Tuesday, August 30, 2011

ICI Homes’ Valverde Model Home at Plantation Bay Selected as Showcase Home for 2012 Volusia Home Builders Association’s Parade of Homes

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes’ Valverde model home at Plantation Bay has been honored as the “Showcase Home” for the 2012 Volusia Home Builders Association’s Parade of Homes scheduled from March 24 through April 8 next year.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, said the Valverde model home offers a one-story design with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in more than 3,000 square feet of living space.

The ValVerde model home takes advantage of an open floor plan and features a grand foyer and gallery, a huge kitchen that’s designed and equipped for entertaining, a spacious great room, and a special master suite with many designer touches, Messina said.

The Showcase Home is a special feature of the annual Parade of Homes.

ICI Homes will build the 2012 Parade of Homes Showcase Home at Woodbridge Estates at Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club in Ormond Beach.

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

For information www.icihomes.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease Renewal at Oviedo Commerce Center

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a lease renewal agreement for 9,600 square feet of industrial space at 2462 West S.R. 426, in Oviedo.

George Viele, associate at the firm, brokered the transaction representing the Landlord, Oviedo Commerce Center, LLC based in Altamonte Springs.

The tenant is Oviedo-based Damage Control, Inc. who renewed its lease of Suites 1030, 1032 and 1034 in the Oviedo Commerce Center.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, 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 350 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.


Tolaris Realty Group Reports 70 Percent Increase in Housing Sales During First Half of 2011, with a Big Uplift

LAKE FOREST, Fla. --- Tolaris Realty Group, which sells luxury homes throughout Central Florida, reports its sales so far in 2011 are up 70 percent over the same period last year.

Rick Bavec, principal and managing director of Tolaris Realty Group, said Tolaris sold over 30 properties from Jan. 1 through July 31.

Bavec said cash sales dominated the market at the start of the year but lately mortgaged sales have taken the lead.

“I’ll take the optimistic view. I see it as a sign of stabilization in Central Florida’s housing market,” Bavec said.

“It means families are coming back in, that’s healthier for neighborhoods and communities, and that drives the housing market,” he said.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Participate in Grand Opening of Newly Remodeled Winn-Dixie Supermarket in Apopka

ORLANDO, Fla – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, participated in the grand opening of the transformation project at Winn Dixie supermarket on U.S. 441 in Apopka.

The 45,000 square foot Winn Dixie supermarket recently held grand opening ceremonies for the facility that was redesigned by the Baldwin Park architectural firm, Lonnie Peterson, chairman said.

Only Two Penthouse Units Remain for Lease at Emerson Plaza Tower II in Altamonte Springs

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. --- Only two penthouse units remain for lease at Emerson Plaza Tower II, the 12 story luxury condominium tower Emerson International developed and opened early last year at 383 Emerson Plaza, Altamonte Springs overlooking Crane’s Roost Lake in Altamonte Springs.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said the two 3,400 square foot luxury condominium units lease for $4,000 per month.

Three of the penthouse units in Emerson Tower I have also been leased and the tower is completely leased out, Emerson said.

The gated community offers a secure parking garage, elevators with controlled access, a recreation center, and a fitness center with heated pool and spa. All residences are equipped with granite counters and G.E. stainless steel appliances.

About Emerson International
Emerson International is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Emerson Group, the global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies in the U. K.

Palm Beach County Engineering Firm to Receive Free Technical Assistance from State’s GrowFL Economic Gardening Program

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. – RADISE International – a 14-year-old, full-service Geotechnical engineering and Software Development firm – recently was selected to participate in the state-funded GrowFL program, part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

Founded in 1997 by President Kumar A. Allady and Vice President Vishalaxmi Allady, RADISE is on active status with the state’s board of professional engineers to operate a geotechnical professional engineering, construction inspection, and materials testing and threshold inspection business. RADISE also provides custom software development and GIS Consulting services to clients utilizing onsite and offsite personnel as best meets the client’s needs.

“With help from GrowFL we have access to services that include help with publications, potential client listings, and networking with industry peers,” Kumar Allady said.

Created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature, the GrowFL program is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses to participate, members of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute looks for companies that have growth potential, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“RADISE is ideal for the program as it is a well-respected, professional company that has the potential for growth,” said Dr. O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

Allady said the company currently has 22 employees, but is expected to expand throughout the state with GrowFL’s assistance in the form of market research and technology, strategy analysis, CEO roundtables and forums, database research and website optimization.

“We focus on solving challenges and we’ve built a reputation as a firm that delivers on time, on budget and on target,” Allady said. “Our affiliation with GrowFL will provide us with more visibility and publicity as we expand our business throughout Florida.”

About RADISE International:
RADISE International LC – one of the leading laboratory facilities in the state – is a full-service professional geotechnical engineering, construction inspection and materials testing firm. RADISE is certified by the CMEC [Construction Materials Engineering Council] and the AMRL [AASHTO Material Reference Laboratory], approved by the Florida Department of Transportation, and validated by the Army Corps of Engineers. For more information about RADISE, visit www.radise.net.

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.


Mydea Technologies in Orlando Plays Leading Role in 3D Printing Industry

ORLANDO, Fla., --- Mydea Technologies, the eight-year old Orlando company headed by former Disney Imagineer Michael Siemer, is playing a leading role in the Additive Manufacturing industry. Additive Manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is an important new field that seems more science fiction than fact as it generates exciting, new opportunities in industry.

Mydea recently acquired the MakerBot, a sophisticated one-of-a-kind printer designed by RepRap, an open source community project that allowed contributions from many different participating companies and scientists.

The MakerBot, Mydea’s seventh in-house 3D printing machine, is essentially a digital ink jet printer conceptually similar to those on the desktops of many U.S. homes. However, the MakerBot’s “ink” is a melted plastic compound that hardens as it cools. By printing successive layers, the MakerBot gradually creates a 3D prototype.

The MakerBot was recently featured on the Colbert Report, a popular Comedy Central show with host Stephen Colbert. As the show aired, the MakerBot created a three-dimensional model of Colbert’s face.

“The impact on different business segments with additive manufacturing is enormous,” Siemer said. “It’s beginning to significantly impact production for medical, aerospace, arts and jewelry, and several other industries,” he said.

Siemer said MakerBot has some advantaged over other 3D printers.

“The MakerBot is portable, fully customizable, and it can print in glow-in-the-dark colors that are easier to identify within a prototype component,” said Siemer. “We can bring the MakerBot to client company offices, trade shows and conferences to show off its capabilities firsthand,” Siemer said.

Mydea Technologies specializes in the rapid manufacture of prototype components for a wide range of technology enterprises. To view a video of Siemer and product demonstration, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/facesoftechnology#p/a/u/0/fSAQEW0r7ZQ.

Mydea is a client of the UCF Business Incubation Program at Central Florida Research Park in east Orange County.

About Mydea Technologies:
Mydea is like a 3DKinkos. Mydea helps both companies and individuals quickly design, customize and produce new product creations using the latest 3D Computer-Aided Design, 3D Printing and Direct Digital Manufacturing technologies. Mydea Technologies was incorporated in July 2003 with a mission to assist companies and individuals in all aspects of product development including design and engineering, 3D modeling, rapid prototyping and production. The company is committed to researching and utilizing the newest innovations and technology for rapid product development. Mydea Technologies is located in the Central Florida Research Park in Orlando, Fla. For more information, visit www.mydeatechnologies.com.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Two Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Agents Close on Sales of Six Homes in Volusia County that total more than $3.1 million

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Two Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty agents recently closed on six luxury home sales in the last 90 days in Volusia County that brought sellers a total of more than $3.1 million with an average sale price of $520,000.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said International Luxury Home Specialists Rachel McGrath and Debbie Keilin negotiated the sales in Port Orange, Ponce Inlet and Daytona Beach Shores.

The largest of the homes, a luxury home on the Intercoastal Waterway at 4044 Peninsula Drive in Ponce Inlet, sold for $767,668 after just 49 days on the market, Soderstrom said.

To market the home, McGrath and Keilin hosted an invitation only “Margaritaville” themed open house for area brokers, Soderstrom said.

Four of the homes are located at Spruce Creek Fly-in, the unique gated luxury community that includes airplane hangers and taxiways through the neighborhood.

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty:
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.