Friday, November 6, 2009

ICI Homes’ Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Welcomes More than 60 Participants in “Blast Out Cancer” Fitness Fundraiser

Ormond Beach, Fla. --- Sixty-six residents at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach participated in the community’s “Blast Out Cancer” fitness and fundraiser recently.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, which is developing Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club, said 66 participants registered for the 5K walk, 10K bike ride and tennis round robin tournament.

Many residents participated in all three events, Messina said.

Robert Vilardi and Kori Dahlberg were top fundraisers during the event with a grand total of $1,590.

Raffle winners included Gloria Havlin, Sue Benoche, Kylie Dahlberg, Ed Ernst and Kim Nilsen.

The event raised more than $2,500 for the American Cancer Society.

For more information, please contact:
Lisa A. Egle, Marketing Manager ICI Homes-Daytona Beach, 386-236-4273
Rosemary Messina, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, ICI Homes, 386-236-4273
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

ABD Development Company to start design of smaller, smarter homes at Providence and Wyndham Lakes

ORLANDO, Fla. --- ABD Development Company, which is developing the master-planned 2,200 acre Providence Golf & Country Club Community off U.S. 17-92 in the Loughman-Davenport area of Polk County, has started design work on four new smaller, smarter homes with increased energy efficiency at Heritage Green at Providence.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said four homes are in the design stage now that range from 2,433 square feet of living space to 3,510 square feet.

The new homes will be priced from $354,900 to $459,900.

ABD’s new smaller, smarter homes include:
•A four bedroom, three bath home with 2,433 square feet of living space and a lanai;
•The Portfolio home, with four bedrooms, three baths and a lanai in 2,673 square feet of space;
•The Courtyard II home, with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a loft and a lanai in 2,684 square feet;
•The Manchester II home, with 3,510 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, four baths, a lanai and a bonus room.

At Windsor Landing at Wyndham Lakes Estates, located off Town Center and Landstar Blvds. in southeast Orlando, ABD Development Company plans to introduce two new designs that range from 2,500 square feet of space to 3,000 square feet priced from the $350s.

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

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Three Contracts to Design Office/ Retail Renovations

Orlando, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently awarded design of renovations and improvements on the following properties:

·The 10,500 square foot medical office interiors at Lucerne Medical Plaza in downtown Orlando. The project was awarded by Halladay Properties;

·A 1,200 square foot office/retail building on West Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park, awarded by Brio Properties;

·The canopy at Pepper Tree Plaza, a 50,000 square foot retail center in Margate, Fla., awarded by the developer, Kimco Realty Corp.

Cuhaci & Peterson designs more than one million square feet of retail, office or mixed-use space annually.

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

Ashton Woods Homes unveils three new floor plans priced from the $190s at The Landings in South Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has introduced three new floor plans priced from the $190s at The Landings off Interbay and Westshore Blvds. in South Tampa.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the new floor plans range in size from 1,308 square feet of living space to 2,180 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 407-647-3700
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Worldwide Auction Realty Services to conduct bulk offering of home sites, partially completed luxury homes at Reunion Resort

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Worldwide Auction Realty Services has launched a bank authorized pre-foreclosure highest and best bulk sale of 25 home sites and three partially completed luxury homes at Reunion Resort, located at 7593 Gathering Drive in Reunion, off I-4 at SR 429 six miles from Walt Disney World.

Lori Chipps, auctioneer with Worldwide Auction Realty Services, said the 35 foot home sites in Patriot Landing at Reunion Resort will accommodate homes that range from 1,800 square feet of living space to 3,600 square feet.

New homes at Patriot’s Landing at Reunion Resort previously sold at prices ranging from $449,000 to $649,000, Chipps said.

Most of the available home sites and all three partially completed luxury homes overlook water, parkways and conservation areas, she said.

Reunion features three world-class golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus

“We anticipate receiving strong interest from area and national home builders as well as investors from around the world, said Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, the firm representing the property.

Parties interested in submitting offers should contact Lori or Jon Chipps, directors of auction services for Worldwide Auction Realty Services. All offers will be submitted to the lender.

“We think the property will sell relatively quickly at a very attractive price,” Chipps said.

For more information about the auction or to register to bid live or online, telephone 800-327-1048 or www.WWAuctionServices.com.

For more information contact:
Jon & Lori Chipps, Worldwide Auction Realty Services, 800-327-1048;
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-588-1260
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407.644.4142

Avalon Park Group Appoints Nationally-Renowned Interior Designer for State-of-the-Art Adult Independent, Assisted Living Facilities

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Avalon Park Group has appointed a nationally-renowned interior designer to plan interior features, appointments and color schemes in the new state-of-the-art independent adult and assisted living facilities under development in downtown Avalon Park.

Ross Halle, Town Planner at Avalon Park, said he appointed Bonnie Manson, president of Interior Design Associates, Inc., of Nashville as interior designer for the facilities.

Manson, who has more than 28 years of experience in interior design, has earned numerous national and regional design awards and specializes in adult and senior care facilities.

Avalon Park’s adult independent and assisted living facilities are scheduled to start construction next summer. The first phase, planned to be 100,000 square feet, will facilitate assisted living and memory care, and is projected to cost approximately $20 million.

“Interior design for adult living facilities is a critical element and a highly specialized skill,” Halle said.

“Color schemes, textures, furnishings and even layout are essential,” Halle added

For more information about this release, please contact:
Ross Halle, VP Architecture/Town Planner Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565
Beat Kahli, Owner / Founder, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Rhodes+Brito Architects to Design Renovations at Valencia Community College Math, Architecture Facilities

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Rhodes+Brito Architects was recently awarded contracts to design renovations of the facilities housing the Math and Architecture departments at Valencia Community College on Kirkman Rd. in west Orlando.

Ruffin Rhodes, co-founder and partner at Rhodes+Brito, said the cost of construction is estimated at $1.5 million.

Renovation work will include demolition and new finishes, lighting and ceilings in both facilities, which total 24,000 square feet of space.

Rhodes+Brito Architects recently completed renovation work on two HSB buildings at Valencia Community College, Rhodes said.

For more information contact:
Ruffin Rhodes, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 ruffin@rbarchitects.com
Maximiano Brito, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 max@rbarchitects.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications Inc. 407-644-4142 (fax: 4410)

About Rhodes+Brito:
Rhodes+Brito Architects, which opened in Orlando in 1996, currently employs a staff of 17, including seven registered architects. The firm served as lead architect for the Florida A&M University College of Law facility in downtown Orlando.

OC Grant Consulting Schedules Second Series of Seminars for Those Interested in Attaining Non-Profit Status and Grant Funding

ORLANDO, Fla. – Olivette Carter, owner of OC Grant Consulting Associates, will present the second series of Nonprofit Capacity-Building seminars on attaining non-profit status and grant funding beginning Nov. 14 in Orlando.

The sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Orlando Business Development Center Office, 3218 E. Colonial Drive, Suite G, Orlando 32803.

OC Grant Consulting is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program at the OBDC site, one of the program’s six business incubators throughout metro Orlando.

Carter recently held the first round of the series at the Disney Entrepreneur Center.

Participants who attended were provided with the tools needed to start up new nonprofits and to secure and maintain funding to operate effective programs, she said. Among those attending were individuals and groups interested in providing services to homeless Veterans, establishing after-school programs, and implementing volunteer recognition projects.

Designed for executives, administrators, managers and other leaders of aspiring or new faith- and community-based organizations, the second seminar series will kick off with “How to Start a Non-Profit and Obtain 501(c)3 Status” on Nov. 14.

The “how-to” seminar will be repeated on Jan. 9, said Carter, who specializes in grant proposal writing, grant review and grant writing training, as well as post-grant support.

Additional seminars scheduled are: “An Introduction to Grant Writing,” Dec. 5; “Board Development for New Non-Profits,” Jan. 23; “Program Design and Planning,” Jan. 30; and “Volunteer Management,” Feb. 6. The December introduction to grant writing session will be repeated on Feb. 20.

Each seminar is $25.00, and those who sign up for four sessions can attend the fifth one free. To register, go on-line at www.ocgrantconsulting.com or call 321-281-8346.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Olivette Carter, Owner, OC Grant Counseling, 321-281-8346 or ocgrants@obdc2.fdn.com Melissa Wasserman, OBDC Site Manager, 321-281-8384, mwasserm@mail.ucf.edu
Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1157; bizdev@mail.ucf.edu
Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780, 407-644-4142; Lvershelco@aol.com or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, City of Sanford and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

NAI Realvest negotiates renewal lease agreement for nationwide manufacturer in 50,400 square foot industrial facility in south Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. -- NAI Realvest recently completed a renewal lease agreement for a 50,400 square foot industrial facility located at 7452 Presidents Drive in south Orlando.

Robert Blackwell, SIOR principal at the firm, associates Sean DuPree, CCIM and Jim Murr negotiated the transaction representing the tenant, Rehrig Pacific Holdings, Inc. the Los Angeles based plastic pallet and container manufacturer.

The landlord, AMB Property, L.P. based in Boston, was represented by Erik Schwetje of CB Richard Ellis.

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.

For more information, contact:
Robert Blackwell, SIOR or Sean Dupree, CCIM or Jim Murr at NAI Realvest 407-875-9989; rblackwell@realvest.com, sdupree@realvest.com or jmurr@realvest.com

Patrick Mahoney, Chief Operating Officer, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

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

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Leasing Agents for Kirkman Plaza in Southwest Orlando

– Developer offering area’s most aggressive rental rates -

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive leasing agents at Kirkman Plaza, a new 30,000 square foot, two-story office/retail building recently completed at 485 S. Kirkman Rd. in southwest Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Melissa Rodriguez, commercial property specialist in Stirling Sotheby’s Windermere-Dr. Phillips office, is principal contact for the property,

Soderstrom said the developer of the Class A building is offering some of the most aggressive rental rates in the area.

Office and retail units that range from 1,500 to 15,000 square feet are ready for tenant improvements, Rodriguez said.

Kirkman Plaza, just blocks from Universal Studios and Valencia Community College is easily accessible to S.R. 50, I-4 and the Beachline Expressway, and offers some of the lowest office lease rates in the region, Soderstrom said.

For more information contact:
Melissa Rodriguez, Stirling Sotheby's International Realty-Windermere/Dr. Phillips, 407-992-8900; agentrodriguez@earthlink.net

Roger Soderstrom, Founder & Owner, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-588-1260; rsoderstrom@stirlingsir.com

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com