Tuesday, May 6, 2008

HFF, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2008 Financial and Transaction Production Results


PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- HFF, Inc. (the Company), through its Operating Partnerships, Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF LP) and HFF Securities L.P. (HFF Securities), is a leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services to the U.S. commercial real estate industry based on transaction volume and is one of the largest full-service commercial real estate financial intermediaries in the country.

(For a detailed copy of the company’s news release, please contact John H. Pelusi Jr., (top right photo) Chief Executive Officer, jpelusi@hfflp.com, 412 281 8714, or Gregory R. Conley, Chief Financial Officer, 412 281 8714, gconley@hfflp.com, or Myra F.Moren, Director, Investor Relations, 713 852 3500, mmoren@hfflp.com, or Laurie Fish McDowell, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, 617 338 0990, lfish@hfflp.com.)


Consolidated EarningsFirst Quarter Highlights

In the face of the continuing difficult and challenging credit and liquidity conditions in all global capital markets, especially in the U.S. capital markets, the Company generated first quarter total revenue of $32.2 million compared to $55.5 million in the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of $23.4 million or 42.1%.
The company had an operating loss of $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2008 compared to an operating profit of $7.7 million in the comparable period of 2007, a decrease of approximately $9.3 million, or 119.9%.

This decrease in operating income is attributable to the decrease in production volumes and related revenue from the prior year in several of the Company's capital markets services platforms. Offsetting this decrease in revenue of approximately $23.4 million is a reduction in total operating expenses of approximately $14.1 million in the first quarter 2008 compared to the same period of the prior year.

This reduction in operating expenses is a result of a decrease in cost of services of approximately $11.0 million which is primarily due to the decrease in commissions and other incentive compensation directly related to the lower capital markets services revenues and a decrease in operating, administrative and other expenses (including depreciation and amortization) of $3.1 million, which is primarily related to a reduction in other performance based accruals and depreciation and amortization.

The Company reported a net loss for the first quarter 2008 of approximately $1.0 million compared with net income of $3.2 million for the same period in 2007.

The Company's net loss reported for the first quarter 2008 is not directly comparable to the net income reported for the first quarter 2007 primarily due to the minority interest adjustment, which reflects HFF Holdings, LLC's (Holdings) ownership interest in the Operating Partnerships as well as the change in income tax structure following the reorganization transactions and initial public offering on January 30, 2007.

This first quarter 2008 net loss includes a $0.1 million adjustment to reflect the impact of the minority ownership interest of Holdings in the Operating Partnerships for the entire three months of the quarter.

The Company made an adjustment of $3.9 million in the first quarter 2007 to reflect the minority ownership interest of Holdings in the Operating Partnerships for two months of the quarter subsequent to the initial public offering on January 30, 2007.

Prior to January 30, 2007, Holdings owned 100% of the Operating Partnerships and, accordingly, there were no adjustments to reflect the impact of minority ownership interests or associated corporate federal and state income taxes for the period of January 1, 2007 through January 30, 2007.

Net loss attributable to Class A common stockholders for the first quarter 2008 was $0.06 per diluted share.

HFF Arranges $7.21M Refinancing for Town & Country Shopping Center in Corpus Christi, TX



HOUSTON, TX, May 6, 2008– The Houston office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that it arranged a $7.21 million refinancing for Town & Country Shopping Center, a 94,736-square-foot retail center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

HFF managing director Tucker Knight (top right photo) and real estate analyst Steve Gautier worked exclusively on behalf of the borrower, Fowler Property Acquisitions to secure the two-year, 6.5% fixed-rate loan with The Mission Bank to refinance existing debt.


Fowler Property Acquisitions, LLC is a privately capitalized real estate investment firm focused on the acquisition of multifamily, industrial, office, retail and land properties in select markets throughout the Western United States.

Originally built in 1958 and renovated in 2007, Town & Country Shopping Center is 62% leased to tenants including TCBY, Subway, Schlotsky’s and Hollywood Video. The property is situated on a 6.2-acre site at 4250 South Alameda Street close to Ocean Drive and the Bay of Corpus Christi.

CONTACTS:

Laurie Fish McDowell
HFF Associate Director, Marketing
One Post Office Square, Suite 3500
Boston, MA 02109
tel 617.338.0990
fax 617.338.2150

Tucker S. Knight
HFF Managing Director
713 852 3500













Brigham Moore Attains Highest Jury Award for Eminent Domain Valuation in Florida Circuit Court

Jury awards Keystone Coal $67 million in case with Jaxport

JACKSONVILLE, FL – In an eminent domain proceeding that began just after Florida tightened its eminent domain laws, Brigham Moore LLP, Florida’s largest private property rights defense firm, has attained a $67 million jury verdict for its client, Keystone Coal.

This is the largest eminent domain jury verdict ever in circuit court in the state of Florida, according to the law firm.

For the past few years, Keystone has been involved in a hotly-disputed eminent domain battle with the Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport), which is conducting a slow take of Keystone’s 70-acre property along the St. Johns River.
Keystone intended to develop it into a large-scale coal/bulk cargo terminal. Although Keystone challenged the taking, the courts decided to allow it in 2006.

On April 21, 2008 a jury trial began to determine the value of the property. Jaxport valued the property at $17 million. In a slow take eminent domain proceeding, the condemning authority has the right to wait until a valuation to make a final decision about whether to take the property.

For eight years, Tom Scholl, (top right photo) a third generation coal man who once worked in the mines of West Virginia, sought to secure property along the St. Johns River in Jacksonville to develop a deep water bulk cargo depot for Keystone Coal and affiliated companies to offload coal, coke and anthracite from sources throughout the world.

Prior to the filing of Jaxport’s lawsuit, Scholl secured a letter of commitment to purchase the property in April of 2005 for $8 million. Jaxport competed with Scholl in free enterprise and had passed on purchasing this property twice before.

Scholl paid the asking price of the seller and knew it to be a bargain. He was willing to accept the environmental risk associated with a former 12-acre landfill, but saw great worth in the property as an intermodal gateway for coal that others in the marketplace did not see at the time.

After Scholl’s purchase, Jaxport entered into discussions with a competing coal interest, Drummond Coal Company, to negotiate a long term lease on the Keystone property with a minimum guarantee of $11 million annual rent. However, pretrial rulings of the trial judge prevented the jury from hearing any evidence of the income to be made by Jaxport, leaving the attorneys who tried the case to prove the measure of full compensation through comparable sales alone.

The problem was, there weren’t any properties as strategically located as the Keystone property from which to compare for valuation purposes, although the appraisers went beyond Jacksonville to Charleston, S.C., Savannah, Ga. and Tampa, Fl. to locate sales. Jaxport’s lawyers argued heavily that Scholl’s bargain price paid in 2005 was the market value as of 2008.

Keystone’s lawyers Andrew Prince Brigham,(top left photo) Jackson Bowman, (photo at right below Tom Scholl) and Mark Natirboff (photo at right below Jackson Bowman) of Brigham Moore LLP prevailed in having the jury consider Keystone’s appraisal of the property at $66 million and Keystone owner Tom Scholl’s opinion of value at $80 million. (Ferry service at Jacksonville Port Authority photo at left)

“In many ways, litigating with a port is tougher than fighting city hall,” said Brigham, who added, “a jury’s determination of full compensation acts to level the playing field between government and the individual.”

When asked how the case was won, Brigham said that “Jaxport can take private property through eminent domain, but it does not have the right to take an owner’s bargain or the economic advantage away secured by the owner in free enterprise. The jury understood that and recognized the tremendous worth of the property.”

“To this day, it is still Tom Scholl’s desire to keep the property and develop it into a productive coal/bulk cargo terminal,” added Brigham.

Brigham Moore(www.brighammoore.com) is Florida's leading statewide eminent domain and property rights defense firm with offices in Jacksonville, Miami/Coral Gables, West Palm Beach, Sarasota and St. Petersburg.

Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Brigham Moore has built a statewide and national reputation for zealous protection of property rights and for skillful advocacy in pursuit of constitutional full compensation. (Photo at right below shows the 754-acre Blount Island Marine Terminal, Jaxport's largest container facility.

Contacts:

Sue Siebert or
Don Silver of Boardroom Communications,
954-370-8999 or
Chief Operating Officer
Boardroom Communications, Inc.
1776 N. Pine Island Rd., Suite 320
Plantation, FL 33322
Voice: (954)370-8999
Fax: (954)370-8892
Cell: (954)629-7523

Major Shopping Center Site To Be Sold in Greensboro, NC


GREENSBORO, N.C., PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Hedgecock Builders Supply Company of Greensboro has declared the former Hedgecock Builders Supply Company site (above photo) at Market Street and Guilford College Road to be sold.

Hedgecock Builders Supply Company operated on this site since the 1950s.

After many decades of success at this location, they have closed the business and are now ready to sell this important commercial property.

The property consists of 37.333+/-Acres which will be offered in two parcels and as a whole.This property represents one of the largest shopping center development sites in western Greensboro.

It is strategically located near the new Honda Jet facility, (photo at left below) the FedEx hub (photo at right) and the Piedmont Triad International Airport.(top left photo)

It is currently zoned CU-SC and RM-12, which allows for shopping center development in addition to high density residential.

The firm of Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. of Rockingham, NC has been commissioned to conduct the offering, which shall be a Sealed Bid Auction.The bids will be received until Wednesday, June 4th at 2pm.

Thomas McInnis of Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. states: "This property represents an outstanding development opportunity due to the size of the tract. It is one of the largest development sites in the western Greensboro & airport area. This property is ripe for a variety of exciting ventures. We invite all interested parties to inspect and participate in this important event."


CONTACT:

Thomas McInnis of Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc.,
+1-910-997-2248

Monday, May 5, 2008

REIT Credit Analysis: Public Storage Boosted by Operations, Opportunistic Approach


NEW YORK, NY-- Cash flows generated by Public Storage’s (PSA) sizeable portfolio and management’s opportunistic approach toward self-storage property acquisitions and refinancings through economic cycles are two integral factors that support the REIT’s Positive Outlook going forward, according to the latest credit analysis update by Fitch Ratings.

Fitch affirmed PSA's Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A-' on April 18 and revised the REIT's Rating Outlook to Positive from Stable. Fitch's latest credit analysis update on PSA, which provides more detail supporting Fitch's ratings, is available on the Fitch Ratings web site at 'www.fitchratings.com'.

Fitch currently rates PSA and affiliate Shurgard Storage Centers, Inc. (Shurgard) as follows:
PSA --IDR ‘A–’.
Shurgard --IDR ‘A–’.
Primary credit strengths include the following:
--Low leverage;
--Large unencumbered asset pool;
--Solid and consistent coverage metrics;
--Strong liquidity position;
--Highly granular asset base.

Primary credit concerns include the following:
--Preference for more expensive capital;
--Occupancy below 90% in some markets.

Contact:

Sean Pattap +1-212-908-0642 or
Steven Marks +1-212-908-9161, New York.

Media Relations:

Sandro Scenga, New York, Tel: +1 212-908-0278.

Sikon Starts The Current at Lee Vista, an 800,000-SF Open-Air Retail Center Near Orlando International Airport

(The Current at Lee Vista rendering above by Beame Architectural Partnership, Coral Gables, FL)

ORLANDO, FL – The Central Florida office of SIKON Construction Corporation is under way on The Current at Lee Vista, a much-anticipated, new multimillion-dollar, 800,000-square-foot mixed-use, open-air retail center to feature major national and local retailers within Orlando’s most vibrant quadrant near Orlando International Airport.

Developed by Premier Properties USA, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, the 85-acre project will be one of the largest mixed-use retail developments in the nation. The streetscape and landscaping will give The Current the edgy, energetic and youthful atmosphere which will position it as a world-class destination, creating a powerful, modern visual environment blending well-developed, exciting public pedestrian spaces with drama, simplicity and eclectic materials.

Designed by Beame Architectural Partnership, Coral Gables, the project is slated for completion in early spring 2009. One of the nation’s leading retail-commercial contractors, SIKON’s Central Florida office is located at 500 N. Maitland Avenue, Suite 303, Maitland, FL, phone 407-644-4447.

Longtime Florida construction veteran Dale E. Scott, (top right photo) Senior Vice President of SIKON, says that the company has begun grading, site work and underground infrastructure at the site fronting State Road 436 between Lee Vista Boulevard and Hazeltine National Drive. Scott added that vertical construction is expected to commence within ninety days.

SIKON Construction Corporation is a full-service general contractor and construction manager primarily to the retail industry as well as for office buildings, mixed-use and other commercial projects. The company is currently building a number of high-profile projects across Florida including the new multimillion-dollar Promenade at Coconut Creek, a 550,000-square-foot LEED-certified mixed-use development, and One Village Place, an upscale 10-story, 192,202-square-foot mixed-use development adjacent to The Village at Merrick Park in Coral Gables, FL.

SIKON is headquartered (photo at right) at 431 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, phone 954-354-8338. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.sikon.com/.


CONTACT:
Kenneth H. Cristol, President,
Cristol Marketing Company
237 Hunt Club Blvd., Suite 102,
Longwood, FL 32779 USA
PH 407-774-2515
FX 407-774-6647
Strategic Marketing, Brand Management,
Publicity and Advertising,
and Corporate Communications

Cousins Announces More Retailers at The Avenue(R) Forsyth


Aeropostale, American Eagle and NY & Co. Among Latest Retailers Coming to 527,000-Square-foot Mixed-use Development in Suburban Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA--Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) announces a new list of retailers that have signed leases at The Avenue Forsyth, (photos at top and at left) a 527,000-square-foot mixed-use development atthe intersection of Georgia 400 and Georgia 141 (Peachtree Parkway) in Forsyth County, one of the U.S Census Bureau's top 10 fastest growing counties for 2007.


Construction of phase I of the project, which includes 64,000 square feet of office space, began in January 2007 and the project will open on May 14. In addition, Cousins owns 39 adjacent acres for future expansion of the project.

The retailers with signed leases at The Avenue Forsyth include Aeropostale, AMC Avenue Forsyth 12, American Eagle, Ann Taylor Loft, Aria (Aveda), Avalon Nails, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Works, Chico's, The Chocolatier;

Christopher and Banks, Circuit City, CJBanks, Claire's, Coldwater Creek, Dreamy Gelato, DSW, Fuzzwig's CandyFactory, Game Stop, GNC, Ichiban Steak & Sushi, J. Jill, Jos. A. Bank, Lane Bryant;

Lenscrafters, Limited Too, Little Azio, Movie Stop, Natural Body Spa & Shop, New York & Company, Origins, Outside World, Rack Room Shoes, Relax the Back, Select Comfort, Straw Dog, StrideRite, Sunglass Hut, Surftown USA, Sweet & Sassy, Tailgaters Alley, Talbots, Ted's Montana Grill, Victoria's Secret, White House/Black Market and Yogurberry.

Outparcel leases include Chick-fil-A, Colonial Bank, CVS, Jim & Nick's BBQ, The Firkin & Crown, Red Robin andSunTrust. In addition to these signed leases, there are additional retailer commitments that bring the retail space in phase I to 70 percent committed.

"The quality of these retailer and restaurant commitments speaks volumes about the dynamic and affluent trade area around The Avenue Forsyth," said Joel Murphy, (top right photo) president of Cousins' Retail Division. "We look forward to bringing The Avenue concept to the great communities that make Forsyth County such a wonderful place to live, work, shop and dine."

The Avenue Forsyth is Cousins' fifth Atlanta-area Avenue-concept center and the ninth the Company has developed since 1998. The Avenue concept, introduced by Cousins Properties in 1998, has been extremely well received by consumers and retailers alike.

In contrast to a mall, these open-air, pedestrian friendly centers appeal to the discriminating and often time-constrained shopper looking for premier national retailers, select local merchants and specialty restaurants in a convenient setting.

Cousins Properties has opened or has under construction five Avenues in the Atlanta area, one in suburban Memphis, one in suburban Nashville and one in Viera, Fla.

For more information about The Avenue, please visit http://www.shoptheavenue.com/

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008, Cousins Properties Incorporated is a leading diversified real estate company with extensive experience in development, acquisition, financing, management and leasing.


Based in Atlanta, the Company actively invests in office, multi-family, retail, industrial and land developmentprojects. Since its founding, Cousins has developed 20 million square feet of office space, 20 million square feet of retail space, more than 3,500 multi-family units and more than 60 single-family neighborhoods.

The Company is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust (REIT) and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CUZ. For more, please visitwww.cousinsproperties.com.

CONTACT:

Cousins Properties Incorporated Investment Community:
Mark Russell, Senior Vice President,
404-407-1390

Media: Matt Gove, Vice President,
404-407-1490

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Joint Venture Signs First Management Contract in India


ARLINGTON, VA—Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR), a leading hotel real estate investor and the nation’s largest independent operator of full- and select-service hotels, announces its joint venture management company, JHM Interstate Hotels India, has signed a contract to manage its first property in India.

The 50-50 joint venture was formed between Interstate and JHM Hotels, one of the largest independent developers and owners of hotels in the U.S., to operate and selectively invest in hotels in India. The joint venture was announced in late February 2008.

The venture’s first executed contract is for a 124-room, under construction hotel located in Vizag (Visakhapatnam), India, a coastal city in the state of Andhra Pradesh on India’s eastern shore.

Interstate is in the process of securing a major U.S. brand for the hotel and expects to announce an affiliation shortly. The hotel, owned by Vishnupriya Hotels Resorts Private Limited, broke ground in July 2007 and is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2008.

“This contract marks our official entry into India’s fast-growing lodging market and establishes JHM Interstate Hotels India as one of the first independent, international hotel management companies to be located there,” said Thomas F. Hewitt, (top right photo) chief executive officer of Interstate.

“This five-star, business-class hotel is typical of the properties the partnership seeks. It is situated in an upscale neighborhood of Vizag, which has the largest port in India. It is strategically located between Kolkata and Chennai and is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, according to a recent United Nations study.
"We look forward to expanding our relationship with Vishnupriya Hotels Resorts, which is exploring additional hotel opportunities.” (Photo at right shows fishing vessel in Bay of Bengal)

“We sourced the hotel through our strategic partner, JNB Hotels and Resorts Private Limited, a subsidiary of JNB LLC, a U.S.-based real estate investment group with strong ties to India. JNB has developed a robust pipeline of hotel management opportunities throughout the country for us,” said Leslie Ng, Interstate chief investment officer. “The joint venture also is actively sourcing other management opportunities throughout key markets in India.”

Located at 10-28-3, Uplands, Waltair Main Road, Visakhapatnam, India, the upscale, full-service hotel is nestled among the hills of the Eastern Ghats (map at right below) and faces the Bay of Bengal (top left map) to the east. (Photo at left shows seaport at Vizag.)

The property features panoramic ocean and city views and includes three restaurants, a spa/gym and two presidential suites. The hotel is being designed by D.M. Upasni, a prominent India based architect specializing in the hospitality industry with significant experience throughout the world.

His unique approach to the Vizag project combines an architecturally distinctive design and the natural beauty of the site in a property destined to become a new landmark in Vizag.
JHM Interstate Hotels India is a joint venture partnership between JHM Hotels and Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc, formed to operate and invest in hotels in India. (Photo at right shows the High Court at Hyderabad, the main judicial body for the state of Andhra Pradesh.)

JHM Hotels, a premier lodging company based in Greenville S.C., with offices in Mumbai and Surat, India, has developed, acquired, owned and operated hotels throughout the United States for more than 34 years.

The company currently owns and operates 30 U.S. hotels with more than 5,000 guestrooms and has over 1,500 additional rooms under development/construction, operating under such well-known brands as Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt.

For more information about JHM Hotels, visit the company’s Web site: http://www.jhmhotels.com/.
(Photo at left shows Kakateeya sculpture at Warangal, in state of Andhra Pradesh, India, )

As of March 31, 2008, Interstate Hotels & Resorts has ownership interests in 54 hotels and resorts, including seven wholly owned assets. Together with these properties, the company and its affiliates manage a total of 217 hospitality properties with approximately 45,000 rooms in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada and Ireland.

Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has contracts to manage 17 to be built hospitality properties with approximately 4,000 rooms. For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company’s Web site: http://www.ihrco.com/.
(Photo at left shows Cyber Towers at Hyderabad, the state capital and largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh)

CONTACTS:
Julie Tullbane
Daly Gray Public Relations
T 703-435-6293
F 703-435-6297
julie@dalygray.com

Carrie McIntyre
SVP, Treasurer
(703) 387-3320