NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease Expansion, Renewal for Palmano’s Café on Park Ave. in Winter Park

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease Expansion, Renewal for Palmano’s Café on Park Ave. in Winter Park

ORLANDO, Fla. - NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease expansion and renewal for Palmano’s Café, located at 333 Park Ave. South at the intersection of Lyman Ave. in downtown Winter Park.

NAI Realvest principal Christie Alexander and George Livingston, chairman emeritus of the firm, negotiated the long-term lease agreement representing Palmano’s Café. Patti Jackson of the Bradley Corporation represented the landlord.

The new lease agreement expands Palmano’s Café by 700 square feet of space, with interior seating in addition to existing outdoor seating, Alexander said.

Palmano’s plans to add a dinner menu. The roastery, wine and coffee bar currently serves breakfast and lunch.

For more information, contact:
Christie Alexander, Principal, NAI Realvest 407-949-0704 calexander@realvest.com
George Livingston, Chairman Emeritus, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 glivingston@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.nairealvest.com.

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates New Lease agreement with Culinary School at Cory Lake Isles Professional Center in New Tampa

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Negotiates New Lease agreement with Culinary School at Cory Lake Isles Professional Center in New Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently completed a new lease agreement at Cory Lakes Isles Professional Center in New Tampa.

Richard Andretta, SIOR, vice president in the firm’s Office Group and associate Rob Turner negotiated the lease representing the landlord.

The new tenant, Tampa Bay Culinary School leased suites C&D with 1,760 square feet at the center located at 10335 Cross Creek Blvd.

About Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis:
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Contacts:
Richard Andretta, SIOR 813-639-1111 (255)
Rob Turner, 813-639-1111 (235)
Jeffrey Sweeney, SIOR President 407-481-5387
Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects named to design interior buildout for Wine World Outlet at Village Crossroads in Lady Lake

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects named to design interior buildout for Wine World Outlet at Village Crossroads in Lady Lake

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently given the assignment to design an interior buildout for Wine World Outlet at the Village Crossroads retail center in Lady Lake.

The facility is estimated at 4,150 square feet at buildout, said Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC.

The project was assigned by The Benchmark Group of Amherst, N.Y., developer of the Village Crossroads power center on N. U.S. Hwy. 441.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

UCF Business Incubation Program Underway in St. Cloud

Pictured left to right: Chad Pert, Osceola Development Group, LLC; Ernie Gearhart, St. Cloud economic development consultant; Byron Knibbs, OUC; Dr. Tom O’ Neal, UCF Dept of Research & Commercialization; Nick Gross, Jr., Osceola Development Group, LLC; Michael E. Harford, Osceola County Commissioner District 1; Fred Hawkins, Jr., Osceola County Commissioner District 5; Tom Griffin, St. Cloud deputy mayor; Mickey Hopper and Jay Polachek, St. Cloud city council members; Donna Hart, St. Cloud mayor; and Maria Toumazos, Osceola County Economic Development administrator

Incubator Program Underway in St. Cloud ---

The University of Central Florida, City of St. Cloud and Osceola County officials recently broke ground on a new Business, Technology and Research Center under construction at Stevens Plantation in St. Cloud. Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the new facility will help accelerate new business startups with guidance, advice and business skills. “New businesses that start here in Osceola County will not want to leave here,” O’Neal said.

Contacts:

Dr. Tom O’Neal, Exec Director,UCF Business Incubation Program,407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel Communications,407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

Commercial Real Estate, Investment Analyst Sees Mixed Signals on Economy, Housing News Promising

Commercial Real Estate, Investment Analyst Sees Mixed Signals on Economy, Housing News Promising

ORLANDO, Fla. - Veteran commercial real estate and investments analyst George Livingston, chairman emeritus of NAI Realvest in Maitland, said the Federal Bank of Atlanta’s recent economic update reports mixed signals on the U.S. economy but good news for the U.S. housing market.

While consumer gauges---the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index---showed declines, capital goods orders increased modestly in June for the first time in more than a year.

Two major housing indices may signal a bottoming of the housing slump and the path toward recovery. The widely respected Case-Shiller Home Price Index was up, Livingston said, and new and existing single-family home sales were up in June for the third month in a row---and higher than industry expectations.

“It appears the housing market may be recovering and the rest of the economy is lagging,” said Livingston.

For more information, contact:
George Livingston, Chairman Emeritus, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 glivingston@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit http://www.nairealvest.com/.

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Signs First New Tenant at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Signs First New Tenant at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach

TAMPA, Fla. -- Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide, recently signed the first new tenant in the recently completed retail buildings at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk at Hubbard’s Marina in Madeira Beach.

Michelle Seifert, vice president of Retail Services at Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida and exclusive broker at John’s Pass, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Hubbard Properties, LLC and the tenant, Tarpon Springs-based Vegetable Ivory – a specialty retailer of unique custom jewelry made from the palm tree nut – who leased 857 square feet.

“This is the first new tenant signed among many retailers we are working with who will be joining the exciting and historic tourist destination. The interest in John’s Pass has been extraordinary and we are pleasantly surprised with the amount of activity we have received,” Seifert said.

John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk at Hubbard’s Marina is anchored by Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, offers a wide range of activities and events and hosts more than two million visitors annually.

About Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis:
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Contacts:
Michelle Seifert 813-830-7285
Jeffrey Sweeney 407-481-5387
Larry Vershel 407-644-4142

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Assigned Interior Buildout Project in Bonita Springs

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Assigned Interior Buildout Project in Bonita Springs

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently given the assignment to design an interior buildout project at Bonita Commons, a retail power center on S. Tamiami Tr. in Bonita Springs.

The 6,600 square foot project was assigned by The Benchmark Group of Amherst, N.Y., developer of the center, Lonnie Peterson, chairman of the architectural firm, said.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

ABD Development Company Introduces Executive Pricing at Heritage Green at Providence Golf & Country Club

ABD Development Company Introduces Executive Pricing at Heritage Green at Providence Golf & Country Club

ORLANDO, Fla. - ABD Development Company, which is developing the master-planned 2,200 acre Providence Golf & Country Club Community off U.S. 17-92 in the Loughman-Davenport area of Polk County, is introducing executive pricing at Heritage Green at Providence.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, which ranks as one of the region’s largest and most active custom home builders, said the new series of home designs will range from 2,480 square feet of living space to 3,510 square feet, with pricing in the mid-$350s.

“The trend today is toward smaller, more efficient luxury homes,” Kohn said. “The goal is greater sustainability, with energy-saving features and more affordable pricing,” Kohn said.
Kohn said the “smaller, smarter” trend apparent in the affordable housing market is growing more evident in the luxury homes market.

“The U.S. economy has changed, and the effects of this change should last for a decade or more,” Kohn said. “Across all markets, the emphasis is on smaller, smarter homes that are more efficient to own and maintain and more sustainable,” Kohn said. “We see this as a positive sea change in consumer preferences, and we want to build new luxury homes that will lead this trend,” Kohn added.

For more information, contact:
David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400
Sofi Coffey, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Biotraits, Inc. Establishes Online Consumer Protection Division to Protect Families and Children, Fight Identity Theft and Guard Home Computers

Biotraits, Inc. Establishes Online Consumer Protection Division to Protect Families and Children, Fight Identity Theft and Guard Home Computers from Predators

ORLANDO, Fla. - BioTraits, Inc., the six-year old biometric technology firm that provides corporate and government agencies with state-of-the-art security and accounting systems that accurately recognize and verify unique human characteristics, has launched a Consumer Protection Division that will focus on preventing identity theft and protecting children from web-based predators.

Peter A. Wengert, founder and chief executive officer of BioTraits, said the new division will develop and market Family ID Guard and Kids Web Guard to families for use on home-based computers.

“We have worked with the world’s leading security companies to develop some of the most advanced security configurations on the market today,” said Wengert. “We are focusing some of that advanced technology on an area of critical concern to most Americans---protecting our identities and protecting our children,” he said.

Wengert appointed Todd Folds president of BioTraits Consumer Protection Division. Folds, a graduate of Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Technology, has more than 16 years of experience in computer and online security.

BioTraits Inc. is a University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program client in the Central Florida Research Park.

For more information about this release contact:
Peter A. Wengert, CEO BioTraits, Inc. 3267 Progress Drive, Suite 103, Orlando, FL 32826; 866-815-0888 or peter@biotraits.com
Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-0211, cdykes@mail.ucf.edu
Thomas O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com

About BioTraits:
Founded in March 2003, BioTraits, Inc. is a biometric company providing solutions for biometric identification and verification products through its development of a suite of workforce management products and distribution of biometric access control products. For more information, visit www.biotraits.com.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 120 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, CEO Nexus to Host Forum for CEOs on growing established local companies to next level

Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, CEO Nexus to Host Forum for CEOs on growing established local companies to next level

Full Sail University CEO Ed Haddock is Guest Speaker at invitation-only event

WINTER PARK, Fla. - The Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship in collaboration with CEO Nexus will host the CEO Nexus Forum, part of a program series that brings together leaders of established, second-stage businesses to meet and learn from CEOs who have successfully grown their companies into a more advanced stage of business development.

Cari Coats, newly appointed executive director at the Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, said Ed Haddock, co-chairman and chief executive officer of Full Sail University, will be the guest speaker at the invitation only event that begins at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Crummer Graduate School of Business Bush Executive Center.

The business community and Rollins are embracing and helping to lead the “economic gardening” strategy fostered by CEO Nexus that growing our own local companies is a vital part of job creation.

Providing an opportunity for mentoring the CEOs of often underserved second-stage businesses is a priority not only for the Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship but for the CEOs of successful third and fourth-stage companies who realize the need to invest time in a confidential setting to advise and share growth strategies.

Haddock, along with his two partners and a talented team of executives built Full Sail University into one of the largest and most innovative entertainment, media and arts universities in the world. From the start of Haddock’s involvement in 1991, the school has grown from 300 to 7,700 students and the campus has grown to 190 acres with 801,000 square feet of studios, sound stages, media development and other support facilities.

Haddock and partners also expanded Full Sail’s post-secondary education portfolio to include The Los Angeles Film School, The Los Angeles Recording School and Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design.

Additionally, in 1973 Haddock was a founding partner, serving as chairman and managing partner of the law firm, Swann and Haddock, P.A., which by 1990 became one of Florida’s preeminent law firms. During the 1970s and 1980s Haddock was also a founding principal of financial institutions, insurance underwriting companies, homebuilding companies and real estate developments.

The Sept. 9 Forum is another in a series of events designed for second-stage CEOs and supported by the Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization and the Florida High Tech Corridor, said Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus.

“These events will all focus on ways companies can accelerate their growth and development in these challenging economic times,” Quello explained.

About Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship:
The Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship located within the Crummer Graduate School of Business is a catalyst and thought leader in the advancement of successful entrepreneurship. Core to its mission is to prepare the advanced students of the Rollins MBA program for entrepreneurial thought and action, and to connect them in a meaningful way with advanced entrepreneurs. This real-world insight provides advanced experiential learning which is critical to the Center’s success. The Rollins MBA Entrepreneurship program is ranked 24th in the nation by Entrepreneur Magazine and the Princeton Review.

About CEO Nexus:
CEO Nexus is a public-private initiative that provides second-stage business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include The Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, the Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Enterprise Florida and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact:
Cari Coats, Executive Director, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, 407-646-2067, ccoats@rollins.edu

Steve Quello, President/Principal, CEO Nexus 407-590-6101, squello@ceonexus.com

Dr. Tom O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization at the University of Central Florida, 407-882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com