iStar Financial Unveils Plans for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental in Atlanta, GA

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental

 ATLANTA, GA (Oct. 2, 2012) – iStar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: SFI, “iStar”) has announced plans to reposition the residential portion of the landmark tower located at 3376 Peachtree Road in Buckhead as The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta.

 iStar took ownership of the premier, 42-story mixed-use building designed by Robert A.M. Stern in February 2010. Since its initial involvement more than four years ago and particularly over the past two years, iStar has made strategic multi-million dollar investments in the property to re-launch it with a world-renowned brand, while introducing unparalleled levels of luxury and service to the Atlanta market.

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta, is the fourth residential project for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in the continental United States, offering individual owners a unique lifestyle with all the comforts of a private home, coupled with the amenities and legendary service of Mandarin Oriental.

The property’s location on Peachtree Road, close to its intersection with Lenox Road, allows residents to live in close proximity to world-class shopping, fine dining and the center of Atlanta’s business world, along with easy access to the world’s busiest airport for any travel needs.

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

Ashleigh Daniel

JACKSON SPALDING

Image Creation, Cultivation and Communication

O 404.214.0932

M 404.219.8385

E adaniel@jacksonspalding.com

www.jacksonspalding.com

www.mandarinoriental.com

www.istarfinancial.com.

www.istarresidential.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease with Buffet Village at 10,800-SF former Whistle Junction restaurant in Titusville, FL

Former Whistle Junction Restaurant

MAITLAND, FL - NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for the 10,800 square foot former Whistle Junction restaurant at 3125 Columbia Blvd. in Titusville.

Paul P. Partyka, managing partner at NAI Realvest, along with principals Matt Cichocki and Kevin O’Connor, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, SBI Leasing of Titusville. 

The new tenant is Buffet Village of St. Cloud, and is also a client of Partyka.   The Titusville location is the Chinese buffet restaurant group’s fourth restaurant to open in Florida and fifth overall, Partyka said.

For more information, contact:   

Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner/Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989; ppartyka@realvest.com;

Matt Cichocki or Kevin O’Connor, Principals, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989; mcichocki@realvest.com; koconnor@realvest.com;   

Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com;  

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

           

Cassidy Turley Brokers 40,000 SF Lease for INVISTA in Kennesaw, GA

Two TownPark Commons

 ATLANTA, GA --  Cassidy Turley, a leading commercial real estate services provider in the U.S., has brokered a long-term lease extension for its 40,000 square foot office at Two TownPark Commons in Kennesaw, Ga., for INVISTA. INVISTA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., which is also the parent company of Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific.

 INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, which are primarily used for nylon, spandex and polyester applications.

 The tenant, represented by Cassidy Turley’s Senior Vice President Dale Lewis, has extended its lease for two floors of Class A office space from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Dale Lewis

John Zintak with Daniel Corporation represented the landlord. INVISTA has been a tenant at TownPark Commons since 2003.

 The 92,127 square foot building includes a number of tenant amenities and is adjacent to a variety of restaurants and retail centers. It’s part of a four-building office park that features easy access to major interstates.

 “INVISTA is excited to be able to finalize a long-term solution for its Atlanta area office requirement at TownPark Commons,” said Lewis, who represents office tenants and users with Cassidy Turley’s Atlanta office group. “INVISTA has a great relationship with Metropolitan Life and Daniel Corporation and enjoys all the amenities that TownPark offers.”

 INVISTA selected Cassidy Turley because of the firm’s reputation as a leader in brokerage services. Lewis leveraged his more than 23 years of experience inoffice leasing to close the deal for INVISTA.

Contact:

M.C. Rhodes

Wilbert News Strategies

404-965-5024

McCraney Property Co. Hires Edwards Construction to Build Dade Paper’s New 150,000-SF Facility in Orlando, FL

  

Steve McCraney

ORLANDO, FL and WEST PALM BEACH, FL –  McCraney Property Company, an integrated developer and manager of commercial/industrial flex and warehouse distribution properties located throughout Florida, has selected Edwards Construction as the general contractor for the Dade Paper project in Orlando. 

Chris Cromwell, Edwards’ director of operations – Orlando will be overseeing the construction.

 The project is fully permitted and has received a financing commitment from TD Bank.

 “This is the first central Florida project greater than 100,000 square feet to be constructed in the last four years,” said Steven McCraney, CEO of the company he founded more than two decades ago. “We look forward to getting the project under way.”

 Announced in May, the 150,000-square-foot, build-to-suit project encompasses 25 acres located in Orlando Central Park.

 Dade Paper, a large regional distributor of disposables, janitorial supplies and equipment, is relocating its current central Florida facility and nearly doubling its space.

 Peter Corrales, principal of Corrales Group Architects, designed the plans.

  Land has already been cleared. Construction will begin immediately, with a planned completion in the first quarter of 2013.

 “We are excited to be the beneficiary of the strengthening Orlando industrial market that is being fed by demand for Class A industrial/flex space along the I-4 corridor,” McCraney said.

Media Contacts:

Don Silver

Boardroom Communications

 (donsil@boardroompr.com) or

954-370-8999

Teresa Shum

(tshum@boardroompr.com) 

www.mccraneyproperty.com

561- 478-4300

Colliers International Kicks Off Annual National Meeting Oct. 3

Jim Spain

 SEATTLE, WA and SAN DIEGO, CA, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Colliers International kicks off its annual National Meeting in San Diego Oct. 3.

This three-day event is just one of the ways in which Colliers showcases its enterprising spirit by recognizing the achievements of the industry's top performers, sharing best practices, and bringing together top leaders from around the world to help shape the future of commercial real estate. 

The National Meeting will bring together more than 1,400 professionals from its U.S. operations and key stakeholders from around the globe. 

"Our event not only shows Colliers' investment in top talent, but also demonstrates our commitment as a company to support local communities," said Jim Spain, regional managing director for Colliers in San Diego, and the meeting's host.  "We're thrilled to welcome so many professionals to San Diego and we're really excited to be able to give back to the local community where we work and live."

For more information about Colliers International, please connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and SlideShare.

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

 Monica Howald,

Fleishman-Hilliard,

+1-314-982-6233,

monica.howald@fleishman.com

 Web Site: http://www.colliers.com

Avison Young expands into Florida; 30 members join from Flagler Real Estate Services

Mark E. Rose

TORONTO, CANADA  /PRNewswire/ - Mark E. Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young, Canada's largest independently-owned commercial real estate services company, announced today that it has expanded its operations into Florida.

Effective immediately, 30 members from South Florida's leading brokerage and property management firm Flagler Real Estate Services, LLC (FRES) join Avison Young, forming the nucleus for Avison Young's entry into the Florida commercial real estate markets.

The move further expands Avison Young's market coverage in the Southeast U.S. Avison Young's new Florida operations will be headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, with branch offices in Boca Raton and Miami.

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

Sherry Quan,

National Director of Communications & Media Relations,

Avison Young:

(604) 647-5098;

cell: (604) 726-0959

Marcus & Millichap Names Michael L. Glass National Director of National Manufactured Home Communities Group

Michael Glass

CLEVELAND, OH – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Michael L. Glass national director of the firm’s National Manufactured Home Communities Group (NMHCG), according to John J. Kerin, president and chief executive officer. Glass is also vice president and regional manager of the firm’s Cleveland and Columbus offices.

            “Michael’s extensive knowledge of the manufactured housing market will make him a valuable asset to our clients and manufactured home investment specialists,” comments Kerin. “Under his leadership, the NMHCG will continue to provide unparalleled service to its clients. With specialists throughout the country, the NMHCG is the leader in manufactured housing transactions. Last year we closed 69 manufactured housing property transactions valued at $346 million.”

 Sean Delaney Promoted to Associate Vice President Investments in Oak Brook, IL Office

Sean Delaney

OAK BROOK, IL – The board of directors of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has promoted Sean Delaney to associate vice president investments.

This achievement is one of the highest levels of recognition the firm awards to its investment specialists. It represents excellence in the development and servicing of long-term client relationships, according to Steven D. Weinstock, vice president and regional manager of the firm’s Chicago Oak Brook office.

Most recently, Delaney held the title of senior associate. Delaney is a director of the firm’s National Self-Storage Group.

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

 Stacey Corso

Public Relations Manager

(925) 953-1716

Property Management Seminar Set for Oct. 10 in Fort Lauderdale, FL

 CORAL GABLES, FL – KW Property Management & Consulting, the second largest property management firm in Florida representing more than 40,000 residential units in Florida, and three other professional firms, are hosting a free seminar for Association Board members on industry trends.

Fort Lauderdale skyline

The other firms are Gerstle, Rosen & Goldenberg CPAs, Advance Insurance Underwriters and Tripp Scott Attorneys.

 These four leading professional firms in the association industry have joined forces to educate the community about accounting and budgeting, property management, property insurance, collections and foreclosure legal strategies. 

 The  free seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 6pm at 110 SE Sixth Street, 7th Floor, in Fort Lauderdale, FL.. RSVPs are required.

 For complete seminar details, please contact:

Brittany Nguyen

Becker Public Relations

2506 Ponce De Leon Blvd.

Coral Gables, FL 33134

Telephone 305/444-2181 x221

Email: bnguyen@beckerpublicrelations.com

www.beckerpublicrelations.com

Twitter: @BeckerPRFirm and @JeanneBecker

Facebook: Becker Public Relations and Jeanne Becker

$1 Billion Milestone Reached by Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II

Danny Prosky

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – American Healthcare Investors and Griffin Capital Corporation, the co-sponsors of Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II, Inc., announced the acquisition of three Los Angeles-area hospitals and three medical office buildings located in Frisco,Texas and Jasper, Georgia by the REIT for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $108.7 million. 

 With the completion of these latest acquisitions, the REIT’s portfolio totals 121 buildings valued at approximately $1.1 billion, based on purchase price, diversified across 26 states. 

Since Jan. 1, 2012, the portfolio has grown by approximately 149 percent, based on purchase price, while maintaining leverage of approximately 27 percent (total debt divided by total assets), as of August 15, 2012, among the lowest in the non-traded REIT industry, according to independent research provided by Blue Vault Partners, LLC.

“Reaching the $1 billion mark in aggregate portfolio value, based on purchase price, is a key milestone for Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II,” said Danny Prosky, a principal of American Healthcare Investors and president and chief operating officer of the REIT.

  “Size and scale can be very important in terms of real estate portfolio operations, efficiency and potential enhanced value of the REIT as a whole.  The REIT has now grown to the size where it is one of the largest and most significant owners of healthcare-related real estate in the country.”

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

 Damon Elder

SVP, Marketing & Communications

American Healthcare Investors

(949) 270-9207 direct

(714) 356-1460 cell

www.AmericanHealthcareInvestors.com.

www.griffincapital.com

www.HealthcareREIT2.com

DoubleTree by Hilton Opens Fourth Hotel in Greater Boston Metropolitan Area Following $16 Million Upgrade

Doubletree by Hilton Boston North Shore

McLean, VA (Oct. 2, 2012) – DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of a newly renovated, upscale, full-service hotel situated on Boston’s prestigious North Shore.

With its easy proximity to Boston’s historic and cultural center, the 364-room DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore is an ideal location for both business and leisure visits to the Boston area. The hotel, formerly the CoCo Key Water Resort Boston, is owned by The Lightstone Group and operated by Sage Hospitality.

Renovations to the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore included all guest rooms and public spaces, including the hotel’s lobby and more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space.

The hotel’s meeting facilities include a 10,000 square foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,300 guests for elegant business and social events.   Additional upgrades include the addition of an executive lounge and 50MB fiber optic high speed internet service that is a complimentary offering.

The DoubleTree by Hilton is located at 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, Mass., near Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), minutes away from the Beverly (Mass.) Municipal Airport and an hour away from Manchester (N.H.) International Airport.

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

Maggie Giddens

Director, Global Brand Public Relations

DoubleTree by Hilton

+1 703 883 5346

Maggie.Giddens@Hilton.com

 Lauralee Dobbins

Daly Gray Public Relations

+1 703 435 6293

Lauralee@dalygray.com

http://www.lightstonegroup.com.

www.DoubleTree.com