Vantage Data Centers Awarded LEED Platinum Building Certification

SANTA CLARA, CA, Aug. 22, 2011--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vantage Data Centers, an innovative wholesale data center owner, developer and operator, announced today that its V3 building, a 6MW, 60,000 square foot facility in Santa Clara, California has been awarded LEED® Platinum, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.

LEED is the USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and highest performing buildings. LEED Platinum is the highest LEED level of certification.

In addition to the LEED Platinum Certified project, V3, the campus also contains two LEED Registered projects, V1 and V2. Upon successful certification of all buildings, the Vantage site would become the largest LEED Platinum data center campus in the US. The site has more than 300,000 square feet of space supported by a 50 MW dedicated substation.

“Data center energy efficiency has become a significant business issue for enterprises and is a key driver in lowering total cost of ownership,” said Jim Trout (top right photo), Vantage Data Centers’ CEO. “Vantage is setting a new efficiency standard for the wholesale data center industry.”

For more information, please visit www.vantagedatacenters.com.

Contacts

COMPANY CONTACT:

Vantage Data Centers

Greg Ness, +1-408-896-0223

gness@vantagedatacenters.com

or

MEDIA CONTACT:

Engage PR for Vantage Data Centers

Scott Green, +1-650-679-9044

vantagedc@engagepr.com

California Luxury Home Values Stable in Second Quarter of 2011

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Luxury home values rose in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter, but declined in San Diego, according to the First Republic Prestige Home Index™ by First Republic Bank, a leading private bank and wealth management company.

Los Angeles area values climbed 1.7% from the first quarter of 2011 and increased 1.8% from the second quarter a year ago. The average luxury home in Los Angeles is now $2.0 million.

San Diego area values decreased 1.2% from the first quarter and fell 6.0% year-over-year. The average luxury home in San Diego is now $1.6 million.

San Francisco Bay Area values rose 0.6% from the first quarter and were 3.1% lower compared to a year ago. The average luxury home in San Francisco is now $2.5 million.

“Luxury home prices were largely stable in the second quarter of 2011,” said Katherine August-deWilde (top right photo), President and Chief Operating Officer of First Republic Bank.

  “Certain communities in California, particularly those in and around the Silicon Valley and parts of San Francisco, showed robust activity. Real estate agents are now reporting that economic uncertainty and stock market volatility are impacting some buyers, despite the all-time low mortgage interest rates.”

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact

Blue Marlin Partners

Greg Berardi, 415-239-7826

greg@bluemarlinpartners.com

Terreno Realty Corp. Acquires Building in Doral, FL for $4.4 Million

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Aug. 22, 2011 --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Terreno Realty Corporation (NYSE:TRNO) acquired an industrial property located in Doral, Florida on August 19, 2011 for a purchase price of approximately $4.4 million.

The property consists of one industrial building containing approximately 40,000 square feet. The property is currently 100% leased to one tenant. The estimated stabilized cap rate of the property is 6.6%.

Estimated stabilized cap rates are calculated as annualized cash basis net operating income stabilized to market occupancy (generally 95%) divided by total acquisition cost.

Total acquisition cost includes the initial purchase price, the effects of marking assumed debt to market, buyer’s due diligence and closing costs, estimated near-term capital expenditures and leasing costs necessary to achieve stabilization.

 Terreno Realty Corporation is an acquirer, owner and operator of industrial real estate located in six major coastal U.S. markets: Los Angeles; Northern New Jersey/New York City; San Francisco Bay Area; Seattle; Miami; and Washington, D.C./Baltimore.

Additional information about Terreno Realty Corporation is available on the company’s web site at www.terreno.com.

. Contacts

Terreno Realty Corporation

W. Blake Baird, 415-655-4580

Michael A. Coke, 415-655-4580

Regency Centers Purchases Oak Shade Town Center in Davis, CA for $35 Million

DAVIS, CA, Aug. 22, 2011.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regency Centers (NYSE:REG) (www.regencycenters.com), a national owner, operator and developer of grocery-anchored and community shopping centers, closed on the acquisition of Oak Shade Town Center (top left photo), a 103,762 square foot neighborhood shopping center anchored by Safeway, Rite Aid and OfficeMax in Davis, CA.

The property was purchased on August 18 for $35 million from the center’s original owner.

Built in 1998, Oak Shade Town Center is anchored by a 40,000 square foot Safeway which is the top sales-producing grocer in the market, the city’s only full-service office supply store OfficeMax (21,000 square feet), and a 17,522 square foot Rite Aid with the area’s only pharmacy drive-through.

The 95 percent leased center also features Round Table Pizza, Bank of America, Great Clips and AT&T Cellular. The center is located within a mile of the University of California, Davis and the El Macero Country Club.

“Oak Shade Town Center is one of only five grocery-anchored centers in Davis, and one of only two serving the south side of Interstate 80.

"This infill center’s market position is further strengthened by the City’s stringent growth control ordinances which limit future retail development, making this a desirable acquisition for Regency,” explained TR Gregory (middle right photo) , head of Western Acquisitions/Dispositions with Regency Centers.

“Regency continues to pursue premier grocery-anchored infill centers with market-dominant anchors and superior demographics in major markets across the country.”

Contacts

Press Contact:

The Hoffman Agency

Bonnie Hayflick, 904-398-9663

bhayflick@thehoffmanagency.com

or

Regency Centers

TR Gregory, 213-533-2274

Acquisitions/Dispositions, West

trgregory@regencycenters.com

Outlook for Latin America's Commercial Real Estate Markets

By Victor Lopez-Beltran (lower left photo) and Asieh Mansour (top right photo) of CB Richard Ellis, Los Angeles, CA-- 

  • Latin America has emerged as an important destination for both investors and corporate occupiers. The region offers significant locational advantages, including a relatively young population, solid economic growth and a growing affluent consumer base.

• The economic outlook varies from country to country. South and Central American economies are facing rapid economic growth and rising inflationary pressures. By contrast, Mexico is faced with deteriorating growth prospects in the near term.

• With the exception of Mexico, Latin America's commercial real estate market conditions are strong. Healthy consumer spending and commodity-driven economic growth is fueling the region's retail centers and housing markets and driving demand for office and industrial space. Cross-border capital flows have bolstered investment sales, rendering the region an important target destination for global investors.

• Latin America's commercial real estate markets—the office sector in particular—reflect the different market dynamics present in each of the key countries. Net absorption of commercial space will continue to be supported not only by multi-national firms but also by domestic sources of demand.

• New development will continue to be absorbed at a fast pace, as corporate occupiers upgrade existing real estate needs.

• The long-term outlook for Latin America is positive, but near-term risks remain and the trajectory for the commercial real estate markets will vary by country.

 For a copy of the complete report, please contact   asieh.mansour@cbre.com or victor.lopez@cbre.com

HFF arranges $32 million financing for Hudson Valley Plaza in Kingston, NY

                                           

 

  FLORHAM PARK, NJ – HFF announced today that it has arranged $32 million in financing for Hudson Valley Plaza (top left photo), a 605,722-square-foot retail power center in Kingston, New York.

HFF worked on behalf of HUH US Real Estate Income REIT, Inc., an affiliate of The Hampshire Companies, to secure the seven-year, fixed-rate loan through an unnamed life insurance company.  Loan proceeds were used to acquire the property.  HFF will also service the loan.

Hudson Valley Plaza is situated on more than 43 acres at 401 Frank Sottile Boulevard at the intersection of Route 9 West and Routes 199/209 in Kingston, about 18 miles northwest of Poughkeepsie.  Completed in 1995, the property is 98 percent leased to tenants including Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, Michaels and Petsmart.

The HFF team representing The Hampshire Companies was led by senior managing director Jon Mikula (Middle right photo) and director Michael Klein (lower left photo).

“Speed was critical on this assignment and the lender was able to close from start to finish in 34 business days,” said Mikula.

The Hampshire Companies is a full-service, private real estate firm with equity in assets valued at more than $2 billion, based in Morristown, New Jersey.  The Hampshire Companies is a vibrant, dynamic organization that combines creative vision and superior execution, thereby enabling it to create and enhance value in real estate investments.

 Contacts:

Jon Mikula, HFF Senior Managing Director, (973) 549-2000, jmikula@hfflp.com                                                                                      

Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500,

krmurphy@hfflp.com                         

www.hampshireco.com.

HFF completes $23.45 million sale of self storage portfolio in northern California

  

  

                                                

 LOS ANGELES, CA – HFF announced today that it has completed the sale of a four-property, 2,584-unit self storage portfolio located in northern California.

HFF marketed the property exclusively on behalf of the seller, a real estate investment management firm.  Strategic Storage Trust purchased the portfolio in three separate transactions totaling $23.45 million. 

The properties within the portfolio are: 3480 Tennessee Street in Vallejo; 2300 Grant Street in San Lorenzo; 222 San Pedro Avenue in Morgan Hill and 8900 Murray Avenue in Gilroy.

The HFF team representing the seller included senior managing director Aaron Swerdlin and managing director Doug McCarron.

Year-to-date 2011, HFF’s self storage group has closed more than $81 million in sales transactions located in California, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Texas, among others. 

“The self storage industry continues to perform at extremely strong operational fundamentals, which is likely why we see buyers outnumber sellers by a very wide margin. 

“Quality assets in economically stable markets draw levels of interest that I’ve not seen in the 17-years I’ve focused on the industry.  The confidence that the investor community shows in the product type suggests that we will continue to see, for quite some time, strong interest levels for quality deals,” said Swerdlin.

Contacts:

Douglas M. McCarron, Ca. Lic. # 01473385,

HFF Senior Managing Director. (310) 407-2100, dmccarron@hfflp.com                                                           

Aaron A. Swerdlin, HFF Managing Director, (713) 852-3500  

aswerdlin@hfflp.com                                                                                 

Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500,

krmurphy@hfflp.com      

                   

www.strategicstoragtrust.com

MiniCo Webinar Features Tips from USstoragesearch.com for Leveraging the Internet to Increase Self-Storage Revenue

Phoenix, AZ, Aug. 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- On August 24, 2011, USstoragesearch.com Senior Account Executive Nick Bilava (top right photo) will present a free webinar entitled “Generating More Online Real Estate for Your Facility” to help self-storage professionals learn how to leverage the Internet to improve revenue.

Topics will include the following:

Web Design – Make sure your Web site converts

Directories – Capture consumers who shop and compare

Local Search – Get on the map with your facility information

Social Media – Attract the growing number of Facebook and Twitter users

USstoragesearch.com is the largest storage directory in the industry with over 30,000 self-storage and mobile storage listings nationwide.

Visit www.ministoragemessenger.com for more information or to register. Online registration is required for this free live event.

 MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the “Mini-Storage Messenger,” the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry.

Other publications include “Self-Storage Now!,” “Mobile Self-Storage Magazine,” “RV & Boat Storage Today,” “Self‑Storage Canada,” the “Self-Storage Almanac,” the “Self-Storage Construction & Renovation Handbook,” and the “Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.”

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry. Additional lines of business include collectibles insurance. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

Contact:

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC

Christa Van Zant

602-678-3568

cvanzant@minico.com

www.USstoragesearch.com

 www.minico.com

Le Meridien Amman and Starwood Launch Second Annual "Iftar for Cabs" Initiative

Amman, Jordan, Aug. 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- After launching the ‘Iftar for Cabs’ initiative last year, Le Meridien Amman and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Middle East continued its commitment to the Holy Month of Ramadan by bringing more than 30 of their hotels and resorts in nine countries across the region together to distribute Iftar packs to help cab drivers break their fast.

During the hour of Iftar on August 9th, 2011, associates from Le Meridien Amman and representatives from all participating Starwood hotels presented Iftar packs of food and beverages to cab drivers as they drove through the main entrance of each hotel.

“Ramadan is a very special time for our hotels, who along with their own promotions, come together to support this initiative. It is because of their dedication and spirit that ‘Iftar for Cabs’ has been such a huge success,” said Guido De Wilde (top right photo), Senior Vice President & Regional Director, Starwood Middle East.

“The main purpose of this initiative is to give back to cab drivers who are always on the go and can struggle to find time to break their fast during Ramadan. This initiative has been widely appreciated by cab drivers across the region in the past and we look forward to repeating it again this year. ”

Catering teams at each property prepared Iftar packs for drivers which included a variety of food and beverages. Employees from all departments within the hotels including catering, administration and guest services worked together on the ‘Iftar for Cabs’ initiative.vacation interval ownership resorts.

For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Chandan Belani / Margaret Flanagan

E: c.belani@asdaa.com / m.flanagan@asdaa.com

T: +971 4 3344550

  

Contact:

Le Meridien - Amman

Sewar Sawalha

962 656 96511

sewar.sawalha@lemeridien.com

www.lemeridienamman.com

P.O. Box 950629, Queen Noor Street, Amman – 11195, Jordan

Dream Town Realty Welcomes 3 New Chicago Real Estate Agents

Chicago, IL, Aug. 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Industry-leading online real estate company, Dream Town Realty, announced the addition of three new realtors during the months of June and July.

 The June recruits are Patrick Hawkins (lower left photo) and Josh Novy, while Patricia Pulido (top right photo) joined the brokerage in mid-July. All three agents offer purchasing and listing services to Chicago-area buyers, sellers and investors.

 Find more information about Patricia Pulido at www.dreamtown.com/agents/patricia-pulido.html.

 Contact info for Patrick Hawkins is online at www.dreamtown.com/agents/patrick-hawkins.html.

Joshua Novy, who also started with Dream Town this summer, works out of the company's Lincoln Square office. His phone number and email address can be found along with all Dream Town agents' contact info at www.dreamtown.com/agents/dream-town.htm.

Contact:

Dream Town Realty

Kate Hoffman

312-265-8000

khoffman@dreamtown.com

www.dreamtown.com

W Hotels Worldwide Appoints Jenné Lombardo as New Global Fashion Director

NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 22, 2011--(BUSINESS WIRE)--W Hotels Worldwide today announced the appointment of Jenné Lombardo (top right photo), entrepreneur and style maven, as its new Global Fashion Director.

For more than 12 years, W Hotels has had a continuous commitment to fashion, and in 2010 appointed the first-ever Global Fashion Director for a hospitality brand – Amanda Ross.

As the W brand continues to expand its international footprint and opens in fashion capitals around the world, Lombardo, a global trendsetter with a knack for identifying what’s new and next in fashion, will be instrumental in developing strategic initiatives and partnerships that showcase W’s innovative point of view on fashion.

“W Hotels has established itself as a brand that is constantly searching for ‘what’s new and next’ across music, design, and fashion,” said Eva Ziegler (bottom left photo), Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien.

 “Jenné Lombardo’s international outlook and connection to emerging talent makes her a perfect fit as both the W brand and the role of Fashion Director continues to grow.”

For more information on W Hotels fashion initiatives, please visit www.whotels.com/fashion.

 For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

To live the W Hotels lifestyle 24/7/365, visit www.wresidences.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:

Katherine Hurd

PR Consulting

212.228.8181

Katherine@prconsulting.net

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Marketing Agents for $450,000 Townhome in Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Area

ORLANDO, FL. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named as exclusive sales and marketing agents for a luxurious townhome on Spring Lake at Somerset Shores in Southwest Orlando’s Dr. Phillips area.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the LR Team (Luxury Rooftops) of Dan Natoli (bottom left photo) and Carolyn Burgiel (top right photo) are representing the unique property which is listed at $450,000.   

The luxury townhome offers a totally updated traditional European gourmet kitchen completely handcrafted by Continental Homes and Interiors with an island, granite countertops, custom cabinetry and convection oven.

The three-bedroom, two bath townhome boasts 2,437 square feet of living space with a two car garage, Soderstrom said.

“The first floor master suite includes lake views, an updated bath with built in cabinet space and a roomy walk-in closet, and the screened porch offers sunrise views over Spring Lake and the community dock,” Soderstrom said.

To view a brochure on the property, go to http://www.stirlingsir.com/eflyers/somersetshores/ss.html

Media contact information:

 Carolyn J. Burgiel, Sales Executive/ LR Team, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407 864-0605

Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890; rsoderstrom@stirlingSIR.com;

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

Lincoln Secures New Tenant at 730 Midtown in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA (Aug. 22, 2011) - 730 Midtown's (top left photo) modern vibe helped attract its newest tenant, Parks IP Law, a firm dedicated to intellectual property law.

Parks IP Law signed a six-year lease for 6,000 square feet at 730 Midtown on Peachtree Street. The firm will move in December.

Leigh Braswell (middle right photo) vice president with Lincoln, represented the property owner, Colony Realty Partners. Chitra Subbarayan with Ackerman represented the tenant.

This lease is a slight expansion from the firm's current office space at 1117 Perimeter Center West, also leased and managed by Lincoln and owned by Colony.

With the current lease expiring, co-founder Cynthia Parks (lower left photo) was looking for a less traditional office space with a property manager and building owner she trusted. The Midtown submarket was also particularly attractive because it moved the firm closer to the majority of its clients.

"We could have moved anywhere, but I was really excited to find 730 Midtown was also managed by Lincoln," said Parks. " Our new office space in Midtown is exactly what we were looking for in a new home. Although the building does have some more traditional spaces, our offices have a modern feel with exposed ceilings, curved soffits, glass, concrete columns and indirect lighting."

For more information on the Southeast Region of Lincoln Property Company, please visit www.lpcsoutheast.com.

 To check out the blog, go to http://blog.lpcsoutheast.com.

 Contact:

Laura Dudebout

O: 404.965.5023

C: 678.642.4301

ldudebout@wilbertnewsstrategies.com