CB Richard Ellis Leases Space to Hummus House Restaurant

ORLANDO, FL- - CB Richard Ellis, the world's leader in commercial real estate is pleased to announce Bobby Palta, Senior Associate in Retail Properties, represented Pebb Enterprises East Orlando, LLC in signing a 10-year lease on an 1,198-sq.-ft. space located at 11595 University Boulevard in Orlando, Florida, less than one mile from the main campus of University of Central Florida.

The Tenant, Generation H, LLC will be operating as Hummus House: a new restaurant startup focused on fresh ingredients. More information is available at http://www.hummushouse.com/.

They are planning to open in early September 2008 and will be joining Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, Cold Stone Creamery and Planet Smoothie.

"Restaurants focused on fresh ingredients and healthy preparation are prevelant in other parts of the country but are in short supply in Central Florida. This University location should bode well for this new restaurant concept and we look forward to their success in this retail center," says Palta.

Contact: Bobby Palta, 407.839.3124, bobby.palta@cbre.com

Central Florida chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties to host 11th Annual Rumble

ORLANDO, FL – The Central Florida chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) will host its 11th Annual “Rumble Food & Wine Festival” on October 23 at the Winter Park Farmer’s Market, 201 W. New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL, from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

The event will benefit the Jim Heistand (top right photo)-−NAIOP Endowed Eminent Scholar Chair at UCF’s new Dr. P. Phillips School of Real Estate spearheaded by NAIOP Central Florida chapter.

The popular event will include a silent auction, food, wine and entertainment, as well as a unique opportunity to network with the area’s leading commercial real estate professionals. Cost is $50 for members, $65 for non-members and $25 for students through October 13. After October 13, the cost is $60 for members, $75 for non-members and $35 for students.

The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties is the nation’s leading trade association dedicated to representing the interests of developers, owners, investors and other professionals in industrial, office and mixed-use commercial real estate.

Founded in 1967, NAIOP has over 16,500 members in 54 North American chapters and provides networking and business opportunities, educational programs, research on the latest innovations and strong legislative representation.

With more than 350 members, Central Florida is one of the largest NAIOP chapters in the nation. For more information, visit http://www.naiop.org/.

Contact: Kenneth H. Cristol, 407-774-2515

Tilt-Con Starts Two New Projects and Completes a Third Job

Orlando-based Tilt-Con Corporation completes new Great Florida Bank building (top left photo) in Davie, FL

BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Orlando-based Tilt-Con Corporation completed the new 2-story, 56,377-square-foot Great Florida Bank building located at 4721-4741 S.W. 78th Avenue, Davie, FL, under its contract with MAC Construction, Davie.

The project was designed by Barranco Gonzalez Architecture, Fort Lauderdale. Selected for its unrivaled performance and speed of execution, Tilt-Con utilized its economical multi-story system for tilt-up concrete walls. Ranked as Florida’s largest tilt-up concrete constructor by Engineering News-Record magazine, Tilt-Con’s scope of work included foundations, slab-on-grade and tilt-up concrete wall panels. Tilt-Con’s South Florida office is located at 10601 State Street, Suite 10, Tamarac, FL 33321.

Tilt-Con Corp. under way on new Nova Southeastern University Central Plant in Davie, FL

BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Orlando-based Tilt-Con Corporation is under way on the new 3-story, 65,878-square-foot Nova Southeastern University (middle right photo) Central Plant in Davie, FL. Tilt-Con was Selected by ANF Group, Inc., Cooper City, FL. The project was designed by Cannon Design, Arlington, VA.

Tilt-Con Corporation Starts new 780 Whitaker Road Warehouse in Jacksonville, FL

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Orlando-based Tilt-Con Corporation is under way on the new 280,000-square-foot 780 Whitaker Road Warehouse in Jacksonville, FL, under its contract with William C. Webb Company, Orlando. The project was designed by Florida Crown Architects, Orlando, FL.

Contact: Kenneth H. Cristol , 407-774-2515

Edwards Construction Ranked 93rd Largest among Southeast's Top Contractors

OCALA, FL – Edwards Construction Services, Inc., with offices in Ocala, Orlando, and Tampa, is prominently ranked 93rd largest among “The Southeast’s Top Contractors” according to Southeast Construction magazine’s annual 2008 survey.

The company, which reported 2007 revenues totaling $91.7 million, provides unrivaled expertise in Construction Management, Design/Build and General Contracting services to leading clients across the Southeast.

Its specialties include Manufacturing & Distribution, Residential Amenities, Food & Beverage, Commercial, and Senior Living facilities.

Edwards completes new IDI Madison Industrial Park, Buildings A and E in Tampa

TAMPA, FL – Edwards Construction Services, Inc.’s Manufacturing and Distribution division completed the new $17.5 million IDI Madison Industrial Park, Buildings A and E (top right photo) in Tampa, FL.

Designed by Horton Harley & Carter, Inc., Building A features 386,000 square feet of “cross dock” warehouse space with 107 loading docks, and Building E contains 147,000 square feet of flex warehouse space.

The buildings are constructed with 36-foot-high tilt-up concrete wall panels and single-ply membrane roof systems

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.edwardsconstruction.com/.

Contact: Kenneth H. Cristol, 407-774-2515

Four Points by Sheraton Announces Opening of its First Hotel in North China

BEIJING, CHINA- - Four Points by Sheraton announces the launch of its first Four Points by Sheraton hotel in North China with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian Hotel & Serviced Apartments.( above centered photo)

Following the successes of other Four Points hotels which opened in Greater China including in cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Changshu, Lhasa and Taipei, Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian Hotel & Serviced Apartments will now offer travelers to Beijing just what they’re looking for – great beds, a social atmosphere and a comfortable stay. (www.fourpoints.com/beijinghaidian)

“The opening of Four Points by Sheraton Beijing extends the brand’s presence in Greater China and provides comfortable lodging at a great value for both business travelers and leisure customers,” said Madam Zhang Lei, General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian Hotel & Serviced Apartments.

“ Four Points by Sheraton gives travelers just what they want and need – comfortable accommodations, free Internet access in the public areas and the space they need to work or relax.” added Zhang.

Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian Hotel & Serviced Apartments features 355 guestrooms and 177 serviced apartments, each offering a new kind of comfort, approachable style including the delightful Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort BedTM, LCD flat-screen TV, high speed Internet access and wonderful bathroom amenities.

Four Points by Sheraton is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties

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
www.starwoodhotels.com;

www.starwoodpressclub.com

Cousins Bring III Forks and Cantina Laredo to Terminus 200

Dallas-Based Restaurants Add Destinations to Landmark Terminus Project

ATLANTA, GA--Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) announces two restaurant leases at Terminus 200, (Terminus 100 top left photo) the under-construction 25-story, 565,000 square-foot office building in Cousins' Terminus development in Atlanta's Buckhead submarket.

Two Texas-based restaurants, III Forks (bottom right photo) and Cantina Laredo,(middle left photo) have signed leases for locations at Terminus 200 when it opens in 2009.

Both III Forks Prime Steakhouse and Cantina Laredo will be new to the Atlanta market. Both restaurants are owned by Dallas-based Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Inc. (CRO). III Forks is an all-prime steakhouse with existing locations in Dallas, Austin and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Cantina Laredo offers gourmet Mexican dining with 24 locations in eight states.

"Much of what makes Terminus more than simply an office orresidential project is the vibrant atmosphere created by our diverserestaurant lineup.

"Adding III Forks and Cantina Laredo to the projectmakes Terminus a one-of-a-kind dining destination in Atlanta," said Larry Gellerstedt (top right photo) , executive vice president and chief development officer for Cousins.

CRO Chief Executive Officer John D. Harkey, Jr. said, "We are extremely excited to serve the Atlanta market. Buckhead is one of th emost robust dining and entertainment areas in the country. Terminus 200 is the perfect setting to launch Cantina Laredo, serving gourmet Mexican food, along with our prime steakhouse, III Forks."

III Forks and Cantina Laredo will join a host of other destinationrestaurants at Terminus, including AquaKnox, BrickTops, The Flying Biscuit Cafe, LOLA Bellini Bar & Restaurant and MF Buckhead.

In recen tmonths, Terminus has received additional restaurant commitments from Chick-fil-A and Dressed, a new specialty salad restaurant.

Terminus 200 is the newest phase of the 10-acre Terminus development, which includes the signature Terminus 100 office building and 10 Terminus Place, the first Terminus residential tower, set to open this summer.

Terminus 200 is being developed by a joint ventureof Cousins and Prudential Real Estate Investors.

Cantina Laredo and III Forks are part of Dallas-based Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Inc. (CRO) which operates and franchises 117 restaurants in 12 states, employs 6,000 and has system wide sales of approximately $250 million.

CRO also operates and franchises SilverFox, Cool River, El Chico, Good Eats and Lucky's. www.croinc.com. CRCis one of the largest private companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (home to more than 16 "Fortune 500" companies and 4.8 million residents).

CONTACTS:

Cousins Properties Incorporated, Investment Community: Jim Fleming, Chief Financial Officer, 404-407-1150, jimfleming@cousinsproperties.com or

Media: Matt Gove, Senior Vice President, 404-407 1490

mattgove@cousinsproperties.com

New NAR Study Finds Numerous Opportunities for Professionals to Broker U.S. Property to Foreign Home Buyers

WASHINGTON, DC--The National Association of Realtors has completed a 12-month survey and profile of international home-buying activity in the U.S. The 24-page report may be obtained by contacting IMoore@realtors.org or going to http://www.realtors.org/research.

The survey was based on about 4,000 responses reflecting business activity of Realtors with foreign buyers over the 12 months between May 2007 and May 2008.

The survey was conducted by Lawrence Yun, (top right photo) senior vice president, research; Jed Smith, managing director, quantitative research; Keunwon Chung, statistical economist; and Kate Anderson, senior editor consultant.

Highlights in the report's conclusions were:

--More than a quarter of REALTORS® have had some international clientèle in the 12 months between May 2007 and May 2008.

--Approximately half of their foreign clients subsequently purchased real estate properties in the U.S.

--While U.S. real estate is still considered a “safe haven” for foreign funds, there are some perceived impediments to foreign purchases including cost of property, immigration laws, and property taxes.

--Regarding the trend of international business, 21 percent of respondents have experienced an increase in international business, 72 percent have seen the level of international business remain constant, but only 6 percent experienced a decrease.

--The majority of respondents selling international properties noted that the weak U.S. dollar had impacted foreign sales purchasers.

--As more and more people in different nations recognize the value of owning property, the opportunities and challenges for real estate professionals to broker U.S. property to foreign home buyers are numerous.

-- Whether international purchasers use their U.S. home as rental/investment property, as a vacation home or both, non-U.S. residents account for a significant share of home buying activity.

Hampton Hotels Open 16 Properties in July

MEMPHIS, TN —Hampton Hotels (www.hampton.com), the international brand of more than 1,500 mid-priced Hampton Inn® and Hampton Inn & Suites® hotels, opened 16 properties in July 2008, representing 1,482 new rooms.

The new openings include six Hampton Inn hotels and 10 Hampton Inn & Suites properties. All openings are franchised, newly constructed hotels.

“Focused service, mid-market hotels continue to appeal strongly to price-conscious travelers as gas prices remain high and the economy soft,” said Phil Cordell, (top right photo) senior vice president, Hampton Hotels.

“Developers realize this and believe that the Hampton model is ideally suited to both their own financial needs and the desires of today’s discerning guests.

" From our ‘On-the-Go’ breakfast bag to complimentary wireless Internet access, Hampton hotels provide a superior value to everyone involved.”

Hampton hotels pride themselves on being guests’ “Friend in Town.” Hampton web sites stress local flavor, providing original content on such topics of interest as area attractions, historical facts and fun things to see and do around town.

Additionally, hotels are infused with local photography and art work, highlighting each property’s area connections. (Hampton Inn Pendleton, OR, left photo)

For more information about Hampton Hotels, please visit hampton.com/pressandmedia.

Contacts:

Charmaine Easie-Samuels, Hampton Brand Communications, (901) 374-5534

Chris Daly, Vice President, Daly Gray Public Relations, ph: 703-435-6293