Vision Engineering Solutions Earns 2014 TechNovation Rising Star in Technology Award

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Vision Engineering Solutions, LLC (Vision) was recently awarded a Congressional Medal of Recognition from Congressman Bill Posey’s office as the Rising Star in Technology at the 2014 TechNovation Awards Banquet. The annual awards banquet is held in conjunction with the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce’s technology and innovation exposition- Florida TechXpo. The Rising Star in Technology Award is presented to a new company or one that has made the most significant progress in the last 18 months. The award citation reads, “This company’s growth puts it on track to make a positive impact in their markets and on the region’s technology community.” Vision began operations in March 2012 at Kennedy Space Center providing engineering services in optics and photonics for aerospace applications primarily to Department of Defense (DoD) laser programs. Since April 2013, the company has grown from seven to its current staff of 17 specialized workers. Ed Logue, Chief Executive Officer at Vision, said the company designed, developed and integrated several subsystems into a Navy prototype laser system, and last month assisted the Navy in installing that laser system onboard a combatant ship, and performing the at-sea testing. Additionally, the company is building a transportable electro-optical tracking system of its own design to be delivered to the University of Central Florida by March 2015. Vision Engineering focuses on advanced imaging and sensing, modeling and simulation, pointing and tracking systems, and data collection and analysis. Its Predictive Avoidance and Safety System (PASS) is already used by defense agencies to protect satellites, personnel and assets from inadvertent illumination by lasers. Vision Engineering Solutions, a client company of the UCF Business Incubation Program at Central Florida Research Park in east Orange County, also has an office in Merritt Island and is a member of the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

Berkadia closes sale of 152-Unit Apartment Community in Lady Lake

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Berkadia Real Estate Advisors, one of the nation’s largest and most active multifamily investment banking and research companies, recently closed on sale of the 152-unit Carmendy Square Apartments in Lady Lake, Fla. Berkadia’s Southeast Partner, Cole Whitaker of Orlando, and Senior Vice Presidents, Hal Warren of Orlando and Jason Stanton of Tampa, negotiated the sale representing the seller Lady Lake Crossings, LLC of West Springfield, MA. Houston-based Apexone Investment Partners, LLC and Philadelphia-based Balfour Beatty Communities purchased the apartment community which was built in 2002 and is located off Hwy 441 at 367 Sunny Oaks Way in Lady Lake. Carmendy Square Apartments, which was 94.74 percent occupied at the time of the sale, is situated on approximately 13.13 acres of land. The two and three-bedroom units situated in 38 buildings comprise a total of 184,152 rentable square feet.

Lennar Launches November Sale at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek in Naples with Market-Low Interest rates on 10 New Move-In Ready Homes

NAPLES, Fla. --- Lennar Homes has launched a year-end sale with market-low interest rates on seven move-in ready Executive Homes and three Coach Homes at Fiddler’s Creek, the luxury community located on Aviamar Circle between Collier Boulevard and Tamiami Trail in Naples. David Meyers, director of sales and marketing for Lennar in southwest Florida, said the move-in ready homes are located in the Millbrook subdivision of Fiddler’s Creek and all homes must sell and close before Nov. 30 to take advantage of the low 1.625 percent APR being offered this month by United American Mortgage Company. “We expect the Naples area economy will see a very robust winter season,” Meyers said. “Our inquiries and sales are very encouraging. Many people who put off the move to Florida because of the economy are rethinking their plans now we’re seeing signs of what they call pent-up demand,” he said. Meyers said he expects to sell all ten move-in-ready homes before the new season gets under way and then Lennar will start construction of more. Four of the new move-in ready homes are in Lennar’s Isabella design, an Executive Home at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek base priced from $390,990 with three bedrooms in 2,246 square feet of living space, with a two-car garage. In addition, three Coach Homes at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek in Lennar’s Florence design are move-in ready and base priced at $284,990. The Florence offers 1,741 square feet of living space in three bedrooms and two baths with a two-car garage. All new homes at Millbrook at Fiddler’s Creek feature Lennar’s exclusive “Everything’s Included” pledge that offers upgraded interior features that are typically optional included in the one Lennar Homes price. Fiddler's Creek also has a wealth of amenities like a 54,000-square-foot Club & Spa, fitness center, resort-style multi-pool swimming complex, tennis courts and restaurants. Homeowners have the opportunity to join the Golf Club, ranked in Golfweek's 100 Best Residential Golf Courses in the country for the ninth consecutive year, and the Tarpon Club, which offers residents a beach and boating lifestyle.

Blackton Inc. awarded contract to provide materials for Taylor Morrison’s newest community – Esplanade at Highland Ranch – in Clermont

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Blackton, Inc., a leading supplier of wholesale materials and supplies to the home building industry, was recently awarded a contract to supply new home construction at Esplanade at Highland Ranch, the newest Taylor Morrison Homes community in Clermont. Michael “Micky” Blackton, chairman of Blackton Inc., said the contract includes roofing for 475 new homes Taylor Morrison plans to build at Esplanade at Highland Ranch including models starting this fall. Esplanade is a new gated neighborhood within Taylor Morrison’s Highland Ranch community that is designed for the 55+ vacation or retirement homebuyer and is located off Hammock Pointe Circle in Clermont.

Centex Homes will grand open two new Model Homes and a new Sales Center in early November at Cedar Grove at the Woodlands in North Port

NORTH PORT, Fla. --- Centex Homes will grand open two new model homes along with a new sales center in early November at Cedar Grove at the Woodlands located on Marton Oak Boulevard at Panacea Boulevard, three miles east of the Toledo Blade intersection in North Port. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for Centex Homes in south Florida, said the single-story Canopy model, priced from $180,990, offers three bedrooms, two baths and a flex room in 1,972 square feet of living space with an open plan that features a great room, café and kitchen that total more than 500 square feet of family living area and an optional kitchen island. The two-car garage offers a three-car option, Mairn said, and the flex room located at the front end of the Canopy model can serve as a formal living room, an office, crafts room or even a fourth bedroom. The two-story Citrus Grove model, with four bedrooms, two baths and a half bath for guests in 2,830 square feet of living space, is priced from $214,990 with a flex room, a large game room and a two-car garage that can expand to a three-car option. The Citrus Grove offers a large open island kitchen that serves a gathering room and café that altogether total nearly 700 square feet to accommodate family gatherings or neighborhood social occasions, Mairn said. The Citrus Grove model also boasts a downstairs master suite with three bedrooms upstairs. Centex is offering five distinctive floor plans at Cedar Grove at the Woodlands that range in size from 1,674 square feet to 3,172 square feet, priced from $164,990. Amenities at Cedar Grove at the Woodlands include a community swimming pool, cabana and children’s playground.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Names Veteran Realtor Theresa Blahut Brokerage Manager

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has named Theresa Blahut brokerage manager at the firm’s Dr. Phillips/Windermere Marketing Center in Southwest Orlando. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Blahut was previously an International Luxury Home Specialist and manager for six years in the firm’s original Dr. Phillips sales center. She is returning to head firm’s new state-of-the-art real estate gallery at The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips. Blahut has more than 20 years of experience in real estate and received her broker’s license in 2002. She is a member of the Orlando Area Board of Realtors (ORRA), Florida Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. “Theresa Blahut is a skilled professional with a great deal of experience in both real estate sales and staff training and management,” Soderstrom said. “She is the perfect executive to head our Dr. Phillips/Windermere Marketing Center,” he added. Blahut formerly served as a sales executive with a national real estate company and a corporate trainer. “Theresa will play an important role in helping to develop our sales professionals and she will be an important factor in our growth, especially in the southwest Orlando market,” Soderstrom said.

Hold-Thyssen negotiates Leases at Pennock Business Center in Jupiter, Security Square in Winter Haven

JUPITER / WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Hold-Thyssen, Inc., a commercial property firm based in Winter Park, recently negotiated multiple new leases for office/flex space and a retail lease in Jupiter. Therese Taylor, leasing agent for Hold-Thyssen, negotiated the transactions representing the landlord, Miami-based GECMC 2005-C4. At Pennock Business Center, 711 Commerce Way in Jupiter, Taylor completed lease agreements on six office/warehouse/flex suites totaling 7,386 rentable square feet. At Maplewood Center, 401 Maplewood Drive, Campbell Property Management & Real Estate, Inc. is the new tenant who leased 1,725 square feet. Ben Bruner of Michael Falk & Co. represented the tenant. Taylor represented the same landlord in a lease agreement with Jiles Law P.A., for 850 rentable square feet at Security Square, 130 Bates Avenue SW in Winter Haven. Hold-Thyssen, Inc. 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.

Royal Oak Homes Opens Marbella Gated Family Community in Davenport with New Single-Family Homes Priced From the $170s

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Royal Oak Homes based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park recently opened Marbella, its newest gated community of single-family homes on Andalusia Loop off North Boulevard in Davenport two miles east of U.S. 27. Matt Orosz, co-president, said Royal Oak Homes plans to build 111 new homes at Marbella priced from the $170s. The community is currently building a basketball court, pavilion, putting green, and playground for its residents and will be complete by February. “With the combination of our three Davenport communities, Royal Oak Homes is able to offer a wide variety of product to meet the demands of our buyers in that area. It will be a very exciting submarket for us,” said Orosz. New three, four and five bedroom homes at Marbella will range in size from 1,600 square feet of living area to 3,200 square feet. Two new model homes, Monica and Turlington, are already completed and open for viewing, Orosz said.

Pulte Unveils Three New Model Homes at Bridgetown in Fort Myers

Fort Myers, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has opened three new model homes at Bridgetown, a gated family community located off Treeline Avenue in Fort Myers. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for Pulte Homes in south Florida, said all three professionally decorated models are open to the public for tours. The Pinnacle model at Bridgetown offers three bedrooms and three baths in 2,488 square feet of living space with a flex room and an optional upstairs loft. Priced from $329,990, the Pinnacle features a two-car garage with a golf cart port. The Martin Ray, one of Pulte’s most popular model homes, offers 1,968 square feet of open design living space with two bedrooms, two baths, a flex room and an optional loft. The Martin Ray’s interior design is its biggest selling point: a sweeping family living space includes an island kitchen, café and gathering room that together measure almost 600 square feet of family space that opens onto an outdoor living lanai with another 128 square feet. “The Martin Ray offers transitional family space with multiple options for furnishings and media and a look and feel that is quite spectacular,” Mairn explained. Priced from $268,990, the Martin Ray features a two-car garage with its own golf cart port. The Taft Street model home, priced from $196,990, offers two bedrooms, two baths and a multi-purpose flex room in 1,333 square feet of living space with the option for a second floor loft. Pulte Homes is building single-family homes and attached villas priced from the low $200s to more than $400,000 at Bridgetown. “The consumer inspired floor plans at Bridgetown are packed with innovative features and built for the way modern families live in their homes today,” Mairn said.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Three Leases for Office Space in Lake Mary and Altamonte totaling more than 4,000 square feet

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated three lease agreements for office space in Lake Mary and Altamonte Springs totaling 4,049 rentable square feet. Senior Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM represented landlord, Daytona Beach-based RFEF Interchange–FL, Primera I, LLC, in a new lease agreement with Aegis Community Management Solutions, Inc. from ChampionsGate, Fla. for 1,408 square feet in Suite 225 of Primera Court I, 725 Primera Blvd. in Lake Mary. At The Crystal Center in Lake Mary, West represented the landlord, Maya Associates LLC of Okemos, Mich., in a lease renewal agreement with Global KTech, Inc. who occupies 1,426 square feet. West represented the tenant Limited to Endodontics, LLC in negotiating lease renewal with Kitchener, Ontario-based Vista Premier Point, Inc. the landlord at 225 S. Westmonte Drive. The dentistry practice has been a long-term occupant of suite 2070 with 1,215 square feet. The landlord was represented by Robert Kellogg of Lincoln Property Company.