Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Crossman & Company Closes on Three Retail Leases for a total of 3,150 Square Feet at Colonial Corners Shopping Center

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, one of the largest property management and leasing firms in the Southeast, recently completed three lease agreements totaling 3,150 square feet at Orlando’s Colonial Corners Shopping Center.

John Crossman, president of firm, said Leasing Associate Daniel Germano negotiated all three transactions representing F.F. Colonial, LLC, the landlord for the property located at 5600 W. Colonial Drive.

Hendra’s Uniforms is the new tenant who leased unit 306 at the retail center with 1,050 square feet.

Two tenants – Colonial Counseling and Liberty Tax Service -- renewed leases of 1,050 square feet each at Colonial Corners.

Germano said a total of six leases have been signed at Colonial Corners thus far in 2010.
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For more information please contact: Daniel Germano, Leasing Associate, Crossman & Company, 407-423-5400 or 407-581-6223; John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

4PSA opens U.S. Headquarters in Orlando, Appoints Veteran Telephony Executive Mike Ross as President

ORLANDO - 4PSA, a leading global provider of cloud computing software and infrastructure based in Bucharest, has opened its U.S. headquarters at the Central Florida Research Park in southeast Orlando and appointed veteran U.S. telephony executive Mike Ross as President
Ross, whose industry credits span a 25-year career and a pioneering role in the development of voicemail and VOIP, a computer-based telephone system that is rapidly expanding around the world, formerly served as a top executive with Dialogic Corporation, Rhetorex/Octel, Aculab USA, Esnatech, Acredo Technologies, and Conversif.

“VOIP is the future of telephone communications,” Ross said. “The integration of cloud computing with the software infrastructure developed by 4PSA will revolutionize voice communications at a fraction of the cost of telephone service today,” Ross said.

The U.S. headquarters of 4PSA is a client company of the University of Central Florida Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park.
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For more information contact: Mike Ross, President, 4PSA; 850-250-1118, mross@4PSA.com; Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-0211, cdykes@mail.ucf.edu

About 4PSA: 4PSA is a leading innovative software development company specializing in applications that run on computer clouds. The company provides, under the 4PSA brand, solutions that help service providers and enterprises better manage their IT infrastructure, automate processes, and improve communications services.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies (including more than 90 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight 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, City of Sanford, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, The City of Kissimmee, the City of St. Cloud and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Names Luxury Home Specialist Investment Consultant Jere' Matheny as Sales Associate

LAKE MARY - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently appointed Jere' Matheny, a luxury home specialist and investment consultant, as sales associate for the firm.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Matheny, a business school graduate and licensed Financial Advisor, will be working out of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty’s Heathrow-Lake Mary Gallery.

Matheny, a native of culturally diverse South Florida, has more than 10 years of experience in banking and as a trader of global equities. Throughout his career Matheny has worked with clients worldwide, including in the U.S. and the U.K.

“Jere has significant experience in international sales and marketing and we expect him to play a big role in our growth in the Heathrow-Lake Mary area,” Soderstrom said. “We are thrilled to have such a highly qualified professional as part of our Heathrow/Lake Mary real estate sales team.”
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For more information contact: Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-581-7890

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance centers which serve all of Central Florida.

ABD Development Company Ranked as one of the Region’s Top Ten Custom Home Builders

ORLANDO - ABD Development Company was recently named one of the region’s Top Ten Custom Home Builders by Orlando Business Journal, the area’s leading business news resource.

Perhaps better known for developing the landmark Providence Golf & Country Club Community in Polk County south of Disney and Toscana, the exclusive luxury community in Palm Coast,

ABD Development Company has long ranked as one of the most active custom home builders in Florida.

The Orlando Business Journal ranking cited ABD’s custom home building success at Providence, Wyndham Lakes Estates in South Orlando, and Toscana.

ABD posted sales of custom homes last year that totaled more than $7 million.

Visit www.abddevelopment.com.

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For more information contact: Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400; David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400

Osceola County Partners Break Ground on UCF Incubator in Kissimmee at City Centre

KISSIMMEE – Osceola County, City of Kissimmee and University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program officials participated in the ground breaking of the UCF Business Incubator–Kissimmee recently at the City Centre, 111 E. Monument Avenue.

The University of Central Florida partnered with Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee and Kissimmee’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on the facility that will offer support services to help start-up companies accelerate their growth and generate jobs in downtown Kissimmee.

“This incubator highlights everything that is making downtown Kissimmee a must-visit destination,” said County Commission Vice Chairman Brandon Arrington, whose district includes the incubator. “Just around the corner there will be a SunRail stop to help connect us with the rest of the region. Simply put, this incubator delivers on all the planning that has been going on locally and regionally for a number of years to link jobs and transportation in our urban core,” added Arrington.

“This is a win-win situation for the City as we partner with UCF and Osceola County. The City is committed to reviving the downtown and attracting more enterprises, such as the UCF Incubator,” said Kissimmee Mayor Jim Swan.

The City and County are making matching contributions totaling $405,000 each for three years. Additionally, onetime payments are being made by the City for $57,000 and $183,000 from the CRA for the facility’s build out. The incubator will be managed by the University of Central Florida.

Gordon Hogan, director of operations for the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the new 8,000 square foot facility to be built out on the fourth floor of the City Centre Kissimmee will open in September with office and administration space for promising enterprises selected to join the UCF Business Incubation Program.

Research has shown that 87 percent of incubator graduates are still in business five years after graduating from an incubation program, said UCF’s Business Incubation Program Founder/Executive Director Dr. Tom O’Neal.
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For more information about this release, please contact: Maria G. Toumazos, Osceola County Economic Development Administrator 407-742-4200, mgru@osceola.org; Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program 407-882-1577, ghogan@mail.ucf.edu; Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu; Carla Banks, Manager of Communications, City of Kissimmee 407-518-2314, cbanks@kissimmee.org; Osceola County Public Information Office, 407-742-4200, www.chooseosceola.com

About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight 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, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Sells $410,000 Luxury Home In Sweetwater Island

ORLANDO - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently sold a $410,000 luxury home in Sweetwater Island, a gated community near Wekiva Springs in Longwood.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said associate Espe Almarza Anderson in the firm’s Windermere-Dr. Phillips office in southwest Orlando negotiated the sale.

The four-bedroom, three-bath home boasts 2,664 square feet of living space with a swimming pool on its three-quarter-acre home site, which overlooks a conservation area.
Sweetwater Island features a boat ramp, tennis courts, picnic area, playground and nature trails.
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For more information, contact: Espe Almarza Anderson, MA, CSP, SFR, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-992-8900; ealmarza@stirlingsir.com; Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-581-7890

Melrose-Sovereign Awarded Contract to Manage Summer Lakes at MetroWest in Southwest Orlando

ORLANDO - Melrose-Sovereign Companies, which ranks as one of Florida’s fastest-growing community management firms, was recently awarded a contract to manage Summer Lakes located off Old Winter Garden and Edgewood Ranch Roads in MetroWest.

Jack Hanson, co-founder and partner at Melrose-Sovereign Companies, said Summer Lakes includes 96 single-family homes. The community has a lake with boat ramp, tennis court and tot lot.

Melrose Sovereign Companies specializes in the management of home owner associations and condominium associations.

Headquartered in Orlando, Melrose-Sovereign Companies has eight offices throughout the state including an office recently opened in Daytona Beach.
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For more information contact: Ellen G. Lumpkin, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, elumpkin@melrose-sovereign.com; Jack B. Hanson, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, jhanson@melrose-sovereign.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida’s Fleet of Green Electric Carts to Chauffeur Tenants to Commercial Property Sites

ORLANDO - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has enlisted a fleet of electric carts by O-cart to reduce fuel consumption while chauffeuring prospective tenants through its portfolio of office, warehouse and retail properties in Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president and Anne Deason Spencer, vice president of the office group at Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said they made arrangements to lease the fleet of electric O-carts as a way to reduce the company’s fuel costs and conserve energy.

“We think every American has an obligation to look for ways to conserve energy resources and this is one small way we can play a role in that effort as a corporation,” Spencer said.

“Most of our clients and most of our landlords want to play an active role in energy conservation. It’s an important duty, and it’s also a sensible business decision,” Sweeney said.
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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 45 brokers divided among its Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis Company: 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 100 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 its investment subsidiaries, 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), mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Cotter Ryan Commercial Awarded Contract to Complete Tenant Improvements for Law Firm in Kissimmee

LONGWOOD - Cotter Ryan Commercial, LLC in Longwood was recently awarded a contract to complete tenant improvements for law offices that will open in the Osceola Corporate Center, located off Greenwall Way in Kissimmee.

Scott Ryan, president of Cotter-Ryan Commercial LLC, said the construction work is estimated to cost $125,000.
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For more information, contact: Scott H. Ryan, President, Cotter Ryan Commercial, LLC, 407-786-7686 sryan@cotterryan.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

Beazer Homes Starts Construction of 16 Town Homes Priced From Under $150,000 at Hampton Lakes in Westchase Area

TAMPA - Beazer Homes has started construction of 16 new town homes priced from $149,990 to $199,990 at Hampton Lakes, located off Racetrack Road near Countryway Blvd. in the Westchase area of Tampa.

Kareyann Rhodes, sales manager for the Tampa Division of Beazer Homes, said three different floor plans are available and each offers a two-car garage.

The Amherst floor plan offers 1,335 square feet of living space with two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths priced from $149,990.

The Bermuda town home offers 1,483 square feet of space with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths priced at $166,990.

The Caribbean, a three-bedroom town home with two-and-a-half baths with a bonus room or optional fourth bedroom, offers 1,852 square feet of space priced at $199,990.

Rhodes said all 16 town homes will be completed in August and September.
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For more information contact: Kareyann Rhodes, Sales Manager, Beazer Homes/Tampa Division 813-663-9002 Krhodes@beazer.com; Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes/Florida 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com; David Byrnes President Beazer Homes / Florida 407-339-4114 dbyrnes@beazer.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

About Beazer Homes: Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."