Westin Hotels & Resorts Announces Landmark Entry into Vietnam

SINGAPORE – Westin Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE: HOT) has reached an agreement with Phat Dat Real Estate Development Corporation to develop a Westin resort on a beachfront site in Cam Ranh Bay, (top right photo) Khanh Hoa Province on the southeastern coast of Vietnam.

The 330-room Westin is targeted to open in 2012.
“We are delighted to strengthen our presence in Vietnam with the signing of The Westin Resort & Spa, Cam Ranh.

"The signing of The Westin Resort & Spa, Cam Ranh marks the entry of the Westin brand into Vietnam and strengthens the position of Starwood as one of the largest international upscale hotel chains in the Thailand and Indochina region (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos),” commented Miguel Ko, (middle right photo) President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.

“We are looking forward to offering travelers to Cam Ranh a retreat from the rigors of travel, with our signature Westin services, products and amenities that will allow them to relax, rejuvenate and recharge during their stay,” added Ko.

Starwood currently operates 15 hotels in the Thailand and Indochina region, with over 15 more under development in Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Angkor, Hoi An, Nha Trang and now Cam Ranh, under the brands of Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, St. Regis, Four Points by Sheraton, W, The Luxury Collection and aloft.

Scheduled to open in 2012, The Westin Resort & Spa, Cam Ranh will feature 330 rooms and a range of Westin products and services including the famous Westin Heavenly Bed, Westin WORKOUT and Heavenly Spa. Other hotel facilities will also include eight food and beverage outlets, a health club, swimming pools, Westin Heavenly Spa, Westin Kid’s Club, business center and a retail shop.

Cam Ranh Bay is a protected inlet off the South China Sea situated between Phan Rang and Nha Trang, approximately 290 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

It is well-known for its white sandy beaches and pristine turquoise waters. The site features an extensive beach frontage of 550 meters.

Due to the beachfront location and undulating terrain of the site, all guest rooms and villas will feature breath-taking views of the ocean.

The Westin resort is approximately a 10-minute drive from Cam Ranh airport and a 40-minute drive to the Nha Trang city center, the capital of Khanh Hoa Province.

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/

Oaks Development Group Closes on Third San Antonio Project

SAN ANTONIO, TX/PRNewswire/ -- The Texas office of Oaks Development Group announced today the company closed on Shavano Oaks II, a 35,000 square-foot medical office building at 3603 Paesanos Parkway in north central San Antonio.

The site, located just east of the intersection of Loop 1604 and Northwest Military Highway, will feature the company's unique tenant-ownership model that divides ownership of the building among the tenants, equity investors and the developer.

This is Oaks' third project in San Antonio. The building is ready for occupancy, and the company has received commitments for about 85 percent of the building with signed leases and letters of intent.

Tenant owners include the Neurology Institute of San Antonio with Dr. Suzanne Gazda and Dr. R. Braden Neiman and the Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio with Dr. Dennis Karasek.

There are also plans for a physical therapy, a sleep clinic and imaging on site, according to Sarah Teel (top right photo) of MSL Investments, broker/real estate agent for Oaks Development Group in Texas.

"The building is in a convenient location with an easy flow to hospitals in both the medical center and Stone Oak," said Teel. "With its beautiful 'lifestyle' environment and strong tenant owner mix, only a small amount of space remains available."

CONTACT:

Ann Close of Oaks Development Group, +1-919-460-6779, aclose@oaksdevelopment.net; or

Debi Pfitzenmaier, +1-210-669-6911, debi@pfitzpr.com, for Oaks Development Group

Web site: http://www.oaksdevelopment.net/

Keller Outdoor, Inc. Completes Three Major Projects

SANFORD, FL --- Keller Outdoor, Inc., a major commercial contracting company that specializes in landscaping, lawn maintenance, irrigation, environmental services, demolition and drainage projects, recently completed work on three projects.

Richard Keller, vice president of Keller Outdoor, Inc., said the firm recently completed renovation of parking surfaces at Lockheed Martin on Lake Underhill Road in south Orlando including extensive landscaping, resurfacing of parking areas and hardscaping common areas.

In addition, Keller Outdoor recently completed landscape maintenance and renovation projects at Atlantic Villas Condominium and Minorca Condominium, (top left photo) two luxury resort communities in New Smyrna Beach.

Company Relocates to Sanford, FL Site near Airport

Keller has relocated to new headquarters facilities on a 12-acre site near the entrance to Orlando Sanford International Airport at 2150 Marquette Ave. in Sanford. Bobby Keller, president of Keller Outdoor, Inc., said the firm plans to host a public grand opening next spring.

Formerly, Keller Outdoor was located on Monroe Rd. in Sanford.

The firm posted revenues from commercial and residential projects that totaled more than $13 million last year and currently employs more than 120 workers.

For more information, please contact:

Richard S. Keller, Vice President Keller Outdoor Inc., 407-330-2750; rkeller@kelleroutdoorfla.com

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

C&W negotiates lease renewal for Ross Dress for Less in Apopka, FL

ORLANDO, FL–Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc. (C&W) announced that Ross Dress for Less, Inc., has renewed their lease of 44,000 sf space at Shoppes at Hunt Club, committing to five years at 474 South Hunt Club Boulevard in Apopka.

Associate Director of Retail Brokerage Services Mindy Boehm (top right photo) negotiated the lease, representing the landlord, Shoppes at Hunt Club Enterprises, Inc., in the transaction.

Contact: Brook Hines, 407-541-4401, brook.hines@cushwake.com

http://www.cushwake.com/

Marcus & Millichap's Adelaide Polsinelli Spearheads Children's Aid Society Toy Drive

More than 1,000 toys have been donated to New York City’s children in need.

NEW YORK, N.Y.– Adelaide Polsinelli (top right photo) in the Manhattan office of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has spearheaded one of the largest toy drives in Manhattan.

Polsinelli, an associate vice president investments at Marcus & Millichap, also serves as the president of the co-op apartment building at 2 Fifth Ave. Polsinelli organized this year’s record-breaking toy drive to benefit the Children’s Aid Society of New York.

More than 1,000 toys were donated and distributed to children in need throughout the Metropolitan New York City Area. For Polsinelli, 2008 marks the eighth year she has participated in the toy drive.

“During difficult economic times, the work of the Children’s Aid Society is crucial,” explains Polsinelli. “I am thankful to all of the citizens of New York who donated to this important cause.

“The children are our city’s future,” she shares. “By giving to kids in our own backyard, we are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.”

Polsinelli also donates a toy in the name of her real estate clients and associates.

Press Contact: Stacey Corso, Communications Department, (925) 953-1716

Morrison Commercial Real Estate Completes Downtown Orlando Land Sale

ORLANDO, FL-- Morrison Commercial Real Estate announces the completion of the sale of the property at 714 Franklin Lane, in Orlando, Florida.

The property consists of approximately 8,426 square feet of office warehouse buildings and 31,886 square feet of land.

All Roads, LLC has purchased the property for $1,030,000. Greg Morrison (top right photo) of Morrison Commercial Real Estate represented All Roads, LLC, the Buyer.

Carlton Vandiver (bottom left photo) and Trevor W. Hall Jr. (middle left photo) of Colliers Arnold represented Mid-Florida Pools, Inc., the Seller in the transaction.

ABOUT MORRISON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Founded by Greg Morrison, a 22-year veteran of the Central Florida commercial real estate market, Morrison Commercial Real Estate is a full-service brokerage firm specializing in the office sector.

Headquartered in Downtown Orlando, our professional experience and extensive knowledge of the Central Florida market enables us to achieve maximum transaction value, and optimal return on investment for our clients.

Morrison Commercial Real Estate provides landlord, owner and tenant representation services in leasing, buying, selling and site selection of commercial property in Central Florida.

Contact: Marylyn Tryon, Phone: 407.219.3500

Email: mtryon@morrisoncre.com

Barry Real Estate Cos. building Nashville’s first LEED-certified building

The Pinnacle at Symphony Place (top right photo) to be Nashville’s Environmental Leader with goal of using 72 percent less water than comparable properties

ATLANTA, GA-– Barry Real Estate Cos. is building The Pinnacle at Symphony Place, Downtown Nashville’s first Silver LEED-certified class A multi-tenant office building, as certified by the United States Green Building Council.

Among numerous environmentally sustainable features, The Pinnacle features a design to minimize the building’s demand for and use of potable water from Metro Water Services (MWS).

The plumbing system is expected to reduce The Pinnacle’s water use more than 72 percent below the usage of comparable buildings constructed to meet current plumbing standards.

“We are big believers in Nashville and are proud to lead the way for commercial office towers like The Pinnacle at Symphony Place to reduce water consumption and waste,” said Jimmy Barry, project developer for Barry Real Estate Cos.

“It takes more time, more careful planning and more money to successfully complete a project like this but, in the end, the building becomes a better value for our tenants and for Nashville.”

When The Pinnacle at Symphony Place opens in January 2010, it will feature a Pinnacle Financial Partner's bank branch, a fitness facility, a 7,000 square-foot white tablecloth restaurant, a neighborhood restaurant and coffee shop, concierge service, dry cleaning delivery, mobile auto detailing and an outdoor roof garden overlooking Nashville with seating and wireless Internet access.

For a complete copy of the company's news release describing details on the building's construction plan, please contact Bryan Long (404) 724-2501; blong@jacksonspalding.com

Marcus & Millichap Arranges Sale of $13M Apartment Building in Briarwood, NY

BRIARWOOD, N.Y. – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has arranged the sale of Kent Arms Apartments, (top right photo) an 80-unit multi-family building in Briarwood, a residential section of Jamaica, Queens.

Listed at $13 million, the sales price of $13 million represented $162,500 per unit.

Peter Vassiliou, a senior associate, and John Stewart, an investment specialist, both in the firm’s Manhattan office, represented the seller, Kent Properties Co., and the buyer, 85-02 139th Realty LLC.

“Kent Arms Apartments was an excellent opportunity for the buyer to own and operate a well-maintained, income-producing building in a strong residential section of Queens that has historically low vacancy and sales velocity,” says Vassiliou.

“In the short-term, the new owner can add value by increasing parking fees, renting the unused office space, and increasing stabilized rents through individual apartment improvements. In the long-term, due to the size of the units, there is the possibility of a co-op or condo conversion when the market recovery takes shape,” adds Stewart.

Located at 85-02 139th St., at the intersection of 139th and Manton streets, the 92,000-square foot, six-story apartment building is situated on a 169-foot by 119-foot lot.

The property is across the street from the F/E-line subway station and just one block from Queens Boulevard.

The building is adjacent to the Van Wyck Expressway, providing access to JFK International Airport and other destinations in the New York Metropolitan Area.

Kent Arms Apartments contains a mix of 79 apartment units, ranging from medium-sized one-bedrooms to large two-bedrooms with a second bathroom, separate dining room and outdoor terraces. The property also has indoor parking and two commercial spaces, one of which is currently vacant and the other leased until 2011.

Press Contact: Stacey CorsoCommunications Department(925) 953-1716

Bill Martin Joins SchenkelShultz

ORLANDO, FL – Bill Martin (top right photo) has joined SchenkelShultz Architecture, Orlando, as Architect and LEED® Accredited Professional.

Martin, who has nine years of major commercial design experience, holds a Master’s of Architecture and Bachelor’s of Design with Honors from the University of Florida.

Martin previously served as an Architect with Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates in Atlanta, GA, where he was involved in many high-profile projects including the Washington, DC, Convention Center, the Inn on Biltmore Estate, the InterContinental Hotel Buckhead, and the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel Renovation, among others.

Contact: Kenneth H. Cristol 407-774-2515