Metrospaces Appoints Alejandro Laplana to Board of Directors

Alejandro Laplana

 

NEW YORK, NY -- Metrospaces, Inc. (OTC: MSPC), a PropTech company powered by Shokworks, has appointed Alejandro Laplana, founder and CEO of Shokworks, to its Board of Directors.

 Laplana also serves as Chief Technology Officer for Metrospaces.

Laplana’s technology company Shokworks has developed more than 150 digital platforms for some of the world’s leading brands, sports teams and broadcasters.

Oscar Brito 

“We’ve found our partnership with Shokworks to be extremely successful and have been wowed by Alejandro’s expertise and leadership as CTO of our company,” Metrospaces CEO Oscar Brito said. “It was a natural fit for him to join our Board of Directors.”

  Laplana, 32, has directly generated more than $150 million co-investing with clients to develop projects with brands such as Immersity, Cryptobucks, Rivals, Kinesis Money and more.

  Previously, he was managing principal of Nesting Partners LLC, a patent-focused venture capital firm. In 2016, he advised his native Venezuela on intellectual property strategy.

 Contact:

 Sara Burgos

 sburgos@sunwestpr.com

(469) 221-1820

 

Dream Finders Homes’ Model Townhomes to Open in Mid-October at Seminole Crossing in Winter Springs, FL

 Two-story, 1,757-SF Aloma model
at Seminole Crossing
 in Winter Springs, FL

 

 WINTER SPRINGS, FL – Dream Finders Homes is nearing completion of construction on two luxury townhome models that will open in mid-October at its new Seminole Crossing community near Lake Jesup in Winter Springs.

The two-story Aloma and the three-story Seminole offer generous living areas in 1,757 and 2,353 square feet of space, respectively, according to Gerry Boeneman, president of the company’s Central Florida division.

Three-story, 2,353-SF Seminole model
at Seminole Crossing
in Winter Springs, FL 

“We’re excited to offer four very different floor plans at the Seminole Crossing community,” Boeneman said. “Our spacious three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhomes are designed with either a den or an optional fourth bedroom.”

Located along Lake Jesup and the 23-mile Cross Seminole Trail, the tranquil community is only 30 minutes from downtown Orlando and mere steps from dining and shopping at the Winter Springs Town Center .  Attractions and major entertainment are a short drive away.

The stylish townhomes at Seminole Crossing offer an open layout, high ceilings and upgraded designer fixtures, as well as a no-maintenance exterior with an inviting porch, front columns and Hardie Board siding. 

Gerry Boeneman

Amenities include a swimming pool, cabanas and numerous dog stations. Prices start in the mid-$300,000s. 

“I think this community is perfect for anyone – from first-time homebuyers to growing families to retirees – looking for a carefree, luxury lifestyle,” Boeneman said. For more information about homes at Seminole Crossing, please call 888-354-9924 or visit dreamfindershomes.com to join the VIP list for community updates.

 CONTACTS:

Gerry Boeneman, Division President, Dream Finders Homes,

888-214-1164 or

 Gerry.Boeneman@dreamfindershomes.com

 

Samantha Foss, Marketing Manager, Dream Finders Homes, 888-214-1164 

or Samantha.Foss@dreamfindershomes.com

Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications,

407-644-4142, 407-461-3781 or beth@larryvershel.com 

 

 

DAUM Commercial Real Estate Services directs $63 million acquisition of Class A industrial asset in Los Angeles County

 

 Jordan Lara

PICO RIVERA, CA – DAUM Commercial Real Estate Services has directed the $63 million acquisition of a 173,134 square-foot, Class A industrial property in the Los Angeles County submarket of Pico Rivera, California.

The asset was purchased by Chicago-based industrial real estate investment company CenterPoint Properties from the occupant in an off-market, sale-leaseback transaction, according to Jordan Lara, an Executive Vice Principal at DAUM Commercial.

Jordan completed the transaction alongside DAUM Executive Vice President Rudy Lara and Vice President Nick Peukpiboon.

Rudy Lara 

“This property is a true core investment, providing the buyer the incredibly rare opportunity to add a high-quality industrial property with long-term stabilization in an infill Los Angeles County location to its portfolio,” explains Jordan.

“We were able to effectively demonstrate the current and future value of the property and its location within an emerging submarket, ultimately closing what is one of the highest per-square-foot industrial sales for a building of this quality and size in the county to date.”

The property is located at 8500 Mercury Lane in Pico Rivera, California, less than two miles from the Interstate 5 Freeway.

Nick Peukpiboon

It features a 32-foot clear-height, 24 dock-high doors with the potential for six additional doors, and an ESFR sprinkler system.

 CONTACTS:

Arleeny Escarcega / Elisabeth Manville  
Brower Group  
(949) 438-6262 
aescarcega@brower-group.com 

www.daumcommercial.com.

 

Four Pillars Capital Markets hires Afshan Kabani as director in Dallas, TX

Afshan Kabani

 

 DALLAS, TX -- Four Pillars Capital Markets, a debt services brokerage that provides debt and equity financing solutions for commercial real estate investment properties, has announced the hire of Afshan Kabani as Director in its Dallas, Texas office.

 Afshan specializes in securing commercial debt financing for various property categories including multifamily, net lease, retail, office and industrial.

 Prior to joining the firm, she served as Associate Director with Marcus & Millichap, where she arranged financing on behalf of both owners and developers.

 

 Farhan Kabani

“We are so proud and excited to have Afshan on our roster of experienced originators,” said Farhan Kabani, Partner.

 “She works hard to share her market knowledge with her clients and colleagues, while leveraging her strong lending relationships into executions for her clients’ transactions.

 "Afshan embodies the core pillars of the firm: Service, Excellence, Collaboration and Access.”

  CONTACT:

  David Ebeling

 Ebeling Communications

 (949) 278-7851

 david@ebelingcomm.com

 

www.fpcm.com.

 

Popular Pride Factory Signs Lease for New Store in Wilton Manors, FL

 Kaley Tuning 

  FORT LAUDERDALE, FL –  – Native Realty Founder and CEO Jaime Sturgis announces the completion of more than 25,000 square feet of new leases at the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, including a deal for popular LGBTQ retailer Pride Factory to relocate from Fort Lauderdale to the Wilton Manors retail center. 

The firm’s Sturgis and Kaley Tuning exclusively represent Shoppes of Wilton Manors owner Grass River Property in leasing the repositioned former big-box property.

Before leasing the nearly 5,000-square-foot space at Shoppes of Wilton Manors, Pride Factory operated out of Fort Lauderdale for more than 25 years. It plans to open the new location in late 2021 and is in negotiations to add another 2,000 square feet of adjacent space at the center.

 

Shoppes of Wilton Manors
is part of the city’s Arts
 and Entertainment District

Pride Factory markets itself as the largest LGBTQ store in the Southeast U.S., with an array of clothing, swimwear, gym wear and more. It is relocating from its longtime store on Fort Lauderdale’s 13th Street.

 “We have been able to consistently generate leasing activity at the center throughout the global pandemic,” Sturgis said. “Grass River has done a great job revitalizing the property, and we are thrilled to see the center grow with a complementary mix of tenants.”

 Native finalized several additional new leases at Shoppes of Wilton Manors, including:

 BRXV Fitness, a full-service gym that is occupying 13,989 square feet at the center

• Immediate Care Clinic, LLC, a chiropractor that is leasing 3,421 square feet
• Mix Menswear, a clothing store that renewed its 2,516-square-foot lease at the center
• Doggy Style Pet Boutique, a high-end pet groomer that is leasing 1,370 square feet
• 
  

Jaime Sturgis

Located at 2262 Wilton Drive, the Shoppes of Wilton Manors is part of the city’s Arts and Entertainment District. Grass River acquired the center in 2018 and completed substantial renovations and capital improvements at the 5.4-acre property.

 

Native Realty is headquartered at 1926 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.

  

CONTACT:

 

 

Eric Kalis

Vice President

 BoardroomPR

ekalis@boardroompr.com

O 954-370-8999 

C 305-794-5123

Bank of America Plaza

1776 N Pine Island Road

Suite 320 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322

Web | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

 

RKW RESIDENTIAL Hires Gerardo Gato as Executive Vice President of Finance

Gerardo Gato

 Miami, FL, Sept. 28, 2021 — As RKW Residential’s rapid ascension to the top of the multifamily industry continues, the premier property management company is making another significant addition to its executive team with the arrival of Gerardo Gato as RKW’s Executive Vice President of Finance.

 Gato, who is based in RKW’s Miami office, has more than two decades of business experience across multiple industries.

Prior to joining RKW, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Monument Capital Management – one of many companies operated under Alex Rodriguez’s A-Rod Corp. 

 Before that, he was the CFO and Controller for major real estate investor and developer Adler Group and its subsidiaries and real estate holdings.

 

Marcie Williams

“We are thrilled to welcome Gerardo Gato to our team,” RKW President Marcie Williams said. “His multifaceted experience in operations, finance and development makes him a great asset. We plan to utilize his vast knowledge in many ways.”

 Gato earned a master’s degree in International Real Estate and a bachelor's degree in Finance from Florida International University. 

He specializes in all areas of accounting and financial management with an emphasis in real estate, consolidations, cash flow projections, financial modeling and real estate software applications.

 

 Alex Rodriguez

“It’s exciting to join a company that has grown to where it is now in such a short time,” Gato said. “I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues to take our growth to even greater heights.”

  

  CONTACT:

 

 

Eric Kalis

Vice President

 BoardroomPR

ekalis@boardroompr.com

O 954-370-8999 

C 305-794-5123

Bank of America Plaza

1776 N Pine Island Road

Suite 320 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322

Web | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

 

www.rkwresidential.com.

 

Trez Capital Adds A.J. Hammond to Growing Atlanta Office as Vice President, Origination

A.J. Hammond

 

 ATLANTA, GA – Trez Capital, a private real estate lender helping to build better communities across North America, is pleased to announce that A.J. Hammond has joined the company as Vice President, Origination in Atlanta.

 Hammond, who will operate out of the growing Atlanta office, brings extensive commercial real estate experience to the team. He is versed in real estate finance transactions, asset management and special servicing.

Caperton “Cap” Putt 

Hammond is Trez Capital’s third major hire in Atlanta in 2021. 

 In April, the firm added Managing Director Caperton “Cap” Putt to lead the office, followed by Ryan Hodgdon who joined in June as Vice President, Origination.

 

“We welcome A.J. Hammond to Trez Capital’s Atlanta office with great enthusiasm,” said Putt.  

“His arrival comes at an ideal time to help us build a better future for our team, Trez Capital, our borrowers, and most importantly for businesses, families and communities. Our growing team will allow us to support sustainable growth in the markets our office serves.”

 

Ryan Hodgdon 

Hammond will be responsible for originating potential investments and sourcing new business opportunities for Trez Capital’s Atlanta loan origination platform covering the Atlanta MSA and broader Southeastern market.

 

Prior to joining the company, Hammond served as a credit officer with Voya Investment Management’s Real Estate Finance Group, where he was responsible for the review of third-party report diligence, lease/estoppel/SNDA (Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment) procurement, and negotiated structured loan features of over $3 billion in commercial mortgages.

 

 

  CONTACT:

 

 

Eric Kalis

Vice President

 BoardroomPR

ekalis@boardroompr.com

O 954-370-8999 

C 305-794-5123

Bank of America Plaza

1776 N Pine Island Road

Suite 320 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322

Web | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

www.trezcapital.com.

call 470-206-7007 or  email ajhammond@trezcapital.com.

 

The Castell Project Presents 2021 Castell Award to Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global Chief Executive Officer of JLL Hotels & Hospitality

Gilda Perez-Alvarado

ATLANTA,GA, Sept. 28, 2021—Officials of Castell Project, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the careers of women professionals in the hospitality industry, today named Global Chief Executive Officer of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Gilda Perez-Alvarado, as the recipient of its second annual Castell Award honoring a woman leader in the hospitality investment arena.

 The award was presented to Perez-Alvarado at the 2021 Lodging Conference held in Phoenix, Ariz., where she received a piece by artist Brad McCollum personally designed to evoke her heritage, her role as a trailblazer and her leadership as a champion of women in hospitality real estate.

 In her role with JLL, Perez-Alvarado is responsible for investment sales, debt and equity placement, strategic advisory and asset management across three global regions: Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Brad McCollum and friend

 She also serves on the Global Advisory Board of Qiddiya, a PIF-funded giga project in Saudi Arabia, serves in the Board of Directors of Sonder, is an active member of IREFAC, and a member of Cornell School of Hotel Administration Dean’s Advisory Board.

 Perez-Alvarado is also a two-time recipient of the Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the year at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit.

She remains the only woman to date to receive this award. As a mother, Perez-Alvarado exemplifies the truth that leadership and motherhood strengthen each other.

  “With women comprising 70% of the tourism and hospitality labor force worldwide, it is imperative that we set up an industry and a workplace that works for women. We have to invest in their education and ensure equal rights. It is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do,” Perez-Alvarado said.

 

 Peggy Berg

“It is a pleasure to showcase the fabulous powerful women like Gilda now leading the hospitality industry – particularly in real estate and finance,” said Peggy Berg, Castell Project president. “In a field notoriously resistant to change, Gilda’s success shows that companies which develop diverse talent win in the marketplace.”

  CONTACT:

 

CHRIS DALY

PRESIDENT

DG Public Relations, LLC

42806 Oatyer Court

Broadlands, Va. 20148

Main: 703-435-6293

Mobile: 703-864-5553

 chris@dalygray.com | www.dalygray.com

www.CastellProject.org.

 

Tech veteran Natasha Nelson joins Retailsphere in Lehi, UT

Natasha Nelson

 

 Lehi, UT, Sept. 27, 2021 -- Retailsphere, an innovative data and software provider to the retail industry, announced today it has hired 10-year technology industry veteran Natasha Nelson as Head of Telephone Research and Call Center Operations. 

Nelson is responsible for building a more robust research team, ensuring data quality, and streamlining research operational flow.

 Prior to joining Retailsphere, Nelson served as Director of Research at Knowland where she was responsible for management of their research analyst team and call center personnel.

Mike McKean

 “As the retail industry continues to evolve, our services continue to be crucial the success of companies,” said Mike McKean, Retailsphere Founder. 

“We are confident that the proven research techniques that Natasha brings to the team will lead to a substantial increase growth of the company.”

 CONTACT:

David Ebeling

Ebeling Communications

949.861.8351

949.278.7851 (Cell)

david@ebelingcomm.com

Member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE)

“PR Strategist for the Commercial Real Estate Industry:  I do what I love and love what I do.”