Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Terranova Reports Broward County Retail Rents Rise While Occupancy Declines

(Pompano Citi Center, above, shows parking lot capacity)


MIAMI BEACH, FL– Shopping center rents inBroward County increased 6% between spring 2007 and spring 2008, according to Terranova’s 2008 Shopping Center Update Report.

Average asking rent for inline space in Broward County is now $23.98 per square foot net, compared to $22.63 in 2007. (Sawgrass Mills mall, Sunrise, FL at top right)

A drop in occupancy accompanied the increase, with the county’s vacancy rate now at 7.44%, compared to 5.46% in 2007. The higher vacancy rate reflects an increase in the availability of both big-box and inline space.

The retrenchment or demise of various chains such as Rag Shops, 99 Cent Stuff, CompUSA, Pier One Kids and Bombay Co. impacted occupancy, as these stores occupied anchor and junior-anchor spaces throughout the county.


Inline space also has become more available throughout the county, as smaller local tenants have closed while national chains such as Hollywood Video, Curves and Quizno’s have reduced the number of locations.

“South Florida’s retail market remains strong and resilient, but no doubt we all now have more space available to lease,” said Stephen Bittel, Terranova’s Chairman.


“If you are in amarket with strong fundamentals, as SouthFlorida is, that means opportunity more than anything else.”

Those fundamentals include population growth and a diverse economy, and continue to fuel new retail construction, with some 25 projects totaling more than three million square feet under construction or expected to break ground in the next 12 months.

Emerson International Negotiates Lease Renewal for 14,051 SF of Office Space at Sanlando Center in Longwood, FL

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL-- Emerson International has negotiated a long-term lease renewal for 14,051 square feet of office space at Sanlando Center, (bottom left photo) 2180 West SR 434 in Longwood.

Pierre de Amezola, director of sales and marketing at Emerson International, said Sean Westcott negotiated the lease agreement on behalf of the landlord, Emerson International, Inc.
The tenant, PRC, LLC, a strategic sales and marketing management company headquartered in Plantation, Fla. was represented by Sarah M. Castor (top right photo) of Strictly Commercial, Inc. in the transaction.

For more information, contact:

Pierre de Amezola, Director of Sales & Marketing, Emerson International, 407-456-1525

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

Thomas D. Wood & Co. Finances Mercator Industrial Project in Orlando

Orlando, Florida—May 28, 2008—Doug Rozzell, Principal for Thomas D. Wood and Company, secured financing in the amount of $2,300,000 for the development of Mercator Industrial in Orlando, Florida.


Rozzell financed the construction loan through Thomas D. Wood and Company’s relationship with a regional banking institution, at an interest rate of Prime + 1%.


The loan term is five years with a 25-year amortization, and a loan-to-value of 70%. The owner-occupied industrial project will be built on 10.64 acres located on Mercator Drive in Orlando, Florida.

CONTACTS:
Doug Rozzell, 407 937 0470, drozzell@tdwood.com
Jessica Gurtowski, 407 937 0470, jgurtowski@tdwood.com

HFF Arranges $241.1M Financing for 2 Washington, DC Office Buildings



WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington, D.C. office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) has arranged financing for 51 Louisiana Avenue, a historic office building, and 300 New Jersey Avenue,(rendering above) a to-be-built, 10-story office tower in Washington, D.C.

Working exclusively on behalf of the borrower, Dweck Properties, HFF senior managing directors Bob Donhauser (top right photo) and Bill Asbill (middle right photo)and director Cary Abod (middle left photo) placed a $241.1 million, three-year, fixed-rate loan with Calyon, Bank of Ireland, PB Capital and Helaba for the financing of the properties.

Originally built in 1935, 51 Louisiana Avenue has 205,580 square feet of office space and features a limestone façade, rooftop terrace and 15-foot ceiling heights.
Upon completion in 2008, 300 New Jersey Avenue will be a 10-story, 255,391-square-foot building with all glass façade construction above a six-level, 450-space underground parking garage. The properties will be connected by a 10-story, glass atrium and are 77% leased to Jones Day.

HFF (NYSE: HF) operates out of 18 offices nationwide and is a leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services to the U.S. commercial real estate industry.

HFF offers clients a fully integrated national capital markets platform including debt placement, investment sales, structured finance, private equity, note sales and note sale advisory services and commercial loan servicing.


CONTACTS:
Stephen C. Conley, HFF Executive Managing Director, 202 533 2500, sconley@hfflp.com

Robert F. Donhauser, HFF Senior Managing Director, 202 533 2500, rdonhauser@hfflp.com

Laurie Fish McDowell, HFF Asociate Director, Marketing, 617 338 0990, lmcdowell@hfflp.com

HFF closes sale of 51 Louisiana Ave. and 300 New Jersey Ave. in Washington, D.C.



WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington, D.C. office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) has closed the sale of 51 Louisiana Avenue,(above photo) a historic office building and 300 New Jersey Avenue, a to-be-built, 10-story office tower in Washington, D.C.

HFF executive managing director Steven Conley (top right photo), senior managing director John Duffy (bottom left photo) and managing director Andrew Weir (middle left photo) led the investment sales team on behalf of the seller, The JBG Companies.

Dweck Properties purchased the project for an undisclosed amount. In coordination with the sale, HFF arranged a $241.1 million financing for the acquisition of the project.

Designed by the New York firm of Shreve, Lamb and Hamon (architects for the Empire State Building) and built in 1935, 51 Louisiana Avenue has 205,580 square feet of office space and features a limestone façade, 15-foot ceiling heights and a conference center on the 7th floor opening onto a rooftop terrace that provides extraordinary views of the United States Capitol.

Designed by world renowned architect, Sir Richard Rogers, 300 New Jersey Avenue, due for completion in November 2008, will be a LEED-certified, 255,391-square-foot building with all glass façade construction above a six-level, 450-space underground parking garage.

The property will feature a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the U.S. Capitol, an outside plaza and a fitness center. Additionally, a 10-story, glass enclosed atrium will serve to connect the properties, which are 77% leased to Jones Day.

“51 Louisiana and 300 New Jersey Avenue will be one of the finest office complexes in Washington, D.C., combining the classic design of a historical office building with the modern architectural features of an impressive all-glass façade building,” said Conley. “In addition, both buildings will have extraordinary unobstructed views of the U.S. Capital and surrounding cityscape.”

The JBG Companies acquire and develop office, multifamily, hotel and mixed-use projects and since their inception in 1960 have developed, owned or managed over 30 million square feet of office space, 5.5 million square feet of retail space, 15,000 residential units and 15 hotel properties totaling over 4,500 rooms.

It is currently responsible for development/redevelopment opportunities of approximately 8.5 million square feet of office space, 2.2 million square feet of retail space, 13,200 multifamily residential units and 2,500 hotel rooms throughout the Washington Metropolitan area.

HFF (NYSE: HF) operates out of 18 offices nationwide and is a leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services to the U.S. commercial real estate industry. HFF offers clients a fully integrated national capital markets platform including debt placement, investment sales, structured finance, private equity, note sales and note sale advisory services and commercial loan servicing.

CONTACTS:
Stephen C. Conley, HFF Executive Managing Director, 202 533 2500, sconley@hfflp.com/

John E. Duffy, HFF Senior Managing Director, 202 533 2500, jduffy@hfflp.com/

Laurie Fish McDowell, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, 617 338 0990, lmcdowell@hfflp.com/

NAI Realvest Negotiates Long-term Extension Lease for 51,691SF of industrial space at Springview CommerCenter in DeBary, FL


MAITLAND, Fla. — NAI Realvest has negotiated a seven-year lease extension for 51,691 square feet of industrial space at 290 Springview Commerce Center Drive in DeBary, FL. (photo above)

Michael Heidrich, (top left photo) principal at NAI Realvest negotiated the lease extension agreement on behalf of the landlord, Springview CommerCenter LLC of DeBary.

The tenant, Newport News, Va.-based Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., has extended its three-year lease term to 10 years. Their original leased commenced Oct. 31, 2006 and has now been extended out to end Oct. 31, 2016.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Heidrich, Principal NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com

Janice Paiano, Marketing Director, NAI Realvest, 407-857-9989

Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, LV Communications, 407-644-4142 (fax 4410)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Azerbaijan Mortgage Fund Becomes Member of International Real Estate Society

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN--The Azerbaijan Mortgage Fund under the National Bank attaches great importance to expansion of co-operation with international organizations.

(Night skyline of Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, at right. Courtesy Wikipedia)


The Fund reports that recently it was accepted in member ranks of International Real Estate Society.

“Due to membership in this organization along with receipt of technical and strategic assistance the AMF will get an opportunity to improve credit system and bring it in compliance with international standards,” the AMF said.

(Photo at left below shows Downtown Baku. Courtesy Wikipedia.)

IRES is a non-commercial organization founded in London in 1914 with the purpose to unite all mortgage lending institutions of the world.

The Organization also disseminates reports about new tendencies and events in the area of mortgage crediting with the purpose to increase rationality of its members’ activities.

The Dow Hotel Company Names Dan DeFrancia Director of Sales and Marketing at Hilton Bellevue, Washington

SEATTLE/BELLEVUE, Wash., May 27, 2008—The Dow Hotel Company (DHC), a hotel owner/investor and management company, today announced the appointment of Dan DeFrancia as director of sales and marketing for the 358-room Hilton Bellevue, (top left and middle right photos) located in metropolitan Seattle, Wash.

DeFrancia assumed his new responsibilities effective April 15, 2008.

A native of Colorado, DeFrancia has called the Seattle area home for more than 17 years. A graduate of Seattle University, he is an accomplished industry veteran. He started his career in Tucson, Ariz. at the Westin La Paloma, followed by moves to the Denver area with Westin and Embassy Suites. He spent six years at the prestigious Meadowood Napa Valley Resort in St. Helena, Calif.

DeFrancia returned to the Pacific Northwest to work at the historic Rosario Resort in the San Juan Islands. He spent the last four years at the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Wash., before joining the Hilton Bellevue as the new director of sales and marketing.

The Hilton Bellevue recently underwent a $7 million renovation and brand conversion from Doubletree to Hilton. The hotel also converted the popular night club, Misty’s, into Skyview, a beautiful atrium banquet room.

“Dan DeFrancia has a proven record of success and is a welcome addition to The Dow Hotel Company and the Hilton Bellevue,” stated Michael Pitstick, general manager.
“His leadership and sales experience in upscale resort and luxury hotels, combined with his broad marketing background, will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Seattle-based The Dow Hotel Company is a hotel owner/investor and operator of 10 first-class, full-service hotels throughout the United States.

The company’s portfolio of owned and managed properties consists of hotels, under such brands as Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, Doubletree and Radisson Hotels and Resorts.

The company aggressively seeks to acquire, co-invest with joint venture partners and/or manage mid- to large-size, first-class, full service hotels, especially those with extensive food and beverage capabilities.

Contacts:
Jerry Daly, Chris Daly, (703) 435-6293
Julie Tullbane, Daly Gray Public Relations, T 703-435-6293, F 703-435-6297
julie@dalygray.com

Monday, May 26, 2008

Company Initiates Al Arabiya Real Estate Company's AED 3.5B Investment into Mixed-Use Project at ‘The Lagoons'



DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--Eqarat.com, a leading total solutions provider to the real estate sector, has driven a number of high value investments in the region through its comprehensive studies on community developments, which is a part of its wide range of property related services offered to its clients.

The company has recently conducted an in-depth feasibility study on ‘The Lagoons' (mixed-use development site plan in above photo) for Al Arabiya Real Estate Company (AREC), a leading Kuwaiti-based real estate developer and investment company, following which AREC has invested AED 3.5 billion into a mixed-use project within the high value waterfront development located along the Dubai Creek.

In line with its recommendation, Eqarat.com approached SAMA Dubai to facilitate the investment between the two developers, resulting in the ‘The Lagoons' being identified as location for the high value mixed-use project.

"Our longstanding presence in the regional property development arena has honed our capabilities in recognising opportunities, which has been the basis of our successful operations and strong relationship with both leading developers and high-value investors," said Ali Hussein Al Rahma, (top rigfht photo) CEO, Eqarat.com.

"This partnership with Al Arabiya is a part of our aggressive campaign to further entrench our brand's leading position in the regional real estate market. It gives us pride to have played a significant role in AREC's first project in the UAE, and we are definitely looking forward to its official launch later this year."

CONTACT:
CommuniGate Middle East, Telephone 971 4 3988134, Email
info@communigateme.com

Siam Real Estate Wins Award for Best Real Estate Agent Website in Asia

BANGKOK, Thailand--The results of the CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards 2008 have just been revealed and Siam Real Estate is delighted to announce that it has won an award in the category of Real Estate Agency web site.

The award will be presented at a glittering gala dinner to be held at the Marina Mandarin in Singapore on 20th July.

The fact that Siam Real Estate earned one of these coveted awards is sure proof that Thailand can not only compete but also triumph within the highly competitive Asia Pacific property arena.

Having been given this high recommendation by its peers, the company is now entitled to display the CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards logo with pride. Their award wining website can be viewed at http://www.siamrealestate.com/.

This symbol of excellence will be recognised and appreciated by the public who are becoming increasingly well informed and discerning about the properties they seek to buy. Entries were judged by a panel of professionals whose collective knowledge of the property industry is second to none and unsurpassed by any other property awards.

Chaired by Eric Pickles, (top right photo) British Shadow Secretary of State, this year's judges included: Helen Shield, editor-in-chief of International Homes Magazine; Peter Bolton King, (photo at left) chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents; Phil Spencer, property expert and presenter of Channel 4's Location and Relocation TV shows; Imtiaz Farookhi, (middle right photo) chief executive of the National House Building Council;

Christopher Hall, past president National Association of Estate Agents; Wilhelm Harnish, Master Builders of Australia (MBA); Thijis Staff, International Consortium of Real Estate Agents Association (ICREA); Santiago Herreros de Tejada, SIMA; Kirkor Ajderhanyan, French Real Estate Federation (FNAIM); Graham Norwood of the Daily Mail;

David Hoppit, property writer; Paul Wyatt, head of design for LYCOS UK; Geoff Cohen, design director at Aukett Fitzroy Robinson architects; Jill Keene, editor of International Homes magazine; Diana Yakely, chairman British Interior Design Association; and Tad Zurlinden, Association of Relocation Professionals.

Richard Lusted, CEO) said of the award, 'Siam Real Estate are delighted to have won this prestigious award which demonstrates our professional standards and encourages our company to do even better for the future."

The advance search function is found here: www.siamrealestate.com/search/ Also there is an abundance of information about buying property in Thailand which can be found at www.siamrealestate.com/buyers/

Kontakt information:
Siam Real Estate Co., Ltd. Phuket36/8 Moo2, Viset Road, Rawai, Phuket 83130 Thailand

Kontakt-Person: Patrick Lusted, Phone: +66 76 288 908

First English Real Estate Search Engine Launches in China

(Framed by an intricate screen, the Forbidden City's grand Hall of Supreme Harmony above sits across broad courtyard in Beijing.)


BEIJING, May 26, 2008/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Jipingmi.com, the leading real estate search engine in China, has officially launched an English version of the search.

Jipingmi.com collects real estate property listings from a variety of English property listing sources and organizes the results into one, easy to use, search platform.

Since the launch of Jipingmi.com (Mandarin for "How many square meters?" or "A few square meters") in late 2007, Jipingmi.com has rapidly emerged to be amongst the top players in the Chinese real estate search engine market.

Jipingmi.com now aims to open the platform to international users.Jipingmi Co-founder and VP Strategic Development, Alex Farfurnik said .Jipingmi.com will organize the foreign real estate market in China.

(Chinese ice sculpture at left)

"There are over 6 million foreigners living in China, and the number is constantly growing. All these people need housing solutions and often turn to the internet to look for related information.



"The number of websites that provide real estate listings is increasing rapidly as well. There are more and more Chinese and foreign companies aiming to target foreign clients.

"Currently the foreign real estate market in China is very fragmented and there is a growing need to organize this market. Altogether, this makes it a perfect time for Jipingmi to come in and assist the market by using its superior technology and industry knowledge to help and connect all sides: home seekers, foreign targeted companies and English websites in China." Mr. Farfurnik said.

Jipingmi Co-founder and Co-CEO, Guy Sivan said Jipingmi.com is designed specially to suit the unique needs of the foreign real estate market in China."The English version of Jipingmi.com was designed with the target market in mind. Understanding that the local knowledge of many foreigners is limited,



.jipingmi.com provides several creative features to assist home seekers including map-based navigation and housing complex information for housing complexes that are most relevant to foreigners. The Interface of .Jipingmi.com was completely redesigned and looks entirely different from the Chinese website in order to answer the unique needs of the foreigners In China." Mr. Sivan said.



(Photo at right shows a night view of a new Beijing development.)



Jipingmi.com is currently focusing on Beijing and is using this opportunity to provide special features for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, such as short-term rentals. It is estimated that around 500,000 foreigners will stay in Beijing during the Olympics.



About Jipingmi.com


http:www.jipingmi.com/ is China's leading real estate search engine. Jipingmi's crawler aggregates over 2 million property listings from more than 100 real estate websites in 21 cities in China into one easy-to-use website. Jipingmi.com is rapidly growing with over 5,000,000 page views per month and currently has over 180,000 registered users.

(Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics logo at right.
同一个世界同一个梦想 (One World, One Dream)The "Dancing Beijing" emblem, depicting a Chineseseal inscribed with the character "Jīng" (京, from the nameof the host city) in the form of a dancing figure. Courtesy Wikipedia.))



CONTACT:

Neil Vineberg of VINEBERG COMMUNICATIONS, +1-631-377-1494, orNews@VinebergCommunications.com; Ms. Julie, BD Manager, Julie@Meijob.comWeb Site: http://www.jipingmi.com/