Saturday, January 8, 2011

D & A Building Services Names National Vice President of Marketing


 LONGWOOD, FL—D & A Building Services Inc., one of the largest Hispanic owned facility maintenance companies in the nation, has appointed Randall A. Edwards (top right photo) to Vice President of Marketing.

 Edward is responsible for national strategic marketing planning, business development, sales, advertising, and operations.

 He has nearly 25 years in the janitorial and facility maintenance industry at all levels of management, and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Military “A” School. Previously, Edwards was an Executive Vice President with General Building Maintenance, a national facility maintenance company. 

 He is a member of Building Owners & Managers Association, the International Facility Managers Association, the Building Service Contractors Association International and the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association.

“Randall’s national experience will help us continue to grow, “said Al Sarabasa (lower left photo) Jr., president/CEO, D & A Building Services.

For additional information, please visit http://www.dabuildingservices.com/

D & A Building Services Completes Landscape Upgrades at Hospital   

LONGWOOD, FL  —The landscape division of D & A Building Services Inc. has completed its contract with Health Central (lower right photo) in Ocoee, Florida, to provide landscape enhancements throughout the 80-acre medical center campus including new plant material, new sod and the installation of mulch.
 
The facility maintenance also has a contract with the hospital for window washing, pressure cleaning and ongoing grounds upkeep.


PR Contact: Elaine Ingra, (407) 384-1344 elainei@pr-works.com

Avalon Park Group Negotiates Lease Agreement for 2,400 SF of Downtown space that will be home to Yoga East in Orlando


 ORLANDO, FL - Avalon Park Group recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 2,400 square feet of space at 3734 Avalon Park East Blvd. in Downtown Avalon Park.

 Eric Marks, senior vice president at Avalon Park Group, negotiated the lease agreement with Avalon Park Holistic Lifestyle Center, doing business as Yoga East.

 Marks said the owners, who are Avalon Park residents, leased a live-work town home in downtown Avalon Park (lower right photo) that features commercial space at street level and living space on the upper floor. 

 “These units are ideal for owner/operators who need to be close to their client base,” Marks said.

 Yoga East will offer yoga classes, massage services and a retail area with eco-friendly, fair trade and locally made products. 

 “We are excited to bring holistic health and wellness services to East Orlando with the opening of Yoga East,” said studio director Michelle Owens. “Avalon Park is already well-known as a neighborhood of choice for people with active lifestyles. 

“Yoga East enhances that reputation by providing a place where everyone is welcome to come and experience the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga and healthy living,” Owens said. 

For more information email

 Avalon Park is located off Alafaya Trail south of SR 50 in southeast Orlando.

For more information, contact:  
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Director, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565;  
Eric Marks, Vice President /Chief Operating Officer, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565; 
Beat Kahli, Founder /CEO Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565;  
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142    Yogaeaststudio@comcast.net

Mattamy Homes U.S. Group to Open 10 New Communities during First Quarter in Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Minnesota, Arizona


ORLANDO, FL. --- Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, will open 10 new communities before April 1 in the Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Phoenix, Arizona and Minnesota markets.

Steven Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, said the home builder is opening one new community in Orlando in the Lake Nona area (top left photo), three in Charlotte, and two communities each in the Jacksonville, Phoenix and the Twin Cities regions.

Currently, Mattamy Homes builds new single-family homes priced at an average of $225,000 and town homes priced at an average $180,000 in 27 communities in the U.S., Parker said.

For more information, contact:

Steve Parker, President Mattamy Homes U.S. Group 407-599-9994
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Crossman & Company Promotes Brian Carolan to Associate in Orlando


ORLANDO, FL. --- Crossman & Company, the Orlando-based commercial property firm that ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, recently promoted Brian Carolan (top right photo) to associate.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, said Carolan will focus on investment sales throughout Florida. 

Carolan earned his Master’s Degree in Real Estate from the University of Florida and joined Crossman and Company last year as a research analyst.  He  previously worked for Regions Bank in Orlando.

For more information, contact:
John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com;
Molly Delahunty, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6220 mdelahunty@crossmanco.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com
.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease Agreement with Machine Tool firm for 3,240 SF of office space at Town Plaza in Winter Springs, FL

  
MAITLAND, FL --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the lease of 3,240 square feet of Class A office space at 1500 Town Plaza Court (top left photo) off SR 434 and Tuskawilla Rd. in Winter Springs.    

 Paul P. Partyka, managing partner at NAI Realvest negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Flannery Property Management, LLC based in Chuluota.    

 Partyka said the new tenant is ROL Tech, an auto parts and accessories firm relocating from LaQuinta Drive in Orlando. Carolyn Canada of Coldwell Banker Commercial Branch 3446 represented the tenant.

For more information, contact:
Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989
Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-414

NAI Realvest Negotiates a Five-Year Renewal for Massey Services in 6,000 SF of Industrial space in Lake Mary, FL


MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated a five-year renewal agreement for 6,000 square feet of industrial space in
suites 100A
and B at
600 Technology Park Drive
in Lake Mary

Michael Heidrich (top right photo), principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord John H. Talton Enterprises, Inc. of Vidalia, Ga. and the tenant, Massey Services, Inc., which is headquartered in Orlando.

For more information contact:
Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com   

NAI Realvest Earns Contract to Handle the Leasing of Kissimmee Shopping Center on U.S. 192


MAITLAND, FL - NAI Realvest, which ranks as one of Central Florida’s largest and most active commercial real estate firms, was recently awarded a contract to handle leasing of the Kissimmee Shopping Center (top left photo) on U.S. Highway 192 at 2501–2573 Old Vineland Rd. in Kissimmee.

Paul P. Partyka (lower right photo) managing partner of the firm and listing agent for the property, said the 130,355 square foot Kissimmee Shopping Center, which is home to the #1 Nike outlet store and Beall’s Outlet, will be aggressively marketed for lease.

Partyka said the location of Kissimmee Shopping Center makes the center a prime candidate for repositioning and the center is being heavily promoted in the Hispanic and tourist market.  More than 50 percent of the population that lives within a three-mile radius of the center is Hispanic.

Partyka said he is also investigating the possibility of creating a Hispanic Business Incubator at the Kissimmee Shopping Center.

For more information,  please contact:  
Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 ppartyka@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com
  

Hendricks & Partners Acquires Brokerage Firms in Birmingham and Baton Rouge to Launch Major Southeast Expansion


 PHOENIX, AZ - Hendricks & Partners, the Phoenix based firm that ranks as the nation’s largest multifamily advisory and research firm with offices in 37 U.S. cities, announced it has acquired apartment brokerage firms in Birmingham and Baton Rouge to begin a major expansion in the southeastern U.S.

Brent Long, president of Hendricks & Partners, said new acquisitions include The Oakley Group, the Birmingham real estate firm headed by veteran David Oakley (top right photo), and Cordaro Companies in Baton Rouge, headed by Gregory J. Cordaro (middle left photo).

“The Oakley Group and the Cordaro Companies rank as the most experienced and best-positioned multi-family specialists in their markets,” Long said.

“We are in dialogue with key apartment firms and senior apartment advisors in the region and have begun our expansion with two very strong groups,” Long said adding, we are also bringing our proprietary multifamily investment banking platform into the region which provides industry leading multifamily debt placement, structured finance, private equity and a full menu of apartment advisory services.”

In conjunction with Hendricks & Partners acquisition of the two firms in Birmingham and Baton Rouge, a new office is currently being opened in Jackson, Mississippi.

Cole Whitaker (lower right photo), who opened the Hendricks & Partners’ Southeast regional office in Orlando last year, said additional expansion markets include Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky and South Florida.

For more information,  contact:  

Brent Long, President, Hendricks & Partners 602-912-1624, blong@HPAPTS.com
Cole Whitaker, Southeast Partner, Hendricks & Partners 407-218-8880 cwhitaker@HPAPTS.com
Hal Warren, Associate Partner, Hendricks & Partners 407-218-8881 hwarren@HPAPTS.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com
  

NAI Realvest Negotiates $160,000 Sale of Two Small Industrial Buildings on Silver Star Rd. in Orlando


ORLANDO – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of two small industrial buildings totaling 5,136 square feet on a 0.39 site located at 1934 Silver Star Rd. in Orlando.

George Viele (top right photo) associate at the firm, negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Sopramco CV8, LLC of Fairport, NY.

 Orlando investors Paul and Anita Singh purchased the property for $160,000.  Todo Mahabeer of Ameri Team Realty represented the buyers.

For more information, contact:  
George Viele, Associate, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 gviele@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 


Marketplace Advisors Negotiates New Lease Agreement at The Blue Heron Beach Resort Shopping Center

 
 ORLANDO - Marketplace Advisors, Inc. recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 1,883 square feet of retail space at the Blue Heron Beach Resort Shopping Center, 13415 Blue Heron Beach Drive in Orlando.

 David Marks, founder and president of Marketplace Advisors, Inc. negotiated the lease agreement representing the landlord, ORL Commercial Center, LLC.

The new tenant SRL786, Inc., Claudia De Loera and Syed R. Liaquat, plans to open a tourist oriented gift shop at the property.

For more information,  please contact:  
David Marks, Marketplace Advisors, Inc., 407-694-7040, dmarks@cfl.rr.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142   
 

WeinPlus Associates Real Estate Advisory Services to Launch New Web Site in Early February at WeinPlusAssociates.com


ST. PETERSBURG – WeinPlus Associates Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg will launch a new web site at WeinPlusAssociates.com in early February.

Rachel Elias Wein (top right photo), AIA, who heads the St. Petersburg firm, said the new web site will feature testimonials, news stories, case studies, current projects and upcoming announcements.



Wein to speak at University of Florida School of Architecture Jan. 14

 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus, Associates Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg, will speak at the University of Florida School of Architecture on Jan. 14.

 Wein said she plans to address the challenges and opportunities that face entry level architects in the field.

 Wein, who earned Bachelor of Design, Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Real Estate degrees from the University of Florida, is nationally recognized for her work in reorganizing and re-purposing real estate development projects.

For more information, contact: 
Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, Founder/Principal, WeinPlus, 727-403-1595; 
Larry Vershel, Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142  

NAI Realvest negotiates new Long Term Office Lease for Physicians Group on Woodland Blvd in DeLand, FL




DeLand, FL. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new, six-year lease agreement for 3,216 square feet in the office building at 1205 S. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand.

Paul P. Partyka, managing partner at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction representing the tenant, Healthcare Management Enterprises, Inc. a Sarasota-based physicians group.     The landlord is Triad Center LLC of DeLand and was represented by Todd Swann. 

 “This physicians group continues to grow aggressively as this is the ninth Central Florida location for Healthcare Management Enterprises with still another one planned,” Partyka said.

 For more information, contact:

Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 ppartyka@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, Inc.  407-644-4142 

NAI Realvest Takes Aim At Hospitality Properties


MAITLAND, FL - NAI Realvest is taking aim at Orlando area hospitality properties.

 Paul P. Partyka (top right photo), managing partner at NAI Realvest, said hospitality properties represent a powerful new sector for the real estate services company, which ranks as one of the largest developers of industrial centers in the region and one of the region’s largest commercial property brokers.

 Over the past several years, Partyka and NAI Realvest have been involved with many hotel properties.  Now, Partyka personally, will be focusing more of his time on the hotel properties market especially in Orlando and Central Florida.

“We see tremendous opportunities in the hospitality sector,” Partyka said. “Investors, particularly international investors, are very interested in acquiring well-performing hospitality properties and related tourism businesses,” Partyka said.

 Hospitality properties are a hidden treasure in Florida real estate, Partyka said.

 “The recession has not affected the tourism industry as much as early forecasts predicted,” Partyka said. “In commercial real estate, hospitality properties rank as one of the strongest performing sectors,” he said.

For more information,  please contact:  

Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 ppartyka@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com
  

Bent Tree Apartment Portfolio in North Dallas, TX Acquired by Crossbeam Fund


ADDISON, TX—Three Addison, TX  apartment communities totaling 628 rental units located on 38 wooded acres have been acquired in a single portfolio from Hall Financial Group of Dallas by the Crossbeam Capital-managed Workforce Housing Fund I -2007.

Price was not disclosed.

The contiguous properties located north of the Dallas CBD—Bent Tree Oaks (top left photo), Bent Tree Brook (middle right photo) and Bent Tree Fountains (middle left photo)—consist of 83 two-story buildings designed in 1980 to provide a ‘luxury recreational lifestyle’ for residents who worked nearby and wanted a retreat after hours. 

The rental range for the three properties start at $540 monthly for a  one-bedroom apartment to $1215 for a two-bedroom townhome with its own garage.

The three apartment communities, located in the 4800 block of Westgrove Drive, will be redeveloped for $5.9 million by Crossbeam and its affiliated management company, Concierge Asset Management, Houston.

 The improvements will reposition the properties to appeal to employees of Addison’s numerous corporate campuses. Concierge Management Services will manage the three apartment communities. Combined occupancy is currently 89%.

“Our partners, Concierge, have had its eye on this Bent Tree portfolio for more than a year and for good reason,” says Brad Blash, chief acquisitions officer for Crossbeam Capital, LLC. “It has a Class A location, minutes from The Galleria (ice rink, lower right photo), adjacent to the Dallas North Tollway, which is a 15 minute commute to downtown Dallas.

“Some 50,000 people alone work in the Addison corridor for companies supporting Microsoft, GE Capital Corp., Excel Communications and MBNA Information Services and they are our target audience,” says Blash. “Addison itself is one of the most affluent suburbs in the Dallas area with a median income of $80,000 per person.”

Ted Kerr, (lower left  photo) president of Concierge, said the buyer and seller agreed on the acquisition in an hour.

 “We had made an offer on the Bent Tree portfolio a year ago and it was rejected. Several months ago, Tom Burns and his partner, Jay Gunn, of the Dallas office of Hendricks and Partners, brokers for the seller, informed our acquisitions advisor, Tom Cabibi of Altitude Real Estate Advisors, that three other potential buyers were bidding for the portfolio and it might be going to contract as quickly as 24 hours.

Kerr said Cabibi immediately notified Concierge chairman Maxwell Drever who has known the seller, Craig Hall, a prominent Dallas entrepreneur, for a number of years. 

Explained Kerr: “Maxwell called Craig and said, ‘If I overnight you a personal check as a non-refundable deposit, will you sell us the portfolio?’ Craig agreed. And our financial partners at Crossbeam Capital saw it as a solid addition to their Workforce Housing Fund.”

 The three Bent Tree apartment communities have seven swimming pools with sun decks, picnic areas with gas barbeque grills, tennis courts and a free membership to the nearby Addison Athletic Center.

As part of the transformation and redevelopment, the new owners will build a 2500 square foot clubhouse with an Internet Café, gourmet kitchen, leasing office and a large covered deck overlooking a pond and a brook running through the property. New landscaping, several sports courts and new large gas grills will be added. Concierge Construction Company will coordinate all the improvements.  

Blash says Crossbeam/Concierge, which closed six properties in December alone, will be acquiring “considerably more” workforce apartment communities from Washington D.C to Seattle in 2011.

Contact:
Chris Barnett  415-336-5092; cbarn@aol.com
Jennifer Farthing   240-223-1679   jfarthing@crossbeamcapital.com
Leslie Gordon 415-789-1773 leslie@drever.net