Lloyd Berger of Berger Special Assets Named Receiver for Palm Vista in Fort Myers, FL

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Berger Special Assets, a division of Berger Commercial Realty Corp., announced Lloyd Berger (middle right photo)  has been named receiver for Palm Vista (top left photo) in Fort Myers, Fla.

The 136-unit property consists of 12 two-story buildings located at 3726 Central Ave in Fort Myers.

“We are positioned to successfully resolve the challenges of this failed property in a cost-efficient manner to restore the asset to its maximum value and occupancy,” said Berger, founder and president of Berger Commercial Realty Corp.

Palm Vista features one-bedroom/one-bath and two-bedroom/two-bath apartment units, as well as amenities such as a club house, playground, pool, and fitness center.

Berger Special Assets (BSA), a division of Berger Commercial Realty Corp., serves as receiver, management company, leasing and sales agent for distressed commercial and multi-family properties on behalf of lenders.

 Founded in late 2008, BSA grew exponentially in 2009 from nine active accounts in five cities and 16 properties to 25 cities with 128 properties, geographically expanding from South Florida to Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Daytona, the Southwest corridor and all points in between.

 In the process, Berger Commercial Realty Corp. and its subsidiaries have grown to a staff of 38 statewide.

The division continues to receive five to seven new accounts per month.

In addition to referrals from real estate attorneys and lenders, BSA now is seeing new assignments coming from debt investors acquiring distressed loan portfolios from lenders.

Berger Commercial Realty Corp., which was founded in 1998 as a full service commercial real estate firm.

 A Florida-based, independent and privately-owned firm, Berger Commercial Realty Corp. customizes services and adapts to clients’ needs, as well as to the ever changing real estate market.

 Services include brokerage/tenant and buyer representation, property management, agency/project leasing, capital advisory/investment sales, construction/project management, and retail services. Visit http://www.bergercommercial.com/.

. Broker Keith Graves Awarded CCIM Designation

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Berger Commercial Realty Corp., a full service commercial real estate firm based in Fort Lauderdale and serving clients around the state, announced broker and firm principal Keith R. Graves (bottom left photo)  has been awarded the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute, one of the leading commercial real estate associations in the world.

The CCIM designation is awarded to commercial real estate professionals upon successful completion of a graduate-level education curriculum and presentation of a portfolio of qualifying experience. Graves was among 272 commercial real estate professionals who earned the designation by passing this year's CCIM Comprehensive Examination, the final component in the designation process.

Only about six percent of an estimated 150,000 commercial real estate practitioners nationwide hold the CCIM designation, which reflects not only the caliber of the program, but why it is one of the most coveted and respected designations in the industry.

CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation, and investment analysis.

Graves is a member of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale and holds a Professional Designation of Real Property Administrator (RPA) from BOMI International. He earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration at Ashland University in Ohio.

CONTACT: Marielle Sologuren, Pierson Grant Public Relations, (954) 776-1999, ext 226 msologuren@piersongrant.com

Avalonpark Texas LP Seeking Additional Development Opportunities in Austin Metro Area

AUSTIN - Avalonpark Texas LP, a joint venture that includes Orlando, Florida-based Avalon Park Group, that recently announced the start of new residential development at The Springs at Walnut Creek in North Austin, is seeking additional development opportunities in the area.

Richard Kunz, (top right photo)  principal who heads Avalonpark Texas LP, said he is particularly interested in sites that will accommodate development of senior assisted living facilities.

Avalon Park Group, which developed the 1,860 acre Avalon Park community in East Orlando with more than 3,500 single-family homes and town homes, a million square foot Downtown Avalon Park and elementary, middle and high schools, is developing a 70,500 square foot senior assisted housing facility there with 140 independent living units and 84 assisted living units with a spa, fitness center, bistro, game room, theater, library, swimming pool, gardens and special facilities for residents coping with Alzheimer’s symptoms.


HUD has already given the $15 million facility preliminary approval with construction possibly starting later this year.


For more information,  contact:
Richard Kunz, Principal Avalonpark Texas, L.P. 512-695 3356 rkavalonaustin@aol.com;
Beat Kahli, CEO Avalon Park Group / Avalonpark Texas, L.P. 407-658-6565;
Eric Marks, Vice President, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565, ericm@avalonparkgroup.com;
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565;
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

Hampton Inn Fort Walton Beach Hotel Offers Free Haircuts To Support Gulf Oil Spill Cleanup Efforts

FORT WALTON BEACH, FL - May 13, 2010 – Residents along the Gulf Coast planning on getting a haircut this weekend may want to hold off until next Monday (May 17) when they can not only get a free haircut but help stem the flow of pollution from the oil spill disaster that is threatening the entire region.

The Hampton Inn Fort Walton Beach (top left photo)(http://www.ftwaltonbeach.hamptoninn.com/) in partnership with Matter of Trust (www.matteroftrust.org), an ecological non-profit organization, will sponsor free haircuts Monday, May 17th from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The hair clippings will be used to create booms and mats that absorb and contain the oil. Hair is a natural absorbent of oil and the mats and booms can be reused up to 100 times.

Although the Hampton Inn Fort Walton Beach, located at 1112 Santa Rosa Boulevard, is in an area currently not affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, communities are coming together to help with the Gulf’s oil spill cleanup efforts.

The goal is to collect as much as 100 cubic feet of hair which will produce at least 125 hair booms.

“Our Gulf Coast beaches are some of the most magnificent in the world,” said Hampton Inn Director of Sales Jeniffer Ward. “We live and work here and want to do everything we can to help ensure that we preserve this beautiful region.”

Area hair stylists volunteering for the “Hair Because We Care” Cut-a-Thon include stylists from Smart Style Family Salon, Raspberry Attic, Brava Hair Studio, Delores Delaney The Salon, Lather Lounge, Sheer Madness, Salon Chic and A Heavenly Place for Hair.

Other sponsors include Coca-Cola®, Jenkins Transfer & Storage, Big Day Events, Helen Back, Adonna’s Bakery, and Advance Lawn.

Area businesses and individuals are contributing towards services, supplies, transportation and storage so the booms can be made on-site and then shipped out as quickly as possible.

The Hampton Inn Fort Walton Beach hotel is designated a green lodging property from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection through the Green Lodging Program.

Located directly on the white-sand beach along Florida’s Emerald Coast, the newly renovated hotel features complimentary daily hot breakfast, local calls and wireless internet access.

Other amenities include an outdoor heated pool, exercise room, and waterfront recreation. For more information, visit www.ftwaltonbeach.hamptoninn.com. The Hampton Inn Fort Walton Beach is operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts (www.ihrco.com), the nation’s largest independent hotel management company.

Contact: Jeniffer Ward, Director of Sales, Hampton Inn Fort Walton Beach, Phone: (850) 301-0906

Email: Jeniffer.Ward@ihrco.com

Doubletree Celebrates Grand Opening in Popular Pittsburgh Suburb of Monroeville, Pa

MONROEVILLE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Along with hundreds of civic, community and business leaders, the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh/Monroeville Convention Center (top left photo)  recently celebrated the grand opening of its hotel.

Situated just 12 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh/Monroeville Convention Center is centrally located next to one of the region’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations with unique hotel access to the Monroeville Convention Center – one of Western Pennsylvania’s newest convention centers with more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition and conference space.

“Whether your next visit to Monroeville is for business or pleasure, our friendly and professional staff looks forward to greeting guests with a new look, new brand, a great guest rewards program and our legendary, warm Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookie welcome at check-in, said Rob Palleschi, (lower right photo)  global head for Doubletree Hotels.

“The opening of the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh/Monroeville Convention Center continues to demonstrate the flexibility of our brand’s worldwide portfolio of hotels and resorts – which includes many locations in strategically key suburban markets of major metropolitan areas."

The Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh/Monroeville Convention Center is owned and operated by Mart/Hotel LP, a subsidiary of Pittsburgh-based Oxford Development, under a franchise agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide and operated by Davidson Hotel Company, one of the nation’s largest hotel management companies.

Contact: Thomas Wingham, 703-883-5315, thomas.wingham@hilton.com, Doubletree Hotels Media Relations or
Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh/Monroeville Convention Center, Craig Bollman, 412-373-7300
craig.bollman@hilton.com

Fimiani Development Brokers $2M Sale of Building in Fort Lauderdale

Boca Raton, Fla. – Boca Raton-based Fimiani Development announced the sale of the 777 Building, a two-story 22,688 square-foot office and retail building at 777 S.E. 20th Street in Fort Lauderdale. 777 Holdings, LLC sold the property for $2 million to 777 Offices, LLC.

Michael Fimiani, (top right photo)  president of Fimiani Development, handled the transaction as part of a court-appointed receivership.

Located just north of I-595, the 22,668 square-foot building offers retail space on the first floor and offices on the second floor. The building’s tenants specialize in the yachting and marine industry. In November 2009, Fimiani was appointed receiver of the office building and handled the property’s leasing and management.

“The building’s prime location near Port Everglades (middle left photo), Fort Lauderdale International Airport (bottom right photo)  and several major interstate highways make this an attractive property for businesses in all industries,” said Fimiani.

“The real estate market is beginning to show signs of improvement as this is the second property we sold within a year of being appointed receiver.”

Fimiani Development is a full-service firm and offers lenders the ability to work with a single source for their receivership needs. Fimiani Development is also handling office and residential receivership assignments. “We handle leasing, management, tenant improvements, accounting and disposition of assets for our lender clients,” said Fimiani.

Fimiani Development creates value by acquiring and redeveloping retail and commercial real estate projects throughout Florida.

The company’s services also include acquisition and redevelopment of existing shopping centers, ground-up development of new centers, consultation in developing third-party leasing programs and performing third-party leasing and management assignments of retail and office properties.

 For more information, visit http://www.fimiani.com/.

Media Contact: Maria Pierson, 954/776-1999, ext. 222

New Wyndham Hotel Opens in Heart of Miami’s South Beach

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (May 13, 2010) – Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN), today announced its continued expansion in Florida with the opening of the 133-room-and-suite Wyndham Garden® Hotel Miami South Beach.

The newly-renovated Wyndham Garden Hotel Miami South Beach, located in South Beach’s entertainment district at 1050 Washington Avenue, is just a short drive from Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami and walking distance to the Miami Beach Convention Center.( middle right photo) For beach-goers, the hotel sits only two blocks from Miami’s white sand beaches.

The historic hotel, preserved by the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board, underwent a $5.5 million renovation before joining the Wyndham family; the renovation maintained the hotel’s original Art Deco design and architecture.

The Wyndham Garden Hotel Miami South beach joins the 405-room Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, located on the banks of the Miami River, less than one-quarter mile from Miami International Airport.

“Miami is an exciting, dynamic city and vibrant hub for business and leisure travelers around the world,” said Jeff Wagoner,(bottom leftt photo)  president of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. “With its embodiment of Miami culture, great location, personalized service and unique style, the Wyndham Garden Miami South Beach will be an outstanding addition to the growing Wyndham family of hotels.”

The open, bright and contemporary lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting color, indicative of Miami's ambiance. Each of the colorful deluxe guest rooms and suites feature modern amenities like free high-speed wireless Internet access, 32-inch LCD televisions with a stereo system, colorful décor, large work desks and ergonomic chairs, as well as marble countertops, white lacquered vanities with contemporary vessel sinks and spa teak benches in all showers.

CONTACT: Evy Apostolatos, Director, Public Relations, Wyndham Hotel Group, 22 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054, +1 (973) 753-6590, evy.apostolatos@wyndhamworldwide.com