Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty negotiates $1.8 Million Sale of Vacant Downtown Orlando site

ORLANDO, Fla., -- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently negotiated a sale of the vacant site at 901 North Magnolia Ave. on the corner of Marks Street and Magnolia Ave. in downtown Orlando for $1,800,000.00. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said John Kurtz, Commercial Marketing Specialist for the firm, brokered the transaction representing the seller, Wescar Magnolia, LLC of Lake Mary. The buyer of the 0.72 acres is SOTEN Enterprises, LLC, an affiliate of one of the largest high-rise developers in Brazil. Zoning of the property allows for office or retail use and up to 200 residential units. Kurtz said this is the Brazilian developer’s first project in Central Florida. “The uptown district is undergoing a flurry of commercial and residential development, and I believe we’ve found a great developer to add to the Downtown Orlando Skyline through our global marketing efforts,” Kurtz said.

Celebration Golf’s Fairways for Warriors Honors Wounded Veterans with Record Turnout at Eagle Creek Golf Tournament

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Forty-eight military service veterans made up the core of the 126 golfers who took to the links at Eagle Creek Golf Club in southeast Orlando recently for a golf tournament to celebrate the Fairways for Warriors program, which offers special privileges to wounded military veterans who take up golf. Scottish PGA Professional Kenny Nairn, co-owner and chief operating officer of Celebration Golf Management, said the turnout was the best ever for the Fairways for Warriors program. “We would not be able to do this without our sponsors and volunteers and it is truly a pleasure to host these tournaments,” Nairn said. President of Fairways for Warriors Tom Underdown said he received a note following the tournament from a veteran and beginner golfer who said the Fairways for Warriors program has affected him personally. “It has made a great impact in my life in such short time, not just getting me out of my comfort zone but also showing me that I'm not alone and that the fight that I still have and fire that that still persist in me can finally lay at rest and in peace,” the wounded warrior said.

The Partyka Group at NAI Realvest negotiates $2.1 Million Sale of International Drive Retail Building

ORLANDO, Fla., -- Paul P. Partyka and Juan Jimenez of the Partyka Group at NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of a 10,700 square foot free-standing retail building for $2,100,000.00. Specializing in Orlando’s International Drive tourist corridor, The Partyka Group sold the property known as the Hawaiian Plaza, located at 9901 Hawaiian Court. The property is across from the Orlando convention center, one of the nation’s most active and it’s surrounded by six hotels within walking distance. “The buyer obtained a great investment opportunity given the low inventory and high demand for prime real estate along International Drive,” Partyka said. Partyka and Jimenez represented the seller Pinnacle Bank, of Orange City. The buyer, Windermere-based VB Chocolate LLC purchased the building to expand its business – The Chocolate Factory – which has eight other locations in the U.S. Vincent Wolle of Results Real Estate Partners represented the buyer.

New Four-Bedroom model home at Claridge Townhomes at Meadow Pointe Showcases Lennar’s Open Plan design in a New Light

Tampa, Fla. --- The new model home at Lennar’s Claridge Townhomes at Meadow Pointe just north of New Tampa is a showcase of the open plan design in an efficient family townhome with four bedrooms. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said 88 new town homes are planned at Claridge Townhomes at Meadow Pointe that range from 1,178 square feet of living area to 1,612 square feet. Priced from the $130s--complete with Lennar’s popular “Everything’s Included” pledge--Claridge Townhomes at Meadow Pointe may offer the very best family home value in Central Florida, Metheny said. But it’s Lennar’s open plan design that grabs the attention. Start with the Nottingham model. It’s unique first floor entry porch and foyer doesn’t feel anything like your typical townhome. The front door opens into transitional family space---a foyer, the family and dining rooms served by the wraparound kitchen, an adjoining café, and a closet to serve a busy family coming home from school, work or shopping---or dashing out the door. The dining room expands into the huge family room with a covered lanai beyond that totaling 300 square feet for family gatherings or parties with friends. One bedroom located just off the kitchen downstairs will seem perfect for a teenager, or even more perfect as a quiet den, hobby room or office. Upstairs, a large master suite and private bath is located at one end for privacy with two adjoining bedrooms and their shared bath at the other. A passageway with utility closets, a washer and dryer present the perfect buffer between parental private space and children’s bedrooms. The Nottingham model is priced from $169,990. The affordable pricing comes with Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge that offers a selection of upgrades such as crown molding, granite countertops, wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and a highly rated energy efficiency package all for the one Lennar Homes price. Claridge Town Homes at Meadow Pointe is conveniently located within minutes of The Shops at Wiregrass and Florida Hospital, and homeowners have access to three Meadow Pointe amenity centers. Meadow Pointe, an 1,800-acre designated CDD with several hundred acres of nature preserve, includes an array of amenities including swimming pools, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, playgrounds, nature trails and bike paths. Visit www.LennarTampa.com .

“Train the Trainer” program slated Dec. 9-10 hosted by Total Alignment Partners

Winter Springs, Fla. --- Total Alignment Partners, based in Winter Springs, will host a special “Train the Trainer” seminar Dec. 9-10 at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator at 1511 E. S.R. 434 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Price of the program, which includes two full days of classroom live training, all materials and intellectual property copyrights provided for the company trainer’s use, is $1,795, according to Belinda MJ Brown, chief operating officer at Total Alignment Partners. Participants who complete the program will be given a DISC and Motivators Practitioner Certificate from Total Alignment Partners, including tools to deliver their own workshops. For information on the program, contact Brown at 321-300-4898 or at Belinda@totalalignmentpartners.com. Total Alignment Partners is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at 1511 E. S.R. 434 in Winter Springs.

Ashton Woods Homes Opens Waterside at Indian Shores on the Gulf in Indian Shores Beach, Two Furnished Models Ready for Viewing

TAMPA, Fla. – Ashton Woods Homes recently opened Waterside at Indian Shores, a unique new community with four-story townhomes located on Gulf Blvd. in Indian Shores Beach. Michael Roche, vice president of sales, said Ashton Woods Homes is building 54 townhomes at Waterside at Indian Shores featuring three bedrooms, with two, three and three-and-a-half baths in four distinct floor plans. All townhomes come standard as four-story with elevators, and offer rooftop balconies with water views. Roche said the luxury townhomes at Waterside at Indian Shores range from approximately 2,123 square feet to 2,378 square feet of living space and are priced starting from $579,990. Waterside at Indian Shores will also have 17 docks available for purchase that will provide access to the intracoastal waterway. Two furnished and decorated models are now open and ready for viewing – the 2,378 square foot Schooner model with three bedrooms, bonus room and three-and-a-half baths and the Skipjack with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths in 2,123 square feet of living area. Visit www.ashtonwoodshomes.com

Oceans Luxury Realty to acquire Harbor Village Realty

Daytona Beach Shores, Fla. -- Oceans Luxury Realty, the Daytona Beach Shores firm that focuses on management and sales of luxury oceanfront resort homes and condominiums in Volusia County, will acquire Harbor Village Realty in Daytona Beach Shores in January. Crystal Anderson, president of Oceans Luxury Realty, said Harbor Village Realty currently manages more than 150 properties in the Volusia area and has 10 employees. Anderson said most of those workers will relocate to Oceans Luxury Realty’s property management office at 2040 S. Atlantic Avenue. Others will join the firm’s real estate sales team at 3162 S. Atlantic Avenue, Anderson added. Oceans Luxury Realty has posted sales that total almost $40 million since Jan.1 of this year.

ROYAL OAK HOMES STARTS NEW COMMUNITY NEAR MOUNT DORA, 77 HOMES PLANNED

Matt Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said the homebuilder plans to build 77 new single-family homes at Spring Ridge Estates priced from the $190s. New four, five and six bedroom homes in will be offered from Royal Oak’s Academy and Legacy series of floor plans and will range from 1,676 square feet of living area to 4,700 square feet. Orosz said there are four move-in ready homes and two models available now to preview. Spring Ridge Estates is convenient to historic downtown Mount Dora’s boutique shopping and dining. Major arterial roadways are conveniently accessed and residents are minutes from national retail stores, along with numerous natural springs in the area with a year round water temperature of 72 degrees. Visit www.royaloakhomesfl.com or the Royal Oak Homes sales center at Spring Ridge Estates.

NAI Realvest negotiates $1.15 Million sale price for 17 Bed Assisted Living Facility in Apopka

APOPKA, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of a 17-bed assisted living facility at 5030 Cub Lake Drive in Apopka for $1,150,000.00. Jeff Bloom, CCIM, senior director at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction representing the local seller, Arcadia Enterprises and Altamonte Springs-based Pine Acres Golden Age Centre, Inc., the buyer of the 6,048 square foot facility.

Hold-Thyssen closes on lease of professional office space for cardiologist after building floods

TAMPA, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a commercial property firm based in Winter Park with offices in Tampa, recently completed a lease for 1,211 square feet of professional office space at 14100 Fivay Rd. in Hudson. Carol Kinnard transaction specialist in the firm’s Tampa office brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord Dr. Rodolfo Dy and Rosemarie Dy and the tenant, a cardiologist doing business as Access Healthcare Physicians LLC. The day the lease was scheduled to be signed, the west side of the Bayonet Point Medical Arts building was flooded from a fire sprinkler hit the day before by a contractor handling a third floor renovation. While the tenant’s suite 130 was basically not damaged, the lease agreement was delayed over a week until the physician could access the building, and that finally took place after Kinnard made multiple contacts with security and property management. The tenant ultimately occupied the premises and is extremely satisfied with that decision, Kinnard said.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects recently completed design of the Winn-Dixie renovation in Daytona Beach Shores

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers and Planners recently completed the remodel design of a Daytona Beach Shores Winn-Dixie store. Located 2200 S. Atlantic Ave., the 46,000 square foot Winn Dixie store renovation is currently underway, said Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson. Cuhaci & Peterson headquartered in Orlando with offices in Philadelphia, is one of the nation’s leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually.

Lennar plans to Unveil its New LH Collection of luxury home designs at Waterleaf in December

Tampa, Fla. – Lennar will open its first LH Collection model home, and unveil the new line of luxury homes at Waterleaf, located off Big Bend and Balm Riverview Roads in Riverview. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the LH Collection model home features four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a two-car garage and 2,720 square feet of living area. Lennar’s LH Collection homes range in size from approximately 1,738 square feet of living area to 2,720 square feet, and are base priced from the mid-$200s. Among the outstanding features of Lennar’s LH Collection homes are Mediterranean barrel tile roofs, upgraded landscaping and dramatic entryways, Metheny said. Indoors, Metheny said Lennar has advanced its open plan design concept to a new level in the LH Collection with sweeping interiors, cathedral, vaulted and trey ceilings, crown molding and covered lanais. All Lennar’s LH Collection series homes at Waterleaf come with the homebuilder’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: a wide range of GE energy smart appliances, special features and upgrades at the one Lennar price.

VOLUSIA LAW FIRM RECEIVES DUAL PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR ITS SUPPORT OF VETERANS’ PROGRAMS

Rolling Thunder Chapter 8, a local veterans’ organization, submitted the nominations and recently presented the two awards PORT ORANGE – Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, a well-known, personal-injury law firm based in Port Orange, has received two Presidential Volunteer Service Awards for its continued efforts in helping local veterans’ groups. The honors – one of which is a platinum award and the other gold – are the second-highest civilian service awards signed by the President of the United States for volunteerism, according to John Trask√, president of Rolling Thunder Chapter 8, the veterans’ organization that nominated both the firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell and its Marketing Director Jessica Eckelbarger√. Trask said his group uses criteria such as what an individual or business does in the way of community service, how many hours they donate and the outcome for the intended organization when making its selections. He said the nominations then are examined by an agency in Washington to determine the level of the award: silver, gold and platinum, or lifetime. Eckelbarger, who received the platinum award, is always eager and enthusiastic to help his group, Trask said. “She is just amazing. She is so energetic and always helps us out with print, radio and television ads for our motorcycle rides, galas, and other fundraising events to support our local veterans and their families.” Trask added that every cost absorbed by Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell means more money goes directly to the veterans through scholarships, flag donations, food drives and education-awareness programs. The people at Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell have been so generous to us these past three years that we really can’t believe it,” Trask said. “And the partners like John Rue are so supportive of Jessica and what she does. They really do walk the talk.”

PULTE HOMES TO OPEN NEW COMMUNITY IN FORT MYERS

FORT MYERS, Fla. --- Development is under way at Camden Square, a new community Pulte Homes plans to open next spring at the northeast corner of Plantation Road and Crystal Drive in Fort Myers. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for PulteGroup in south Florida, said Pulte plans to build 96 new homes at Camden Square with lake and preserve views, a gated entry, and a community clubhouse with a heated, resort-style swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness center. Mairn said pricing hasn’t been determined yet, but new homes at Camden Square will range in size from approximately 1,600 square feet of living space to more than 2,500 square feet. A Grand Opening will be scheduled in the spring. For regular community updates, visit www.pulte.com/camdensquare or telephone PulteGroup 866-889-2857.

Hold-Thyssen Completes $2.55 Million Sale of TD Bank Building in Winter Garden

Winter Park / Winter Garden, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a commercial real estate services firm based in Winter Park, recently negotiated the sale of the TD Bank Building at 12200 W. Colonial Drive in Winter Garden for $2,550,000. R. Anthony Fisher, vice president of Hold-Thyssen, Inc. said the firm’s leasing team led by Leasing Agent Therese Taylor boosted occupancy at the building to more than 85 percent last spring prior to placing it on the market on behalf of the seller Portland, Oregon-based 12200 West Colonial Drive, LLC. The Ocoee-based buyer was represented by Ray Turchi of Marcus & Millichap. Taylor’s team had leased space in the TD Bank Building to Scholastic Insurance of Florida LLC, Lotus Financial Services Group, and Statewide Permit Service, Inc. Taylor also leased a multi-story office suite with 2,135 square feet in the TD Bank Building to Reinforced Earth Company shortly before the sale. Hold-Thyssen provides commercial property and leasing and management services to institutional and private investor clients nationwide. The 40-year old firm’s current portfolio includes more that 100 commercial properties throughout the United States.

Single-Family Homes Priced from low $200s at Lennar’s new Pointe at Summerfield Crossings in Riverview – Model Ready

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar recently opened The Pointe at Summerfield Crossings off Big Bend Rd. in Riverview, where the award-winning home builder plans to build 182 new single-family homes priced from $217,990 to the $300s. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said one model home – The Hamilton – has been completed at the Pointe at Summerfield Crossings and 10 distinctive floor plans are available for immediate construction. The Hamilton model has four bedrooms and three full baths in 2,032 square feet of living space with a two-car garage priced from $232,990. Floor plans range in size from the four-bedroom Corsica model home with two baths in 1,752 square feet of living space to the massive two-story Sequoia model home with six bedrooms and three baths in 3,889 square feet. Featuring Lennar’s popular open space design, new homes at The Pointe at Summerfield Crossings offer large, open areas with island kitchens that serve family rooms, dining areas and covered lanais. “The Pointe at Summerfield Crossings is a family neighborhood and our open space interior designs provide important family gathering areas for everything from neighborhood social occasions to birthdays, sleepovers and club meetings,” Metheny explained. Four floor plans at The Pointe at Summerfield Crossings---including the Corsica and Sequoia plans---offer three-car garages, Metheny added. All Lennar homes at The Pointe at Summerfield Crossings come with the homebuilder’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: a wide range of GE energy smart appliances, special features and luxury upgrades at the one Lennar price. The Summerfield Crossings development features its own golf course that’s accessible to homeowners at the Pointe. Amenities planned at The Pointe at Summerfield Crossings include two community swimming pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis, volleyball courts, indoor-outdoor basketball and an activities director.

The Partyka Group at NAI Realvest negotiates $2.1 Million Sale of International Drive Retail Building

ORLANDO, Fla., -- Paul P. Partyka and Juan Jimenez of the Partyka Group at NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of a 10,700 square foot free-standing retail building for $2,100,000.00. Specializing in Orlando’s International Drive tourist corridor, The Partyka Group sold the property known as the Hawaiian Plaza, located at 9901 Hawaiian Court. The property is across from the Orlando convention center, one of the nation’s most active and it’s surrounded by six hotels within walking distance. “The buyer obtained a great investment opportunity given the low inventory and high demand for prime real estate along International Drive,” Partyka said. Partyka and Jimenez represented the seller Pinnacle Bank, of Orange City. The buyer, Windermere-based VB Chocolate LLC purchased the building to expand its business – The Chocolate Factory – which has eight other locations in the U.S. Vincent Wolle of Results Real Estate Partners represented the buyer.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division to break ground on Rivercrest in December, 88 new homes planned.

TAMPA, Fla. – Lennar’s Central Florida Division will start construction in December at Rivercrest, the homebuilder’s newest community located on the east side of 301 just south of Symms Rd. in Riverview. Mark Metheny, division president, said Rivercrest will offer four to six-bedroom single-family homes ranging from 1,752 square feet of living area to 3,210 square feet, with prices starting from the $190s. Metheny said Lennar plans to build 88 single-family homes at Rivercrest. Two models will get underway in December – the Monte Carlo which will be Lennar’s Welcome Home Center at Rivercrest, and the Corsica, a “Quality You Can See” home. Lennar’s special “Quality You Can See” homes offer buyers a cutaway look at wall, window and roof construction, showing electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning work for homebuyers interested in the engineering and construction techniques that make Lennar homes more energy efficient, safe and comfortable, Metheny said. All new Lennar homes at Rivercrest will come with the homebuilder’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: a wide range of GE energy smart appliances, special features and luxury upgrades at one Lennar price.

Lennar to Host Grand Opening Nov 15 to Showcase a New Model Home at The Enclave at Moss Park in Southeast Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar will host a grand opening Saturday, Nov. 15 to showcase a new model home at The Enclave at Moss Park, located off Moss Park Road in southeast Orlando near Lake Nona and Medical City. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include refreshments and tours of the Provincetown model. The grand opening is free and the public is invited. Lennar is building 45 new homes at The Enclave at Moss Park that range in size from 1,736 square feet of living area to 3,773 square feet. Eight distinctive floor plans are available in one and two-story designs. The two-story Provincetown offers four bedrooms, two full baths and a half-bath in 2,919 square feet of living space with a game room, a family room, a dining room with breakfast nook, an upstairs laundry room, covered front entry and covered lanai at the rear of the home and a two-car garage priced from $310,990. All new Lennar homes at The Enclave at Moss Park come with Lennar’s Everything’s Included pledge: a wide range of appliances, special features and upgrades including the Lennar’s EcoSmart program, at one “everything’s included” price, The Enclave at Moss Park features a children’s playground, basketball court, community clubhouse, swimming pool and cabana.

Pulte Homes Starts Construction of 600 Luxury Vacation Homes and Townhomes at Windsor at Westside

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Pulte Homes plans to build 600 new luxury vacation homes and townhomes at Windsor at Westside, located on Westside Road at Florence Villa Grove Road off U.S. 192 near U.S. 27 just west of Disney World. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and operations for Pulte Homes in the north Florida region, said Windsor at Westside will include 504 luxury single-family vacation homes on 40-foot and 50-foot home sites, along with 96 luxury town homes. Pricing has just been released for the first phase of the community. Windsor at Westside will offer four single-family designs priced from the high-$300’s to $400’s featuring 6-9 bedrooms and private heated pools. The townhome designs are priced from the high-$200’s to $300’s and feature 4-5 bedrooms with lofts and also have private heated pools. It has been confirmed that all homes will feature paver driveways, barrel tile roofs, tile floors, full open kitchens with stainless appliances and granite counters, and lush landscaping. Luxury amenities include an 8,000+ square foot community clubhouse with a resort-style swimming pool with lazy river, water slide, spa, Tiki Bar and state-of-the-art fitness center. The community opened for pre-sales on Oct. 22. Home construction is anticipated to begin in early 2015 and completion of model homes is estimated for April 2015. Major arterial highways are easily accessible from Windsor at Westside for convenient trips to shopping, dining, major attractions – even beaches – and the Orlando airport. For regular updates on vacation home opportunities at Windsor at Westside, visit www.pulte.com/Windsor or telephone 888-672-8177.

Ashton Woods Homes opens The Hamptons at Oviedo on the Park with 167 town homes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ashton Woods Homes recently opened its newest townhome community – The Hamptons at Oviedo in the Park – with 167 townhomes located off Mitchell Hammock Road within the City of Oviedo’s unique planned development. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said the two and three-story townhomes with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths range from approximately 1,450 square feet of living area to 2,024 square feet, and prices start at $202,990. Roche said a new amenity center underway at the townhome community features a striking resort-style pool and cabana that will be completed in December. The Hamptons is within walking distance of restaurants, retail shops and offices in the pedestrian-friendly Oviedo on the Park development that features an amphitheater and lakefront central park.

Henin Homes opens “The Estate” Phase at Riviera Bella in DeBary

DeBary, Fla. --- Henin Homes recently opened “The Estate” phase at Riviera Bella the gated, luxury community overlooking the St. Johns River in DeBary. Jerome Henin, founder and president of Henin Homes, said there are 16 home sites in the new phase for the homebuilder’s new Signature Series of four, five and six bedroom homes starting from the mid $500,000s to well over a Million dollars. Henin also reported that the home builder has a new Signature Series home underway at Riviera Bella with five bedrooms, four baths and a three-car garage. The new two-story home, priced in the $580’s has five bedrooms, four baths and a loft in 4,040 square feet of living area featuring a spectacular cast stone finish that will be completed by early February of 2015. The community overlooks the St. Johns River off Fort Florida Road, west of the 17-92 and Highbanks Rd. intersection in DeBary.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates Office Building Purchase for Leading On Line Car Rental provider at Lexington Professional Park

TAMPA, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a commercial property firm based in Winter Park, with offices in Tampa, recently negotiated the purchase of a $350,000 office building at Lexington Professional Park. Theresa Margaris, transaction specialist in Hold-Thyssen’s Tampa office, negotiated the transaction representing the buyer. Sevy Group Real Estate, LLC purchased the 2,500 square foot office facility to house the customer service team of Car Rental 8, America Car Rental and National Travel Deals, an online service that provides car rentals and hotels in 125 countries and 17,000 locations worldwide. The local seller was Waterman Enterprises, Inc. Hold-Thyssen, Inc. provides commercial property and leasing and management services to institutional and private investor clients nationwide. The 40-year old firm’s current portfolio includes more that 100 commercial properties throughout the United States.

Blackton, Inc. Earns Contract from KB Home to Provide Roofing and Flooring for 85 New Homes Planned at Sawgrass Pointe

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Blackton, Inc. was recently awarded a contract from KB Home worth an estimated $1.275 million to provide roofing and flooring for 85 new homes planned at Sawgrass Pointe, located off Weatherbee Rd. near Lake Nona in southeast Orlando. Michael Blackton, whose father founded Blackton, Inc. more than 50 years ago, said the contract is one more example that Central Florida’s housing industry is growing again. Blackton, Inc., a leading supplier of wholesale materials and supplies to the home building industry, has reported new contracts totaling more than $12 million since June.

Dicapta Earns Major Grant from Colombia to Provide Aid for Children with Hearing Impairments

Winter Springs, Fla. --- Dicapta, the award-winning U.S. provider of digital media aids for people with visual or hearing limitations, was recently awarded a major grant from the Colombian Department of Communications and Information Technology and the Department of Culture. Maria Diaz, chief executive officer of Dicapta, said the grant award supports Comprendre, a major Dicapta project to develop a digital media library that includes video content with captions and audio description for children with hearing and visual disabilities. “Comprende was developed to support literacy of Spanish speaking students with visual and/or hearing disabilities living in Latin America,” Diaz said. “Comprendre provides tools for teachers, administrators, and parents, Diaz said. “Comprende’s team has designed a strategy to extend the benefits of this effort throughout the whole region,” she added. The grant---360,000 Colombian pesos---is equivalent to $174,355 U.S. dollars. Dicapta is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Winter Springs.

DiVosta Homes Starts Construction of Three New Model Homes at Veranda Gardens in Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes has started construction of three new model homes at Veranda Gardens, the gated family community located on Southeast Becker Rd. one-half mile east of the Florida Turnpike. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for DiVosta Homes in South Florida, said the new model homes will open in December priced from the high $200s to the $400s. Mairn said the Martin Ray model is one of DiVosta’s most popular designs. The 1,968 square foot home offers two bedrooms and two baths with a flex room and an optional loft, with a two-car garage with its own golf cart port. A view of the Martin Ray’s interior shows why this home has been so well-received: DiVosta Homes has extended its open floor plan to create a sweeping family living space that includes an island kitchen, café and gathering room that together measure almost 600 square feet of living space that opens onto an outdoor living lanai that adds another 128 square feet. “The design creates a transitional family space with multiple options for furnishings and media with a look and feel that’s quite spectacular,” Mairn said. The Pinnacle model home at Veranda Gardens offers three bedrooms and three baths in 2,488 square feet with a flex room and an optional upstairs loft. The Pinnacle model home features a two-car and a golf cart port. The Abbeyville model – with two bedrooms plus flex room and two baths in 1,673 square feet of living space – will showcase the optional sunroom and second-floor loft with bedroom and bathroom expanding the model to 2,404 square feet of living area with three bedrooms and three baths. The model will also showcase the optional den instead of the flex room. Mairn said a new sales center and state-of-the-art New Home Design Studio are also underway, nearing completion at Veranda Gardens. A resort-style swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, community clubhouse, tennis courts, and a fire pit with an outdoor barefoot bar and barbeque grill are among the amenities planned, he added.

Vision Engineering Solutions Earns 2014 TechNovation Rising Star in Technology Award

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Vision Engineering Solutions, LLC (Vision) was recently awarded a Congressional Medal of Recognition from Congressman Bill Posey’s office as the Rising Star in Technology at the 2014 TechNovation Awards Banquet. The annual awards banquet is held in conjunction with the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce’s technology and innovation exposition- Florida TechXpo. The Rising Star in Technology Award is presented to a new company or one that has made the most significant progress in the last 18 months. The award citation reads, “This company’s growth puts it on track to make a positive impact in their markets and on the region’s technology community.” Vision began operations in March 2012 at Kennedy Space Center providing engineering services in optics and photonics for aerospace applications primarily to Department of Defense (DoD) laser programs. Since April 2013, the company has grown from seven to its current staff of 17 specialized workers. Ed Logue, Chief Executive Officer at Vision, said the company designed, developed and integrated several subsystems into a Navy prototype laser system, and last month assisted the Navy in installing that laser system onboard a combatant ship, and performing the at-sea testing. Additionally, the company is building a transportable electro-optical tracking system of its own design to be delivered to the University of Central Florida by March 2015. Vision Engineering focuses on advanced imaging and sensing, modeling and simulation, pointing and tracking systems, and data collection and analysis. Its Predictive Avoidance and Safety System (PASS) is already used by defense agencies to protect satellites, personnel and assets from inadvertent illumination by lasers. Vision Engineering Solutions, a client company of the UCF Business Incubation Program at Central Florida Research Park in east Orange County, also has an office in Merritt Island and is a member of the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

Berkadia closes sale of 152-Unit Apartment Community in Lady Lake

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Berkadia Real Estate Advisors, one of the nation’s largest and most active multifamily investment banking and research companies, recently closed on sale of the 152-unit Carmendy Square Apartments in Lady Lake, Fla. Berkadia’s Southeast Partner, Cole Whitaker of Orlando, and Senior Vice Presidents, Hal Warren of Orlando and Jason Stanton of Tampa, negotiated the sale representing the seller Lady Lake Crossings, LLC of West Springfield, MA. Houston-based Apexone Investment Partners, LLC and Philadelphia-based Balfour Beatty Communities purchased the apartment community which was built in 2002 and is located off Hwy 441 at 367 Sunny Oaks Way in Lady Lake. Carmendy Square Apartments, which was 94.74 percent occupied at the time of the sale, is situated on approximately 13.13 acres of land. The two and three-bedroom units situated in 38 buildings comprise a total of 184,152 rentable square feet.

Lennar Launches November Sale at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek in Naples with Market-Low Interest rates on 10 New Move-In Ready Homes

NAPLES, Fla. --- Lennar Homes has launched a year-end sale with market-low interest rates on seven move-in ready Executive Homes and three Coach Homes at Fiddler’s Creek, the luxury community located on Aviamar Circle between Collier Boulevard and Tamiami Trail in Naples. David Meyers, director of sales and marketing for Lennar in southwest Florida, said the move-in ready homes are located in the Millbrook subdivision of Fiddler’s Creek and all homes must sell and close before Nov. 30 to take advantage of the low 1.625 percent APR being offered this month by United American Mortgage Company. “We expect the Naples area economy will see a very robust winter season,” Meyers said. “Our inquiries and sales are very encouraging. Many people who put off the move to Florida because of the economy are rethinking their plans now we’re seeing signs of what they call pent-up demand,” he said. Meyers said he expects to sell all ten move-in-ready homes before the new season gets under way and then Lennar will start construction of more. Four of the new move-in ready homes are in Lennar’s Isabella design, an Executive Home at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek base priced from $390,990 with three bedrooms in 2,246 square feet of living space, with a two-car garage. In addition, three Coach Homes at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek in Lennar’s Florence design are move-in ready and base priced at $284,990. The Florence offers 1,741 square feet of living space in three bedrooms and two baths with a two-car garage. All new homes at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek feature Lennar’s exclusive “Everything’s Included” pledge that offers upgraded interior features that are typically optional included in the one Lennar Homes price. Fiddler's Creek also has a wealth of amenities like a 54,000-square-foot Club & Spa, fitness center, resort-style multi-pool swimming complex, tennis courts and restaurants. Homeowners have the opportunity to join the Golf Club, ranked in Golfweek's 100 Best Residential Golf Courses in the country for the ninth consecutive year, and the Tarpon Club, which offers residents a beach and boating lifestyle.