Saturday, February 2, 2013

Orlando's Rhodes+Brito Names Adel Shalaby New Project Architect


Adel Shalaby
ORLANDO, FL – Rhodes+Brito Architects recently named Adel Shalaby Project Architect for the firm. 

 Ruffin Rhodes, AIA, co-founder of the Orlando based architectural firm, said Shalaby graduated from the University of Cairo in Egypt with his Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering and earned his Master’s Degree in Interior Design from the University of Florida.

 Shalaby is a registered Architect and NCARB Certified in addition to being a LEED BD+C Accredited Professional and a Project Management Professional (PMP).  

Ruffin Rhodes
He has more than 14 years of experience in the architectural field and will lead BIM management/policies for Rhodes+Brito.

For more information,  contact:

Ruffin Rhodes, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 ruffin@rbarchitects.com
Maximiano Brito, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 max@rbarchitects.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 (fax: 4410)

Seagis Property Group Acquires 80,000-SF Building in Miami, FL



10400 NW 33rd Street, Doral submarket,  Miami, FL
 CONSHOHOCKEN, PA  /PRNewswire/ -- Seagis Property Group announced today that it has acquired an 80,000 square foot office/warehouse facility in the Doral submarket of Miami Florida.

The multi-tenant building, which is located at 10400 NW 33rd Street was built in 1997 and features 24' clear ceiling height, 12 tailgate dock doors and 6 drive-ins.  The Company now owns 4.8 million square feet in South Florida.

Seagis Property Group LP owns and operates 9 million square feet of industrial buildings in logistically driven locations along the Eastern Seaboard.  

Seagis is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, with offices at One Tower Bridge, 100 Front Street, Suite 350, Conshohocken, PA 19428.  

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

Charles C. Lee, Jr.,
 Principal,
Seagis Property Group LP,
+1-484-530-9135,

 Investment Contact:
John B. Begier,
 Principal,
Seagis Property Group LP,
+1-484-530-9134,


662 Multifamily Units Hit the Market in Urbana, IL


Town & Country Apartments, Urbana, IL
 URBANA, IL – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has received the exclusive listing for Town & Country Apartments, a 662-unit apartment complex with a 52-unit on-site self-storage facility located in Urbana, Ill. The price is open bid. The call for offers is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2013.

            Scott Harris, a senior vice president investments in Marcus & Millichap’s Chicago Oak Brook office, is representing the seller, a local private investment group.

Scott D. Harris
“Town & Country has been receiving a great deal of interest, especially from mid- to upper-tier private investors,” says Harris. “The offering is a great opportunity to acquire a well-maintained asset in a stable rental area. The property has had very low historical vacancy, there is very little deferred maintenance and concessions have been virtually eliminated,” Harris adds.

            Located at 1032 East Kerr Ave. in Urbana, the property is situated on 30 acres. The apartment complex was constructed in five phases beginning in 1968 and ending in 2008. The unit mix features 412 one-bedroom/one-bath units, 234 two-bedroom/one-bath units and 16 two- bedroom/two-bath units.

Town & Country’s amenities include a business center, fitness center, basketball court, tennis courts and four swimming pools.
  
 For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Public Relations
(925) 953-1716

Charles Dunn Co. Completes $6.6 Million Office Sale in Sherman Oaks, CA



Stacy Vierheilig-Fraser
 LOS ANGELES, CA – Charles Dunn Company, one of the largest full-service regional real estate firms in the western United States, has completed the $6.6 million sale of a 33,000 square foot office property located at 17555 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Stacy Vierheilig-Fraser, senior managing director with Charles Dunn Company out of the firm’s Sherman Oaks office, represented the buyer, a private trust. The seller, Singer Trust, was represented by Ron Feder of Keller Williams.

“The buyer was attracted to the property because of its prime location on Ventura Blvd. as well as the available vacancy of the asset,” said Vierheilig-Fraser. “The buyer plans to make improvements the common areas and exterior of the building.”

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

Darcie Giacchetto
D.G. Communications, Inc.
949.278.6224     

Seven-person capital markets team led by Mary Sullivan and John Jugl join HFF’s Denver office



Mary Sullivan
DENVER, CO – HFF announced that a seven-person capital markets team led by Mary Sullivan and John Jugl has joined the firm’s Denver office.  The team, formerly of Jones Lang LaSalle, will focus on capital markets transactions in the office, industrial and retail sectors. 

                Mary Sullivan joins HFF as a senior managing director with more than 30 years of industry experience.  She has been involved in the sale of nearly 40 million square feet valued at more than $7.5 billion throughout the United States and has held positions at CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield and Trammell Crow Co.  

John Jugl
John Jugl, who has both a real estate and investment banking background, joins HFF as a senior managing director.  Jugl has held positions at Liberty-Greenfield, LLLP and George K. Baum & Company prior to joining Jones Lang LaSalle.  He has an MBA from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut.

                Additional team members joining Sullivan and Jugl are two real estate analysts, a junior producer, a graphics specialist and an administrative assistant.

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

Kristen M. Murphy
Associate Director
HFF | 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 700 | Houston, TX 77046
tel 713.852.3500 | cel 617.543.4873 | fax 713.527.8725 | www.hfflp.com

The Morrison Dublin, a DoubleTree by Hilton, Reopens Following $9.5 Million Refurbishment



Morrison Dublin Hotel, Dublin, Ireland
DUBLIN, Ireland – Ireland’s first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel has opened its doors, bringing one of Europe’s fastest growing upscale hotel brands to the Emerald Isle. 

A thoughtful and contemporary renovation of the Morrison hotel, in partnership with operators Martinez Hotels & Resorts, has seen the property’s 138 rooms and suites completely re-designed with a brand new concept centred on music and sound.

Stephen Mulligan, UK & Ireland director, Martinez Hotels & Resorts, said, “We set out with a very ambitious timeline for this project so we’re delighted to be opening the hotel on schedule and with the support of our new partners, Hilton Worldwide.

“The refurbishment coincides with a busier than normal event calendar for Ireland this year, and we believe the reopening will not only benefit the long term patrons of the Morrison, but will also contribute to the vibrancy of this up-and-coming part of Dublin.”

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

Huw Harrow / Maggie Giddens
Hilton Worldwide/DoubleTree by Hilton
+44 (0) 207 856 8035 / +1 703 883 5346

Sinéad Moore,
ReputationInc
Ph.  +353 (0) 1 478 6250
+353 (0) 86 375 1004

 Sinéad Ryan
Presence PR (For F&B queries)
Ph. +353 1 6761062
+353 86 8594226

Eastern Capital LLC Introduces New International Commercial Lending Division, Expands Into Major European Markets including India, Asia, France, Italy and Spain



ATLANTA, GA /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern Capital LLC, found on the internet at eastern-cap.com, has announced that it has proudly launched a newly formed International Lending division to aid commercial real estate developers abroad.

Eastern's domestic Commercial lending initiatives, which have been incredibly successful to date, provide the structure and underwriting horsepower for its new International Lending division.          

Eastern Capital LLC is focusing on financing offshore office complexes, hospitality sites, large multi-family housing projects, manufacturing and warehouses across all major European markets.

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

John Nash,
 Marketing Director,
Eastern Capital, LLC,
 +1-855-505-0508,

Amsdell Continues Rapid Growth And Enters Greater Atlanta Market With Purchase Of Three Class 'A' Self Storage Centers



CLEVELAND,  OH /PRNewswire/ -- Compass Self Storage, LLC, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, is proud to announce the purchase of three class 'A' self storage properties in the greater Atlanta, GA market.

The new storage centers represent over 175,000 net rentable square feet and will be operated by Compass Self Storage, LLC (www.compassselfstorage.com).

This acquisition marks the company's entrance to this market. The facilities offer climate-controlled units, drive up access, truck rental, and a full line of moving supplies.  These newest storage centers are located at:

JL Chip Mack III
1800 Sullivan Drive Duluth, GA 30096
2350 Atlanta Road Smyrna, GA 30080
3885 Frey Road Kennesaw, GA 30144

JL "Chip" Mack III with McWhirter Realty Partners LLC represented Amsdell.

This transaction marks a milestone as the company's current store portfolio grows to the 32-store mark. Amsdell completed 14 of those store acquisitions in 2012 alone.

 "We are proud to enter the Greater Atlanta market and service our new customers," stated Todd Amsdell, President.  "We will continue to seek out additional quality self storage properties in this market and other selected areas of the country as part of our acquisition program in 2013."

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

Todd Amsdell
President
216.458.0670

1,000 New Condos Proposed For Bal Harbour, Surfside and Bay Harbor Islands in South Florida



MIAMI, FL -- Developers are proposing nearly 1,000 new condo units in the Bal Harbour / Surfside / Bay Harbor Islands market of the barrier island in Northeast Miami-Dade County at a time when South Florida real estate shows signs of improving from a crash that began in 2007, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.

A combination of local and international developers - in unrelated projects - are proposing to construct 14 towers with a combined 140 floors of units on primarily waterfront locations that front the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway in the Bal Harbour / Surfside / Bay Harbor Islands market as of Jan. 31, 2013, according to the Preconstruction Condo Projects list compiled by the licensed Florida brokerage CVR Realty™.

Overall, developers in South Florida are proposed more than 100 condo towers with nearly 14,500 units in the tricounty coastal market of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach as of Jan. 31, 2013, according to research collected by the Preconstruction Condo Desk of CVR Realty™.

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

Condo Vultures® LLC
800-750-0517.

Marcus & Millichap Sells 392 HUD Units in Camden, NJ for $16.1 Million



The Crestbury Apartments, Camden, NJ
CAMDEN, NJ – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has sold a multifamily property totaling 392 units in Camden. The asset was delivered free and clear of debt. The sales price is $16.1 million.

            The multifamily brokerage team of Ridge MacLaren, Andrew Townsend and Clarke Talone had the exclusive listing and forged a marketing effort on behalf of the seller, a New Jersey-based limited liability company.

Ridge MacLaren
The buyer, also procured by the listing team, was Tryko Partners LLC of Brick, N.J.

            “The buyer received excellent financing on this low-income property,” says Townsend. “The new owner plans to make substantial capital improvements including new windows, boilers, kitchens, bathrooms and landscaping, which will vastly improve quality of life for the tenants.”

Andrew Townsend
 “The buyer and seller worked together to navigate through bureaucratic issues, including a challenging assumption of a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement,” adds MacLaren. “We congratulate both parties on a successful transaction that required a high degree of patience and confidence.”

The Crestbury is situated within a few miles of bridges heading into the city of Philadelphia. Built in 1950, it features one- and two-bedroom units overlooking a neighborhood park. 

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

Spencer Yablon
Vice President/Regional Manager
(215) 531-7000       


Marriott To Double In Size In Thailand: Signs Landmark Deal With TCC Hotels Group For Seven Hotels


Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, Bangkok

 BETHESDA, MD and BANGKOK  /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International announced the signing of seven management agreements with TCC Hotels Group which will see the US hospitality company operating seven TCC hotels across Thailand.

These agreements make the TCC Hotels Group the largest owner of Marriott International hotels in Asia Pacific.

The Ritz Carlton Bangkok
The seven hotels are:

 --  The Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, Bangkok to be rebranded as Bangkok Marriott Hotel Queen's Park
    --  Imperial Adamas Phuket Beach Resort to be rebranded as Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach
    --  HuaHin Marriott Resort & Spa
    --  Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa, Jomtien Beach
    --  JW Marriott Pattaya Resort & Spa
    --  Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments, Bangkok Surawong
-- The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok

HuaHin Marriott Resort & Spa
This landmark agreement will add 3,000 rooms to Marriott International's existing 12 hotels of 3,110 rooms across Thailand.

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

Dan Ford,
+852 2192 6146

Lawson Dann of Morrison Commercial Real Estate Completes Four Building Sales Totaling Over $5 Million



Lawson Dann
ORLANDO, FL -- Morrison Commercial Real Estate announced the completion of four building sales totaling over $5 Million.

 Lawson Dann closed four  building sales totaling in excess of $5.3 Million throughout Orlando in the last two (2) months.  Impressively, several of the properties were listed for less than 60 days. 

The most significant transaction was the sale of the property located at 3050 Technology Place in The Central Florida Research Park.  Westdale Capital Investments sold this 31,486± square foot building to Intelligent Decisions for a total of $3 Million.

3050 Technology Place
Central Florida Research Park
Orlando, FL
Other buildings sold include two buildings at 160-176 Park Center Street in Leesburg for $1.5 Million, the 14,677± sf building at 1790 Lee Road in Winter Park for $515,000, and the 5,500±sf building at 9207 S. Orange Avenue in Orlando for $325,000.

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

Buffy Gillette
Marketing & Production Associate
255 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1545
Orlando, Florida 32801
407.219.3500 x 290 | 407.440.6650 direct
407.219.3501 fax

Hilton Worldwide and Bayview Hospitality Group to Convert Downtown Toronto Metropolitan Hotel to DoubleTree by Hilton Brand



Metropolitan Hotel Toronto
TORONTO and MCLEAN, VA – Hilton Worldwide and Bayview Hospitality Group (BHG) announced that the landmark Metropolitan Hotel Toronto, which BHG recently acquired along with the hotel’s two restaurants, will become downtown Toronto’s first DoubleTree by Hilton. BHG will continue to operate the hotel when it converts to a DoubleTree by Hilton later this year.

“Entering the downtown of a gateway city such as Toronto with a well-known destination hotel and proven operators such as BHG is a great way for DoubleTree by Hilton to start the year,” said John Greenleaf global head DoubleTree by Hilton.

John Greenleaf
 “We’ve recently signed franchise agreements for hotel conversions in Kamloops, BC; West Edmonton, AB; and downtown Regina, SK. With all three planned to open this year, we will more than double our portfolio in the country.”

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

 Lauralee Dobbins
Daly Gray Public Relations
+1 703 435 6293

LYND Residential Properties Acquires Houston, TX Apartment Community



A. David Lynd
San Antonio, TX— Lynd Residential Properties (LRP), LYND's multifamily investment platform, has purchased the Limestone apartment complex in the Briar Forest-Ashwood sub-market of Houston. The purchase price for the off-market transaction was not disclosed.

Limestone is located at 14723 West Oaks Plaza Street in Houston, Texas

 LYND is a national real estate investment, development and management company specializing in the multifamily sector.

“We saw a multifamily property that fit well with our value-add strategy,” said A. David Lynd, LYND’s President and COO. “We will raise the property to Class A standards and expect to generate higher returns as we execute our business plan.”

 LRP purchased 438 units that sit on 26 acres facing West Oaks Plaza Drive near Richmond Avenue.  The location benefits from its excellent access to the Energy Corridor and retail venues on Westheimer Road, and fits well with LRP’s strategy of purchasing well-located properties in close proximiy to employment hubs in markets with strong overall job growth.

 LRP financed the transaction utilizing Fannie Mae, non-recourse financing and also prepaid a CMBS loan that was due to mature in late 2013.
  
 For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Todd Templin
Boardroom Communications
954-370-8999 or 954-290-0810

 Lynd Contact:
A. David Lynd, President/COO
210-364-3964

BBX Capital Completes Sale of 8.5-Acre Parcel in Fort Lauderdale, FL for $7.2 Million



Seth Wise
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- BBX Capital (NYSE: BBX), formerly BankAtlantic Bancorp, announced that its subsidiary BBX Capital Asset Management has sold an 8.5-acre land parcel located on the southwest corner of West Cypress Creek Road and Northwest 21st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

 The property, a vacant lot adjacent to the former BankAtlantic headquarters, was sold for $7.2 million to Cypress Creek Property Holdings, for approximately $847,000 an acre.

 “Over the last several months, BBX Capital has transitioned from a bank holding company into a diversified investment and asset management company,” commented Seth Wise, President of BBX Capital Asset Management.

“This transaction is a sample of our growing traction and momentum in the marketplace and our focus towards effectively monetizing our legacy real estate portfolio, all leading to the goal of allocating capital towards our core business growth,”

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

Caren Berg
Senior Vice President
Boardroom Communications, Inc
1776 N. Pine Island Road, #320
Plantation, FL  33322
954-370-8999
954-829-7064 Cell


Colliers Brings on Portfolio Manager to Real Estate Management Services Team in South Florida



Rick Wall
MIAMI, FL - Rick Wall, a 19-year property management professional with extensive experience throughout the Southeastern region, is now the newest member of the Colliers International South Florida team.

As Portfolio Manager, Rick provides leadership to Colliers South Florida Real Estate Management Services (REMS) and oversees the firm's portfolio of office, medical office, industrial and retail properties.

"We are excited that Rick has joined REMS as Portfolio Manager," says Kevin Rude, Director of Property Management. 

Kevin Rude
"We feel that his vast real estate experience in asset management and senior leadership roles will enable us to make a valuable contribution to our client's goals and objectives as we continue to navigate the current real estate cycle."

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

Crystal Proenza
Vice President of Marketing
Colliers International South Florida
Commercial Real Estate Services
Tel: 305 476 7138

$14.9 Million Apartment Complex Sale Arranged in Aurora, IL by Marcus & Millichap


  
Stone Crossing Apartments
Aurora, IL
 AURORA, IL – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has arranged the sale of Stone Crossing Apartments, a 258-unit apartment complex in Aurora. The asset commanded a selling price of $14,915,000, or $57,810 per unit.

            Eric Bell, a senior vice president investments, and Edward Liss, an associate, both in Marcus & Millichap’s Chicago O’Hare office, represented the buyer and seller, two Chicago-area investors.        

Edward Liss
“Interest rates are currently very attractive, so we expect the new owner to realize strong cash-on-cash returns from this asset moving forward,” says Bell.

“There is also an opportunity here to add value in the form of rent enhancements to match the Chicago metro’s improving suburban multifamily market; a steady trend that characterized 2012 and, though slowing slightly in 2013, shows no signs of abating.”

Located at 1240 Nantucket Road with frontage on Indian Trail Road, the 214,650-square foot property is comprised of 70 one-bedroom/one-bath units, 170 two-bedroom/one-bath units and 18 three-bedroom/one-and-one-half-bath townhome units.

Eric P. Bell
Amenities include laundry in each building and a grill courtyard in this C-plus asset. Tenants benefit from the enhanced privacy of a single road encircling the property.

In 2008, Stone Crossing Apartments received more than $3 million in capital improvements to the following: windows, hallways, landscaping, electrical and plumbing. The unit interiors received updated kitchens, baths and appliances.

Aurora is Illinois’ second-largest city and receives convenient 40-mile commuter train service to downtown Chicago.

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

Public Relations
(925) 953-1716