Tuesday, January 26, 2010

D & A Building Services of Longwood, FL Names Jen DeOrio 2009 Employee of the Year


LONGWOOD, FL, Jan. 26, 2010— Jen DeOrio  (top right photo)senior executive associate with D & A Building Services Inc. has been named 2009 Employee of the Year at the facility maintenance provider.

DeOrio, who interned at the Company during college from 1992 until 1995, joined the company in July 2002 after teaching for several years.

She was the unanimous choice of her peers on the Company’s management team where she supports the husband and wife team of president and executive vice president, Al and Kathy Sarabasa, (middle left photo)  as well as the sales team of both the landscape and janitorial divisions.

DeOrio has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Central Florida. She resides in Orlando with her husband and daughter.

“Jen is a valued part of our management team,” said Al Sarabasa, Jr., (bottom right photo) president, D & A Building Services Inc. “She is the type of person that jumps in and does whatever it takes to get the job done.”

D & A was recently named the largest janitorial/commercial cleaning company in Central Florida. The Company ranks annually among the Hispanic 500, a national poll of the largest Hispanic owned businesses.

PR Contact: Elaine Ingra, (407) 384-1344, elainei@pr-works.com

Marcus & Millichap Sells 264-Room Hotel in Altamonte Springs, FL


ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL, Jan.  26, 2010 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has announced the sale of Clarion Inn and Suites, (top left photo)  a 264-room hotel located in Altamonte Springs, Florida, according to Bryn D. Merrey, Regional Manager of the firm’s Tampa office.

The asset commanded a sales price of $6,200,000.

Jaimin P. Patel, a Senior Associate in Marcus & Millichap’s Tampa office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a limited liability company. The buyer, a limited liability company, was also secured and represented by Mr. Patel.

Clarion Inn and Suites is located at 230 West State Road 436.

Press Contact: Bryn D. Merrey, Regional Manager, Tampa, (813) 387-4700

HFF secures $4.2M refinancing for 63,000-SF Houston office building


HOUSTON, TX – The Houston office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that it has secured $4.2 million in refinancing for the Oceaneering Office Building II, (bottom left photo)  a 63,000-square-foot office building in Houston, Texas.

Working exclusively on behalf of the borrower, Cole Space Center, Ltd., HFF senior managing director Susan Hill (top right photo) placed the seven-year, fixed-rate loan with Sentinel Asset Management.

The Oceaneering Office Building II is located at 16665 Space Center Boulevard adjacent to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston. The property is 100% occupied by Oceaneering International.


Contacts:


Susan L. Hill, HFF Senior Managing Director, (713) 852-3500 shill@hfflp.com

Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500 krmurphy@hfflp.com

HFF secures $13.1M refinancing for Worcester, MA grocery-anchored retail center


BOSTON, MA – The Boston office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that it has secured a $13.1 million refinancing for Perkins Farm Marketplace, (top left photo) a 203,000-square-foot, grocery-anchored retail center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Working on behalf of the borrower, an affiliate of Centro Properties Group, HFF director Anthony Cutone (bottom right photo)  and senior real estate analyst Lauren O’Neil placed the fixed-rate loan with UniBank.

UniBank was the lead lender and worked with participants, Webster Five and Marlborough Savings, to provide the $13.1 million loan.


"UniBank is dedicated to the Worcester business community and is pleased to be a part of offering financing to Perkins Farm Marketplace. This is certainly an investment in local commerce as well as the Worcester community," said UniBank vice president Steve Anderson.

Perkins Farm Marketplace was redeveloped in 1998 and is 100% leased to tenants including Super Stop & Shop, A.J. Wright, Building 19, Flagship Bank, Burger King and Bank of America.

Situated on nearly 20 acres, the property is located at 867-965 Grafton Street along the Route 122 retail corridor, approximately three miles from downtown Worcester.

Centro Properties Group (Centro) is a retail investment organization specializing in the ownership, management and development of retail shopping centers. Centro manages both listed and unlisted retail property and has an extensive portfolio of shopping centers across Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Contacts:

Anthony Cutone, HFF Director, (617) 338-0990, acutone@hfflp.com
Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500, krmurphy@hfflp.com

Longer-Term Outlook for Senior Housing and Health Care Industry Improves, Says Cambridge


CHICAGO, IL--While there may be no reason for senior housing/healthcare borrowers to believe the immediate future will be a huge improvement over the immediate past, the longer-term outlook continues to brighten.

Cambridge Realty Capital Companies Chairman Jeffrey A. Davis (top right photo)  says the latest good news impacting the financial system involves the government’s much maligned efforts to bail out the banking system.

 In a stunning turnaround, tens of billions of dollars have begun flowing back from the major banks to the U.S. Treasury in recent months. As it turns out, the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) program is not on course to become the fiscal sinkhole some were predicting not long ago, he observes.


Speaking recently at a White House summit on creating jobs, President Obama claimed the TARP program “has been much cheaper than any of us anticipated.” And Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, who pushed for the program, recently told legislators at his second confirmation hearing that he felt the end result for the program would be “something close to breakeven.”

Davis notes that if these assessments hold up, history will be forced to agree with those who now are claiming that the government’s unpopular medicine appears to have saved the patient. However, from the perspective of senior housing/healthcare borrowers, the patient still will appear to be a bit groggy in the months ahead.

“Wall Street banking firms may be solidly in the black, but credit is expected to remain tight as local and regional banks continue to contend with bad loans and a foreclosure rate that continues to rise,” he noted.


For the immediate future, the Cambridge Chairman says credit will continue to be constrained. And banks will be heavily dependent on relationships already in place, either directly with the borrower or with intermediaries representing clients.

For senior housing/healthcare borrowers, activity will primarily revolve around bridge and term lending through commercial banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac government agency lending on independent living and assisted living buildings, and HUD Lean lending on nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Davis says underwriting is tighter and everything is taking longer than has been the case for the past 20 years. But there are lenders lending and more hopeful signs on the horizon as compared to a few short months ago.


“Owners who have a debt problem should not hesitate to call in outside, expert help,” he advises.

Contact:: Evan Washington, Phone: (312) 521-7603, Fax: (312) 357-1611, E-Mail: ew@cambridgecap.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/CambridgeCap

Cushman & Wakefield Orlando's Margery Johnson honored by Real Estate Florida Magazine


ORLANDO, FL– Margery Johnson, (top right photo)  Senior Director and Land Specialist in the Orlando office of Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) was honored by Real Estate Florida Magazine as a 2009 ‘Woman of Influence.’ Johnson was one of 17 women commercial estate professionals honored in the Second Annual ‘Women of Influence’ competition.

A 20-year veteran of commercial brokerage in Central Florida, Ms. Johnson cites changes in the historically male-dominated industry, and predicts more for the future.

"Women have played an increasingly significant role since I started over 20 years ago, but we still have a long way to go in becoming leaders in this industry," says Johnson in the Women of Influence feature.


"The economic and social challenges facing our country may bring change to the business. Greater collaboration and cooperation among professionals will be one result of downsizing--we need to work together to foster the best possible outcome for investors and users."

  Matthew McKeever negotiates 2 office transactions for insurance companies totaling 42,000 SF



ORLANDO, FL – Jan. 26, 2010--Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc. (C&W) announced that Public Risk Underwriters renewed their office lease with a long-term commitment in Lake Mary in December.

Senior Director of Office Brokerage Services, Matthew McKeever  (bottom right photo) CCIM, SIOR, represented the tenant in the deal with landlord Colonial Properties Trust which closed on December 7.

Offering property, casualty, workers’ compensation, and risk management programs for government and public sector, Public Risk Underwriters renewed 27,000 square feet in Tower II at Primera.

A 20-year veteran of office brokerage in Central Florida, Matthew McKeever represented Public Risk Underwriters in their original transaction for office space in Primera Tower II back in 2002. "I’ve been brokering office deals for so long that many of my transactions, at this point, are the result of repeat business," says McKeever.


In another deal, Crump Insurance Services leased new offices in CenterPointe I, in Altamonte Springs.(bottom left photo)

 An independent wholesale distributor of commercial property and casualty (P&C) insurance, Crump Insurance signed a contract for 15,083 square feet. McKeever represented the tenant, along with agents from Fisher & Co. in the transaction with Emerson Properties which closed on December 1.

Contact:  Brook Hines, Marketing Associate, Cushman & Wakefield, 800 N. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 450
Orlando, Florida 32803. Tel: 407-541-4401, brook.hines@cushwake.com  http://www.cushwake.com/

Carter Hires Rob Adamson for Focused Brokerage Services Role


ATLANTA, GA—Carter, one of the country’s leading full-service commercial real estate firms since 1958, has hired Rob Adamson (top right photo)  to help the company win additional business in the corporate brokerage services area.

Part of Carter’s Brokerage Services Group, Adamson will leverage his relationships and extensive network to identify and deliver new business opportunities for Carter to invest in buying and selling land and other commercial properties in Metro Atlanta and across the country.

 Building on Carter’s unmatched market knowledge, superior negotiation skills and level of professionalism, Adamson will help Carter further leverage trustworthy relationships, build new solid relationships and gain a mutual trust in the industry while specifically focusing on land and investment properties.

Carter’s Chief Executive Officer Bob Peterson said, “Rob is a valuable addition to our Brokerage Services Group and is just what we’re looking for to spearhead distressed land and bank opportunities during a challenging economic time when we are seeing a complete turnover of ownership in this area of commercial real estate.”

Adamson currently is marketing more than $60 million worth of bank-owned properties. Adamson joins Carter from Wildwood Property Group, LLC.

Contact:  Tony Wilbert, twilbert@wilbertnewsstrategies.comhttp://www.wilbertnewsstrategies.com/, 404-888-3091 office, 404-405-3656 cell

Grubb & Ellis Expands Pacific Northwest Region; Bob Dean Assumes Regional Responsibility for Portland Office


SANTA ANA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2010) -- Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, today announced that it has expanded the responsibilities of Bob Dean,  (top right photo) executive vice president, regional managing director, Pacific Northwest, to include the Portland office.

Dean has served as the Pacific Northwest regional managing director for the past four years. In addition to having responsibility for the regional management of the Portland office, he will continue to have the day-to-day management responsibilities for the company’s Sacramento, Roseville and Stockton offices, as well as the regional oversight of the company’s Seattle operations and three affiliate offices.

He will work closely with the individual market leaders to improve profitability, recruit and expand client relationships.


“As regional managing director of the Pacific Northwest, Bob has demonstrated an immense capability for growing the business,” said Jack Van Berkel (bottom left photo), , chief operating officer and president, Real Estate Services. “He is a well respected professional and will play a key role in business operations as we expand the region to include our Portland office.”

During his tenure, Dean has recruited a number of market-leading brokerage professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest. Most recently, he played a key role in recruiting Bill Condon to lead the company’s Seattle office.

Dean began his commercial real estate career with Grubb & Ellis in 1987 as a broker specializing in office properties. He joined Bishop Hawk Commercial Real Estate in Sacramento in 1988, where he served as a manager for six years.


He returned to Grubb & Ellis in 1993 as senior vice president, district manager of the Sacramento office. In 1998, Grubb & Ellis Company acquired Bishop Hawk, in which Dean played a key role in, creating one of Northern California’s largest commercial real estate brokerage firms. He was honored at Grubb & Ellis' Circle of Excellence in 1996, 2005, 2006 and 2007.


Dean is a member of the NAIOP and the Association of Commercial Real Estate. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico, and a master’s degree from California State University, Sacramento.

Contact: Julia McCartney, Phone: 714.975.2230, Email: julia.mccartney@grubb-ellis.com

Grubb & Ellis Commercial Florida Completes Renewal Leases at Angebilt Building and Citrus Center in downtown Orlando


ORLANDO, FL --- Grubb & Ellis Commercial Florida recently negotiated two office renewal leases for a total of 3,102 square feet in the Angebilt Building (bottom left photo)  at 37 N. Orange Ave. and The Citrus Center at 255 S. Orange.

Anne Deason,  (top right photo) vice president of Office Services at Grubb & Ellis Commercial Florida, negotiated a lease agreement at the Angebilt Building representing the tenant Wagner, Hohns, Inglis Inc. who renewed its lease of suite 850 with 1,298 square feet for 62 months.

The New Angebilt Corporation is the landlord and was represented by Marc Cook of Tom Cook Commercial.

Deason also represented management consultants Diane Meiller & Associates, Inc. in a renewal lease for 1,804 square feet in suite 1510 at The Citrus Center. The Landlord is Parkway Properties of Orlando.

Contacts:

Anne Deason, 407-481-5411, adeason@commercialfl.com

Jeff Sweeney, 407-481-5387, jsweeney@commercialfl.com

Larry Vershel 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

Emerson International Negotiates 8 Office Lease Agreements Totaling Over 18,000 SF


ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Emerson International recently negotiated eight lease agreements that total 18,188 square feet of office space in Altamonte Springs, Longwood and Winter Park.

Sean Westcott, director of leasing for Emerson International, negotiated all eight transactions on behalf of the landlord.

At 2160 Sanlando Center (middle right photo)  on W. SR 434 in Longwood, Westcott negotiated leases with University Diagnostic Institute of Winter Park, Inc. for 2,161 square feet, Real Estate Support Systems, Inc. for 2,021 square feet and K2 Evolution 1,564 square feet. Greg State with Bishop Realty Development Inc. represented University Diagnostic.


Select Communication & Marketing leased 6,427 square feet at 417 CenterPointe Circle in CenterPointe Office Park  (top left photo) off E. Central Parkway in Altamonte Springs; VFT Marketing, Inc. leased 3,125 square feet at 385 CenterPointe Circle; Softworx Solutions, Inc. leased suite 1166 with 424 square feet at 370 CenterPointe Circle and Hennen Appraisal, Inc. leased suite 1102 with 650 square feet in the same building.

Surrey Homes, LLC leased suite 106 with 1,716 square feet at Louisiana Office Park l(bottom left photo) ocated at 1133 Louisiana Ave. in Winter Park.


CONTACTS;

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

 Sean Westcott, Director of Leasing, Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560

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