Wednesday, August 13, 2008

HFF arranges $56.34M financing for SFO Logistics Center in southern San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced has arranged $56.34 million in financing for the acquisition of SFO Logistics Center, (top right aerial) an existing industrial property and adjacent 5.2-acre land parcel in south San Francisco, California.

HFF managing director Peter Smyslowski and executive managing director Scott McMullin (HFF Los Angeles) (middle left photo) worked on behalf of Centrum Properties, Inc. and Angelo, Gordon & Co. to secure the 36-month, non-recourse, adjustable-rate loan through Capmark Finance, Inc.

The loan amount represents 70% of the total project capitalization and carries a risked based of 3.25% over the 30 Day LIBOR index. Loan proceeds were used to acquire the assets and will fund repositioning of the partially leased property.

The SFO Logistics Center consists of an existing 571,913-square-foot warehouse distribution center situated on 19.5 acres and an adjacent 5.2-acre “small parcel”. The borrower is proposing the addition of numerous loading slips and 52,200 square feet of newly constructed, industrial buildings to the “small parcel”.

In addition, the “small parcel” will allow for greater mobility for the tractor trailers and additional parking.

Located at 1070 San Mateo Avenue, The SFO Logistics Center is one quarter mile from the San Francisco International Airport close to the intersection of Interstates 280 and 380 and The Bayshore Freeway in southern San Francisco.

“The SFO Logistics Center has historically been used as a government services distribution facility,” said Smyslowski.
“The borrower realized an opportunity to take an existing asset with strong distribution qualities and an irreplaceable location, add immense value by merging the property with the adjacent site, which will greatly enhance the distribution and logistical qualities of the asset.”

Centrum Properties is a Chicago-based developer formed in 1980 that focuses on distinctive mixed-use, residential and commercial properties throughout the United States.

Angelo, Gordon & Co. is a privately-held investment advisor having invested in $5 billion of commercial real estate since its founding in 1993.

CONTACTS:

Peter Smyslowski, HFF Managing Director, 415 276 6300, psmyslowski@hfflp.com

Laurie Fish McDowell, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, 617 338 0990, lmcdowell@hfflp.com

L&B Realty Advisors and Barshop & Oles Company acquire Brodie Oaks Shopping Center in Austin, TX

DALLAS, TX – The Dallas office of HFF (Holliday, Fenoglio, Fowler, L.P.) announced that L&B Realty Advisors, LLP and its joint venture partner, Barshop & Oles Company, have acquired Brodie Oaks Shopping Center, (top right photo) a community retail and office complex containing approximately 244,242 square feet in Austin, Texas.

Brodie Oaks is located at the northeast corner of Loop 360 and South Lamar Boulevard.

The HFF investment sales team of senior managing directors Jim Batjer, (top left photo) Barry Brown and Doug Hazelbaker (middle right photo) along with associate director Judy Boyd marketed the property on behalf of the seller, Weingarten Realty Investors.

L&B Realty Advisors purchased the center on behalf of the investors in the L&B Diversified Strategy Partners, L.P. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Brodie Oaks complements the existing investments in the fund and the acquisition is consistent with the strategy of acquiring real estate investments with the opportunity to add value and enhance returns through intensive management and leasing, rehabilitation, and re-tenanting,” said Stacie S. Crown, (middle left photo) vice president, portfolio management for L&B Realty Advisors.

“Given the strategic location of the site, the sales performance of some of the key tenants and the strong Austin economy, we feel Brodie Oaks is an ideal value-add investment. We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with such a highly regarded operator like Barshop & Oles,” said Bernadette Mussell, (bottom left photo) director of acquisitions at L&B.

Brodie Oaks is anchored by Neiman Marcus Last Call and Sun Harvest Market. Other national tenants include Hobby Lobby, Toys ‘R Us, Tuesday Morning, Sally Beauty, Starbucks, Olive Garden, Chili’s, Pei Wei Asian Diner and Fuddruckers.

L&B Realty Advisors, LLP (http://www.lbrealty.com/), provides investment services including portfolio management, acquisitions, asset management, development and property management to institutional investors and individual clients in office, retail, industrial, multifamily and medical real estate.
The company manages a portfolio of more than 20 million square feet of office, retail, industrial and multifamily properties valued at $3.9 billion.

Barshop & Oles Company (www.barshop-oles.com) is a privately held Texas real estate company which has been involved in the development and management of over five million square feet of retail and mixed use properties in Central Texas for twenty-five years.

CONTACTS:
Jim C. Batjer, HFF Senior Managing Director, 214 265 0880, jbatjer@hfflp.com
Barry M. Brown, HFF Senior Managing Direcdtor, 214 265 0880, bbrown@hfflp.com
Laurie Fish McDowell, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, 617 338 0990, lmcdowell@hfflp.com
Holly Robertson, L&B Realty Advisors LLP, 214 989 0634, hrobertson@lbrealty.com

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Arbor Closes $5,999,300 Fannie Mae DUS® Loan on Strawbridge Green Apartments in Indianapolis, IN

UNIONDALE, NY, Aug. 12, 2008-– Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, announced the recent funding of a $5,999,300 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® product line to finance the 190-unit complex known as Strawbridge Green Apartments (top left photo)in Indianapolis, IN.

The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 6.37 percent.

The loan was originated by Stephen York, (top right photo) Director, in Arbor’s full-service Uniondale lending office.

“The sponsors on this transaction purchased this property one year ago and were able to significantly improve operations within a short period. The property underwent considerable renovations, which assisted the sponsors in their pursuit to increase the occupancy to a stabilized level within seven months after their purchase,” said York.

“When the property was ready for permanent financing, Arbor was pleased to deliver competitive terms including three years of interest-only.”

Contact: Ingrid PrincipeTel: (516) 506-4298, iprincipe@arbor.com

CFA Announces Call for Entries for 2009 Projects of the Year Awards


MOUNT VERNON, IA (Aug. 12, 2008) – The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) has announced the call for entries for the “2009 Projects of the Year” Award, formerly known as the “Basement of the Year”.

CFA is an influential organization within the construction industry that serves as an informational and networking tool for its members and carries out a multitude of educational and promotional efforts for the advancement of concrete foundation technology.

According to Ed Sauter, (top right photo) executive director of CFA, the Basement of the Year competition enables foundation contractors to display the wide range of projects that are being completed today. The technological advancements that have been made in the poured wall industry allow contractors to complete complex projects more efficiently, which helps ensure homeowners’ dreams are realized, said Sauter.

“Each year the projects submitted to this competition get more complicated and demonstrate the diversity afforded through poured wall foundations,” said Sauter. “With the increased focus we have created on technical and business competence, exposing the industry to the craftsmanship that exists is of utmost value.”

Voting takes place at the CFA booth during the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Feb. 3--6, 2009 in Las Vegas and online at http://www.cfawalls.org/ beginning January 1st.

Free registration to the World of Concrete exhibits and seminar discounts can be obtained from the CFA website or through their various media sources. The rules and categories for submission can be found on the CFA website at http://www.cfawalls.org/awards/basement/index.htm.

CONTACT:

Jim Baty at 319-895-6940 or jbaty@cfawalls.org

Concrete Foundations Association, 113 First Street West, Mt. Vernon, Iowa 52314
319-895-6940, voice – 320.213.5556, fax, http://www.cfawalls.org/

JSK, LLC Purchases 24,350 SF Building on 4.5 Acres from 84 Lumber


TAMPA, FL-- The Dikman Company, Inc. announced that JSK, LLC purchased a 24,350 SF Building on 4.5 Acres from 84 Lumber located at 1102 N 50th Street in Tampa, Florida. JSK, LLC will lease the property to American Building Materials.

American Building Materials is a building material supplier that specializes in building products for the residential and commercial drywall contractor. Proud to be an American owned and operated company, American Building Materials has offices in Odessa, San Antonio and Tampa, Florida.

The Dikman Company represented the Buyer.
Contact: Bob Dikman, ALC, CRB, CCIM, SIOR 813/251-5288

Orlando-based Taurus Southern Investments announces sale of 6.4 acres at Central Florida Research Park to United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida

ORLANDO, FL – Boston-based Taurus Investment Holdings and its Orlando-based subsidiary Taurus Southern Investments announced the sale of 6.14 acres at Central Florida Research Park adjacent to UCF in Orlando to United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida.

UCP plans to construct its new state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot East Orange/Bailes Campus Facility on the site, according to Jeff K. McFadden, (top left photo) SIOR, Managing Partner of Taurus Southern. McFadden and Heidi C. Adams, (top right photo) Director of Leasing, represented the seller in the transaction.

Scheduled to open in August 2009, the $9.2 million project will be one of the only schools in the nation that focuses on the arts, technology and full inclusion. Services offered will include family support, Pre-K through third grade education, and therapy for children up to age 21.

“The goal of this project,” stated Ilene Wilkins, President and CEO of UCP of Central Florida, “is to create an environment where there are no limits, just life, for all children, regardless of their abilities.


"And as we move forward in establishing proven and promising practices for early intervention education, we invite the Central Florida community to join us on our journey of creating equal opportunities for all people.”

UCP has already raised a little over half the $9.2 million needed to fund this project. Interested parties and corporations wishing to help UCP in meeting its goals are invited to participate by contacting Terri Chastain at (407) 852-3304.

Taurus Investment Holdings, LLC, is widely known as a strategic real estate owner/operator specializing in value creation through a mix of development, redevelopment, lease-up and intensive professional management of each individual investment.

With 14 offices across the globe, Taurus successfully balances local entrepreneurship with global financial strength. It steadfastly holds to the philosophy of preservation of principal, providing superior risk-adjusted returns, and alignment of interests with investors.

Taurus Investment Holdings was founded in 1976 and has documented an impeccable track record of significant above-market returns. Since its inception, Taurus has purchased and sold over 20 million square feet of office, industrial, retail, residential and hotel assets.

Since establishing a presence in Central Florida in 1990, Taurus Southern has become a respected industry leader known for strategic new commercial development and value-added redevelopment projects as well as management, leasing and brokerage of capital assets. Led by McFadden, who has over 25 years of experience in commercial development and brokerage, Taurus Southern has become a premier owner/operator of commercial real estate within the southeastern United States.

“Taurus Southern’s successful track-record is the result of mutual trust and integrity,” said McFadden. “Enduring client relationships,” he added, “are the result of consistent performance in the marketplace and we are poised to expand our presence in key markets throughout Florida.”

Taurus Southern Investments, LLC, is headquartered at 1560 Orange Avenue, Suite 410, Winter Park, FL. For more information, visit http://www.tiholdings.com/.

Contact: Kenneth H. Cristol 407-774-2515

Microtel Inns & Suites Economy Lodging Brand Opens 300th Hotel


PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Microtel Inns & Suites brand, an all-new construction economy lodging chain recently acquired by Wyndham Hotel Group, celebrated a milestone this week with the opening of its 300th hotel in Delphos, Ohio.

The 56-room hotel, (top right photo) owned by Group Properties LLC of Delphos, showcases the brand’s award-winning prototype design.

Each guest room features a flat-panel television, granite countertops and desk with easily accessible power outlets and data ports.

The Microtel Inn & Suites prototype was honored as Best Guestroom Design in the limited-service category at the HotelWorld Global Hospitality & Design Awards competition and received a Lodging Hospitality Chain Leadership Award for 2008.

“Microtel is the right brand for today’s traveling public,” said Roy Flora, brand president. “It sets the standard for travelers by providing them with the highest quality accommodations, service and value.”

The 56-room Microtel Inn & Suites in Delphos is located at 480 Moxie Lane, one block west of Route 30. The hotel is convenient to the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center, Limaland Motor Sports Park and the area’s several colleges and universities.
CONTACT:

Rich Roberts , Vice President, Communications, Wyndham Hotel Group, 1 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054, PH (973) 753-6590, Richard.roberts@wyndhamworldwide.com

Marcus & Millichap Names 11 Vice Presidents of Investments

D'ALESSANDRO, KILPATRICK PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENTS/INVESTMENTS IN PALO ALTO, CA OFFICE

PALO ALTO, CA— The board of directors of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Jamie D’Alessandro (top right photo) and Scott Kilpatrick (top left photo) to the position of vice president investments.

The achievement of vice president investment status is one of the highest levels of recognition the firm awards its sales agents. It represents excellence in client relationships, investment real estate expertise and sales volume, according to Steven Seligman, regional manager in the firm’s Palo Alto office. D’Alessandro joined Marcus & Millichap in 2000 and specializes in multi-family investment sales. Kilpatrick joined the firm in 2000 and specializes in multi-family investment sales.

BENSON, FRIEDMAN, ZIEGLER NAMED VICE PRESIDENTS/ INVESTMENTS IN ENCINO, CA OFFICE

ENCINO, CA — The board of directors of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Jeff Benson, (photo at right) Matthew Friedman (photo at left) and Matthew Ziegler (left photo under Friedman) to the position of vice president investments.

The achievement of vice president investment status is one of the highest levels of recognition the firm awards its sales agents. It represents excellence in client relationships, investment real estate expertise and sales volume, according to Mitchell R. LaBar, managing director, regional manager in the firm’s Encino office. Benson joined Marcus & Millichap in 2002 and specializes in multi-family investment sales. Friedman joined the firm in 2003 and specializes in multi-family investment sales. Ziegler joined the firm in 2002 and specializes in multi-family investment sales.

HURST, NISBET, TIBERIO, WALKER NEW VICE PRESIDENTS/INVESTMENTS IN SEATTLE OFFICE

SEATTLE, WA — The board of directors of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Spencer Hurst (photo at right) , Peter Nisbet, (right photo, under Hurst), Armand Tiberio (left photo, under Ziegler) and Rich Walker (left photo, under Tiberio) to the position of vice president investments.

The achievement of vice president investment status is one of the highest levels of recognition the firm awards its sales agents. It represents excellence in client relationships, investment real estate expertise and sales volume, according to Gregory Wendelken, regional manager in the firm’s Seattle office.

Hurst joined Marcus & Millichap in 2003 and specializes in Sec. 42 multi-family investment sales. Nisbet started in 2002 and specializes in retail investment sales. Tiberio joined the company in 2002 and specializes in multi-family investment sales. Walker joined the firm in 2001 and specializes in multi-family investment sales.

ADAM J. TIKTIN MOVES UP TO VICE PRESIDENT/INVESTMENTS IN MIAMI OFFICE

MIAMI, FL — The board of directors of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Adam J. Tiktin (right photo) to the position of vice president investments.

The achievement of vice president investment status is one of the highest levels of recognition the firm awards its sales agents. It represents excellence in client relationships, investment real estate expertise and sales volume, according to Kirk Felici, regional manager in the firm’s Miami office. Tiktin joined Marcus & Millichap in 2002 and specializes in retail, office and industrial investment sales.

MICHAEL LABAR EARNS VICE PRESIDENT/INVESTMENTS POST IN LAS VEGAS OFFICE

LAS VEGAS, NV — The board of directors of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Michael LaBar (bottom left photo) to the position of vice president investments.

The achievement of vice president investment status is one of the highest levels of recognition the firm awards its sales agents. It represents excellence in client relationships, investment real estate expertise and sales volume, according to John Vorsheck, regional manager in the firm’s Las Vegas office. LaBar joined Marcus & Millichap in 2002 and specializes in apartment investment sales.

Press Contact: Stacey Corso,
Communications Department,
(925) 953-1716

Monday, August 11, 2008

CB Richard Ellis Announces LEED Accreditations

ORLANDO, FL- August 11, 2008 - CB Richard Ellis announces LEED Accreditations for managers Denise Pickles (top right photo) and Chase Brackett.(top left photo)

Denise Pickles is the first of Florida's Local Market Area (LMA) Project Managers to become LEED Accredited.

Denise is a valuable member of the Orlando Project Management Team beginning her real estate and construction career working for a boutique retail project management firm in Orlando. In addition, Denise is the first project manager in CBRE's network to earn accreditation.

Chase Brackett, Development Manager with Trammell Crow, has also been accredited. Chase is responsible for all aspects of development administration, where his experiences as a general contractor, preconstruction manager and a developer bring valuable team management skills to a project during all construction phases.

Additionally, his attention to detail and understanding of schedules, design objectives, value engineering, best practices and budget management help deliver each project to meet our client's expectations.

CBRE has taken a proactive role in guiding landlords through the LEED Existing Building (EB) program and incorporating LEED for Commercial Interiors (CI) into tenant build out scopes.

CONTACTS:

Denis Pickles, Project Manager, denise.pickles@cbre.com

Chase Brackett, Development Manager, chase.brackett@cbre.com

Cousins Properties Reports Results for Quarter Ended June 30, 2008

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 2008--Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE:CUZ) today reported its results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. All per share amounts are reported on a diluted basis; basic per share data is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income accompanying this release.

"With economic conditions continuing to deteriorate, leasing remains a top priority for us, and our team is looking for distressed transactions where we can use our expertise to create value for our shareholders," said Tom Bell, (top right photo) chairman and CEO of Cousins.
"Fortunately, our tract sales business - selling entitled land to users or other developers - continues to be a bright spot this year and highlights a sometimes overlooked but important recurring business for Cousins.

"During the second half of the year, we will continue to press on the lease-up of our existing projects while aggressively pursuing opportunities that result from this down cycle," Bell added.

Funds from Operations Available to Common Stockholders ("FFO") was $16.1 million, or $0.31 per share, for the second quarter of 2008 compared with FFO of $9.4 million, or $0.18 per share, for the second quarter of 2007. FFO was $29.9 million, or $0.58 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $33.9 million, or $0.63 per share, for the same period in 2007.

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders ("Net IncomeAvailable") was $2.9 million, or $0.06 per share, for the second quarter of 2008 compared with Net Income Available of $395,000, or $0.01 per share, for the second quarter of 2007.

Net Income Available was $4.8 million, or $0.09 per share, for the six months ended June30, 2008, compared with $14.8 million, or $0.28 per share, for the same period in 2007.

For a complete detailed copy of the company's news release, please contact James A. Fleming, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 404-407-1150, jimfleming@cousinsproperties.com or Matt Gove, Senior Vice President, 404-407-1490, mattgove@cousinsproperties.com

Robert Anderson Appointed Director in Arbor’s Atlanta, GA Office

UNIONDALE, NY (August 11, 2008) – Arbor Commercial Mortgage announces the appointment of Robert Anderson to Director in Arbor’s Atlanta, GA office. Mr. Anderson will be responsible for all of Arbor’s loan products including Fannie Mae, FHA, CMBS, Bridge, Mezzanine and Preferred Equity. He reports to Ken Fazio, (top right photo) Vice President, National Sales Manager.

Mr. Anderson brings over 20 years of loan production and transaction structuring experience to Arbor. Prior to joining the Company, he held the position of Regional Director at Hometown Commercial Capital.

In this role, he was responsible for the origination of commercial real estate mortgages ranging in size from $1 million to $15 million, and was the highest volume producer in this group.

Before Hometown Commercial Capital, he served as the Southeast Director of Commercial Real Estate for Greystone Servicing Corporation, where he specialized in small balance transactions ranging from $250,000 to $5 million.

Previous to Greystone, he served as Vice President, Originations for Column Financial, where he produced over $120 million in fixed rate and securitized small balance commercial real estate transactions. Additionally, he also held origination and underwriting positions with Ocwen Federal Bank.

Mr. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Management from the University of Richmond. He is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Real Estate Investment Advisory Council. He resides in the metro Atlanta area.

Contact: Ingrid Principe, Tel: (516) 506-4298, iprincipe@arbor.com



Job Growth will drive Occupancy, New Apartment Development in Orlando Region, says Leading Analyst

ORLANDO, FL --- Positive signs for Central Florida job growth, including development of new healthcare and medical research facilities in east Orlando, will likely drive rental apartment occupancies and new development in the Central Florida region over the next few years, says a leading multi-family development executive.

Cole Whitaker,(top right photo) Orlando partner of Hendricks & Partners, one of the nation’s leading multi-family development consultants, said the slowdown in rental apartment development over the last few years is another contributing factor.

“I think occupancies are going to strengthen and we’ll see some real rent growth, especially in 2009 and into 2010,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker, who has negotiated sales of Central Florida rental apartment properties and development sites that total more than three billion dollars since 1983, said a growth boom could emerge quickly in south Orange County and Osceola County over the next two years.

(Post Lake Apartments at Baldwin Park, Orlando, middle left photo)

“With more than a half a dozen major new apartment developments planned along the U.S. 192 corridor, Osceola County is expected to grow faster than any of the other five counties in the region,” he said.

“Osceola County’s Growth Management Plan currently shows six large Developments of Regional Impact planned to accommodate more than 30,000 housing units east of Lake Toho,” Whitaker said. “Most of those DRIs include apartment zoning,” he said.

New healthcare and medical research facilities under development in east Orlando, including the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research near Lake Nona, will drive development of ancillary and support facilities in that area, Whitaker said.

“We will see a number of new high-end apartment projects in southeast Orlando to serve those populations,” he added.

(Camden Lee Vista Apartments near Orlando International Airport, , bottom right photo)

For more information, contact:

Cole Whitaker, Partner, Hendricks & Partners, 407-256-9594
Don Hendricks, Chairman/CEO Hendricks & Partners 602-912-1620
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142