Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Appoints Nat Barganier Executive Director of Distressed Properties Group

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Appoints Nat Barganier Executive Director of Distressed Properties Group

TAMPA, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide, has appointed Nat Barganier executive director of the firm’s Distressed Properties Group, which provides receivership, management, repositioning and disposition services for special real estate assets throughout Florida.

Jeffrey Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, in Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne, said Barganier will also assume a key role in the firm’s expanding Multi-Family Advisory Group working closely with Sweeney, investment advisor Kelly Oliver and marketing coordinator Larry Leitzman in the disposition of multi-family properties.

Barganier, a graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos, has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate. Prior to joining Grubb & Ellis, Barganier was a veteran of Camden Property Trust (CPT:NYSE) and served as vice president of Multi-Family Investment for the Southeast Region. His responsibilities included multi-family development, acquisition and disposition of numerous projects with locations ranging from Washington D.C. to Boca Raton.

“We are pleased an executive of Nat Barganier’s experience has joined our firm and we expect him to play a major role in our growth,” said Sweeney.

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 September 30, 2008, more than $3.8 billion in investor equity has been raised for these investment programs. The company and its subsidiaries currently manage a growing portfolio of more than 225 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:
Nat Barganier, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 813-639-1111 ext. 205
Kelly Oliver, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 813-639-1111 ext. 262
Jeffrey Sweeney, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 407-481-5387
Larry Leitzman, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 813-830-7890 ext. 300
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Melrose Sovereign Companies appoints new property manager, three new leasing agents

Melrose Sovereign Companies appoints new property manager, three new leasing agents

ORLANDO, Fla. - Melrose Sovereign Companies, the Orlando-based real estate management firm that specializes in rental apartment communities, condominiums and home owner associations, recently appointed a new property manager and three new leasing agents.

Ellen Lumpkin, LCAM, co-founder and partner at the firm, said Belinda Diaz was recently appointed property manager. She has been in the real estate industry for 11 years.

New leasing agents are Kyla Lacey, Yuri Abad and Porsche Merino.

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

Ashton Woods Homes has only 12 homesites remaining at Camden Woods in Riverview; Three new Single Family Homes Priced from $159,900 nearly complete

Ashton Woods Homes has only 12 homesites remaining at Camden Woods in Riverview; Three new Single Family Homes Priced from $159,900 nearly complete

TAMPA, Fla. - Ashton Woods Homes has only 12 homesites remaining at the community of Camden Woods, located off 78th Street in Riverview, where its new single family homes are priced from $159,900 to the mid-$200s.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing, said Ashton Woods Homes recently started three new single-family homes at Camden Woods, and one of the new homes will be ready by the end of April. Two more will be completed in June, Roche said.

New three and four-bedroom single-family homes at Camden Woods range in size from 1,712 square feet of living space to 3,062 square feet.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

For more information, contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando 407-647-3700
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando; 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, LV Communications, 407-644-4142

Two Orange City real estate professionals form new residential real estate firm to fill void in today’s market

Two Orange City real estate professionals form new residential real estate firm to fill void in today’s market

ORANGE CITY – Longtime commercial real estate broker John Wanamaker and state-certified real estate instructor Tom Milton have formed a new Orange City-based residential real estate company.

Wanamaker, broker of Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group, and Milton, a residential real estate veteran with 22 years of experience, formed The CornerStone Group in March to handle business planning for the financing of new real estate services that are being adapted for today’s changing real estate market, according to Milton.

A former general manager for the Coldwell Banker Real Estate Network, Milton has served as chief administrator and instructor of the West Volusia School of Realty and instructor for the first for-credit university intern program for Florida real estate students. He also is a past director of the West Volusia Association of Realtors.

“We formed this company to fill a niche in today’s challenging residential market,” Milton said. “The CornerStone Group is a collection of top local professionals who have teamed up to face the complexities of the market using each member’s unique talents in the field.”

The company specializes in short sales, pre-foreclosures, property management, Internet marketing, as well as relocation and international marketing, he said.

About Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group:
Owned and operated by commercial real estate veterans John Wanamaker and Chuck Rudis, Coldwell Banker Commercial AIG is a leader in the listing, leasing and selling of properties, as well as a premier developer of community-friendly and LEED-accredited projects for small business owners.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Tom Milton, broker for The CornerStone Group, 386-774-0203 or 386-848-2034
John Wanamaker, broker for Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group, 386-775-8633, john@cbciagroup.com
Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Ashton Woods Homes has Three new Town Home Buildings underway with homes priced from $159,900 at Wickham Park in Windermere

Ashton Woods Homes has Three new Town Home Buildings underway with homes priced from $159,900 at Wickham Park in Windermere

ORLANDO, Fla. - Ashton Woods Homes recently started construction of three new town home buildings with homes priced from $159,900 at Wickham Park, located on Overstreet Rd. off County Road 535 in Windermere.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said one of the five-unit buildings will be completed and open by the end of April, another one in May, and the third, with three town homes, in June.

Roche said town homes at Wickham Park range in size from 1,472 square feet of living space to 1,887 square feet with three bedrooms, two baths, two-car garages and each unit has its own private courtyard.

Wickham Park boasts an amenity center with a private clubhouse – featuring a kitchen, living room and gameroom – and an oversized swimming pool.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

For more information, contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa; 407-647-3700
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, LV Communications, 407-644-4142

ABD Development Reports Five Villa Homes Remain for Sale at Lakeside Villas at Providence Golf & Country Club

ABD Development Reports Five Villa Homes Remain for Sale at Lakeside Villas at Providence Golf & Country Club

ORLANDO, Fla. - ABD Development Company reports only five villa homes remain for sale at Lakeside Villas at Providence Golf & Country Club, located of U.S. 17-92 in the Loughman-Davenport area of Polk County.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the five villa homes remaining range in size from 2,246 square feet to 3,000 square feet, priced from the high $200s.

Kohn said a three-bedroom model home is available for viewing. With 2,500 square feet of living space, the model is priced at $369,000.

For more information, contact
David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company, 407-370-6400
Sofi Coffey, Marketing Manager ABD Development Company, 407-370-6400
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

UCF and City of Orlando Business Development Center on Colonial Drive to Expand

UCF and City of Orlando Business Development Center on Colonial Drive to Expand

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Business Development Center District 2, (OBDC) a partnership of the City of Orlando and the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, located at 3218 E. Colonial Drive, will expand over the next 90 days.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for the University’s Department of Research & Commercialization and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the center will more than double the size of its facilities from 2,400 square feet of office space to 6,000 square feet.

O’Neal said UCF is currently interviewing applicants to choose a full-time site manager for OBDC, which opened last year directly across from Fashion Square mall.

“Even in this economic slump, we are seeing a steady interest in business incubation from new companies in the community and we are increasing our capacity to serve more entrepreneurial enterprises,” O’Neal explained.

O’Neal said the Orlando Business Development Center was empowered by a recent nationwide study that shows business incubators rank as the most cost effective stimulators of local economic development.

“Job growth and economic activity in the U.S. are largely dependent on the health of small business enterprises, and effective business incubator programs are one of the best ways to stimulate small business growth and development,” O’Neal said. O’Neal said UCF Business Incubation Program client companies are already positioning themselves to take advantage of new funding offered by the U.S. Economic Recovery Act and stimulus programs.

The UCF Business Incubation Program currently serves more than 70 full-time client companies in five locations, and provides a wide range of walk-in services.

For more information contact:
Tom O’Neal. Ph.D, UCF Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization and Incubation Program Executive Director, 407-882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the metro Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between UCF, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates New Lease at Anclote Corner Shopping Center in Tarpon Springs

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Negotiates New Lease at Anclote Corner Shopping Center in Tarpon Springs

TAMPA, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, which is associated with 130 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide, recently negotiated a new lease for 1,200 square feet of retail space in the Anclote Corner Shopping Center in Tarpon Springs.

Michelle Seifert associate vice president in the Retail Services Group at Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Anclote Corner Associates of New York, NY.

The new tenant at 1963 North Pinellas Avenue is Metro Cellular, LLC a local firm.

The 51,200 square foot Anclote Corner is now 95 percent leased.

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 September 30, 2008, more than $3.8 billion in investor equity has been raised for these investment programs. The company and its subsidiaries currently manage a growing portfolio of more than 225 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 more information about this news release, contact:
Michelle Seifert, Associate Vice President, Retail Services Group, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 813-830-7537, mseifert@commercialfl.com
Jeffrey S. Sweeney, President, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 407-481-5387, Jsweeney@commercialfl.com

Stirling Investment and Commercial Group Named Exclusive Leasing Agent at Lexington Plaza in Sanford

Stirling Investment and Commercial Group Named Exclusive Leasing Agent at Lexington Plaza in Sanford

SANFORD, Fla. - Stirling Investment and Commercial Group, a division of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, was named exclusive leasing representative at Lexington Plaza, the 18,500 square foot retail center located on the northeast corner of S.R. 46 and Mangoustine Rd. in Sanford.

Frank Dever, managing director of Stirling Investment and Commercial Group, negotiated the agreement with developer Lexington Plaza, LLC and will serve as leasing contact.

For more information, please contact:
Frank Dever, Managing Director, Stirling Investment and Commercial Group 407-571-2234;
Roger Soderstrom,Owner/Founder Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-588-1260;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Lennar Completes Construction of New Model Town Home at Camden Landing at Wyndham Lakes near Lake Nona

Lennar Completes Construction of New Model Town Home at Camden Landing at Wyndham Lakes near Lake Nona

ORLANDO, Fla. - Lennar’s Central Florida Division has completed construction of a new model town home at Camden Landing at Wyndham Lakes, located at 2446 Strandhill St. off Wyndham Lakes Blvd between Boggy Creek Rd. and Landstar, near the Lake Nona medical campus in southeast Orlando.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the new model home at Camden Landing in Wyndham Lakes offers three bedrooms and two-and-half baths in 1,820 square feet of living space priced from the upper $100,000s.

The new model home at Camden Landing at Wyndham Lakes will open April 18.

Lennar plans to build 122 two and three bedroom town homes at Camden Landing at Wyndham Lakes that range from 1,733 square feet to 1,834 square feet.

New town homes at Camden Landing at Wyndham Lakes are priced from the $170s.

For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Hill, Sales and Marketing Administrator – Central Florida 407 654-4862 x113, Elizabeth.Hill@lennar.com
Paul V. Brooks, Lennar Director of Sales & Marketing-Central Florida 407-654-4862, Paul.Brooks@lennar.com
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 813-769-5277, Mark.Metheny@Lennar.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com