florida.

Miklas is a Florida licensed real estate broker who has more than 25 years of experience as a new home sales associate and sales manager. He also has general real estate experience and holds a Florida series 6 Insurance license.

Webb, who attended St. Petersburg College in Tarpon Springs, has more than 10 years of experience in new home sales with D.R. Horton, M/I Homes and US Home/Lennar.

Visit www.Lennar.com.

For more information, contact: Francine Miller, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar-Tampa Region, 727-479-1747; Francine.Miller@Lennar.com; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700

Rhodes+Brito Architects Completes Design Work for $7 Million First Phase of Florida Citrus Bowl Renovation

ORLANDO - Rhodes+Brito Architects of Orlando recently completed design work for the first phase of a major renovation of the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Ruffin Rhodes, co-founder and partner at Rhodes+Brito Architects, said the $7 million first phase of renovation work at the landmark 70,000-seat stadium will include the facility’s infrastructure and rest room facilities.

The facility, which opened in 1936 as the Orlando Stadium, accommodated a record crowd of 74,635 fans at WrestleMania XXIV in 2008.

Construction of Phase I of the renovations is underway, Rhodes said.

For more information, contact: Ruffin Rhodes, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 ruffin@rbarchitects.com; Maximiano Brito, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 max@rbarchitects.com

About Rhodes+Brito: Rhodes+Brito Architects, which opened in Orlando in 1996, currently employs a staff of 17, including seven registered architects. The firm served as lead architect for the Florida A&M University College of Law facility in downtown Orlando.

Mattamy Homes has only 14 Ready-to-Move-In Town Homes Remaining at Tuscany Place, and eight City Homes are underway at Baldwin Park

ORLANDO - Mattamy Homes has only 14 ready-to-move-in town homes remaining at Tuscany Place, located on Millennia Blvd. and Fiorazante Ave. near the Mall at Millennia in southwest Orlando.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes–US Group, said the 14 ready-to-move-in town homes at Tuscany Place are priced from the $160s, range from 1,500 square feet of living space to 1,700 square feet, and all have three bedrooms.

At Baldwin Park located off Corrine Drive and Bennett Road near downtown Orlando, eight city homes are under construction, Parker said, and they will be ready for occupancy in October. Three bedroom City Homes at Baldwin Park are priced from the $240s and start at 2,000 square feet, Parker added.

For more information, contact: Steve Parker, President Mattamy Homes, or Annette Hemphill 407-599-2228

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group: Mattamy Homes www.mattamyhomes.com expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Orlando, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Charlotte. The homebuilder, the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion, was ranked among the highest of all homebuilders in the greater Toronto and Ottawa areas in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey conducted by J.D. Power Associates.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease For 6,000sf at Central Florida Industrial Park in Sanford

MAITLAND - NAI Realvest recently negotiated a renewal lease agreement for 6,000 square feet of office/warehouse space in the Central Florida Industrial Park, 801 Central Park Drive in Sanford.

Michael Heidrich, principal at the firm, brokered the transaction working with both the landlord, Winter Park-based Selwo Investment Group, and the tenant, DHR Mechanical Services Orlando, Inc. d/b/a Shumate Mechanical, a Sanford-based mechanical service contractor.

For more information contact: Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

About NAI Realvest: NAI Realvest, covering 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 through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their 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.