Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Tennis Pro Honored as U.S. Professional Tennis Association’s Pro of the Year

ORMOND BEACH - The U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) recently honored Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Director of Tennis David Brown as “pro of the year” for the Daytona Beach District.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, which is developing Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club, said Brown joined Plantation Bay in February, 2009
Brown has played an active role in professional tennis and local community organizations, Messina said.

Among Brown’s credits are:
•He ranks as a USPTA Master Professional;

•He served as tournament director for “USPTA Champion of Champions Tournament,” which raised more than $40,000 for United Way Charities;

•He served as president of “Greater Volusia Tennis Network,” the local Community Tennis Association that stages events for Junior Team Tennis, Volusia Middle School tennis, and the new Florida High School Athletic Association Junior Varsity team tennis program in Volusia County;

•He serves as program director for the Florida Tennis Center Foundation whose mission is to deliver a free after school tennis program to third, fourth and fifth graders.

•He played in the 2009 Father/Son Florida State Champion with USPTA member son, Aaron and won the championship.

Founded in 1927, United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) is the oldest and largest trade organization for tennis teaching professionals in the world. Of the 15,000 members approximately 13,500 live and work here in the United States . The remainder of the membership represents as many as 80 other countries worldwide. Professionals are rated at four levels, with Master Professional rated the highest based on test scores, education and specialty courses, service to the industry, publications, and player rankings
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For more information, contact: Lisa A. Egle, Marketing Manager ICI Homes-Daytona Beach, 386-236-4273; Rosemary Messina, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, ICI Homes, 386-236-4231

About ICI Homes: ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 privately owned homebuilders in the nation. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

University Club of Orlando Reports 100 New Members as 50th Anniversary of Downtown Orlando Facility Approaches

ORLANDO - The University Club of Orlando, which ranks as downtown Orlando’s oldest business and professional club, reported it has grown by more than 100 members since last July.

Susan Greene, general manager of the University Club of Orlando, said she expects to induct more than 150 new members before December, when the University Club will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its landmark facilities on Central Blvd. across from Orlando Public Library.

The University Club of Orlando was founded 84 years ago, Greene said, and will celebrate its 85th anniversary in 2011.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Susan Greene, General Manager, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, gm@ucluborlando.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

North Dakota Golf Instructor Finds Plenty of Time to Practice as Stirling Sotheby's International Realty Associate

ORLANDO – North Dakota professional golf instructor Erin Wanner longed to move to Florida where she could ply her profession in Florida’s year-round sunshine.

Now the first female instructor to join the staff at Isleworth Country Club is leveraging her skills at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty’s World Marketing Center in downtown Orlando.

Wanner said she spent two years practicing and playing golf on almost every golf course in Central Florida. She hones her skills by putting around the office.

“I have a practice green right outside my office,” she said. Her office – on the 16th floor penthouse suite in the Plaza’s north tower overlooks the downtown Orlando skyline.

Wanner says she has particular expertise in Central Florida golf course homes.

“I recently developed a video clip to demonstrate that finding out the current value of your home is as easy as sinking a short putt,” she said

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 zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com

University Club of Orlando Hosts National Circle of Friends Reception

ORLANDO - The University Club of Orlando recently hosted the National Circle of Friends seventh anniversary reception for more than 200 urban professionals and future National Circle of Friends receptions are planned, according to Events Director Justin Wright

National Circle of Friends is the nation’s premier networking organization for urban professionals.

Davidson Taylor (L) shakes hands with Paul Stevens, founder of National Circle of Friends

For more information about this press release, contact:

Justin Wright, Membership & Events Director, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514; PRIVATEEVENTS@UCLUBORLANDO.COM; Susan Greene, General Manager, The University Club of Orlando; 407-425-2514; gm@ucluborlando.com

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates Office Lease 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 10329 Cross Creek Blvd. at the Cory Lake 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 Cory Lake Isles Professional Center.

The tenant, Thompson Studios, a local fine photography firm, leased suite H with 1,250 square feet.

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.

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

NAI Realvest negotiates sale of 1,200 square foot office condo for $374,000 in Lake Mary

NAI Realvest negotiates sale of 1,200 square foot office condo for $374,000 in Lake Mary

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the $374,000 sale price for a 1,200 square foot office condominium at Lake Mary Professional Campus, a 10-building development located at the intersection of I-4 and Lake Mary Blvd.

Jack W. Lynch, senior broker associate at NAI Realvest negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Enlightened Debt Solutions of Lake Mary.

Richo Industrial, Inc., a Winter Park-based firm, purchased suite 1021 in the building located at 1301 S. International Parkway.

For more information, please contact:
Jack Lynch, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 or jlynch@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, covering 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

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates Renewal Lease agreement with Biagio’s II Pizza in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center in New Tampa

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Negotiates Renewal Lease agreement with Biagio’s II Pizza in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center in New Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently completed a long-term lease renewal of 1,560 square feet at 10359 Cross Creek Blvd. in the 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 renewal representing the landlord. Biagio’s II Pizza is the tenant.

Contact:
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

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 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), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges, mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates Renewal Lease for 18,665 Square Feet of Office Space in The Horizon Building in Tampa

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Negotiates Renewal Lease for 18,665 Square Feet of Office Space in The Horizon Building in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently negotiated a renewal lease of 18,665 square feet of professional office space in the The Horizon Building located at 4511 N. Himes Ave. in Tampa.

Richard Andretta, SIOR, vice president in the firm’s Office Group and associate Rob Turner negotiated the transaction representing the tenant, Atlanta-based Crawford & Company, the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions.

Highwoods/Florida is the landlord at the building.

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 www.grubb-ellis.com.

Contact:
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 3030 N. Rocky Point Drive W., Tampa, FL 33609, www.commercialfl.com
Richard Andretta 813-639-1111 Ext 255
Rob Turner 813-639-1111 Ext 235
Jeffrey Sweeney 407-481-5387
Larry Vershel 407-644-4142

Two Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Earn LEED Professional Certification For Energy-Efficient Design

Two Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Earn LEED Professional Certification For Energy-Efficient Design

ORLANDO, Fla. - Two architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-AP certification for their expertise in energy efficient design.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said Chris Renegar and Carrie Manes earned the USGBC’s LEED-AP professional designation, which recognizes their completion of a rigorous curriculum of study in energy efficient design and environmental quality.

The USGBC LEED-AP curriculum focuses on energy efficient design, specification of durable and energy-efficient construction and finishing materials and use of efficient equipment and appliances.

“The USGBC’s LEED-AP protocol is an important qualification and we have encouraged all of our design staff to participate,” said Peterson.

Renegar joined Cuhaci & Peterson Architects eight years ago. Manes, a graduate architect, joined Cuhaci & Peterson Architects three years ago as an architect intern from Ball State College.

Peterson said the firm now employs 12 LEED-AP certified professionals and expects that will increase to 15 before the end of the year.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC 407-661-9100

Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, 407-661-9100

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142