Round Table: Institutional Lenders, Capital Partners Have Upper Hand in Commercial Real Estate Development and Investment

ORLANDO, FL--- Institutional investors and capital partners will play an increasingly dominant role in commercial real estate development projects, according to participants in the U.S. Real Estate Opportunity and Private Fund Investing Forum held recently in New York City.

George Livingston, (top right photo) chairman emeritus of NAI Realvest in Maitland, attended the exclusive gathering of lenders, investors and developers sponsored by the Information Management Network.

“Capital partners will control much of the decision-making in commercial real estate projects,” Livingston said. “Capital is hard to come by for large-scale projects, and most industry insiders expect that capital partners will have an increasingly powerful say in even minor decisions,” he said.

Developers – operating partners with the expertise to make big projects happen on time and on budget – will have to settle for a smaller slice of the pie in the end, Livingston added.

“Investors are demanding less risk, lower developer fees, and a bigger share of the profits,” Livingston said.

“They are more likely to back developers who invest substantially in their projects, have a sound track record and are willing to make a long-term commitment to the project,” Livingston added.

Livingston said that’s good news and bad news for commercial development.

“We can expect to see less commercial development and less innovation,” Livingston said. “Capital partners will tend to favor proven strategies in primary markets that will generate immediate cash flow and – to the extent it is possible to project – sure rewards,” Livingston said.

CONTACTS:

George Livingston, Chairman Emeritus, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 glivingston@realvest.com;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com;

Emerson International in Altamonte Springs to take part in Anniversary events to honor U.K. based The Emerson Group

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL --- The Emerson Group, a global corporation based in the U.K. and serves as parent company to Emerson International, Inc., in Altamonte Springs, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with festivities and events scheduled.

Eric J. Emerson, (top right photo) vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said The Emerson Group is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies in the U.K.

“Emerson International, one of the three principal divisions of The Emerson Group,” develops residential and commercial properties in the U.S. and internationally,” Emerson explained.

Emerson International’s Central Florida projects include Eagle Creek off Narcoossee Rd. in southeast Orlando, Emerson Pointe, adjacent to Bayhill in southwest Orlando; Emerson Plaza and CenterPointe on the Park in Altamonte Springs.


CONTACTS:
Eric J. Emerson, Vice President and General Manager, Emerson International, Inc. , 407-834-9560; ejemerson@emerson-us.com;

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

Foster Conant completes landscape for The First Academy in Orlando, FL

ORLANDO, FL— Foster Conant & Associates recently completed its contract for site-specific landscape architecture for The First Academy Middle-Upper School in Orlando, Fla.

Under its scope of services with the owner, Foster Conant provided design, construction documents and construction observation for landscape, irrigation, hardscape for commemorative plazas, and a parking lot.

The landscape architects seamlessly integrated approximately 4.5-acres surrounding the new two-story, 80,000-square-foot classroom building into the existing campus.


According to Foster Conant Principal René A. Ramos, RLA several noted specimens were specified in the design including large Drake Elm trees in planters on the main plaza at the entryway, and seven 200-gallon Magnolias planted along the building’s perimeter to complement the character of the architecture.

Architecture for the project was provided by Royal Architecture & Design of West Palm Beach, Fla. Tipton Associates Inc. of Orlando, Fla., provided civil engineering.

Celebrating 40 years in business, Foster Conant & Associates is an award-winning, site-specific landscape architectural firm that practices throughout the U.S. and abroad.


Public and private clients afford the firm a varied portfolio of expertise that includes hotels, resorts and themed entertainment complexes, timeshare resorts, airports, large-scale residential land developments, mixed-use complexes, office buildings, business parks and apartment complexes.

Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., the 12-person firm is managed by principals Richard R. “Rick” Conant, (top right photo) FASLA, Keith Oropeza, ASLA, René A. Ramos, RLA and John P. Sullivan, III, ASLA. For an extensive presentation of projects, please visit http://www.fosterconant.com/.

Contact: Elaine Ingra, PR WORKS!, PH: 407 384-1344,
elainei@pr-works.com, www.pr-works.com

Ardaman & Associates picks up new water authority contract

ORLANDO, FL — Ardaman & Associates Inc. was one of three firms recently selected for continuing services contracts by the board of supervisors for the Tohopekaliga Water Authority.

Under its scope of services, Ardaman is providing the Authority with geotechnical and environmental engineering, and materials testing and evaluation services on an indefinite duration, indefinite quantity continuing contract.

Services for this contract will be performed by Ardaman’s Orlando office. The Authority has not determined the amount of the contract.

Nordarse & Associates and Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants Inc., both located in Central Florida, were also selected for contracts.

Ardaman & Associates Inc. is an engineering practice providing geotechnical, environmental, water resources and facilities engineering, and construction materials testing to public, industrial and private clients worldwide.

Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., the Company has additional offices in Bartow, Cocoa, Fort Myers, Miami, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach, Fla., and in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, La. Established in 1959, Ardaman employs a professional, support and field staff of 485.

Please visit http://www.ardaman.com/ for more details about services and experience.

The Tohopekaliga Water Authority, established in 2003 by the Florida legislature, is the largest provider of water, wastewater and reclaimed water services in Osceola County, Florida.

The Authority owns and operates 20 water plants and 10 wastewater plants, and treats and distributes 35 million gallons of potable water and reclaims 21 million gallons of wastewater each day.

Contact: Elaine Ingra, PR WORKS!, PH: 407 384-1344,
elainei@pr-works.com, www.pr-works.com