Plasmonics, Inc. to contribute $250,000 to University of Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Plasmonics, Inc., a private technology company that is developing highly sophisticated next-generation infrared sensors and metamaterial surfaces for use in a wide range of electronics devices, announced it will contribute $250,000 in 2013 to support University of Central Florida research efforts. Dr. David Shelton, president of Plasmonics Inc., said UCF has played a critical role in the company’s success. “Collaboration with UCF has been pivotal for us thus far,” Dr. Shelton said. “We regularly consult faculty on a variety of projects working side by side in the on-campus lab facilities.” Besides the cash contribution, Plasmonics is supporting two university PhD candidates as they continue to research and publish findings in their respective fields. “As Plasmonics grows, we plan to continue collaborating with the university and giving back to the institution from which our efforts developed,” he said. Plasmonics is developing tunable infrared metamaterials---engineered composites with unique refractive-index characteristics. Metamaterials with tunable resonances have wide ranging potential for optical devices, modulators, and sensors. Plasmonics is a member of the UCF Business Incubation Program’s Photonics UCF campus site. For more information about Plasmonics Inc. visit www.plasmonics-inc.com/.

Ashton Woods Homes names Alex Robertson sales manager in Sarasota region

MAITLAND, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has named Alex Robertson sales manager for its communities in the Sarasota region. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes, said Robertson is a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa and has more than nine years of new home sales experience. Ashton Woods Homes is now active in three communities in the Sarasota region.

Ashton Woods Homes Starts Presales at Whitaker Park in Sarasota County

SARASOTA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes started presales at its newest community of Whitaker Park located off Richardson Road in Sarasota County. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing said Ashton Woods Homes is building three, four and five bedroom single-family homes at Whitaker Park that range from 1,703 square feet of living area to 3,400 square feet. Roche said Ashton Woods Homes plans to build 79 homes at Whitaker Park priced from the $267,990.

First Green Bank’s New Winter Park Branch Donates Reusable Commercial Fixtures to Habitat for Humanity

Mount Dora, Fla. --- Somewhere a hip new boutique, a charitable thrift store or a creative hair salon is going to find its future at Habitat for Humanity. First Green Bank, which ranks as one of the nation’s greenest banks according to the American Bankers Association, recently donated high-quality interior fixtures, cabinets, retail display shelves and granite counters valued at $2,200 to Habitat for Humanity for resale and reuse in Habitat for Humanity ReUse Stores in Florida. Ken LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer at First Green Bank, said the sleek designer cabinetry was high tech in its day---at the iconic Absolute Sound store in swanky Winter Park. Now, the furnishings can find a new life as late-1980s retro---at a very affordable price for a creative entrepreneur. “This is one of the reasons I’m so proud of First Green Bank,” LaRoe said. “From day one, the remodeling design of our new Winter Park location included plans to recycle, reuse and restore existing resources---that is the most conservative approach to expansion. LaRoe said the bank’s “green” values are part of its core mission, and Habitat for Humanity is one of the bank’s favorite beneficiaries. “Someone gave a lot of thought to the design and construction of those fixtures,” LaRoe said. “They cost a lot when they were new. They consume a lot of energy in their construction, transportation, materials and assembly. Our mission is to maximize the value of those things, even used retail cabinets,” he said. Habitat for Humanity accepts donated construction materials, architectural features and building supplies for resale at all of its ReUse Stores throughout Florida, including Orlando, Sanford, Leesburg, Eustis, Groveland, and Wildwood locations. First Green Bank expects to open its new “green” Winter Park branch in early Spring 2014, LaRoe said.

Ashton Wood Homes Starts Construction of Two Urban Loft Models at Laureate Park in Lake Nona Area

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has started construction of two model homes in the urban loft design the homebuilder recently introduced at Laureate Park located off Narcoossee Rd. in the Lake Nona area of Southeast Orlando. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said the new two-story urban loft floor plans feature three bedrooms with two-and-a-half baths and range from 1,703 square feet of living area to 3,400 square feet. Ashton Woods’ urban loft homes at Laureate Park are priced from $244,990 to $268,990. The two models underway will be completed, decorated and ready for viewing the second week of September, Roche said. Ashton Woods Homes has released 20 new homesites for urban loft homes at Laureate Park. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com.

Hendricks-Berkadia brings buyer, seller to table in $32.4 million acquisition of Tapestry Park Apartments in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Hendricks-Berkadia, one of the nation’s largest and most active multifamily investment banking and research companies, represented both buyer and seller recently in the $32.4 million acquisition of Tapestry Park Apartments, an upscale 196-unit apartment community located in Birmingham. Senior associate Royce Emerson of Hendricks-Berkadia in Birmingham along with senior vice president David Oakley, negotiated the transaction representing both the seller, Birmingham-based Glenmont Arlington Montclair LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the buyer, SIR Tapestry Park LLC, a California-based Delaware limited liability firm whose parent company is Steadfast Companies which owns and operates over 14,000 units across the U.S. Built in 2012 with high-end finishes throughout all of its one, two and three-bedroom units, Tapestry Park’s location and design make it one of the most desirable rental apartment communities in the Birmingham area, Emerson said. The property was 96 percent leased at the time of closing, with average rents that rank within the top five percent for the area. Emerson said Hendricks-Berkadia has closed 12 deals in six states valued at more than $265 Million within the past 24 months for Steadfast Companies.

ICI Homes Names Two New Associates for North Florida Divisions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – ICI Homes, a Daytona Beach-based luxury homebuilder and community developer that also has operations in the Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa areas, has named two new associates in the Jacksonville area. Don Wilford, North Florida division president for ICI Homes, said Vicki McGahee Maxwell was appointed model host/ sales ambassador at its Amelia National Golf & Country Club community. Maxwell graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education; and she taught school for 33 years. In addition, Wilford said Elisabeth C. Killeen was named model host/sales ambassador at both Plantation Grove and St. Johns Forest communities. Killeen earned her degree in Business Practicum from Queensland Business School; and has 27 years of experience in the industries of hospitality, sales, marketing, advertising and digital communications. “We are pleased to have these energetic professionals with their diverse experience and backgrounds assisting new homebuyers at our ICI models,” said Wilford.

ICI Homes, Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club to host Realtor Appreciation Day, Golf Tournament Sept. 20

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes and Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach will host Realtor Appreciation Day on Friday, Sept. 20, starting with registration at 10:30 a.m. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, said a complimentary golf scramble is set for shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. Massages, workouts and relaxation by the pool will also be provided at the Plantation Bay clubhouse, Messina said. And there will be a cocktail reception at Club de Bonmont from 4-5 p.m. The event is open to licensed Volusia/Flagler-area Realtors only and RSVP is required. To RSVP and book services at the clubhouse, please call ICI Homes at 386-236-2282 by Monday, Sept. 16.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects completes design on Ada’s Natural Food Store in Fort Myers

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently completed design of remodeling work on an Ada’s Natural Food store in Fort Myers. The construction is now underway and the 16,000 square foot store will be completed before the end of the year according to Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Completes design of “Lime Fresh” restaurant in Lake Mary, construction underway

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Baldwin Park, recently completed the design for a “Lime Fresh” Mexican Grill, a new concept from the Ruby Tuesday chain of restaurants. The new Lime Fresh will be located at Colonial Town Center on SR 46A in Lake Mary off I-4. It will have 2,900 square feet of space and seat approximately 80 inside and 25 on the outside patio, according to Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson.