Tuesday, December 6, 2011

HFF Houston hires Peter Billipp as director to focus on industrial investment sales


 HOUSTON, TX – HFF announced today that Peter Billipp (top right photo) has joined the firm as a director in its Houston office with a focus on industrial investment sales transactions throughout the state of Texas.

Mr. Billipp has more than 12 years of experience in commercial real estate with roles as an investment sales broker, developer and investor. 

He joins HFF from J.A. Billipp Company where he served as the vice president of development and investment since 2008. 

 Prior to that, Mr. Billipp was a development manager at Panattoni Development Company where he was responsible for sourcing and managing the development of industrial properties in north Texas. 

Before joining Panattoni, he was an associate broker on a national investment sales team at CBRE and Cushman and Wakefield.  Mr. Billipp commenced his career as an analyst and asset manager for Charter Holdings and Cohen Financial.

 He recently received his master’s degree in business administration from Rice University, complementing his undergraduate education from the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University. 

 Mr. Billipp is a member of The Real Estate Finance and Investment Center (University of Texas McCombs School), National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and the Bayou Breakfast Club. 

“We are pleased to have Peter join the Houston office where he will work alongside veteran broker Rusty Tamlyn (top left photo) in addition to working nationally with HFF’s growing industrial team that is led by Randy Baird (middle right photo) in HFF’s Dallas office. 

"Peter brings with him a diverse background, extensive client relationships and a wealth of experience in the industrial segment of our industry,” said Scott Galloway (lower left photo), executive managing director in HFF’s Houston office.





Contacts:    
                    
H. SCOTT GALLOWAY                             GRADY W. ROBERTS                      
HFF Executive Managing Director          HFF Senior Managing Director         
(713) 852-3500                                         (713) 852-3500                                     
sgalloway@hfflp.com                                groberts@hfflp.com                             

Kristen R. Murphy, Associate Director Marketing, (713) 852-3500,  krmurphy@hfflp.com

John Wayne Airport’s New Terminal C Opens to Passengers in Orange County, CA



ORANGE COUNTY, CA, Dec. 6, 2011— John Wayne Airport’s (JWA’s) new Terminal C opened to passengers on November 14, 2011.

 Constructed by McCarthy Building Companies and designed by Gensler, the new terminal increases JWA’s capacity from 8.4 million annual passengers to 10.8 million. It also provides the airport with the ability to operate international flights.

The $211.5 million facility was part of the $543 million Airport Improvement Program (AIP) – one of Orange County’s largest-ever public works programs – which created approximately 6,670 jobs over the life of the project.

Serving as the general contractor, McCarthy began construction on Terminal C in August 2009. The project included adding a 282,000-square-foot, three-level terminal building plus a basement, to the existing 448,000 square feet in Terminals A and B at the Thomas F. Riley Terminal.

McCarthy also performed upgrades and renovations to the existing terminals including the installation of a new paging/communications and information technology system in both terminals. The reconfiguration of three gates (two for international flights and one for the Common Use Passenger Processing System) as well as the remodel of select airline offices in Terminal B was also completed.

“Our design at John Wayne Airport puts passengers first. We wanted to create a terminal that people intuitively understand, and that leverages the latest technology for the modern traveler,” says Keith Thompson, a Gensler Principal and leader of the firm’s global Aviation + Transportation practice area.

 “Building a major addition on a fully operational airport facility and coordinating with other ongoing airport improvement projects including a new parking structure and central utility plant required extensive planning and communication,” said Khatchig Tchapadarian (lower left photo), McCarthy’s project director for the airport project.

 “We phased construction and worked overnight shifts to ensure minimal impact to the passengers and airport operations. A barricade was also installed between Terminal B and C, and the construction team worked closely with airport operations to coordinate construction access, deliveries and cranes.”

 “Visitors to John Wayne Airport will experience a near seamless transition between all three terminals—a key objective in McCarthy’s construction of Terminal C and in improvements made to Terminals A an B in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal,” said Airport Director Alan L. Murphy. “The extensive use of marble throughout the lobbies and concourse, the floor to ceiling windows, along with all new LED lighting and technological advancements throughout the terminal, provides an innovative yet familiar travel experience.” 

 Media Inquiries: 
Laura Mickelson (LM Communications)
(949) 453-0851
Susan Garritano (McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.)
(314) 968-3300




Voit Real Estate Services Direct Two New Industrial Subleases Encompassing 350,660 SF in Chino, CA



CHINO, CA, Dec. 6, 2011 – Voit Real Estate Services’ Inland Empire office has successfully facilitated two new industrial subleases in Chino, including a nine-month, 200,000 square-foot industrial sublease at 4281 Edison Avenue, as well as a 150,660 square-foot, 13.5-month industrial sublease at the adjacent property, located at 4361-4371 Edison Avenue (top left photo);.

 Walt Chenoweth, Frank Geraci, Patrick Wood and Juan Gutierrez of Voit’s Inland Empire office, along with Greg Kloiber with TG Corporate Real Estate Advisors, represented the sub-lessor, AMCOR Rigid Plastics USA, Inc., a global company that manufactures and distributes plastic bottles. 

AMCOR, which is leasing a total of 550,000 square feet from Majestic Realty, will still occupy 200,000 square-feet in one of the industrial warehouses.

  “After assessing our client’s needs, we were able to provide a unique solution to help cut costs,” said Walt Chenoweth (lower right photo), Executive Vice President of Voit’s Inland Empire office,

“A large portion of the space was no longer required for AMCOR’s Southern California operations, and our team recommended subleasing the unused space to another company with similar operational requirements.”

Both warehouses are 100 percent occupied after these two subleases.

The sub-lessee, NFI Network Logistics Solutions, a third party logistics company, was represented by Chuck Belden of Cushman & Wakefield.  NFI plans to use the space for overflow of surplus product from its other warehouses in Chino.

 Further information is available at http://www.voitco.com./

Contact: 
Judith Brower
Brower, Miller & Cole
(949) 955-7940

Faris Lee Investments Expands Faris Lee Capital, Adding Michael Ryan as Director, New Business Development



 NEW YORK, NY – Faris Lee Capital, a division of Faris Lee Investments, the nation’s largest retail-specialized investment advisory firm, has named Michael Ryan (top right photo) director, new business development, operating from the firm’s New York office.

Faris Lee Capital provides a comprehensive and integrated spectrum of services, inclusive of investment sales, debt placement, structured finance,recapitalization, and equity.

Additionally, the division offers financial advisory services, providing clients with optimal capital strategies and solutions. Ryan will be responsible for heading up new business development and procuring debt and equity financing.

“Michael offers Faris Lee a depth of expertise in capital markets and has relationships with lending sources that will support our aggressive growth strategy as we build on financing services with existing clients as well as building a new client roster,” said Richard Berlinghof, managing partner of Faris Lee Capital.

 Berlinghof added that the group currently has more than $250 million in recapitalization underway and close to $100 million in advisory services activity underway over the next six months.

Ryan comes to Faris Lee from Gale International Korea, a real estate development and investment firm. The firm was responsible for the largest private real estate project in the world, Songdo International Business District in South Korea. Ryan served as senior manager, strategy and planning team. He also served as senior auditor for Deloitte & Touche LLP and sell-side equity analyst for Sidoti and Company, LLC.


 For more information, please visit http://www.farislee.com/.

Contact: Darcie Giacchetto, Spaulding Thompson & Associates,  949.278.6224

Charles Dunn Co. Expands Tenant Representation Brokerage Services; Hires New Team of Roger Beck and Gelena Skya


 LOS ANGELES, CA – In a strategic move to expand its tenant representation brokerage services, Charles Dunn Company, one of the largest full-service regional real estate firms in the Western United States, is proud to announce it has named 23-year industry veteran Roger Beck (middle left photo) as senior managing director and Gelena Skya (top right photo) as director out of the firm’s Sherman Oaks Office.

The Beck/Skya team previously served as senior vice president and senior associate, respectively, at Grubb & Ellis. They will focus on tenant rep services throughout the Westside, northern LA and Ventura County with a specialization in entertainment and technology clients.

“Growth of tenant rep services is a goal for Charles Dunn Company as it allows us to expand in a market that is gaining some critical momentum,” said Chris Cooper (lower right photo), CEO of Charles Dunn Company. “Roger and Gelena have a successful track record throughout the Los Angeles region and have completed major office transactions with some of the area’s most prominent businesses.”

Cooper added that Charles Dunn Company will continue an aggressive recruiting campaign in 2012 as it seeks to increase its transactional volume in all property sectors for its brokerage and property management divisions.        
 
 Beck has completed in excess of $100 million in brokerage transactions and more than $500 million of commercial development projects over his career. 

Prior to his position at Grubb & Ellis, he served as vice president at Colliers International and vice president at DLB Associates, a construction management and architecture firm.

Skya brings six years of commercial real estate experience with her to Charles Dunn Company. She is an office market expert in the San Fernando Valley and offers extensive research and business skills in conjunction with a strong background in sales. Skya has a dual degree from UCSD in Communications and Urban Planning and a minor in Economics.

“This team is a strong complement to Charles Dunn Company’s Sherman Oaks office,” said Stacy Vierheilig-Fraser (bottom left photo), senior managing director with Charles Dunn Company who heads the office. “The expansion of our current tenant rep activity, combined with our success in investment sales and landlord representation will continue to increase cross-over opportunities as we grow our services in the market.”

Contact:
Darcie Giacchetto, D.G. Communications Inc., 278 6224 949

Hendricks & Partners Names Jason T. Stanton, CCIM to Head the Firm's Tampa Office



ORLANDO, FL --- Hendricks & Partners, which ranks as one of the nation’s largest and most active multi-family investment banking companies, has named Jason T. Stanton, CCIM (top right photo) a Senior Investment Advisor to head the firm’s Tampa office.   Stanton joins Cole Whitaker (middle left photo), the firm’s Southeast Partner and Associate Partner Hal Warren (lower right photo) in Orlando.

Whitaker, who heads the Southeastern U.S. Division of Hendricks & Partners, said Stanton has more than 11 years of experience in the apartment sales industry.

Stanton earned his B.S. Degree in real estate from Florida State University and formerly served as director of Multi-family Investment Services at Colliers International.

With the addition of Stanton, the Hendricks & Partners Florida Investment Advisors team has more than 57 years of commercial real estate and multi-family sales experience with transactions totaling more than five billion dollars.

 
For more information, contact:

Jason T. Stanton CCIM, Senior Investment Advisor, Hendricks & Partners, 970 Lake Carillon Drive, #300, St. Petersburg, 33716 – Direct: 727-674-4097; jstanton@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.



The New 102-room Hotel Mazarin, a New Orleans French Quarter Diamond, to Open as an Upscale Boutique Hotel



NEW ORLEANS, LA -  Dec.  6, 2011 – Hotel Mazarin (top left photo), part of the New Orleans Hotel Collection, has announced  that it will open on December 28, 2011 after a comprehensive multi-million dollar renewal resulting in a charming oasis located in the most vibrant and fashionable district in New Orleans.  The building formerly housed the Saint Louis Hotel.

The 102-room Hotel Mazarin, situated at 730 Bienville Street in the French Quarter,  will unveil a completely transformed property accented in gold leaf, rich woods and a fresh and luxurious décor in calming  colors that reflects the art de vivre which makes New Orleans such an enchanting city. 

Like its namesake Cardinal Jules Mazarin (middle right photo) -  a 17th century Italian-born pontiff, an advisor to the French Crown, a collector of fine wines and wealth, and a Machiavellian diplomat - the Hotel Mazarin will pay tribute to its historical past while providing modern comforts and conveniences delivered with a personal touch.

“We are excited to offer such a beautifully distinctive hotel that presents an atmosphere of cultural sophistication, elegance and service for our guests,” said hotel owner Joseph A. Jaeger, Jr., managing member of 730 Bienville, LLC.  “Hotel Mazarin will provide a desirable, stylish destination for travelers surrounded by the French Quarter’s world-renowned entertainment, dining, shopping and historic attractions.”

“This will be a unique hotel with a high level of service and staffing that’s cordial, capable and committed to providing an unparalleled experience,” said Area General Manager Craig Hulford.  “All guestrooms, public spaces and amenities will be completely overhauled to reflect a luxurious sensibility.  Hotel Mazarin will be ready to see to guests’ needs to make their visit to America’s favorite city the most it can be.”

For more information, visit www.hotelmazarin.com. and  www.neworleanshotelcollection.com

Contacts:
Marc Becker
Area Director of Marketing
(504) 527-0407

 Patrick Daly
Account Supervisor
Daly Gray, Inc.
Office:  (703) 435-6293
Cell:  (703) 300-8289

HEI Hotels & Resorts Selected by President Obama’s Administration to Participate in the President’s Prestigious Better Buildings Challenge



NORWALK, CT—HEI Hotels & Resorts (HEI), the nation’s fastest growing private owner/operator of hotel real estate,  announced that it has been selected by President Obama’s Administration to participate in the prestigious Better Buildings Challenge. 

The Better Buildings Challenge is part of the Better Buildings Initiative launched in February 2011 by President Obama, and is spearheaded by former President Clinton and the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

“The ingenuity, hard work, and commitment of our employees at corporate and in our hotels to our long standing social responsibility program has resulted in our selection to participate in President Obama’s Better Buildings Challenge,"  said Gary Mendell (top right photo) chairman and CEO of HEI Hotels & Resorts.   .  "Selection not only exemplifies our strides in the specific areas of energy conservation and a reduction of our carbon footprint for generations to come, but moreover, is a testament to the talent, passion and commitment of our employees.


“This passion defines our culture as we continuously strive to set a higher standard of excellence in social responsibility,”

As a participant in the Better Buildings Challenge, HEI is committed to further reducing its portfolio-wide consumption of energy and waste output in its ever growing square feet of building space.  Through selection into President Obama’s initiative, HEI will also seek to identify and develop other energy savings initiatives with other companies selected to the President’s initiative.   

For more information about HEI, visit the company’s website, http://www.heihotels.com/.

Contact:

Chris Daly
President
Daly Gray, Inc.
Ph: 703-435-6293
Cell: 703-864-5553


Dan Stewart, CCIM, Forms New company and affiliates with Sperry Van Ness International in Ann Arbor, MI



 ANN ARBOR, MI – Dan Stewart (lower left photo), CCIM, formally partner and co-owner of Michigan Commercial Realty, LLC, and Sperry Van Ness International, a large and fast-growing franchisor providing training, systems management and marketing support for its network of commercial real estate brokerage firms, announced the launch of Sperry Van Ness/Stewart Commercial Group, LLC, an independently owned and operated franchise of Sperry Van Ness International.

 This affiliation marks Sperry Van Ness International’s 10th franchise signing this year. 

 “We are committed to expanding the Sperry Van Ness platform through strategic partnerships with top-tier brokerage firms in markets across the United States,” said Kevin Maggiacomo (top right photo), chief executive officer and president of Sperry Van Ness International.  “The addition of Sperry Van Ness/Stewart Commercial Group, LLC will strengthen the reach of our network in Michigan."

Sperry Van Ness/Stewart Commercial Group, LLC will specialize in representing owners in the sale of multifamily properties throughout Southeast Michigan and investors interested in acquiring multifamily properties throughout the state.  The firm will also represent owners in the sale and leasing of office, retail and industrial properties, as well as buyers in the acquisition of office, retail and industrial properties.   

Brian McLaughlin serves as advisor for Sperry Van Ness/Stewart Commercial Group, LLC.  Previously, he was with Michigan Commercial Realty, LLC, where he served as sales representative since 2009. 

 For more information, visit http://www.svn.com/.

Contact:  Megan Morales, (714) 273-2472, megan.morales@svn.com