Keene Construction Co. Announces the Appointment of Chad Birchard to Assistant Manager of Preconstruction Services

MAITLAND, FL--Keene Construction, headquartered in Maitland, Florida, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chad Birchard (photo top right) to a Construction Services Representative position. Chad will be working with Ron Smith in the Maitland firm’s corporate offices.

Chad’s position at Keene for the last three years has been in field management, he also has commercial electrical experience working for a large electrical contractor in the Orlando area. Both areas of Chad’s previous field experience should be extremely valuable to the clients he assists in planning new projects.


Chad’s new responsibilities will be to identify needs and primarily assist Keene customers in the preconstruction phase of their projects. He will also focus on maintaining customer service relationships from project inception to completion.

Keene Construction has long been considered a leader in the construction of concrete tilt-wall projects including retail, industrial, office buildings and manufacturing facilities. Keene is well known within the retail circles for malls, grocery stores, big box centers, free standing retail and most other retail type projects.

Although most of Keene’s work is in Florida, they are consistently ranked within the top retail contractors nationwide by Retail Traffic Magazine. The annual ranking is based on how much shell retail work the Company built during the previous 12 month period. Keene is recognized for their work with many leading retailers such as: Kohl’s, Neiman Marcus, Petco, Staples, Linen n’ Things, Burdines, Kirkland’s, Rooms To Go and Publix.

Contact:

Ron Smith
Vice President
rsmith@keenecon.com

1400 Hope Road
Maitland, Florida 32751
Phone 407 740 6116
Fax 407 539 3468

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers Opens its New Grand Tower

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam--Witnessed by distinguished guests and members of the press, the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers (above photo) has officially opened its new Grand Tower, heralding a new era in luxury world-class accommodation for Vietnam.

Attendees at the opening event included corporate clients, media and the Sheraton Saigon’s General Manager Mr. Dietmar Kielnhofer, accompanied by members of the executive committee and hotel management. (Downtown Ho Chi Minh City skyline photo at left)

“Today is a significant day, both for the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers and for the city in general,” added General Manager Dietmar Kielnhofer. (photo at left) “Not only has Sheraton asserted its position as the forerunner for facilities and amenities in HCMC, the warm and welcoming revitalized guestrooms will be enhanced by the Sheraton brand’s signature comforts, designed to make them feel at home. Meanwhile, the new Sheraton brand guest programs will ensure that guests can bring their lifestyle on the road and make connections while travelling.

“I’d like to thank the owning company Ocean Place Joint Venture Company, the government, the project team and all our associates for their support during this project. I’m also very happy to be able to say that the superlative effort made by everyone involved, from executive management to craftsmen, means we are opening to welcome our first guests on time.”

Honorable guest and Chairman of Ocean Place Joint Venture Company, Mr. Nguyen Huu Thanh was also present to witness and officiate the opening of the hotel’s new upscale 25-storey development.

“Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers has always been the leading choice for Ho Chi Minh City’s business traveler, and the Grand Tower has set a new standard for high-end hospitality in the city. To be the one to open this landmark building makes me feel very proud,” he said.

The Grand Tower will add 112 spacious studios and suites and a luxurious Grand Tower Lounge to the Hotel’s existing 371 room inventory. State of the art facilities and technology provide the ultimate in connectivity, and the stylish and contemporary design is accentuated by hand-picked artworks to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The Sheraton Saigon Grand Tower is Ho Chi Minh City’s new benchmark for style, comfort and first-rate service for business and leisure travelers, and places the Sheraton Saigon not only at the leading edge of Vietnam’s luxury hospitality industry, but at the pioneering head of this new international market.

CONTACT:
Hwee-Peng Yeo
Director, Corporate Communications
Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Ltd
9 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Tower 2
#24-02, Singapore 038989
Tel : +65 6335 4837; Cell : +65 9768 6087; +65 9248 0424
Fax : +65 6335 4820
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/
http://www.starwoodpressclub.com/

Meridian Capital Group Arranges Financing for Multifamily Building in Hollywood, FL

HOLLYWOOD, FL - Meridian Capital Group has arranged a loan in the amount of $2,100,000 for the refinance 37 residential units located at 7841 Johnson Street (photo above). Eric Fixler of Meridian’s Florida office negotiated to secure a rate of 5.875% over a 5-year term.

Founded in 1991, Meridian Capital Group LLC is one of the nation’s largest mortgage brokerages serving the multifamily and commercial real estate sectors. The company is based in New York City with additional offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, California, and Texas.

Working with a wide variety of lenders, Meridian finances transactions ranging from $500,000 to more than $500 million for multifamily, co-op, office, retail, hotel, healthcare, self-storage, industrial, and construction properties. Nationally, Meridian reported more than 2,350 transactions in 2007, totaling over $16.5 billion.

Contact:

Dani Sabesan

dsabesan@meridiancapital.com
(212) 612-0109

Meridian Capital Group Arranges Financing for Multifamily Building in Orlando, FL

ORLANDO, FL - Meridian Capital Group has arranged a loan in the amount of $2,800,000 for the purchase of the Hillcrest Hampton Apartments (photo at left). Eric Fixler of Meridian’s Florida office negotiated on behalf of the borrower, Elevation Properties LLC, to secure a rate of 5.84% over a 10-year term.

The transaction required HUD approval, which was delivered in record time. This is the third deal closed by Meridian on behalf of the borrower.

Hillcrest Hampton Apartments is a 14 story high-rise building with 103 one-bedroom units and 53 efficiencies. In addition, the facility has four main common areas where there are TV rooms, chapels, public kitchens, meeting rooms and a suite of offices. The building is located at 2000 Hillcrest Street in Orlando FL and is a HUD senior living facility. The property will have use restrictions through February 2012.

Elevation Properties LLC is a multi-family and senior housing and investment firm located in the Orlando area.

Contact:

Dani Sabesan

dsabesan@meridiancapital.com
(212) 612-0109

Four Points by Sheraton Powers Ahead in Asia Pacific, With Plans to Open Six New Hotels This Year

(Four Points by Sheraton Hangzhou in Binjiang opened January 2008)

The Upscale Brand Meets Strong Demand for Moderately Priced Accommodation in Asia with the Opening of Four New Hotels in China and its First in Malaysia and Vietnam

(Four Points by Sheraton Changshu (photo below) opened in March 2008)

SINGAPORE--Four Points by Sheraton, the fast-growing upscale hotel brand operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) is accelerating its expansion in Asia Pacific. Four Points by Sheraton expects to open six new hotels in Asia Pacific this year, including four in China, in addition to its first hotel in Malaysia – Four Points by Sheraton Kuching, and its first in Vietnam – Four Points by Sheraton Halong Bay.

“Four Points by Sheraton is in the midst of a truly impressive, global growth spurt due to its popularity among customers and investors alike,” said Miguel Ko, (photo at right) President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “The strong demand for moderately priced lodging coupled with the increase in domestic travel in many Asian markets is helping to propel the brand’s growth to a level that is expected to rival that of Starwood’s luxury and upper upscale brands.”

Four Points by Sheraton was introduced to Asia Pacific in 2000 with the opening of hotels in Sydney, Geelong, Shenzhen and Chung Ho. The brand’s Asia Pacific portfolio has since grown to 21 hotels, eight already open for business and 14 under development in Mainland China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Starwood’s upscale brands - which include the recently revitalized Four Points by Sheraton brand and Starwood’s two newest entries in the category, aloft and element – are fueling the company’s pipeline growth in markets across the globe.

“The heightened demand for Four Points by Sheraton throughout Asia Pacific has played a key role in driving the brand’s phenomenal international expansion,” said Sandy Swider, (photo at left) Vice President, Four Points by Sheraton. “The atmosphere at Four Points by Sheraton helps guests both work and relax and our Simple Pleasures make them feel special.”

With a flair for fun and an eye for clean, appealing design, Four Points by Sheraton covers all the basics including a comfortable bed, great shower, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, restaurant service and extras guests love like the brand’s signature Best Brews program or Feel Good Treats.

“Four Points by Sheraton is an ideal product for many markets in Asia Pacific because the brand caters to both mid-scale business and leisure travelers, while meeting the demands of meeting and event planners with a comfortable, fun and fuss-free hotel experience that at the same time provides great value,” added Ko.

The brand’s new hotels opening in Asia Pacific this year include:

Four Points by Sheraton Changshu- opened March 2008 (photo at left above)
Four Points by Sheraton Hangzhou, Binjiang- opened January 2008 (top photo)
Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian- scheduled to open July 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongpu- scheduled to open September 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Kuching, Malaysia – scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Halong Bay, Vietnam - – scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2008

CONTACT:
Hwee-Peng Yeo
Director, Corporate Communications
Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Ltd
9 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Tower 2
#24-02, Singapore 038989
Tel : +65 6335 4837; Cell : +65 9768 6087; +65 9248 0424
Fax : +65 6335 4820
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/; http://www.starwoodpressclub.com/

Terranova Signs First Leasing Deal in Miami for Furniture Retailer EQ3

Deal at Midtown Park on North Miami Avenue is Valued at Over $3.6M

MIAMI BEACH, FL – Terranova Senior Commercial Associate, David Preston represented the tenant in the 10 year, 11,000 square foot lease. This marks the first store for the retailer in the state. EQ3 will open its doors 4th quarter 2008 at Midtown Park located at 3466 North Miami Avenue.

EQ3 is a concept inspiring the transformation of rooms within the intimate and emotional place of the home. EQ3 is about innovative rooms of affordable furnishings for simply living, alone or with others. The designs of EQ3 are globally inspired, and centered in the growing interest by many across all generations for a lifestyle expression reflecting modern living. This growing consumer group does not simply fit within a demographic category. Spanning all ages, those within this "psychographic" live with a strong set of beliefs and values, are educated, have an informed world view, and deeply value intentional behaviors.

EQ3 has been in the business since 2001 and now has 21 EQ3 stores across North America, with more under construction. EQ3 continues to expand its retail presence across North America and around the world. EQ3 showrooms are located across Canada in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, London, Ottawa and Burlington. In the United States, locations can be found in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Grand Rapids, Richmond, Norfolk, Charlotte and Phoenix, among others. EQ3 products are also available through 300 in-store galleries across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Terranova exclusively represents EQ3 throughout Florida and is actively seeking new sites. To learn more about EQ3 visit their website at http://www.eq3.com/.

NAI Realvest Negotiates $1.4M Sale Price For Industrial Building in Orlando

MAITLAND, FL --- NAI Realvest has negotiated the $1.4 million sale price for a 30,000 square foot industrial building built in 1971 at 3860-3868 Bengert St. in Orlando.

Michael Heidrich, (top right photo)principal at the firm, negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Equity MOA Holding, Ltd., of Los Angeles, Orlando-based Green Bananas, LLC was the buyer, represented by Matthew Messier (top left photo) of CNL Specialty Real Estate Services.

For more information, contact:

Michael Heidrich, Principal NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989

Janice Paiano, Marketing Director NAI Realvest 407-875-9989

Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, LV Communications Inc. 407-644-4142