Lennar starts sales at Solterra South of Orlando

DAVENPORT, Fla. --- Lennar recently started sales of new vacation homes at Solterra, the resort-style community located on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Davenport south of Orlando near Disney. Brock Nicholas, division president of Lennar in the Orlando region, said Lennar has 24 homesites released at Solterra for new five and six bedroom vacation homes with their own private swimming pools, priced from the high $300s. Lennar’s two-story vacation home floor plans at Solterra are perfect for entertaining large groups, Nicholas said. The Alexander Palm priced from $364,990 has five bedrooms and five full baths in 3,014 square feet of living space with several gathering areas including a second-story loft. The Majesty Palm plan is just like it sounds. Priced from $379,990, it has six bedrooms and five bathrooms in 3,275 square feet and boasts two huge master suites on the second level. All Lennar built homes at Solterra come with the homebuilder’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: interior features that are typically optional -- granite counter tops, wood cabinetry, designer light fixtures, stainless steel appliances and more --- all included in the one Lennar Homes price. An amenities center at Solterra includes a 3,000 square foot clubhouse, resort-style swimming pool, cabana, water slide, two tennis courts, volleyball court and playground. Visit www.lennar.com/orlando

Volusia County – UCF Business Incubator and The Cairns Foundation to Host Innovation Challenge worth $15,000 and One-Year Business Incubation Program to Inventive Local College Student Teams

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A $10,000 first prize and a $5,000 second prize will be awarded to the winners of The Cairns Foundation Innovation Challenge on April 2 when the foundation joins the Volusia County–University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program for the second consecutive year to spotlight technologies created by students at six area colleges and universities. The annual challenge – which begins at 12:30 pm in the Volusia Room at the Daytona Beach International Airport – will feature the finest student minds from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethune-Cookman University, the University of Central Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, Daytona State College, and Stetson University as they make their final “pitches” for the prizes. The top prize includes $10,000 plus one year’s enrollment in the UCF business incubation program. The second-place winner will receive $5,000 and one year’s enrollment in the business pre-incubation program. Attendance at the event is by invitation only. According to Connie Bernal, Associate Director and site manager of the Volusia County-UCF Business Incubation Program, one goal of the challenge is to promote the commercialization of innovations spawned by local undergraduate and graduate students; yet another goal is to stimulate start-up businesses in our community. The prize money and incubator programs will allow the winning student teams to advance and protect their technologies while preparing to launch new companies. The Innovation Challenge also offers the students a chance to partner with local investors. “The finalists will pitch their ideas to a group of businessmen and entrepreneurs,” Bernal said, adding “providing student teams with the possibility to accelerate their projects through early-stage funding.” Dr. Jim Cairns started the Foundation in 2003 to “identify and give a life-changing boost for bright, creative young persons who otherwise might never attain their full potential.” Through mentoring and funding, the Foundation aids young inventors to realize the technical and commercial potential of their creations. Bernal said Cairns shares not only his time and money with students and entrepreneurs, but also imparts to them the practices that launched and matured multi-million dollar companies founded on his inventions. “This is an example of how a successful inventor/entrepreneur can contribute to the development of our local innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she said. For more information about the annual challenge, please visit www.cairnsfoundation.com.

HENIN GROUP TO BEGIN DEVELOPMENT OF NEXT FOUR PHASES AT RIVIERA BELLA

DeBary, Fla. – The Henin Group will start development soon of Phases 4 through 7 at Riviera Bella, the gated luxury community in DeBary overlooking the St. Johns River. Jerome Henin, president of the Henin Group, said the next phases will comprise 146 additional home sites featuring from 50 to 70 foot widths. Henin said there will be 35 more homesites developed in the estate section for new four, five and six bedroom homes starting from the mid $500,000s to well over a million dollars. There will also be a new phase of 17 riverfront homes, priced from $1 Million+. All four new phases will be breaking ground before the end of the year, Henin said. M/I Homes and Henin Homes are the builders for the final phases of Riviera Bella. The community is located off Fort Florida Road, west of the 17-92 and Highbanks Rd. intersection in DeBary

NAI Realvest Negotiates Four New Industrial Leases at Orlando CommerCenters totaling 17,224 Square Feet

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated four new lease agreements for industrial space at Goldenrod and Hanging Moss CommerCenters that total 17,224 rentable square feet. Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest negotiated three new leases representing Landlord, Goldenrod SPE, LLC at 1460 and 1468 N. Goldenrod Rd. in east Orlando. 6,618 square feet was leased to American Ecosystems, Inc. which specializes in aquatic maintenance for HOAs and golf courses. The tenant was represented by Josiah Biddle of McNulty Group. Honda Pro Parts, specializing in parts and repair of Honda and Acura vehicles leased 4,000 square feet and was represented in the transaction by Eury Ortiz of Silver Key Investment Group Alpha Environmental Management, a full service environmental consulting and remediation firm leased 2,206 square feet at Goldenrod CommerCenter. Heidrich also represented Orlando-based landlord Hanging Moss SPE, LLC in a lease agreement with Winter Park Cycles for 4,400 square feet at Hanging Moss CommerCenter, 6112 Hanging Moss Rd. in Orlando. The tenant was represented by Nelson Gonzalez of Enego Investments, Inc.

Ashton Woods Homes Has Six Move-in Ready Homes at New Latham Park Community in Winter Garden

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes recently completed six move-in ready homes at Latham Park, its new single-family home community located on Siedel Road off Lake Hancock Rd. in Winter Garden. The move-in ready new homes range from 1,957 square feet of living area to 3,536 square feet with three, four and five bedrooms, priced from $285,835 to $417,261, and all including features such as granite kitchen countertops, quartz vanity tops, 8-foot doors and paver driveways. John Reny, president of Ashton Woods Homes - Florida, said the homes being offered at Latham Park were designed for family-friendly lifestyles. The move-in ready St. Laurence with five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and a loft has a great room that features a two-story ceiling. The Rockland has four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, loft area, and downstairs master bedroom with a two-car, rear load garage. Reny said Ashton Woods plans to build 195 homes in Phase I of Latham Park. Several lakefront lots are available and 54 lots are bordering pristine conservation areas, with several adjacent to some of the scenic parks throughout the community. The community boasts a spectacular entry bordered by two large ponds and stately oaks along with an amenity center that features an elegant swimming pool and cabana. For more information about Latham Park and the move-in ready homes, visit Ashtonwoods.com or call the sales office at 407-335-9282.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates $2.15 Million Price in Sale of 302-Acre Thoroughbred Horse Farm in Ocala

OCALA, Fla. --- Hold Thyssen, Inc., a real estate services firm headquartered in Winter Park, with offices in Tampa, recently negotiated the $2,150,000 sale of a well-known thoroughbred horse racing farm and stables in Ocala. Robert Hold, president of Hold-Thyssen, Inc., was listing agent for the property along with George DeBenedicty of Ocala Ranches. Hold said the property known as Jupiter Island Partners at 13303 W. Highway 40, Ocala covers 302 acres and includes a half-mile racing track. Hold negotiated the deal representing the seller Jupiter Island Partners, LLC. The buyer was Jeff McGuire, an individual. 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.

Pulte Homes Releases 15 Oversized Preserve View and Water View Home Sites at Harrison Ranch in Parrish

Parrish, Fla. --- Pulte Homes recently opened a new development phase releasing 15 home sites at Harrison Ranch, located on Harrison Ranch Blvd. in Parrish between U.S. 301 and Erie Road. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and operations for Pulte Homes in North Florida, said some home sites in the new phase include pond views or views of the nature preserve. Altogether, Pulte is offering 11 home designs at Harrison Ranch that range from three to seven bedrooms and up to six baths. Two model homes at Harrison Ranch are open daily for tours. The Dockside model can range from 2,536 square feet of living space to 4,262 square feet with three to seven bedrooms, and features a covered lanai, kitchen island and three-car tandem garage, along with Pulte’s Life-Tested™ features, such as a ‘super pantry,’ ‘super laundry,’ and flex room. Pulte’s new Oasis model, with 2,162 square feet of living space, offers three or four bedrooms, two baths and a flex room, along with a two-car garage. Options include a den, outdoor kitchen, drop zone, a covered lanai, and an extended garage. New homes at Harrison Ranch are priced from the high $100s. A 6,500 square foot community center with full-time activities director, planned resident events, a state-of-the-art fitness center, heated junior Olympic-size swimming pool, media/game room, lighted tennis courts and a children’s handicapped-accessible playground are among the amenities at Harrison Ranch. For more information, visit www.pulte.com/harrisonranch

NAI Realvest Closes Industrial Property Sales in Seminole County totaling over $1.4 Million

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sales of three industrial properties located in Oviedo, Sanford and Longwood totaling 20,600 square feet and $1,417,000. 00. Paul P. Partyka and Juan Jimenez at NAI Realvest represented the seller Akron, Ohio based ALH Properties, PLL in the $650,000 sale of a 10,000 square foot industrial flex building at 572 South Econ Circle in Oviedo. Buyer GIV Investments purchased the property for expansion. Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest and associate Kristen Kemp negotiated the $400,000 sale price on behalf of Calin Properties Inc., seller of a 5,000 square foot industrial building at 110 Rand Yard Rd. in Sanford. The local buyer, Platinum Granite of Sanford, LLC was represented in the transaction by James Lettieri of Hybrid Realty. In Longwood Heidrich represented sellers Dennis L. and Barbara Jarvis of a 5,600 square foot industrial facility at 1608 Cherrywood Lane. Local buyer MVP Property Group LLC paid $367,000 for the property and was represented by Scott Nance of Future Home Realty.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates New Lease with National Homebuilder relocating division offices to Winter Park

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a real estate services firm, recently negotiated a three-year lease agreement for 907 rentable square feet in Suite 201 at 243 W. Park Ave. in downtown Winter Park. Darby Hold, lease consultant for Hold-Thyssen, Inc., negotiated the transaction with the new tenant Weekley Homes, LLC representing the local landlord, New England Partners, LLC. Weekley, who was represented in the deal by Karen Jacobs of Orchid Lake Realty, relocated its Orlando division offices to the building because of the central location to its communities. Weekley is based in Houston with 18 division office across the U.S. Other major tenants at the New England Building include Harbor Community Bank, Kelly Price and Company and Faiella & Gulden Law Firm. 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.

AgileSrc wins Phase I SBIR grant from the US Navy

Orlando, Fla. – AgileSrc, LLC, a software development firm specializing in the modeling and simulation industry, has been awarded a Phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the Department of the Navy to develop an Extended Range Forecasting and Advanced Climate Applications Decision Support System. Mark Horn, chief executive officer of AgileSrc, said weather is recognized across the DoD as critical intelligence and is part of the Navy Battlespace on Demand (BonD) strategy. Climate analysis and forecasting can move decision-makers and warfighters from cope-and-avoid to a strategic or operational perspective that anticipates and exploits the weather. The Navy’s Advanced Climate Analysis and Forecast (ACAF) tool begins to address these challenges with a web-based user interface to create advanced climate analyses. “To fully exploit the state of climate science requires us to expand and improve ACAF capabilities to better meet the BonD strategy,” Horn said. AgileSrc and partner Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. (AER) are developing a more robust and scalable support framework that can easily add new data resources, transform that data into actionable information, and effectively distribute the computational and network burden among operational and tactical environments. These capabilities will extend the Navy’s ACAF to significantly improve Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) support to the field, and better extend decision superiority to Fleet and DoD forces, Horn explained. AgileSrc is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program at the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

Pulte to Open Newest Phase at Trillium in Brooksville

Brooksville, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has opened a new phase with 80 home sites at Trillium, located in Brooksville off County Line Road just east of the Suncoast Parkway. Sean Strickler, division president for Pulte Homes in the West Florida region, said one and two-story single-family homes in the newest phase range from three to six bedrooms, priced from $131,990 with optional covered lanais and extended garages. With HOA fees set at $67 per month and no CDD fees, Trillium ranks as one of the most appealing neighborhoods in the Brooksville area. Altogether, Pulte plans to build 893 new homes at Trillium in one and two-story designs. Seven Life Tested® home designs are available. The community features a resort-style swimming pool with cabanas, a shaded children’s playground and a multi-purpose playing field. Pulte’s new homes at Trillium include Whirlpool® appliance packages including smooth-top electric ranges, microwaves and dishwashers, Shaw® carpet in designer colors, International Tile & Stone ceramic tile in all wet areas, and dual-pane insulated low-E windows and sliding glass doors. The decorated Compton model home at Trillium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Blackton, Inc. Earns $2.8 Million Contract to Provide Flooring Materials for new Standard Pacific Luxury Community near Tampa

Orlando/ Tampa Fla. --- Blackton, Inc., a major provider of roofing and flooring materials for the home building industry, recently earned a $2.8 million contract to provide flooring materials for a new luxury community being developed by Standard Pacific Homes north of Tampa. Micky Blackton, chief executive officer of Blackton, Inc., said the contract for Standard Pacific’s upcoming flagship community includes all flooring treatments for the community, from wood and ceramic tile to carpeting. The new community, Meridian, is located in New Tampa off I-75 just south of Pasco County.

Partyka Group at NAI Realvest negotiates $1.95 Million Sale of retail outparcel in Titusville

ORLANDO, Fla. – Paul P. Partyka and Juan Jimenez – the Partyka Group at NAI Realvest – recently closed the sale of a 10,400 square foot retail outparcel at 3125 Columbia Blvd. in Titusville for $1,950,000.00. Partyka and Jimenez negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Titusville-based SBI Leasing, Inc. Local buyer UG Titusville FL LLC will be developing the property for two national tenants with long-term leases, according to Partyka. Josh Berger of Nine Point Group represented the buyer in the transaction.

Royal Oak Homes breaking ground on Laurel Estates

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Royal Oak Homes based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park will break ground on its newest community, Laurel Estates, located in Davenport off Hwy. 27, south of I-4 in March. Matt Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said the home builder will offer 274 home sites at Laurel Estates for new three, four and five-bedroom homes priced from the high $100s starting in June. Homes at Laurel Estates will range from approximately1,800 square feet of living area to 3,300 square feet. Royal Oak Homes is a third-generation home builder whose track record boasts more than 14,000 new homes built in Central Florida over the past 30 years under the Cambridge Homes brand, one of the region’s most successful home builders in the 1980s and 1990s. Founded in 2011, Royal Oak Homes is rapidly becoming one of the largest and most active home builders in the Central Florida area, building in ten active communities in the region.

M/I Homes to Open its First Lake County Energy Star® Model Home at Serenity at RedTail in Sorrento

ORLANDO, Fla. --- M/I Homes will open its first Lake County Energy Star® Model Home in March at Serenity at RedTail in Sorrento. David Byrnes, area president, said every home M/I Homes builds in Florida is Energy Star® Certified as having met high standards for energy efficiency and environmental quality. “It means we strictly adhere to a rigorous design, engineering and construction protocol with standards that only 20 percent of new homes built in America today can meet,” Byrnes said. Those standards translate to major benefits for home buyers, Byrnes said. “Compared to a house built to code, EnergyStar® standards can save the home owner as much as 30 percent on energy bills,” Byrnes explained. “Best of all, while the home buyer saves money, we’re saving valuable resources for the good of our planet,” Byrnes said. Byrnes said M/I Homes plans to build 69 new homes at Serenity at RedTail, located at the RedTail Golf and Country Club community on State Road 46 in Sorrento. Eight different floor plans offer three to seven bedrooms and three to five baths, and will range from 2,300 square feet of living area to 5,400 square feet. Only 75-foot and 90-foot wide home sites are available, and prices range from $299,990 to the mid-$600s. Byrnes said 22 home sites offer views of the RedTail Golf Course, a 7,152-yard links-style course designed by Dave Harman. For more information visit mihomes.com.

Pulte’s Abbeyville model home is Picture-Perfect Frame for magnificent views at Waters Edge in Fort Myers

Fort Myers, Fla. --- Pulte Homes’ new Abbeyville model offers a picture-perfect frame for the majestic water views at Waters Edge, the popular Caloosahatchee River marina community located at 14940 Laguna Drive in Fort Myers. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte Homes in Fort Myers, said Pulte has 32 new home sites at Waters Edge, including many with water views and two exclusive home sites that front on the magnificent Caloosahatchee River. Pulte’s five Life Tested® Classic Series of new home designs at Waters Edge offer lots of advantages---and lots of enviable choices for homebuyers. The Abbeyville can be built with two, three or four bedrooms, two or three baths, a flex room and many more options, including an optional sunroom and extended patio. With the sunroom, that totals an efficient 1,793 square feet of living space---not counting the two-car garage. Pulte’s Classic Series open design is nothing short of spectacular, linking family rooms, great rooms, foyers, dining nooks, lanais and sunrooms together---all served by open island kitchens---into huge family living spaces that are perfect for gatherings or entertaining. “Waters Edge is just such a magnificent neighborhood, and the home sites we have available are some of the last we’ll ever see this close to the river,” Mairn said.

Partyka Group at NAI Realvest Negotiates $6.1 Million Portfolio Sale of Six Industrial Buildings in Seminole County

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The Partyka Group at NAI Realvest recently completed the $6,100,000 portfolio sale of six properties with more than 108,495 square feet of industrial space located in the UCF area and Winter Springs in east Seminole County. The transaction was negotiated by Paul P. Partyka and Juan Jimenez of the NAI Realvest Partyka Group on behalf of the seller, Owen Family Venture, LLC, managed by local developer icon Roger Owen. A New York investor through various companies purchased the six properties that were 100 percent occupied at the time of the sale. Four buildings are located in SouthPark Business Center on South Econ Circle off Alafaya Trail (SR 434) in the Oviedo/UCF area. Boing, Crossfit Country and Orlando Volleyball Academy are major tenants. The two buildings in Winter Springs -- located on SR 419 north of SR 434 in Winter Springs Industrial Park – total 14,000 square feet and are both occupied by world renowned Bob Violett Model Jet Airplanes.

NAI Realvest negotiates $1.4 Million sale price for 9.69-Acre Industrial Development site in Southeast Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a $1,425,000.00 sale price for a 9.69-acre parcel of land at 7627 Narcoossee Rd. in southeast Orlando. Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest negotiated the sale on behalf of the local seller, SB Condo Partners I, LLC. The buyer, Narcoossee Acres Storage, LLC of Lake Forest Ill., plans an industrial storage development for the site. Austin Anderson of Realty Executives represented the buyer.

Villages of Royal Palm enters home in Volusia Parade of Homes

PORT ORANGE, Fla. — Villages of Royal Palm, developed by Winston James Development of South Daytona Beach, has entered its prize-winning Churchill model home into this year’s Volusia County Parade of Homes. Jamie Allen Adley, president of Villages of Royal Palm, said the three-bedroom, two-bath Churchill offers 2,055 square feet of living space with a large screened lanai and a two-car garage. Adley said the spacious island kitchen has been re-designed. The Churchill model also features many upgrades like crown molding, granite countertops, wood cabinetry, designer light fixtures, stainless steel appliances, and it is fully furnished and decorated. The home is priced from the low $300s.

PulteGroup Names Sean Strickler President of its New West Florida Division

TAMPA, FLA - PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM) has added a West Florida Division to its operations, responding to strong market conditions and future growth plans in the local markets. The Division will be responsible for communities in the Tampa and Ocala markets. Sean Strickler, who has been with PulteGroup for more than 20 years, has been named president of the new West Florida Division. Strickler was formerly vice president of sales and operations for the company’s North Florida Division, and most recently has been responsible for land acquisition operations in the Tampa region. “The decision to establish a West Florida Division is the result of the company’s outstanding performance in Florida and the opportunities we see to further expand Pulte’s presence in the area,” said Peter Keane, PulteGroup Southeast Area President. “Sean has extensive business experience and has proven himself to be an outstanding leader. We are excited about his future accomplishments leading the division.” PulteGroup’s West Florida Division offices will be based in Tampa. Keane said the company will leverage several functions between the North and West Florida divisions, including finance, purchasing and administrative teams. PulteGroup operates communities in a variety of locations in the Tampa and Ocala markets under its Pulte Homes, Del Webb and Centex brands, including several new communities that will open in 2015. About PulteGroup PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in approximately 50 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb and DiVosta Homes, the Company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide homebuyers with innovative solutions and consumer inspired homes and communities to make lives better. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to www.pultegroupinc.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com and www.divosta.com.

Pulte’s Oversized Home Sites and Open Space Designs Prove Appealing at The Highlands in Valrico

Valrico, Fla. --- Consumers say the three most important features of a new home are location, location and location. At the new Pulte Homes community, The Highlands, located at 1519 Windy Gap Place south of State Road 60 in Valrico, more than a favorable location is offered for young families---more space inside, more space outside, and A-rated schools K-12. “The Highlands is a real family neighborhood,” said Sean Strickler, division president for Pulte Homes in the West Florida region. “Nelson Elementary, Mulrennan Middle School and Durant High School rank among the best in Florida.” Strickler said the interest list from prospective home buyers includes hundreds of potential buyers and it's easy to see why. With 106 oversized home sites, Pulte Homes designed four Life Tested home designs offering big appeal with four to six bedrooms and two to six-and-a-half bath options. Pulte’s open space design creates huge indoor family living areas that are perfect for holiday gatherings or neighborhood social occasions. The modeled Palm floor plan, with 2,446 square feet of living space, features an expansive gathering room with optional tray ceiling, café, and walk-out covered lanai, all served by a granite island kitchen. Four floor plans at The Highlands range in size from 2,446 to over 3,700 square feet of indoor living space, with starting prices from the mid-$200s. The Palm and Mariner plan feature a three-car garage as included and the other two plans include a two-car garage, but offer the three-car garage as an option. Pulte home designs are “Life Tested,” filled with special features only found in a Pulte home, like the Drop Zone at the Owner’s Entry, and the Super Laundry room. “We are incredibly excited to bring Pulte’s Life Tested plans to such a great location in the Tampa Area. There is great demand for new housing on larger home sites in this area,” Strickler said. Pulte has started presales of new homes in The Highlands nearby at Magnolia Park located at 9306 Blueberry Ash Circle, Riverview, FL 33578. The home builder plans to open a new Palm model home at The Highlands with a Grand Opening celebration planned for April 11. Telephone 866-231-1576 for more information or email regina.kaufka@pulte.com.

NAI Realvest NegotiatesRetail Lease for Fred’s Southern Market in former Café on Cattlemen Road in Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. --- NAI Realvest, based in Orlando, recently negotiated a long-term lease agreement for Fred’s Southern Market in the 6,962 square foot former Elaine’s Café property at 4000 Cattlemen Rd. off Bee Ridge Rd. in Sarasota NAI Realvest principals Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki who represent Fred’s Southern Market, said the site is the second one that was located for the restaurant. Kim Manson, director of retail and investment sales at NAI Realvest and Jeff Tanner, senior VP of investment sales and leasing represented the landlord, Amish Properties, LLC. O’Connor said Fred’s Southern Market also recently leased a former Macaroni Grill property in Lake Mary North of Orlando – another deal put together by the same NAI Realvest retail teams. Fred’s Southern Market based in Plant City, also has locations Riverview near Tampa and one in Lakeland.

Lennar starts presales of Executive Homes priced from in the $200s at Villas at Charleston Park on North Port

North Port, Fla. --- Lennar Homes has started presales of single family Executive Homes at the Villas at Charleston Park, a new gated family community located on Grand Cypress Blvd. west of I-75 and east of U.S. 41 in North Port. David Meyers, director of sales and marketing in Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said Executive Series homes at the Villas at Charleston Park are available in four distinctive floor plans priced from the $175,990 to $224,990. Meyers said sales of Manor Homes at the Villas at Charleston Park have been strong but many buyers have expressed a desire for larger, more sophisticated homes. “We just started presales of our Executive Series homes at the Villas at Charleston Park and we anticipate strong sales,” Meyers said. The Ravenna, a single story family Executive Series home priced from $174,990, offers 1,340 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and two baths plus a two-car garage. The Trevi is also a single story home with four bedrooms, three full baths in 2,032 square feet of living space priced from $219,990. All new homes at the Villas at Charleston Park feature Lennar’s exclusive “Everything’s Included” pledge that offers upgraded interior features that are typically optional -- granite counter tops, wood cabinetry, recessed lighting, designer light fixtures, stainless steel appliances and more --- included in the one Lennar Homes price. Lennar plans to build 56 new Executive Series homes at The Villas at Charleston Park which is conveniently located midway between the shopping, dining and entertainment of Sarasota and Fort Myers. Situated within a “Florida Natural” area the Villas at Charleston Park boasts four lakes and nature preserve including a canopy of Oaks in the heart of the community set aside for the enjoyment of residents.

Meritage Homes opens Lakeside, its newest gated community in Winter Park –with 39 homes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes has opened Lakeside, a gated community of single-family homes located on Dodd Rd. off Howell Branch in Winter Park. Brian Kittle, division vice president for Meritage Homes said the homebuilder’s new Lakeside community offers just 39 home sites – several that are lakefront – for new four, five and six-bedroom homes priced from $454,990 to $514,990 . New Meritage homes at Lakeside will range from approximately 3,082 square feet of living area to 5,111 square feet with four distinctive floor plans to choose. One model is now underway at Lakeside and will be ready for viewing early next year, Kittle said.

Meritage Homes opens Lakeside, its newest gated community in Winter Park –with 39 homes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes has opened Lakeside, a gated community of single-family homes located on Dodd Rd. off Howell Branch in Winter Park. Brian Kittle, division vice president for Meritage Homes said the homebuilder’s new Lakeside community offers just 39 home sites – several that are lakefront – for new four, five and six-bedroom homes priced from $454,990 to $514,990 . New Meritage homes at Lakeside will range from approximately 3,082 square feet of living area to 5,111 square feet with four distinctive floor plans to choose. One model is now underway at Lakeside and will be ready for viewing early next year, Kittle said.

Ashton Woods Homes Offers 67 Four-Story Townhomes at Waterside on the Intracoastal in Indian Shores Beach

TAMPA, Fla. – Ashton Woods Homes is offering four-story townhomes with elevators at Waterside at Indian Shores, its unique new community located on Gulf Blvd. in Indian Shores Beach. Michael Roche, vice president of sales, said Ashton Woods Homes is building 67 townhomes at Waterside in Indian Shores featuring three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths in eight distinct floor plans. All townhomes come standard as four-story with elevators, and offer rooftop balconies. Roche said the luxury townhomes at Waterside at Indian Shores range from approximately 2,100 square feet to 2,800 square feet of living area and are priced from the $600,000s. Waterside at Indian Shores will also have 17 boat docks available for purchase that will provide access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Two furnished and decorated models are ready for viewing at Waterside – 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.ashtonwoods.com

Lennar Unveils new model Coach Homes at Gran Paradiso in Venice Lots of Open Space, Plenty of Flair

Venice, Fla. --- Two new model Coach Homes were recently unveiled at Gran Paradiso, the luxury community Lennar is building on Galleria Boulevard off U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) between South Venice and North Port in Venice. David Meyers, director of sales and marketing in Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the ground level Hibiscus Coach Home offers 1,741 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, two baths, a covered lanai and side entry foyer, priced from $229,990 with a two-car garage. The second level Oleander Coach Home offers three bedrooms, two baths, a covered patio and a stylish ground-floor foyer in 2,068 square feet of living space, priced from $249,990 with a three-car tandem garage on the first level. “Gran Paradiso Coach Homes were designed for open space living,” Meyers said. Large, open family leisure spaces that include great rooms, dining areas and lanais are conveniently served by gourmet kitchens big enough to accommodate most families for group cooking, Meyers said. Lennar also recently opened the new 20,000 square-foot community clubhouse at Gran Paradiso and is days away from opening a new zero-entry swimming pool. The clubhouse, which includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, a media center, spa, steam room and locker facilities, adjoins the swimming pool and cabanas. The center is surrounded by 17,000 square feet paver brick plaza that leads to tennis courts, fitness trails and a children’s playground. Altogether 1,800 new homes are planned at Gran Paradiso, priced from the high $100s to more than $500,000. Estate Homes, Executive Homes, Manor Homes and Villas at Gran Paradiso range in size from 1,340 square feet of living space to almost 4,000 square feet. And every new home at Gran Paradiso comes with Lennar’s Everything’s IncludedTM upgrades---crown molding, granite counters, wood cabinetry, designer fixtures, stainless steel appliances and highly rated energy efficiency for starters---are included in the standard Lennar purchase price.

Golf Course Home Sites Featured in New Phase at Del Webb Stone Creek

OCALA, Fla. --- Del Webb has just released 12 home sites in its newest phase in Longleaf II at Del Webb Stone Creek, and many of the new home sites front on the community’s Terry-Doss designed, 18-hole championship golf course. Sean Strickler, division president for Del Webb in the West Florida region, said the new home sites will feature Del Webb’s Classic and Estate Series homes, which range in size from 1,649 square feet of living space to over 2,500 square feet with two to four bedrooms and loft options, as well as 2-3 car garages. Del Webb Stone Creek offers active adults new, single-family homes priced from $140,990 to $275,990 in nine home designs that range in size from 1,133 square feet of living space to more than 2,589 square feet. All new homes at Del Webb Stone Creek feature Del Webb’s exclusive Environments for Living (EFL) package of uniquely designed extras, including tight construction featuring special framing techniques and R-13 Batt wall insulation, improved thermal systems, internal moisture management, higher efficiency air handlers, foam-filled exterior block walls and air pressure balancing. The included EFL package results in an extremely efficient air conditioning system and lower energy bills overall. One of the largest Del Webb communities in the U.S., Del Webb Stone Creek features Reflection Bay, an amenity center encompassing 45,000 square feet with a state-of-the-art fitness center, event gathering areas, and recreational, social and educational activities to match every lifestyle. Del Webb Stone Creek also features heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools and spas, a softball field, fishing pier, and tennis, bocce, horseshoe and pickleball courts. The Stone Creek Golf Club and the Stone Creek Grille are located immediately outside the neighborhood gates and offer residents a country club-like atmosphere. Model homes at Del Webb Stone Creek are open daily for viewing.

NAI Realvest Negotiates $2.5 Million Sale of building on S. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando to be redeveloped as self-storage facility

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the $2,500,000 sale price for the 43,000 square foot building at 4650 S. Semoran Blvd. just north of Gatlin Blvd. in Orlando. Jeff Bloom, CCIM, senior director at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Orlando Partnership based in Clearwater. Sarasota-based Semoran Storage Associates LLC is the buyer of the former office building which will be redeveloped as a self storage facility. Tad Dixon of First Team Commercial represented the buyer in the sale.

NAI Global Ranked Fifth Among Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brands in 14th Annual Lipsey Survey

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Global, the world’s largest, most powerful network of owner-operated commercial real estate firms, earned the fifth spot in the 2015 Lipsey Survey of Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brands. The survey was conducted among 100,000 commercial real estate professionals using a combination of ballot voting, phone interviews and focus groups to evaluate innovation, responsiveness and quality of service. NAI Global is the only commercial real estate network of independently owned and operated firms represented among the top five NAI Realvest based in Orlando is a member of NAI Global. “We are proud to be part of the NAI Global network, and that our strength and achievements are recognized by our industry peers and colleagues and reflected in the results of this year’s Lipsey survey,” said Robin Webb, managing director at NAI Realvest. The survey is conducted by The Lipsey Company, a leading training and consulting firm specializing in the commercial real estate industry. The 2015 survey results can be found here http://www.lipseyco.com./brand-survey.

DiVosta Homes’ Hemingway model open for touring at Windsor Park at Abacoa

JUPITER, Fla. – DiVosta Homes recently opened its latest luxury model, The Hemingway, at Windsor Park at Abacoa, 1400 Indian Creek Parkway in Jupiter. The professionally decorated, five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath, 3,768 square-foot Hemingway model is priced from $677,000, according to Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for DiVosta Homes in South Florida. “The Hemingway is a hallmark of our community at Windsor Park at Abacoa,” Marin said. “With its three strikingly different elevations and its smart use of interior space, this model appeals to a diverse group of homebuyers.” The Hemingway features a first-floor guest suite, an open kitchen with butler’s pantry, and a formal living room or optional flex room. Its exterior boasts high-impact second-floor windows, a metal or tile roof and a brick paver driveway. Windsor Park at Abacoa offers much in the way of activities with its resort-style pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, community room, activity center and catering kitchen for private gatherings. Located just five minutes from Interstate 95, the community also is convenient to area beaches, The Gardens Mall and Palm Beach International Airport. For more information, visit www.divosta.com.

Pulte Homes Opens New Upscale Model Home at The Quarry

NAPLES, Fla. – Pulte Homes has opened its newest model home – the 3,999-square-foot Ritz Grande – at The Quarry, a gated golfing and boating community located off Immokalee Road, four miles east of I-75 in Naples. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte in South Florida, said the Ritz Grande is part of Pulte’s Royal Series with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, and a three-car garage priced from $731,990. Highlights include an oversized owner’s suite, a spacious kitchen/dining area, and an upstairs game room. Mairn said the Ritz Grande can be customized with options like a fifth or sixth bedroom, a fourth bath, French doors leading from the owner’s suite and dining room, as well as a summer kitchen and lanai privacy wall. Situated on a 230-acre recreational lake and surrounded by 830 acres of nature preserves, the community boasts an 18 hole Hurdzan-Fry-designed championship golf course, the Quarry Golf Lodge with formal restaurant and bar, golf pro shop and informal bar and grille, the Quarry Lake Lodge and Beach Club, a resort lagoon pool with private lap pool, four lighted clay tennis courts, two bocce ball courts, boat docks and cabanas with swimming, boating and fishing. Pulte builds new two, three and four-bedroom single-family homes at The Quarry priced from the high- $200s to more than $1 million. For a complete list of features included in the Ritz Grande and other Pulte Homes plans offered at The Quarry, visit www.pulte.com.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates $2 Million Sale of Neighborhood Shopping Center in Leesburg

Leesburg, Fla. – Hold-Thyssen based in Orlando recently negotiated the $2,000,000 sale price for the Leesburg Retail Plaza located at 8425 US Highway 441 in Leesburg, northwest of Orlando. Hold-Thyssen broker associate Troy Stevens, negotiated the transaction on behalf of the seller, Leesburg Retail Plaza. “From offer to closing it only took 23 business days to close the deal,” Stevens said. The buyer of the 35,000 square foot retail center is a private investor who was represented in negotiations by Daniel Tatro of Grizzard Commercial Real Estate Group. Existing tenants at the center include Pizza Hut. 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.

Clean, Straight Lines, Efficient Design mark Lennar’s Urban Design at West End Town Homes in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s architects and designers went back to the drawing board to create Lennar’s new Urban style at West End Townhomes, located at W. Lemon Street in Tampa. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said he wanted a clean, efficient and sustainable look inside and out that will appeal to young urban professionals. He got what he wanted. Lennar is premiering its new Urban brand design at West End Townhomes and Metheny said the builder may use the theme elsewhere. “West End is a unique community. Our Urban design is a reflection of the surrounding area. And if we find similar opportunities elsewhere, we may turn to this style again,” Metheny said. At first look, West End Townhomes is clearly a unique achievement. The all new construction evidences the cool, almost industrial look of a chic conversion with flat roof lines and hardscape facades — brick on the lower levels, a lighter stucco above. These townhomes might have been a factory once, or downtown retail buildings. Just as clearly, West End Townhomes are upscale residences – only 39 will be built -- with delightful balconies and porches and artful embellishments that show a faint nod to ancient Athens. It’s easy to imagine a relaxing Saturday afternoon sipping a cold drink and watching the street unfold. Three-story buildings at West End Townhomes offer living spaces that range from 2,173 to 2,410 square feet, two car garages and a host of luxury extras like textured volume ceilings, granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and modern contemporary finishes all with the Lennar “Everything’s Included” price promise. The ‘sustainable’ look is more than just a façade. With Schlage Nexia Home Automation controls and a 15 SEER air conditioning system, West End Townhomes rank at the top of the energy efficiency matrix. “We wanted a modern, efficient, utilitarian look and feel that appeals to no-nonsense young urban professionals,” Metheny explained. “West End is within walking distance of Curtis Hixon Park and close to upscale dining and shopping at Channelside and Hyde Park Village. That means a new generation and demand for a new style,” Metheny said.

Lennar’s New Coach Homes at Gran Paradiso in Venice Boast Lots of Open Space, Plenty of Flair

Venice, Fla. --- Two new Coach Homes promise a lot more than meets the eye at Gran Paradiso, the luxury community Lennar Homes is building on Galleria Boulevard off U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) between South Venice and North Port in Venice. That’s always the case for Lennar, whose trademarked Everything’s IncludedTM upgrades--granite countertops, maplewood cabinetry, designer fixtures, stainless steel appliances and highly rated energy efficiency for starters---are included in the standard Lennar purchase price. David Meyers, director of sales and marketing in Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said Lennar has gone one better in its two new Coach Home designs. The one-story Hibiscus floor plan offers 1,741 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, two baths, a covered lanai and side entry foyer, priced from $229,990 with a two-car garage. The two-story Oleander floor plan offers three bedrooms, two baths, a covered patio and a stylish ground-floor foyer in 2,068 square feet of living space, priced from $249,990 with a three-car tandem garage. “Both homes have been designed to take advantage of open space living,” Meyers said. Lennar designers rewrote the rules to focus on sweeping family leisure spaces that include great rooms, dining areas and lanais conveniently served by open gourmet kitchens to showcase elegant living at its finest. Meyers said Lennar plans 116 Coach Homes in 29 buildins at Gran Paradiso and construction of the first new Coach Homes buildings has already started at Ragazza Circle in the community. A grand opening event is slated for March, but early buyers can get a sneak preview any day at the Gran Paradiso Welcome Home Center, Meyers added. Lennar recently opened the new 20,000 square-foot community clubhouse at Gran Paradiso and is days away from opening a new zero-entry swimming pool. The clubhouse, which includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, a media center, spa, steam room and locker facilities, adjoins the swimming pool and cabanas. The center is surrounded by 17,000 square feet of brick paver decking that adjoins a plaza leading to tennis courts, fitness trails and a children’s playground. Altogether 1,800 new homes are planned at Gran Paradiso, priced from the low $200s to more than $500,000. Lennar is also building Estate Homes, Executive Homes, Manor Homes and Villas at Gran Paradiso that range in size from 1,340 square feet of living space to almost 4,000 square feet. Visit www.Lennar.com.

Meritage Homes has opened The Enclave at Windermere Landing with Luxury Homes Priced From the $300s

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Meritage Homes has opened its newest community – The Enclave at Windermere Landing -- with luxury homes priced from $383,990. Brian Kittle, vice president of operations at Meritage Homes in Orlando, said the homebuilder eventually plans a total of 100 new homes at The Enclave at Windermere Landing, located off Chase Road in Windermere and convenient to major arterial highways. New Meritage Homes at The Enclave at Windermere Landing range in size from 2,180 square feet of living space to 5,031 square feet with four, five and six bedrooms, Kittle said. Ten distinctive one and two-story floor plans are available with barrel-tile roofing, stone fronts and front and side-loading two- and three-car garages, Kittle said. Four new move-in ready homes were recently completed. Move-in ready homes at The Enclave at Windermere range from the 2,383 ranch-style McCray model with four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths priced from $384,990 to the six-bedroom Coronado a two-story, 4,994 square foot home with four full bathrooms and a three-car tandem garage base priced at $554,990.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates Six Leases at Phillips Place totaling over 8,700 square feet on Dr. Phillips Blvd.

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, a real estate services firm headquartered in Winter Park, recently negotiated six lease agreements for a total of 8,776 rentable square feet at Phillips Place, 7575 Dr. Philips Blvd. in Southwest Orlando. Darby Hold, transaction specialist for Hold-Thyssen, Inc. negotiated all six transactions representing the Cincinnati, Ohio-based landlord, Financial Way Realty, Inc. Equity Investment Services LLC leased 1,851 square feet in the Phillips Place office building due to its excellent location. The commercial real estate investment and advisory company was represented by Matthew Edmiston of the firm. Beyer Brown Enterprises, Inc., with over 35 years experience in the hospitality procurement industry, leased 1,149 square feet in the Phillips Place office building. Matthew Edmiston with Equity Investment Services represented the tenant. Team Magic Real Estate d/b/a ReMax Magic leased 1,691 square feet and was represented by Jeff Koch with AmeriTeam Realty. American Concept & Design, already a tenant at the Phillips Place office building renewed a lease of 516 square feet and expanded with a new additional lease of 1,125 square feet. Dr. Phillips Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists renewed its lease of 2,007 square feet and Executive Properties of Florida LLC, renewed their lease of 953 square feet Hold-Thyssen, Inc. is the leasing and management representative for the 56,000 square foot Phillips Place Office Building, which is now 85 percent leased 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.

Emerson International Reports New Office Leases at its developments in Longwood, Altamonte Springs totaling more than 11,000 Square Feet

Altamonte Springs, Fla. – -- Emerson International recently closed on three new leases for class A office space that totals 11,151 rentable square feet at its developments in Longwood and Altamonte Springs. Kenneth Koch, director of leasing at Emerson International, recently negotiated a lease agreement with CFACT Consulting Services for 5,810 square feet at 2170 Sanlando Center, on S.R. 434 in Longwood. Mark Harkins of Harkins Commercial represented the tenant, a business and project consulting firm. Zac Starkey, leasing associate at Emerson International, negotiated a new lease of 4,787 square feet at 2170 Sanlando Center with Prometrics, Inc. Starkey also negotiated a lease at CenterPointe Office Park on CenterPointe Circle off E. Central Parkway in Altamonte Springs. Neuropsychology of Altamonte Springs leased suite 1459 with 554 square feet. The tenant provides child psychology and clinical neuropsychology. 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.

Lake Nona/Medical City Area Business Leads Group Formed

ORLANDO, Fla. --- A new Lake Nona / Medical City area Business Leads Group was recently launched in east Orlando. Andrea Byrge, long-time area resident, chamber board member and marketing specialist with Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is spearheading “Nona Business LEADers” which is targeted to have approximately 40 members. Byrge said “Nona Business Leaders” meets in Lake Nona on Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. and will include Lake Nona area small business executives and independent contractors to grow their businesses through relationships and referrals. Membership is limited to one business per category. For further information and to apply for membership, telephone Andrea Byrge at (407) 687-8268 or email Andrea at AByrge@stirlingsir.com.

HENIN GROUP TO BEGIN DEVELOPMENT OF NEXT FOUR PHASES AT RIVIERA BELLA

DeBary, Fla. – The Henin Group will start development soon of Phases 4 through 7 at Riviera Bella, the gated luxury community in DeBary overlooking the St. Johns River. Jerome Henin, president of the Henin Group, said the next phases will comprise 146 additional home sites featuring from 50 to 70 foot widths. Henin said there will be 35 more homesites developed in the estate section for new four, five and six bedroom homes starting from the mid $500,000s to well over a million dollars. There will also be a new phase of 17 riverfront homes, priced from $1 Million+. All four new phases will be breaking ground before the end of the year, Henin said. M/I Homes and Henin Homes are the builders for the final phases of Riviera Bella. The community is located off Fort Florida Road, west of the 17-92 and Highbanks Rd. intersection in DeBary

Orlando-Based Breakout Company Quatro Solutions Taking on Biggest Names in Educational Learning Tools

Orlando, Fla. --- Two years ago Orlando-based Quatro Solutions Consulting Group, LLC, ranked as a promising technology startup with an admirable goal: affordable educational software to help underserved students get ahead faster. Today, the Android-powered Quatro eBolt is in full use in 16 states, from Florida to New Mexico, and the breakout company is pitching head-to-head against the biggest names in educational software---Apple and Samsung---and winning contracts. “It’s been exhilarating so far,” said Jose Espejo, chief executive officer of Quatro Solutions Consulting Group. “Our goal was to design an extremely affordable mobile device with the functionality teachers and students need in the classroom and at home,” he said. What started as an idea quickly became a passion. “We wanted to develop a device that every child in our K12 public school system could have,” Espejo said. “We learned quickly why teachers do what they do, day in and day out. We fell in love with the idea that we could impact a child’s life.” And while passion alone won’t win contracts, passion plus airtight technology is a powerful combination. “Affordability” was the key ingredient to Quatro’s marketing strategy. “Contractors and providers in the education field usually start with the budget. How much can a school system afford? We started from the other end, asking ourselves, ‘just how affordable can we make our product?’” Espejo said. Quatro had its doubters. “They said we were crazy to start a company targeting the education industry and even crazier to pick a fight with the world’s largest tablet companies,” Espejo said. Quatro’s eBolt tablets now rank among the most affordable in the industry, with high-powered functionality that can outshine premium tablets manufactured by the industry icons. “Our whole focus is on student achievement,” Espejo said. “We provide superb one-to-one training with teachers and students. We aren’t selling products. We’re selling results,” he said. The Quatro eBolt easily adopts free learning resources, including Learning Apps such as Google Play Store, online educational videos such as Khan Academy, Net Texts, YouTube Edu and others, e-textbooks and Internet access to enhance the classroom experience. “One of the biggest benefits is real-time feedback on how students learn and retain new material,” Espejo said. “With polling apps such as NearPod, teachers can know right away if a struggling student needs extra help,” he explained. Espejo’s biggest reward comes at the end of the day. “What we have found is that Quatro eBolt students are taking ownership of their learning. They can set their own routine, listening to a lecture during homework time at night and using their teacher's guidance to do homework in the classroom during the day,” he said. Best of all, Espejo said Quatro Solutions is having an impact on the future that can’t be measured in dollars and cents. We’re working side by side with thousands of teachers and students. We’re decreasing the digital divide and providing 21st century learning tools that engage and enhance young scholars to reach their full potential. We are helping impact the lives of our future astronauts, engineers, doctors, and teachers,” he said. “You can’t put a price on that.” Quatro Solutions Consulting Group is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program located in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

Meritage Homes opens Lakeside, its newest gated community in Winter Park –with 39 homes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes has opened Lakeside, a gated community of single-family homes located on Dodd Rd. off Howell Branch in Winter Park. Brian Kittle, division vice president for Meritage Homes said the homebuilder’s new Lakeside community offers just 39 home sites – several that are lakefront – for new four, five and six-bedroom homes priced from $454,990 to $514,990 . New Meritage homes at Lakeside will range from approximately 3,082 square feet of living area to 5,111 square feet with four distinctive floor plans to choose. One model is now underway at Lakeside and will be ready for viewing early next year, Kittle said.

FLORIDA ENTREPRENEURS KICKSTART BRIGHT IDEA

Night Runner Shoe Lights Illuminate Paths from Dusk Until Dawn ORLANDO, Fla. --- Orlando entrepreneurs Doug and Renata Storer believe they have pioneered a way to keep runners, walkers and hikers safe and injury-free while exercising after the sun has gone down -- Night Runner Shoe Lights. This week, they launched a month-long crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to raise $35,000 for the first round of production. Night Runner consists of two small, featherweight, water-tight LED lights that clip securely to each shoe and flood the path ahead with light up to 30 feet. The light units provide 270 degrees of visibility so runners or walkers can be seen from the front, sides and even from behind. The rugged lights also feature rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that remain bright for four to eight hours. “We have an innovative, affordable product that helps active people do more of what they enjoy whether it be running, walking or hiking from dusk until dawn,” Doug explained. “Night Runner Shoe Lights have many applications beyond running. Delivery workers, postal workers, first responders, kids walking to the bus stop in the morning could all benefit from Night Runners.” For the next month, Kickstarter donors can exclusively order a pair of Night Runners for $20 less than the market value (MSRP $69.95) and help get this bright idea off the ground. Additional incentives for contributors to the Night Runner Shoe Light campaign include tech running t-shirts, Night Runner light packages, and even a personal one-on-one night run with the CEO. The campaign ends at 5PM EST on Wednesday, March 25. According the Kickstarter rules of conduct, the entirety of the $35,000 must be reached for Night Runner to receive any of the funds. Night Runner debuted at The Running Event in Austin, Texas and received national attention from 38 retailers who are ready to carry the product in the Fall. Within its first day on Kickstarter, Night Runner raised over $1000. The Storers also won both the Judges Award and the Audience Award at the 2014 4Q VenturePitch Orlando Startup Competition. Now, they need capital to move into manufacturing and they’re reaching out to the running community to make it happen. “We’ve been developing Night Runner for the last two years,” said Storer. “If this were a marathon we’d be less than a mile from the finish line.”

Ashton Woods Homes Opens New Townhome Community in Altamonte Springs

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has started sales of the first of 108 three-story maintenance free townhomes at its newest community - Enclave at Altamonte – off of Palm Springs Drive, South of 436 in Altamonte Springs. Located within walking distance of the Altamonte Springs retail and entertainment hub, the private community of luxury energy-efficient townhomes is also minutes from most major Orlando arteries. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said the three story townhomes range from approximately 1,718 square feet of living space to 1,989 square feet and are all three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath designs with rear entry two-car garages. Prices at the Enclave at Altamonte start at $249,990. Construction of the first new townhomes will be completed and ready for move-in by May, Roche added. Amenities at the Enclave at Altamonte include community swimming pool and cabana.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates $1.84 Million Sale of Albors Building in Winter Park

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc. recently closed the sale of the Winter Park Albors Building at 5971 Brick Court to Trinity Preparatory School of Florida for $1,840,000. Trinity Preparatory School – rated one of Orlando’s best private schools – acquired the 11,912 square foot office building which is adjacent to their Winter Park property for future expansion. Darby Hold and Monroe Booth, transaction specialists at Hold-Thyssen, Inc., brokered the transaction representing the seller, Albors Properties, LLC. Christopher Gardner with Condev Realty, LLC represented the buyer. Hold boosted occupancy of the Albors Building to 75 percent prior to putting it on the market. Major tenants include, Integrative Counseling & Wellness, LLC, KOI Counseling LLC, Albors & Alnet Languages and Transportation, Beringer Accounting, the Wayne Leland CPA firm and John Barrett Insurance. 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.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Purchase of 154,000 Square Foot Neighborhood Shopping Center in Casselberry for $7.175 Million

Casselberry, Fla. – NAI Realvest, based in Orlando, recently negotiated the $7,175,000 purchase price for the 154,323 square foot retail center known as Greater Marketplace located at 1006 SR 436 in Casselberry north of Orlando. NAI Realvest broker associate Drew Saphos, CCIM, along with chairman George Livingston, and principal Christie Alexander, represented the Pompano Beach buyer JAB Shopping Center II, LLC who has anchored the center with a new metro Orlando location for Baer’s Furniture. “This new Baer’s Furniture showroom will synergize with the Winter Garden location opening later this year to bookend the Orlando MSA with locations on the eastern and western sides of the metro area,” Saphos said. Existing tenants at the center include Bank of America, Verizon, Planet Fitness and Colorado Fondue Company. The seller, Greater Properties, Inc. was represented in the transaction by Crossman & Company.

Lennar Promotes Brock Nicholas to Division President for Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar has promoted Brock Nicholas to Division President for the Orlando region after only seven months as the homebuilder’s Division Manager there. Mark Metheny, President of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Nicholas will continue to be responsible for Lennar’s homebuilding and community development operations in the Orlando division which includes 43 communities across Orange, Lake, Seminole, Polk, Osceola and Brevard counties. “Brock has shown great leadership and strength since joining Lennar as our Division Manager and we look forward to continued success with our growth in the Orlando marketplace under his direction,” said Metheny. Nicholas holds an MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and has 15 years of experience in real estate related activities such as acquisition, development, construction and management in markets including California, Hawaii, Connecticut and Florida as well as the UK, Canada and Caribbean. Nicholas serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Florida Community Developers and the Board of Directors of Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida.

PULTE HOMES ACQURIES 52 ESTATE HOME SITES IN NORTHEAST ORANGE COUNTY

Lake Pickett Reserve to Feature Lakefront Home Sites, Large Lots and Private Boat Ramp in Gated Community Orlando, Fla. - Pulte Homes has acquired 52 estate home sites at Lake Pickett Reserve, expanding the homebuilder’s presence in the greater Orlando market. Land development activity is already underway at the new community site, located in northeast Orange County just south of the Seminole County line. The gated luxury community will include a residents-only boat ramp on 762-acre Lake Pickett, a private lake with no public access, said Sean Strickler, vice president of sales and operations for PulteGroup’s North Florida Division. The community, which is expected to open for sales this fall, will offer half-acre to full-acre home sites – including some lakefront sites. “Lake Pickett Reserve is one of the most beautiful residential areas remaining in this part of the state,” said Strickler, adding that the location has excellent accessibility to employment hubs, transportation, entertainment and recreation corridors. Pulte plans to build single-family estate homes that range in size from approximately 2,000 to more than 4,000 square feet with open, flexible living spaces, Strickler said. “Lake Pickett Reserve offers one of the last and best opportunities to live in this area, with unrivaled privacy and space,” said Strickler. “Pulte plans to offer well-appointed homes in this very unique, gated and waterfront community at a compelling value.” Pulte Homes acquired the property, located off Lake Pickett Road near Chuluota Road, in January 2015. To receive email updates about Lake Pickett Reserve from Pulte Homes go to pulte.com/lakepickett or call 877-838-5809. About Pulte Homes Pulte Homes is a national brand of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM). Pulte Homes builds consumer inspired homes and communities that provide the move-up buyer the best quality of life. Only Pulte Homes offers the combination of innovative Life Tested Home Designs® with an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail. For more information about Pulte Homes, visit www.pulte.com.

DiVosta Homes’ Hemingway Model is open at Windsor Park at Abacoa in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. – DiVosta Homes has opened its latest luxury model, The Hemingway, at Windsor Park at Abacoa, 1400 Indian Creek Parkway in Jupiter. The professionally decorated, five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath, 3,768 square-foot Hemingway model is priced from $677,000, according to Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for DiVosta Homes in South Florida. “The Hemingway is a hallmark of our community at Windsor Park at Abacoa,” Marin said. “With its three strikingly different elevations and its smart use of interior space, this model appeals to a diverse group of homebuyers.” The Hemingway features a first-floor guest suite, an open kitchen with butler’s pantry, and a formal living room or optional flex room. Its exterior boasts high-impact second-floor windows, a metal or tile roof and a brick paver driveway. Windsor Park at Abacoa offers much in the way of activities with its resort-style pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, community room, activity center and catering kitchen for private gatherings. Located just five minutes from Interstate 95, the community also is convenient to area beaches, The Gardens Mall and Palm Beach International Airport. For more information, visit www.divosta.com.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates New Office Lease and 3 Long Term Renewals totaling over 27,900 Square Feet in New Port Richey

New Port Richey, Fla. --- Carol L. Kinnard, transaction specialist at Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a commercial real estate services firm based in Winter Park with offices in Tampa, recently negotiated a six year lease renewal with Pride Integrated Services, Inc. at Counsel Square in New Port Richey representing the landlord. Kinnard said Pride Integrated Services has been a tenant for 10 years and renewed for an additional six years their lease of Suite 350C with 2,250± square feet at Counsel Square I located at 7619 Little Rd. Pride, the oldest private probation agency in the United States, is approved by the State of Florida and has been a pioneer in criminal justice and rehabilitative programming. At the same time, Kinnard represented the landlord at Palm Center, 5509 Grand Blvd. at the intersection of Gulf Drive, in a new lease agreement with State Representative Amanda Murphy for Suite 300 with 930 square feet. Representative Murphy relocated her office to Palm Center to give her District 36 constituents better accessibility Last month Kinnard negotiated lease renewals with two other long-time tenants at Counsel Square: Pasco County Sheriff’s Child Protection Team, a tenant for over 10 years renewed the lease of Suite 201E with 23,771± square feet encompassing the entire second floor of Counsel Square II and a renewal agreement for a newly renovated 1,000 square foot suite at Counsel Square I. The tenant Psychological Management Group, PA who has been a tenant at Counsel Square I for 15 years 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 than100 commercial properties throughout the United States.

LENNAR OPENS SUMMERLAKE IN WINTER GARDEN, FIRST MODEL NOW OPEN FOR TOURING

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Lennar recently opened Summerlake located in Winter Garden on Summerlake Park Blvd. in the Horizon West mixed use community. Brock Nicholas, division president in the Orlando region, said Lennar is building 288 single family homes at Summerlake on 40, 50 and 60-foot homesites, highlighted by extra wide sidewalks throughout the community. New homes ranging from approximately 1,700 square feet of living area to 3,900 square feet are priced from the mid $200s. Nicholas said Lennar’s first model home at Summerlake is now open and ready for viewing. The Peabody has five bedrooms, three full baths with an open floor plan in 3,288 square feet of living area and a three-car tandem garage. New homes by Lennar at Summerlake come with the homebuilder’s Everything’s Included pledge: a wide range luxury features and upgrades like GE energy smart stainless steel appliances, granite or quartz countertops, maple wood cabinets, at the one Lennar Homes price. A lakefront clubhouse and recreation center with fitness facility, resort-style swimming pool and children’s playground are among the amenities at Summerlake along with tennis and basketball courts, multi-purpose ballfield and the Summer Line – a kid friendly version of a zipline. Several parks are scattered throughout Summerlake which is minutes from Disney resorts, historic downtown Winter Garden and other shopping, dining and entertainment venues, employment centers and major arterial roads and highways. Visit www.LennarOrlando.com or call 800-430-2193.

DiVosta Homes recently hosted a Model Home Showcase at Sandhill Preserve on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes recently showcased four models at Sandhill Preserve on Palmer Ranch. The gated luxury community is located at 11123 Shearwater Court Sarasota, FL 34238 off Honore Avenue in the master-planned Palmer Ranch community. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for DiVosta Homes in South Florida, said the public is invited to tour the homebuilder’s four professionally decorated model homes. DiVosta is building two and three-bedroom single-family homes at Sandhill Preserve on Palmer Ranch in six distinctive floor plans priced from $341,990. "The four homes we have showcased present some of DiVosta’s most popular plans with their flexibility to fit most any lifestyle,” Mairn said. 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 $341,990. 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 $469,990 with an island kitchen that serves a spacious gathering room, dining room and café for entertaining along with a covered lanai with optional pool and spa packages. The Pinnacle, with three bedrooms and three baths in 2,488 square feet of living space, is priced from $464,990 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 $370,990. 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. The amenity center at Sandhill Preserve -- currently under construction and slated to open in the fall -- includes 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.

Lennar starts construction of new homes priced from in the mid $100s at Vista Palms in Sun City Center south of Tampa,

Sun City, Fla. --- Lennar has started sales of single family homes at Vista Palms, their newest community at Sun City Center located off of I-75 and S.R. 674 South of Tampa. Construction has started on three model homes at the community. Mark Metheny, Lennar division president, said the homebuilder plans to build 369 new homes on 40-foot homesites at Vista Palms and 353 homes on 50-foot homesites. Five of Lennar’s most popular floor plans with two car garages are offered at Vista Palms ranging from 1,677 square feet of living area to 2,574 square feet and priced from the mid $100s. Metheny said three models underway will be ready for touring at a grand opening planned for late spring. The Columbus II with 1,677 square feet of living area, three bedrooms, two baths with huge covered patio will be a “Quality You Can See” model that gives homebuyers a cutaway look at Lennar’s engineering and construction techniques. The 1,909 square foot Normandy with four bedrooms and three baths will initially be Lennar’s Welcome Home Center at the community. The two-story Rockefeller with four bedrooms, a loft and three full baths will be furnished and professionally decorated when the community grand opens, Metheny said. “Every home we will build at Vista Palms comes with Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge,” Metheny said. “Upgraded interior features that are typically optional--granite counter tops, wood cabinetry, recessed lighting, designer light fixtures, stainless steel appliances, crown molding–are all included at the one Lennar Homes price.”

Berkadia Negotiates $3.5 Million Price in Sale of Seven-Acre Multi-Family Development Site in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. --- Berkadia, one of the nation’s largest and most active multifamily investment banking and research companies, recently negotiated a $3.5 million price in a sale of the 7.87-acre Plaza Fort Meyers multi-family development site located at 2144 McGregor Boulevard in Ft. Myers. Cole Whitaker, Florida partner for Berkadia, negotiated the sale with Senior Partner Hal Warren and Broker Associate Mary Beale. Berkadia represented the seller, Land Holding LLC. Madison Ave Investment Group acquired the site, located adjacent to the Publix Supermarket at First Street Village three blocks from U.S. 41 and one block from the river. Berkadia, a joint venture of Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, is an industry leading commercial real estate company providing comprehensive capital solutions and investment sales advisory and research services for multifamily and commercial properties. Berkadia is amongst the largest, highest rated and most respected primary, master and special servicers in the industry.