Lennar opens new phase at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch, Estate Homes priced from mid $400,000s, Manor Homes from upper $300s

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. --- Lennar Homes recently opened a new phase with 33 home sites at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch, the award-winning gated community located off Lakewood Ranch Blvd. in Bradenton. David Meyers, Lennar’s director of sales and marketing in southwest Florida, said Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch has proved to be one of the home builder’s most popular luxury communities. “Sales of new homes at Bridgewater have been exceptional since we opened this community,” Meyers said. Lennar began selling new Estate and Manor homes at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch one year ago this month. Three, four and five-bedroom Estate Homes at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch range in size from 2,394 square feet of living space to 3,800 square feet in six distinctive one and two-story designs priced from $405,990. Four, five and six-bedroom Manor Homes in one and two-story designs range in size from 2,245 square feet to 3,828 square feet priced from $330,990 with three-car garages. Lennar’s unique NextGen® homes rank among the most popular Manor homes at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch and feature Lennar’s “home within a home” design for home owners with elderly live-in parents or adult children. “NextGen homes offer security and privacy for both families under one roof, with a full living suite for the second family that features its own private entrance and garage,” Meyers explained. All new homes at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch feature Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: upgraded finishes, superior appliances and many unique features all included in the one Lennar Homes price. “Lakewood Ranch is such a unique community and this is such a special area that we don’t wonder why living here is so desirable,” Meyers said. “We are very proud of this community.”

IROC Tactical Logs First Sale of New AR-15 MD Firearms Accessory To Law Enforcement Agency---Oviedo Police Department

Winter Springs, Fla. --- IROC Tactical, the Winter Springs manufacturer of high tech firearms accessories, reported the first sale of its signature IROC 22LR Conversion Kits to a law enforcement agency. The Oviedo Police Department acquired one dozen IROC MD 22-LR Conversion Kits to help train officers in the safe use of the department’s AR-15 semi-automatic weapons. Sergie Albino, president and chief executive officer of IROC Tactical, said the IROC 22LR Conversion Kits was designed for serious shooters and professionals such as police and recreational shooters who like get more training, trigger time, on their AR-15 rifles without spending too much money on standard 223/5.56 ammunition. Instead, the IROC 22LR Conversion Kits allows the Oviedo Police Department to use 22LR ammo in their training. This not only has cost benefits but also long term health benefits. From an Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) perspective, using the IROC 22LR Conversion Kit exposes the officers in training to reduced hazardous noise exposure and concussive force effects that can lead to permanent hearing loss; see IROC Tactical’s article on “Concussive Force: the silent variable in hearing loss” in the June issue of Law Enforcement Technology magazine and Officer.com (http://let.epubxp.com/i/320907). IROC stands for Increases Reliability on CoMDat. Sales of the IROC Tactical products to recreational shooters have been strong and steady, Albino reported. “The professional market is a huge one for us and we are very pleased to have made our first sale with a reputable department in our community,” Albino said. IROC Tactical is currently preparing a presentation for the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, which could lead to significant law enforcement sales, Albino said. “We already have tests scheduled with several police departments and sheriff's offices in Georgia who are potential customers,” Albino said. IROC's fully adjustable, tool-free muzzle device, other flagship product, adapts to any AR-15 weapon platform. The device improves accuracy, reduces jamming and helps the shooter control the weapon---stay on target---under stressful operational conditions. “Short-barrel gas operated weapons under 10.5 inches have a fast cycle rate, which contributes to jamming and affects barrel climb,” said Rob McNeill, IROC’s chief operating officer and principal. “The IROC MD properly tunes the cycle rate, increases the blow-back gas pressure and allows the bolt to remain open longer. Rounds eject reliably and the bolt cycles more efficiently,” McNeill said. The IROC MD’s tool-free adjustability enables the shooter to fire ammunition of different loads with the same consistent feel in every trigger pull, according to McNeill. “The IROC MD is the premier muzzle brake for any rifle platform, from short-barreled rifles to long-range sniper platforms, providing shooters greater precision and a more enjoyable shooting experience,” McNeill said. While not technically a sound suppressor as defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm (BATF), the IROC MD reduces the weapon’s visual and aural signature while it improves accuracy and precision, and controls unwanted recoil and barrel climb. IROC is a subsidiary of Caveat Engineering, a technology company that focuses on innovative solutions to product development and manufacturing. For more details, specifications, videos, shooters reports and online ordering visit IROCTactical.com or facebook/IROCTactical. IROC Tactical is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at 1511 E. S.R. 434 in Winter Springs.

Cuhaci & Peterson Completes Design work on two interior remodeling projects for Mitchell’s Fish Markets

ORLANDO, Fla. — Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers, Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently completed design work on two interior remodeling projects for Mitchell’s Fish Markets in Michigan. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson said the two front-of-house projects include a 4,976 square foot restaurant in Birmingham, Mich. and a 5,090 square foot restaurant in Livonia. Both cities are suburbs of Detroit. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, headquartered in Orlando, is one of the nation’s leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects honors 25 year veteran with the firm

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently honored Norberto Campos who has completed 25 years with the architectural firm. Jed Downs, president at Cuhaci & Peterson, said Campos is vice president of design and a special company anniversary celebration was held Aug. 13 at the Quantum Leap Winery in Winter Park where the firm surprised him with a trip to Spain for he and his wife. Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, headquartered in Orlando, is one of the nation’s leading designers of retail space with projects that total more than two million square feet annually.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Sees Big Sales Ahead When Daytona International Speedway Reopens

Daytona Beach / Port Orange, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty projects it will see big sales of luxury homes when the Daytona International Speedway completes its renovation this year. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said two sales associates in Volusia County have already sold homes to or for NASCAR stars at Spruce Creek Fly-In in Port Orange. “We have an excellent relationship with resident NASCAR stars in Volusia County and we expect many more will be moving to the area or purchasing second homes as Daytona Beach International Speedway nears its opening date,” Soderstrom said. Over the years, Stirling Sotheby’s Associates Debbie Keilin and Rachel McGrath have negotiated seven property transactions representing NASCAR stars and staff at Spruce Creek and other luxury neighborhoods in Volusia County that total more than $7,449,000.

Central Florida’s First Holistic Preschool Nears Opening Date, Will Focus on Environment, Diet, Alternative Learning and Values

Winter Springs, Fla. --- The prototype campus of Irblich Schools, Central Florida’s first holistic preschool, is under construction now in Winter Springs and founder Birgitta Jorgenson hopes to open the unique facility before the end of this year. Located at 126 E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs, the first Irblich Schools campus will focus on a healthy environment, a healthy diet, alternative learning strategies and sustainable values, Jorgenson explained. “The interior build-out began in April and should be completed in August,” Jorgenson said. “The exterior construction should begin around the same time. We are transforming a portion of the existing parking lot into safe outdoor green space,” she added. The City of Winter Springs has been very supportive, Jorgenson said. Jorgenson’s four-year effort to develop the Irblich Schools concept could have a big payoff. She hopes to expand nationwide. Her 3,029-square foot facility was designed to create the healthiest possible environment for young students, and that starts with air quality. The flooring is made from recycled limestone. Large windows provide natural lighting. The furniture will be made of wood sourced from sustainable forests, using only water-based finishes and organic glues, she said. School lunches will feature a plant-strong diet stocked with Slow Food specialties Jorgenson said will be organic and locally sourced whenever available. The nine common foods that cause 90 percent of all U.S. food allergies won’t be on the menu. “Irblich Schools will boost the student’s brain and body naturally, and that should mean fewer trips to the pediatrician,” Jorgenson said. The curriculum is based on alternative learning strategies developed to foster resilience, tolerance, cooperation, and self-esteem. “Each student has innate gifts and our goal is to strengthen those natural talents,” Jorgenson said. “Exposing children to new and unfamiliar things helps them to appreciate and learn respect towards others,” she added. Daily school activities include gardening and composting, a strategy Jorgenson hopes will teach a love of labor and respect for sustainable values that will last through adulthood. A waiting list for students age three to five has already been established. “I have been surprised and delighted at the high level of interest so far,” Jorgenson said. To learn more, visit IrblichSchools.com/enrollment/. Irblich Schools is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program in Winter Springs.

LENNAR STARTS SALES OF NEW EXECUTIVE HOMES AT REFLECTION ISLES IN FORT MYERS

Fort Myers, Fla. --- Lennar Homes has started sales of its Executive Homes in the newest phase at Reflection Isles, the gated luxury community located on River Otter Drive west of I-75 off Palomino Lane in Fort Myers. David Meyers, director of sales and marketing at Lennar in the southwest Florida region, said three, four and five-bedroom Executive Homes in the new phase range in size from 1,340 square feet of living space to 3,357 square feet in seven distinctive one and two-story designs priced from $230,990. The single-story Trevi model at Reflection Isles offers four bedrooms and three baths in 2,032 square feet of living space priced from $262,990 with a two-car garage. New homes at Reflection Isles come with Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: a wide variety of upgrades such as crown molding, granite countertops, wood cabinetry, designer light fixtures, stainless steel appliances and a highly rated energy efficiency package all for the one Lennar Homes price. Visit www.Lennar.com

Hold Thyssen Real Estate Services Negotiates $1.45 Million Price in Sale of 125-Acre Equestrian Center in Marion County

Reddick, Fla. --- Hold Thyssen, Inc., a real estate services firm headquartered in Winter Park, with offices in Tampa, recently negotiated a $1.45 million price in the sale of the 125-acre Northwind Stables equestrian center on U.S. 441 in Reddick in Marion County. Robert Hold, president of Hold-Thyssen, Inc., was listing agent for the property along with Ocala Ranches. Hold said the Northwind Stables property includes a three-bedroom, two-bath owner’s home, a two-bedroom, two-bath manager’s house or guest house, and a one-bedroom apartment. Equestrian facilities include a four-stall stud barn with lab, a 15-stall quarantine barn, a 28-stall mare barn, two 20-stall training barns, a 24-stall barn, a hay barn, an equipment building, and a shop area, along with a farm office. Hold negotiated the deal representing Land Holding, LLC. The buyer was Stroud’s Lane Farms, LLC. 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.

Hold-Thyssen Negotiates Sale of 157,000 Square Foot Office Park in Tampa for $5.7 Million

TAMPA, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, a real estate services firm headquartered in Winter Park with offices in Tampa, recently handled the $5,700,000 sale of Park at Bay Plaza, a 157,310 square foot office park at 9225-9350 Bay Plaza Blvd. in Tampa. R. Anthony Fisher, vice president at Hold-Thyssen, Inc., negotiated the sale on behalf of the Miami-based seller LNR Partners. Fisher said Hold-Thyssen has managed the property for the past two years and will continue in that role for the buyer whose name is undisclosed. Hold Thyssen was also assigned the leasing of the property upon the sale. The office park, located off highways 60 and 301, was constructed in two phases in 1979 and 1984, and was 55 percent leased at the time of the sale. Hold-Thyssen provides commercial property and leasing and management services to institutional and private investor clients nationwide. The 40-year old firm’s current portfolio includes more that 100 commercial properties throughout the United States.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Sale of Altamonte Springs Office Building for $1.9+ Million

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of the 17,000 square foot class A office building at 234 N. Westmonte Drive in Altamonte Springs for $1,907,500. Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM, a principal in the firm, and associate Chris Adams negotiated the sale after leasing it up to 100 percent on behalf of the seller, Alleve Investments, LLC of Orlando. MSR Westmonte LLC of Lake Mary purchased the fully-leased, 30+ year-old building. Shailesh Limbachia of Cosmopolitan Home Realty represented the buyer.