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.

Hold-Thyssen Real Estate Services Negotiates $5.625 Million Price in Sale of 12.5-Acre Development Site in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen Inc. recently negotiated a $5,625,000 price in the sale of the 12.5 acre Westco Land Trust residential development site on Millennia Boulevard just west of John Young Parkway in west Orlando. Robert Hold, president of Hold-Thyssen, Inc., negotiated the transaction on behalf of the seller, Robert B. White, Jr., as trustee for Westco Land Trust. Florida Property Investments Assets represented the buyer, PSREG M North Owner LP. The buyer plans to develop 288 luxury apartments on the site. Hold also reported the $1.45 million sale of the 125-acre Northwind Stables equestrian center on U.S. 441 in Reddick in Marion County. Hold was listing agent for that transaction along with Ocala Ranches. Hold negotiated the deal representing Land Holding, LLC. The buyer was Stroud’s Lane Farms, LLC. The Northwind Stables property includes a three-bedroom owner’s home, a two-bedroom manager’s house and a one-bedroom apartment, along with 111 stables in six barns, along with offices and equipment facilities. 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.

StoneGate Golf Club at Solivita Names Bill Beasley Golf Course Superintendent

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- StoneGate Golf Club at Solivita in Kissimmee has named Bill Beasley as superintendent. Larry Snyder, vice president of Agronomy for Stonegate Golf Club at Solivita, said Beasley has more than 15 years of experience in golf course management. Beasley is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Ga. and holds a degree in Environmental Horticulture Technology. He began his career in Orlando at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club. Most recently, Beasley was an assistant golf course superintendent at Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association. “We are excited that Bill has joined our staff at StoneGate Golf Club and look forward to seeing great results in our greens on the golf course,” Rahmani said.

Ashton Woods Homes Names New Sales Associate at Lake Mary Community

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ashton Woods Homes has appointed Richard Foutz a new home sales counselor. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes said Foutz, who has 10 years of real estate experience, will be working out of the Ashton Woods’ Fountain Parke community on Rinehart Rd. in Lake Mary.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Investment Sale of Five Acre Site on Williamson Blvd. in Daytona Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NAI Realvest, based in Orlando, recently negotiated the $290,000 sale price for 5.13 acres of vacant land located at 551 N. Williamson Blvd. in Daytona Beach. Chris Butera, investment associate at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction representing both the seller, BankFirst Realty, Inc. of Winter Park and the buyer, Ormond Beach-based, Williamson Partners, LLC. The property is zoned for professional office but the buyer has no plans for development in the foreseeable future.

NAI Realvest Negotiates new Industrial Lease of 19,594 square feet in Longwood for first Central Florida location of Tampa Bay Volleyball Academy

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new long-term lease agreement for 19,594 square feet of industrial space in Unit 100 at 1200 Charles St. in the American Industrial Center in Longwood. NAI Realvest Associate Mitch Heidrich and Principals Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki negotiated the transaction representing the tenant, Tampa Bay Volleyball Academy LLC which is expanding its training facilities to Central Florida from Tampa. The landlord is American Industrial Center Ltd. The air-conditioned facility with ample parking is well-suited for recreational use and an October opening is anticipated.