Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Lennar Unveils New “Everything’s Included Homes”–Upgrades at no extra charge–in all Orlando and Space Coast area communities

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar has unveiled its “Everything’s Included Homes” with valuable upgrades and extras in each of its 23 Central Florida communities throughout Orange, Osceola, East Polk, Lake, Seminole and Brevard Counties.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said “Everything’s Included” means just that--- all appliances – refrigerator, range, microwave, washer and dryer, along with upgraded counters, cabinetry, crown moulding and even premium landscaping.

“In these economic times, homebuyers are doing everything they can to stretch their dollars,” Metheny said. “Lennar’s ‘Everything’s Included Homes’ afford homebuyers more upgrades and extras at no additional charge, along with record low pricing and interest rates,” he added.

Lennar sells single-family homes and town homes priced from under $100,000 to more than $300,000 in 23 communities in the Orlando and Space Coast regions, including active adult communities.

Visit www.Lennar.com.
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For more information contact: Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489; David Parker, Director of Sales Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700

Beazer Homes Starts Construction of New Townhomes Priced From $99,990 at FishHawk Ridge in Lithia

TAMPA, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has started construction of townhomes priced from $99,990 at the award-winning FishHawk Ranch, a gated, maintenance-free community located on Starling Crossing Drive in Lithia off Osprey Ridge Drive south of FishHawk Blvd.

Kareyann Rhodes, sales manager for the Tampa Division of Beazer Homes, said the first townhome building will open before the end of July. There will be a total of only 36 new townhomes available.

Rhodes said the first building includes two St. Croix floor plans with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 1,610 square feet priced from $119,990, and four St. Thomas floor plans with two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 1,208 square feet, priced at $99,990. The bedrooms in the St. Thomas are designed as two master suites with private baths and walk-in closets. All six townhomes will receive free upgrades.

Beazer Homes is also building one-story twin villas at Starling Villas at FishHawk Ranch that offer the convenience of maintenance-free living with a single-family home feel.

The Augusta and Barrington twin villa homes offer three bedrooms, two baths, and a two-car garage with an extended screened lanai.

The Augusta, priced from $182,990, offers 1,745 square feet of living space.

The Barrington offers 1,883 square feet of living space with a study or den priced from $192,990.

Rhodes said there are two twin villa homes at Starling at FishHawk Ranch that will be move-in ready for March, priced from $187,090 with a package of free upgrades, including stainless steel appliances, refrigerator and washer/dryer.

All new Beazer town homes and twin villas at FishHawk are built with Beazer’s eSMART features that include elements to increase energy and water efficiency and indoor air-quality.
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For more information contact: Kareyann Rhodes, Sales Manager, Beazer Homes/Tampa Division 813-663-9002 Krhodes@beazer.com; Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes/Florida 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com

Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Plot Unusual Path for 13-Story Expansion of Ramada Inn Lakefront on International Drive

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson plotted an unusual strategy for the expansion project at the Ramada Inn Lakefront on International Drive in Orlando.

A temporary lobby and check-in facility will accommodate guests at Ramada Inn Lakefront while the 117,000 square foot construction project, which includes a parking structure, gets underway in the hotel’s former parking lot.

Ramada Inn Lakefront is booked to accommodate record numbers of guests over the next several months while construction is under way, according to Jed Downs, president of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC.

When completed, the 13-story Ramada Inn Lakefront will accommodate 297 rooms, Downs said. Welbro Construction Company is the general contractor for the project.

Downs said the importance of hotel jobs and construction employment at the height of a busy tourist season helped make the decision easy to remain open for business while construction efforts are completed.

“The Ramada Inn Lakefront expansion is an important project for the local economy and we are proud and pleased to play an integral role,” Downs said.

The multi-million project, which includes the temporary lobby and check-in facilities, is one of the largest Cuhaci & Peterson Architects designed in 2010, a good year for the firm. Peterson said gross income for the firm in 2010 was up more than 13 percent over 2009.

For more information, contact: Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100; Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100

Mercantile Capital Corporation Names Three New Executives

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. --- Mercantile Capital Corp. in Altamonte Springs appointed three new executives recently.

Christopher Hurn, chief executive officer at Mercantile Capital Corporation, said he appointed Derek J. Housh as Loan Officer, who will focus on healthcare lending.

Housh earned his B.A. Degree in Economics from Ohio State University in 1999 and has more than 10 years of experience as a loan officer specializing in financing medical, dental, and veterinarian practices. Housh was formerly southeast regional manager for Bank of America Practice Solutions.

Hurn appointed Zenia Birdie as Closing Officer at the firm. Birdie earned her B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida recently with a specialization in marketing. She was formerly an intern for Mercantile Capital Corp. In her new role, Birdie will facilitate closings and work with borrowers.

Hurn appointed Stephen Robertson as Sales Associate. Robertson has more than six years of experience in financial service, including a position as a wholesale mortgage business account executive with J.P. Morgan Chase. Robertson plans to graduate from the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida in April with his MBA Degree.

“Mercantile Capital Corporation posted its best year ever in 2010, and we are expanding to accommodate growing demand for our services,” Hurn said.

The firm, which merged with Old Florida National Bank in Winter Park last year, specializes in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities.
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For more information about this press release, contact: Chris Hurn, Chief Executive Officer Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Longwood Marketing Company Selected to Participate in State-Funded Economic Gardening Program

LONGWOOD – Shoppers’ Critique International, a consumer intelligence marketing agency, has been selected to receive free technical assistance through the state-funded GrowFL program.

Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses the institute looks for ones that have the potential to be successful, but just need a little assistance to become a second-stage company, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“Shoppers’ Critique is an ideal candidate for the program. It is a qualified second-stage company that has shown it has the potential to reach the next level of success with GrowFL,” said O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

GrowFL will support Shoppers’ Critique through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, forums, database research and website optimization.

The Longwood-based company – which formerly was primarily a mystery shopping agency – was founded in 1994 in the kitchen of husband and wife owners, Bill and Susan Green. After merging with two other companies, Shoppers’ Critique International now has 35 employees, and offers its customers numerous ways to measure their own customer satisfaction, including on-site, Internet and telephone mystery shops, as well as web and telephone surveys, according to Chief Operating Officer Rich Bradley.

“We love the whole economic gardening concept,” Bradley said. “This assistance will help us get to the next level.”

Bradley said his company has already seen some benefits.

“They’ve already opened up other channels for us,” he said. “And, they also looked at our operation and gave us feedback that validated what we're doing. It may sound trite, but GrowFL really is a win, win situation for everyone.”
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About Shoppers Critique International: Shoppers’ Critique International is the largest consumer marketing/intelligence company based in Florida, the customer service capital of the world. With a heritage that includes long-term relationships with America’s top brands across multiple industries, Shoppers’ Critique measures the customer experience, delivering the highest quality, most credible information in a timely manner, as well as actionable solutions to maximize customer retention and revenue growth, providing clients with an unparalleled return on investment. For details, visit ShoppersCritique.com.

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute: The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

For more information about this release, please contact: Rich Bradley, chief operating officer, 407-834-3337, rbradley@shopperscritique.com; Linda Jennings Nelson, GrowFL Outreach Director 407-882-0046, linda@GrowFL.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Win Contract To Design Interior For Cupcake Crazy Store at Stoneybrook West Village in Winter Garden

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was selected to design the interior of the new Cupcake Crazy retail store at Stoneybrook West Village, located at Stoneybrook West Parkway in Winter Garden.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of the architectural firm, said the Cupcake Crazy story will occupy 1,800 square feet of retail space at Stoneybrook West.
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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

Lennar Offers Realtors 10 Percent Commissions on Sales of Ready-To-Move-In Vacation Homes at Paradise Palms in Kissimmee

ORLANDO, Fla. – Lennar is offering area Realtors and brokers a whopping 10 percent commission on sales of ready-to-move-in vacation homes in February at Paradise Palms, located in Kissimmee off U.S. 192 and Westside Blvd. east of U.S. 27.

David Parker, director of sales and marketing for Lennar in the Orlando region, said many of the new vacation homes at Paradise Palms come with swimming pools and full furnishings.

Located just eight minutes away from Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios, International Drive and dozens of Florida golf courses, Paradise Palms offers a full-service vacation resort environment, with concierge service, 24-hour manned security gate, 24-hour digital video surveillance security, and high-speed internet with wireless coverage at the pool or in the clubhouse.

The striking 9,500 square foot community clubhouse features a sauna, movie theatre, game room, internet lounge, basketball and volleyball courts, lighted tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style swimming pool with waterfall, grotto, spa, a slide, kid’s pool and a poolside tiki bar and grill.

New three, four and five-bedroom vacation homes at Paradise Palms are priced from the $200s.
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For more information, contact: David Parker, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar Central Florida-Orlando Region, or Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar Central Florida-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida Division, 727-479-1700; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mattamy Homes to offer two model homes in February at Lake Nona Preserve, 40 town homes planned in first phase

ORLANDO - Mattamy Homes will start construction on two model town homes this month (February) at Lake Nona Preserve, located on Narcoossee Road in southeast Orlando.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, a division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, said Mattamy plans to build 40 new town homes in the first phase at Lake Nona Preserve.

Three-bedroom town homes at Lake Nona Preserve range in size from 1,500 square feet of living space to 1,700 square feet with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and one and two-car garages. Town homes will be priced from the $150s, Parker said.
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For more information, contact: Steve Parker, President Mattamy Homes U.S. Group 407-599-9994; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

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.

Stoneybrook West Golf Club renovates bunkers to the tune of $50,000

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden recently completed a $50,000 renovation of its bunkers.

Gene Garrote, president and principal of Celebration Golf Management, Inc., which manages and owns Stoneybrook West Golf Club, said the renovation project included all 18 holes at Stoneybrook West.
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For media information, contact: Gene Garrote, President, Celebration Golf Management, 407-566-1045

Winston-James Development Negotiates Lease Agreements for Commercial Space in South Daytona, Oviedo

SOUTH DAYTONA - Winston-James Development, Inc., which developed the Beville Road Business Park in South Daytona and the Aloma Commerce Center in Oviedo, recently negotiated new lease agreements at both centers.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, said Iron Beast, LLC leased 1,000 square feet of office space at the Beville Road Business Park on Beville Rd. at S.R. 5A in South Daytona. The tenant is a promotional firm that markets tee-shirts and other items for various national motorcycle events and world famous Daytona Beach Bike Week.

At the same time, Schwartz said Winston-James Development leased 950 square feet of industrial space at Aloma Commerce Center on Wrights Rd. off Aloma Ave. and S.R. 417 in Oviedo to J.I.R. Services, Inc. an electrical subcontracting company.
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For more information, contact:Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555; James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555; Charles N. Kasza, Vice President Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services Launches Web Site to Assist Commercial Property Owners, Managers Maximize Revenues

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services, the St. Petersburg firm that works with commercial property owners, developers and management firms to maximize revenues and streamline development and construction practices, has launched a new web site at www.weinplusassociates.com to teach real estate professionals how to prosper in a recessionary economy.

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, principal of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services, said she designed the web site as an introduction to her professional services and a lesson plan for forward-thinking real estate professionals.

“The commercial real estate industry is recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression,” Wein explained. “A new generation of real estate professionals---owners, developers and property managers---is emerging that recognize the need to adapt their business model to create opportunities in a new economy,” she said. “We expect to play a large role in this evolution.”

Wein, former development manager with The Sembler Company in St. Petersburg and a Senior Associate with Ernst & Young’s Construction and Real Estate Advisory Services practice in Philadelphia, earned degrees from the University of Florida: Master’s degrees in Architecture and Real Estate and a Bachelor’s degree of Design.

Her experience providing advisory services to numerous Fortune 500 companies includes more than $40 billion in real estate transactions and $2 billion in construction projects.
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For more information, contact: Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, Founder / Principal, WeinPlus, 727-386-9346, www.weinplusassociates.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Dr. Tom O’Neal Named National Business Incubation Assn. Secretary, Executive Board Member

ORLANDO – Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program was recently appointed secretary for the National Business Incubation Association, the business incubation industry’s leading U.S. trade association.

Dr. O’Neal was also appointed to the 25-year-old association’s executive board.

Since launching the UCF Business Incubation program at the University’s east Orlando campus in 1999, the program has expanded to include incubator sites in Orlando, Sanford, Winter Springs, Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Leesburg, and plans to open a new site at the Daytona Beach International Airport in May.

Dr. O’Neal has said that business incubation is a fast-growing tool to develop local economies that will accelerate their growth and job creation.

Currently, The UCF Business Incubation Program serves close to 100 client companies and ranks as one of the largest incubation programs in the U.S.

Since its launch the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 150 client company startups, Dr. O’Neal said.
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For more information contact: Dr. Thomas D. O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program and Vice President of the UCF Department of Research and Commercialization, 407-882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including nearly 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 – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business 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, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.