Emerson Plaza II reports only 15 Luxury condominiums remain for lease

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS – Emerson International, which is developing the 12-story Emerson Plaza luxury condominium towers overlooking Crane’s Roost at CenterPointe on the Park in Uptown Altamonte, reports only 15 luxury condominium units remain for lease in the Emerson Plaza II tower.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, announced that the developer would lease luxury condominium units at Emerson Plaza II when the 118-unit building opened some four months ago.

Strong leasing activity has surprised even Emerson.

“We projected sufficient demand for luxury residences at Emerson Plaza but we did not anticipate demand was so strong,” Emerson said. He projects the Emerson Plaza II tower will lease up within the next 90 days.

The Melrose Sovereign Companies are handling leasing activity.

For more information, contact: Eric J. Emerson, Vice President and General Manager Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560; ejemerson@emerson-us.com

About Emerson International: 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.

Half of Luxury Apartments Leased Already at Emerson Plaza Towers II in Altamonte Springs

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Emerson International reports it has leased half of the luxury apartment units it opened in February at Emerson Plaza Towers II overlooking the scenic beauty of Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said lease rates for luxury apartment units in Towers II at Emerson Plaza range from $1,100 per month to $4,000.

Units range from 1,100 square feet of living space to 4,000 square feet, Emerson said.

The gated community offers a secure parking garage, elevators with controlled access, a recreation center, and a fitness center with heated pool and spa. All residences are equipped with granite counters and G.E. stainless steel appliances.

“For security, convenience, majestic views and great location, Emerson Plaza ranks as one of the best choices in the Altamonte Springs area and it’s hard to find anything more appealing in all of Seminole County,” he added.

“Still, we have been surprised at how quickly units are leasing,” Emerson said.
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For more information, contact:
Eric J. Emerson, Vice President and General Manager Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560; ejemerson@emerson-us.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142
About Emerson International: 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.

Emerson International starts Preleasing of Emerson Plaza II overlooking Crane’s Roost, Emerson Plaza I fully occupied

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. --- Emerson International has started preleasing of luxury apartment homes at Emerson Plaza II, one of two 12-story luxury residential towers overlooking Cranes Roost Park at Center Pointe on the Park in Altamonte Springs.

Eric Emerson, vice president of Emerson International, said Emerson Plaza I is fully occupied.

One, two, three and four-bedroom luxury apartment homes in Emerson Plaza II will lease from $1,200 per month, Emerson said. Altogether, 64 luxury residents are available for lease.

The Twin Towers at Emerson Plaza ranks as one of Central Florida's most prestigious new, gated master-planned communities and is being developed by Emerson International Inc., a member of The Emerson Group a global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies in the U.K.

For more information contact:
Eric J. Emerson, Vice President / General Manager Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560; ejemerson@emerson-us.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded contract to design 10,500 square foot medical office interiors at Lucerne Medical Plaza in downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC of Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was awarded the contract to design medical office interior improvements at the Lucerne Medical Plaza, located at 100 W. Gore St. in downtown Orlando.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the design contract was awarded by Halladay Properties.

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

Avalon Park Internal Medicine to Host Open House to Showcase New Facilities Oct. 15 at Keith Ewing Medical Plaza

ORLANDO, Fla. - Avalon Park in East Orlando will host an open house to welcome the Avalon Park Internal Medicine practice in the Keith Ewing Medical Plaza, 3701 Avalon Park West Blvd., Suite 205, in downtown Avalon Park on Oct. 15.

The public is invited to join Dr. Beth Burns, and the staff at Avalon Park Internal Medicine to meet Dr. Burns, tour the practice, and enjoy refreshments at the open house from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Burns, who heads Avalon Park Internal Medicine, specializes in preventative medicine and focuses on diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, chronic lung disease and primary care for spinal cord injuries. The practice is accepting new patients.

Avalon Park Internal Medicine is located in suite 205 in the Keith Ewing Medical Plaza.

For more information visit www.avalonparkgroup.com or
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Beat Kahli, Founder /CEO Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Ross Halle, VP Architecture/Town Planner Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

Ron Schwartz Sells Interest in Park Plaza Gardens Restaurant & Cafe

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Winter Park entrepreneur Ron Schwartz has sold his interest in the award-winning Park Plaza Gardens Restaurant & Café in downtown Winter Park to restaurant partner Mary Demetree.

Schwartz, who acquired his interest in the fine dining restaurant sidewalk café and bar in 2002, guided the landmark facility through major renovations and repositioning as one of the region’s best-known restaurants.

As operating partner, Schwartz developed and expanded sidewalk dining, introduced a contemporary fusion menu influenced by Asian, Middle Eastern and continental cuisine; expanded the restaurant’s accommodations outside the formal garden fine dining room; introduced a trendy martini menu and live entertainment to the sidewalk café, established a region-wide e-mail marketing and social network program, and instituted a server training program that included extended tours of California wineries.

Schwartz’s iconic improvements paid off---last year, Park Plaza Gardens Restaurant & Café reported food and beverage sales in excess of $3 million.

Under Schwartz’ leadership, Park Plaza Gardens has given back to the community donating to many charitable organizations in Central Florida including the Council of 101, Hospice of the Comforter, Special Olympics, Morningstar School, Menello Museum and Boys Town.

Schwartz helped to shape the new political landscape in Winter Park encouraging business development, the closing of Park Avenue for special events, and free valet parking for Park Avenue visitors.

“We have developed a loyal following and I’m sure our friends and neighbors will continue to patronize the restaurant and bar,” said Schwartz.

For more information, please contact:

Ron Schwartz, 407-342-3648 (direct)

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates Renewal lease at Brandon Medical Plaza

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Negotiates Renewal lease at Brandon Medical Plaza

TAMPA, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently negotiated a renewal agreement for 2,200 square feet of medical office space in the Brandon Medical Plaza at 427 S. Parsons Ave. in Brandon.

Richard Andretta, SIOR, vice president in the firm’s Office Group and associate Rob Turner negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, G&E Healthcare REIT Medical Portfolio based in South Coast Metro, Calif.

Local practitioner Dr. Larry Fishman is the tenant.

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,

Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies. With more than 130 owned and affiliate offices worldwide, Grubb & Ellis offers property owners, corporate occupants and investors comprehensive integrated real estate solutions, including transaction, management, consulting and investment advisory services supported by proprietary market research and extensive local market expertise.

Grubb & Ellis and its subsidiaries are leading sponsors of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including tax-deferred 1031 tenant-in-common (TIC) exchanges; public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate investment funds. As of March 31, 2008, more than $3.4 billion in investor equity has been raised for these investment programs. The company and its subsidiaries currently manage a growing portfolio of more than 218 million square feet of real estate. In 2007, Grubb & Ellis was selected from among 15,000 vendors as Microsoft Corporation's Vendor of the Year. For more information regarding Grubb & Ellis Company, please visit http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.

For information contact:
Richard Andretta,813-639-1111, Ext.255, 3030 N. Rocky Point Drive W.,Tampa, FL 33609, http://www.commercialfl.com/

Rob Turner, 813-639-1111, Ext. 235, 3030 N. Rocky Point Drive W.,Tampa, FL 33609, http://www.commercialfl.com/

Jeffrey Sweeney, 407-481-5387

Larry Vershel, 407-644-4142