USPTA Names Plantation Bay Pro Dave Brown Tennis Pro of the Year

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- The United States Professional Tennis Assn. (USPTA) has named Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club Director of Tennis Dave Brown “Tennis Pro of the Year” for 2014. Maria Tuohy, general manager at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club, said Brown is one of the most energetic pros she has ever worked with. Tournament director for the USPTA Champion of Champions, program director for “Tennis Xpress" and president of the Greater Volusia Tennis League, Brown is a master professional who competes regularly in USPTA and USTA (United States Tennis Association) tournaments. Brown is ranked nationally by the USPTA for his singles play. Brown and his son Aaron are ranked nationally by the USTA in father-son doubles. More than 300 attended the joint USPTA‒USTA conventions over the weekend at Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie.

HOLD-THYSSEN REAL ESTATE EXPANDING BROKER PROGRAM

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen Inc., a real estate services firm based in Winter Park, is expanding its broker program. Anthony Fisher, vice president of Hold-Thyssen, said the firm recently hired one new broker and plans to hire several more in the near future. Fisher said the firm recently spent more than 50,000 renovating and expanding its offices on New York Avenue in Winter Park. The firm plans to spend another $100,000 on infrastructure and software.

MARKETING STRATEGY FIRM JOINS UCF INCUBATOR IN KISSIMMEE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Reach, a marketing strategy firm was recently accepted into the UCF Business Incubation Program in Kissimmee. “Reach is very excited for the opportunity to move into the UCF Incubator and be amongst other companies that collectively create a wide economic impact for Central Florida. We are honored to have been chosen by the partnership university to grow and nurture that impact,” said Kelly Trace, chief strategist at Reach. Reach provides inbound marketing for clients, a holistic, data-driven approach to marketing that attracts individuals to your brand and converts them into lasting customers. In six months, the company has grown to include 15 clients, including two large restaurant chains. Reach is a marketing strategy firm utilizing HubSpot's Marketing Automation Software that helps create brands people love by transforming how organizations attract, engage and delight customers while providing an environment that fosters great culture and a professional experience our employees love.

Rhodes+Brito Architects complete design of renovation to WKMG Local 6 Television’s News Room / offices on John Young Parkway in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Rhodes+Brito Architects in Orlando has recently completed the design for renovations to WKMG Local 6 Television’s news room / offices on John Young Parkway. Ruffin Rhodes, co-founder and partner at Rhodes+Brito, said the design will create an energetic and open news room on the first floor where editors, producers, reporters, and production staff work to report the news. The space and materials were designed to facilitate collaboration, having the main area open to daylight and views and with offices towards the interior having glass panels and doors. On the second floor the theme of creating an energetic and collaborative work environment continues in the business and sales office areas. Features on the second floor include conference rooms tailored to accommodate either business meetings or a black box viewing room experience for client presentations. Offices and the staff lounge/training room on this floor are designed with glass panels and doors to improve natural lighting and foster a collaborative environment. The approximately 26,500 square feet being renovated within this 55,000 square foot news facility will include updated, eco-friendly technologies such as LED lighting and many flat panel displays used to keep a finger on the pulse of the constant flow of information received by the television station. Construction will begin in June.

Park Square Homes celebrates 30th anniversary in Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Park Square Homes is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the Central Florida area. Vishaal Gupta, president, said Park Square Homes has built more than 7,500 homes in the region since they began operations. “We’re proud to still be a family-owned business that builds each home around the company’s core value of always doing what is right for the customer,” said Gupta. Park Square Homes is active in 13 communities in Central Florida, with a new community — Rosemont Woods — opening soon at Providence Golf and Country Club in Davenport south of Orlando. Rosemont Woods will offer 57 home sites with homes with three to six bedrooms ranging from the $300s to $900,000, Gupta said. This summer Park Square Homes will be opening Bella Vida Resort in Kissimmee with 98 home sites for vacation homes priced from the $300s.

Hendricks-Berkadia Closes on 148 Units in Panama City for $4,810,000

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. / ORLANDO, Fla / PANAMA CITY, Fla. --- Hendricks-Berkadia, one of the nation’s largest and most active multifamily investment banking and research companies, recently negotiated the sale of Pine Terrace, a 148-unit apartment community located in Panama City for $4,810,000. David Oakley, partner, and Royce Emerson, senior vice president, in Hendricks-Berkadia’s Alabama office and Southeast partners Cole Whitaker, Hal Warren, and Jason Stanton in Hendricks-Berkadia Florida offices, negotiated the sale of Pine Terrace representing the seller, ABACO Partners, LLC. Built in 1983, Pine Terrace is a garden-style, one-story community situated on approximately 9.58 acres of land with a density of 15.45 units per acre and an average unit size of 603 square feet. The 11 buildings house a total of 93,000 rental square feet offering a well-balanced unit mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans, ranging from 288 to 864 square feet in size. The buyer was Pine Terrace Investors LLC, based out of New York.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates two new leases for professional office space totaling 2,705 square feet in Trinity, Fla.

TAMPA, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a commercial property firm based in Winter Park, with offices in Tampa, recently negotiated two new leases for professional office space in Trinity in Pasco County. Richard J. Fisher, vice president / investor services in Hold-Thyssen’s Tampa office, said Transaction Specialist Carol Kinnard negotiated both transactions. Kinnard represented Landlord Trinity Medical Holdings, Inc. in a five-year lease to Commoncents Wealth Advisors, LLC for 1,605 square feet in Trinity Medical and Professional Center, 8820 Belagio Drive. Previously Kinnard represented the same landlord in leases with two other long-term tenants in adjacent suites, and all three transactions represent a total of 4,605 square feet in less than one year at the professional center. At Hunting Creek Pointe, 3610 Galileo Drive in Trinity, Kinnard represented Tenant JGI Insurance Group, LLC in an office lease agreement for 1,100 square feet in Suite 102. The landlord is Sunfield Homes, Inc. The site selection process allowed Tenant JGI Insurance to understand market rates and terms, narrowing the choice to two top locations.

Orlando’s SightPlan Appoints New Members to Board of Advisors

ORLANDO, Fla. – Alice Tanchel, Francis Chow and Will Gorman have been appointed to the board of advisors for SightPlan, an Orlando-based software company focused on modernizing multifamily resident service and asset management with its approach to managing work orders, solving resident issues and enhancing asset value. Tanchel, managing director at Trammell Crow Residential; Chow, chief strategy officer at Renter’s Voice and Ellis Partners; and Gorman, chief architect at Pentaho, are all respected experts in their fields who bring distinct value to SightPlan, according to Joseph Westlake, co-founder of the company. Westlake said Tanchel’s familiarity with multifamily operations and property development will provide insight as the company expands its footprint. Chow brings financial expertise and platform building to help measure resident loyalty, and Gorman’s technical background makes him an incredible resource to SightPlan’s development and product teams. The three join two other advisory board members: Nyla Westlake, president of asset management for Trammel Crow Residential, and Stephanie Brown, former vice president at Riverstone Residential. SightPlan is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Marketing Agents for 50-Acre Site by Avalon Park

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents for a 50-acre development site adjacent to Avalon Park in southeast Orlando. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Stirling Sotheby’s International Marketing Specialist Benjiman Hillman is listing agent for the site, which is zoned to permit residential development. The asking price for the site is $1.3 million but Soderstrom said he expects the property to sell at a higher price. “Real estate sales activity in the southeast Orlando sector is exceptionally strong,” Soderstrom said. “With the development of medical and academic facilities in the Lake Nona area, southeast Orlando is destined to become the new Orlando area showcase,” Soderstrom said. Soderstrom added that Stirling Sotheby’s International plans to open an office in the Lake Nona area before the end of this year.

Del Webb Stone Creek to start construction of new softball amenity complex

OCALA, Fla. --- Del Webb Stone Creek in Ocala will start construction this month to build a new softball complex for its softball league. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Del Webb in the North Florida region, said the new facilities will open in September with golf cart parking, a concession stand with grill, popcorn maker, and nacho cheese machine, covered dugouts for Home and Visitors, a clay warning track in the outfield, an electronic scoreboard and two sets of bleachers for fans. Strickler said Del Webb Stone Creek is also installing an irrigation system for the Bermuda grass outfield. Del Webb Stone Creek offers active adults new, single-family homes priced from $135,990 to $271,990 in nine home designs that range in size from 1,133 square feet of living space to more than 2,589 square feet. One of the largest Del Webb communities in the U.S., Del Webb Stone Creek features Reflection Bay, an amenity center encompassing almost 50,000 square feet with fitness and event gathering areas, the Stone Creek Grille, softball field, Stone Creek Golf Club with an 18-hole championship golf course and recreational, social and educational activities to match every lifestyle. Model homes at Del Webb Stone Creek are open daily for viewing.

DiVosta Homes Opens Four New Model Homes at Popular IslandWalk at The West Villages in Venice

Venice, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes has opened four new model homes priced from the $170s at the gated community IslandWalk at the West Villages, located on US 41 in Venice between Jacaranda Blvd. and River Road. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of DiVosta Homes, said the homebuilder just opened a new Sales Center and state-of-the-art New Home Design Center in the community, which has proved one of the most popular new communities in the Venice area. Mairn said the new Pinnacle, Martin Ray, Abbeyville and Taft Street floor plans range in size from 1,433 square feet of living space to over 2,488 square feet with two to four bedrooms and two to four baths with luxury home appointments throughout. Open floor plans in all four new model homes offer sweeping family life areas for entertaining or family gatherings and remarkable features such as designer Island Kitchens, flex rooms and multiple options that make each new home unique. DiVosta Homes builds one to four bedroom homes in 10 distinctive floor plans at IslandWalk at the West Villages priced from $171,990 to the mid $300s. The Taft Street model home priced from $182,990, offers two bedrooms, two baths and a multi-purpose flex room in 1,433 square feet of living space with the option for a second floor loft. The base Abbeyville floor plan has 1,659 square feet of living area with two bedrooms and a flex room. However, the model shows the optional den in lieu of the den, plus the added sunroom option, which expands the living area to 1,793 square feet. The base Martin Ray plan has 1,968 square feet with two bedrooms and a flex room. The Martin Ray model at IslandWalk shows the third bedroom option which expands the living area to 2,107 square feet. The model also shows the optional den in lieu of flex room. The base Pinnacle plan offers three bedrooms, three baths and a flex room in 2,488 square feet priced from $304,990. The Pinnacle model at IslandWalk is shown with the optional den in lieu of the flex room, second floor loft with fourth bedroom and fourth bath option which expands the living area to 3,656 square feet.

DiVosta Homes Opens Four New Model Homes at Sandhill Preserve on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota

Sarasota, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes recently opened four new professionally decorated model homes at Sandhill Preserve on Palmer Ranch, the gated luxury community located at 11123 Shearwater Court off Central Sarasota Parkway and Honore Avenue in Sarasota. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for DiVosta Homes in South Florida, said DiVosta is building two and three-bedroom single-family homes at Sandhill Preserve on Palmer Ranch in six distinctive floor plans priced from $322,990. The single-story Abbeyville model showcases an open family gathering and entertainment area with added optional second floor loft with bedroom and bath, increasing the bedroom and baths to three and three and square footage to 2,284 from the base Abbeyville plan of two and two and 1,659 square feet. The Abbeyville is priced from $322,990. The Tangerly Oak model, with 2,589 square feet of living space, showcases the optional third bedroom with full bath in lieu of the flex room and is priced from $433,990 with an island kitchen that serves a spacious gathering room, dining room and café for entertaining along with a covered lanai with optional outdoor kitchen. The Pinnacle, with three bedrooms and three baths in 2,488 square feet of living space, is priced from $423,990 with a two-car garage and optional cart garage. The Pinnacle model at Sandhill Preserve showcases the den in lieu of flex room and features zero corner sliding glass doors off the gathering room. DiVosta’s popular Martin Ray plan basically comes with two bedrooms and two baths in 1,968 square feet priced from $351,990. But the Martin Ray model at Sandhill Preserve showcases the optional third bedroom in lieu of the golf cart garage, increasing living area to 2,107 square feet. Sandhill Preserve on Palmer Ranch will offer a resort-style swimming pool and community clubhouse with a state-of-the-art fitness center, two tennis courts, walking paths, a fire pit, the outdoor Barefoot Bar and barbeque grill. The Amenity Center is slated for opening in 2015.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Completes Design of two new Aldi Food Stores

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers, Planners based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, completed design of two new Aldi Food Stores, one in St. Augustine and the other in Florida City in South Dade County. The Aldi in St. Augustine will be 17,000 square feet according to Cuhaci & Peterson Chairman Lonnie Peterson, and the one in Florida City will be 16,400 square feet. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects is one of the nation’s leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates New Retail Lease with Dosa Hut at Colony Crossing Shopping Center in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen real estate services recently negotiated a new lease agreement with Dosa Hut at the Colony Crossings Shopping Center located at the intersection of Hillsborough Ave. and Elliott Drive in Tampa. Richard Fisher, vice president of investor services at Hold-Thyssen’s Tampa office, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord Colony Crossing, LLC. The tenant leased 3,466 square feet at the center for an Indian fast food vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant is owned and operated by senior vegetarian chef Ramaprasad, who for the past 20 years has demonstrated his culinary art in South and North Indian dishes specializing in various kinds of Dosas. The recent grand opening of the restaurant was attended by over 2,300 patrons. Hold-Thyssen, Inc. is the leasing and management representative at the former Publix shopping center with a total of 117,000 square feet of retail space which is currently 65 percent leased.