Harvey E. Green of Marcus & Millichap Retires

PALO ALTO, CA – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, announced today that president and chief executive officer, Harvey E. Green, (top right photo)  has retired from the firm. A formal search is being initiated with Green’s input and participation.

“Harvey’s tireless energy, dedication and passion have been driving forces behind the firm’s tremendous expansion and emergence as the leader in real estate investment brokerage,” says George M. Marcus, (top left photo)  founder and chairman. “The firm would not be where it is today without his leadership,” he adds.

Green joined Marcus & Millichap in 1981 and quickly rose through the ranks having opened the firm’s Encino office, which became a flagship operation. He was named chief operating officer in 1996 and then president and CEO in 2000, at which time he accelerated the firm’s aggressive national expansion. Green led the company’s growth from 22 offices and 424 agents in 1996 to 76 offices and over 1,200 agents currently.

During this period, the volume of transactions arranged by the firm grew from just over 1,000 in 1996 to more than 3,400 in 2009, the highest of any real estate brokerage company.

 Green is widely recognized as a leading real estate expert by the national media and is a frequent contributor to such leading media outlets as CNBC, Fox Business News, Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

Throughout his 29 years with the firm, Harvey has set an exceptionally high standard of performance and professionalism and led by example in every way,” says William A. Millichap (middle right photo)  the firm’s co-founder and co-chairman.

“He has contributed greatly to the development of the firm’s management team and its top investment specialists, and his input in the selection and orientation of his successor will be vital,” he notes.

“I am very proud of our accomplishments as a team,” says Green. “We have always been a forward-looking firm and collectively believe this is the best time to establish new leadership to take the company to its next phase of growth.”

WCI Communities Hires Marcus & Millichap to Sell Sun city Golf Course Portfolio in Florida  

SUN CITY CENTER, Fla., April 12, 2009 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services, has been retained by WCI Communities to exclusively market seven of its golf courses in Sun City Center, Fla.

WCI Communities, a builder of upscale, lifestyle communities, is listing the properties with Steve Ekovich (bottom left photo); a vice president investments and director of the National Golf and Resort Properties Group of Marcus & Millichap; and the group’s co-founder, PGA Professional, Chris Karamitsos, (bottom right photo)  according to Bryn D. Merrey, regional manager of Marcus & Millichap’s Tampa office.

The seven-course portfolio consists of the two premier 18-hole courses, Scepter Golf Club and Club Renaissance, two 27-hole championship courses Falcon Watch and Sandpiper, two executive courses, Kings Point and Caloosa Greens and the 18-hole North Lakes Golf Club.

The portfolio includes all of the golf courses, golf club amenities and all maintenance equipment and facilities.

Built in the 1960s, Sun City Center is located less than 20 miles from the heart of downtown Tampa. It began as an active retirement community with such recreational activities as tennis, swimming, shuffleboard, lawn bowling and golf.

Since that time, WCI has grown Sun City Center into a 12,000-plus household development, providing residents with state-of-the-art amenities that include recreation centers, baseball fields, fitness and spa centers and some of the Tampa Bay area’s finest golf courses, designed by architects such as Chip Powell and Ron Garl.

Since successfully reorganizing in 2009, WCI’s strategic direction has included disposing of certain non-core assets. The courses may be purchased individually; however, priority is being given to portfolio offers first, followed by multi-course offers and then by individual course offers.

“Even before the portfolio hit the market on April 2, there was significant interest due to the quality of assets, reasonable pricing and the potential for an instant golf footprint in this golf-centric market,” according to Ekovich.

Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

Home Repos Jump 25% In South Florida In 1st Quarter

MIAMI, FL--Lenders repossessed nearly 9,200 properties in the tricounty South Florida region in the first quarter of 2010, representing a 25 percent year-over-year increase compared to the same January through March period in 2009, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.

The first quarter surge was led by 3,707 property repossessions in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties in March 2010, which established a new high for a single month in the 39 months that CondoVultures.com has tracked bank repossessions.

Prior to March 2010, the highest number of lender repossessions in any given month was 3,706 in December 2009, according to the report based on Clerk of the Court records.

South Florida bank repossessions totaled 2,900 in the month of February and 2,475 in January, according to the report.


Auction Bids Average $121 Per Foot At New Miami Tower

Individual buyers bid an average of $121 per square foot - nearly double the minimum asking price but 44 percent below the original construction loan amount - on 65 developers units in the first auction of a new Miami condo tower in more than three years, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.

More than 300 people turned out to the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel in Downtown Miami and an unknown number of additional investors logged in online to participate in the April 10 auction of more than five dozen individual units in the San Lorenzo condominium, (middle right photo)  which is located a few miles to the west in the Little Havana neighborhood.

It is unclear how many of the units will actually be sold to the highest bidders as the auction was contingent upon approval by the developer and the lender, which alone is owed about $216 per square foot, according to the report based on Miami-Dade County records.

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade Loses $1.5M In Real Estate Deal

Miami Heat all-star Dwyane Wade, (bottom left photo)  who is up for a record contract this offseason when he becomes a free agent, lost nearly $1.5 million last week by reselling his 9,000-square-foot mansion in a wealthy Miami suburb for less than he originally paid, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.

Wade, who is reportedly getting a divorce from his wife Siohvaughn Wade, sold the couple's two-story, six-bedroom mansion on nearly an acre inPinecrest on March 31 for $2.5 million, or $277 per square foot.

The Wades originally purchased the house new in 2005 for $3.98 million, or $440 per square foot, in August 2005 at the peak of the South Florida housing market, according to the report based on Miami-Dade County records.

The Wades' house on Southwest 59th Place is currently assessed for property tax purposes at $2.9 million, or $316 per square foot, according to the report.

Contact:  Peter Zalewski of Condo Vultures®, 800-750-0517,  peter@condovultures.com.

Lane Witherspoon & Carswell Fully Leases Port Ybor in Tampa, FL

TAMPA, FL, April 13, 2010-- Lane Witherspoon & Carswell Commercial Real Estate Advisors has achieved 100% occupancy at Port Ybor's 437,600-square foot business park (above centered photo) with the recent negotiation of a new 16,537 square foot long-term lease for InStar Services Group, L.P in Port Ybor Building 2.

Managing Director Clay Witherspoon (top right photo) and Director Trey Carswell  (top left photo) of Lane Witherspoon & Carswell negotiated the transaction on behalf of the property owner, ING Clarion.

The tenant, InStar Services Group, L.P., was represented by Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc. InStar is a leading national provider of disaster response, insurance restoration and reconstruction services headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas (www.instarservices.com).

"InStar joins the likes of Carrier, the US Postal Service and Spectra Flooring Services, a division of Shaw Industries," says Witherspoon. "Port Ybor is 100% leased in this challenging market, further validating the great location and quality of product the park offers."

Witherspoon and Carswell also negotiated the 281,600-square foot five-year lease renewal for the United States Post Office in Port Ybor Building 1, recognized as the Bay area's largest transaction of 2009.

Port Ybor consists of two single-story bulk warehouse buildings totaling 437,600 square feet, situated on 33 acres in the heart of Port of Tampa in the Downtown Tampa Industrial submarket.

Port Ybor Building 2 is a single-story, 156,000-square foot multi-tenanted class A industrial building and was built in 2006.

It is located at 1802 Grant Street in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, and is exclusively leased by Lane Witherspoon & Carswell. Located at the intersection of 20th Street and Grant Avenue, the property has waterfront access to accommodate the docking of ships and cargo, with direct access to deep water, the main shipping channel and CSX rail service.

In addition to Port Ybor, other ING Clarion assets in the Tampa Bay area include the 680,000-square foot Madison Industrial Park, (bottom right phto)  also exclusively leased by Lane Witherspoon & Carswell.

Lane Witherspoon & Carswell Commercial Real Estate Advisors is a client-focused, full-service brokerage and property management firm that provides market expertise to landlords, tenants, buyers and sellers of office, industrial and retail properties in central and west Florida.

 With more than 50 years combined commercial real estate experience, Lane Witherspoon & Carswell consistently delivers unparalleled customer service and market knowledge while maximizing value for its clients.

Established in 2007, the firm currently has 3.59 million square feet of listings and is based in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.lwccommercial.com.

Media Contact:
Lisa Pelec Hyde
PR@lisapelechyde.com

LWC Contact: Clay Witherspoon or Trey Carswell
Lane Witherspoon & Carswell
1715 N. Westshore Boulevard, Suite 130
Tampa, Florida 33607
T: 813.288.1800 • F: 813.288.1866

Crossman & Co. Announces Publix Redevelopment for Aloma Shopping Center in Winter Park, FL

ORLANDO - This month the Publix Super Market in the Aloma Shopping Center in Winter Park will be demolished. Construction will immediately begin on a new 47,000 square foot facility in the same location.

The new Publix, which should reopen before the end of this year, will include a liquor store.

 Other shops at the center---including the landmark Aloma Cinema Grill, Pet Supermarket, and Fedex/Kinko’s---will remain open while the entire property is remodeled.

Publix was one of the original tenants along with W. T. Grant Co. and Woolworth when the plaza opened in March of 1961.

For a number of years, Publix operated this location under its Food World brand. Their original store was 24,640 square feet and it was expanded to 41,990 square feet in 1994.

“This expansion is the right strategy at the right time,” said John Crossman. “The new Publix Super Market is projected to open late in the 4th quarter, and we are excited to bring this new facility to the center and to customers in this community.”

Contacts:
John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com;
Molly Delahunty, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6220 mdelahunty@crossmanco.com

Social Security Building in Port St. Lucie, FL Gets $3.435M Loan

ORLANDO, FL, April 12, 2010— Thomas D. Wood and Company, a Strategic Alliance Mortgage LLC member, secured financing in the amount of $3,435,000 for the Social Security Administration office building in Port St. Lucie, Florida.


Doug Rozzell, (top right photo) Company Principal, financed the Social Security Administration office building through Thomas D. Wood and Company’s relationship with a regional bank in the amount of $3,435,000.

The construction period is interest-only for 12 months, followed by a mini-permanent loan based on a 20-year amortization. The interest rate is LIBOR + 300 basis points, floor of 6.75%. The Lender waived its normal pre-payment penalty.

The loan-to-value is 80% and loan-to-cost is 90%. The 14,960 square-foot single-tenant office will be built on 1.49 acres at 6810 S. US Highway 1, Port St. Lucie, Florida.

For further information, please contact:
Doug Rozzell (407) 937-0470 drozzell@tdwood.com
Jessica Kinnee (407) 937-0470 jkinnee@tdwood.com

HFF arranges $9.47M refinance of student housing complex near UNC Charlotte

CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that they have arranged a $9.47 million refinancing for the University Club, a 520-bed student housing complex near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina.

Working on behalf of Harrison Street Real Estate Capital and The Priess Company, HFF director Tim Joyce (top right photo)  placed a 10-year, 5.97% fixed-rate loan with Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation). HFF will service the loan through their Freddie Mac Program Plus® Seller/Servicer program.

University Club, located at 10035 Dabney Drive, is situated one-half mile from the the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The 94% leased property, purchased by the borrowers in 2006, has 130 four-bedroom/four-bathroom units. Community amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, computer center, swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts and tanning beds.

“University Club has an excellent location, approximately one-half mile from the UNC at Charlotte campus and offers a top-of-the-line amenity package at a great value to the students and renters at the property,” said Joyce.

Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, LLC, is a real estate private equity firm founded in 2005. The firm, on behalf of Harrison Street Real Estate Partners I and II, currently owns 177 properties equating to approximately $2.4 billion in real estate assets which includes over 12,900 student housing beds, 3,900 senior housing / assisted living units, over 61,000 self-storage units, 2,800 dry & wet boat storage slips and 900,000 square feet of medical office space.

 For more information on Harrison Street Real Estate Capital please visit http://www.harrisonst.com/.

Contacts:
Timothy J. Joyce, HFF Director, (312) 528-3650, tjoyce@hfflp.com
Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500, krmurphy@hfflp.com

HFF named to market for sale former Circuit City property in Melbourne, FL

MIAMI, FL – The Miami office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that it has been named to market for sale a 22,723-square-foot former Circuit City building located in Melbourne, Florida.

HFF managing director Brad Peterson (bottom right photo) will lead the marketing efforts on behalf of the seller, GE Commercial Finance Real Estate. The property is offered for $1.6 million or $86 per square foot.

Completed in 1992, the property was most recently occupied by a regional appliance retailer after Circuit City vacated the building in 2006. The property is situated on 3.6 acres at 2730 West New Haven Avenue in Melbourne and is also shadow-anchored by Target.

“The former Circuit City building may present an opportunity for a retailer or other user to purchase a prime location along US-192, the most dominant corridor in Brevard County with a daily traffic count of nearly 40,500 cars per day, at a discount to replacement cost,” said Peterson.

Contacts:

H. Bradley Peterson, HFF Managing Director, (407) 286-5224, bpeterson@hfflp.com
Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500, krmurphy@hfflp.com

Marcus & Millichap Sells 7,648-SF Former Hops Restaurant in Tampa, FL

 

TAMPA, FL, April 12, 2010 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has announced the sale of  a 7,648-square former Hops Restaurant (top left photo) located in Tampa, FL, according to Bryn D. Merrey, Regional Manager of the firm’s Tampa office.

The sales price of $515,000 represents $70 per square foot.

Paul Bouldin, (bottom right photo) senior investment specialist and Dan Wolf, investment specialist in Marcus & Millichap’s Tampa office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a Tampa-based financial institution.

The buyer, a limited liability company also based in Tampa, was secured and represented by Mike Modha, investment specialist in the firm’s Tampa office.

“This Former Hops Restaurant went dark several years ago, when the economy began to falter” says Wolf.

“The buyer is relocating his wholesale business to this new facility and expects his business to increase substantially when it opens in approximately 90 days. Part of the facility will be used for the sale of tobacco, cigarettes and cigars and the remaining 4,500 square foot is rented to Taste of India, an Indian restaurant” says Modha.

Built in 1986, this former Hops Restaurant is located at 1241 E. Fowler Avenue. The lot contains approximately 1.5854 acres and has ample surface parking. The property is across from the University Square Mall, Florida's largest enclosed mall and is approximately one mile west of the University of South Florida.

Press Contact: Bryn D. Merrey, Regional Manager, Tampa, (813) 387-4700

McCarthy Building Cos. Honored With Prestigious National Award

(left to right) J. Doug Pruitt, AGC President; Timothy Mikolajewski, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets and President of Liberty Mutual Surety; Sylvia Botero, Principle RBB Architects; Todd Foos, Project Manager McCarthy; Mark Bucknam, Project Manager St. Joseph Health System; James Ho, Regional Manager St. Joseph Health System.



NEWPORT BEACH, CA,  April 9, 2010 -- McCarthy Building Companies Inc., one of the nation’s leading healthcare builders, was selected as a winner of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America 2009 Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards for the $153 million Patient Care Tower at Mission Hospital. (middle left and right photos)

The award was presented on March 18, 2010 at the AGC’s 90th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. The Patient Care Center was one of just three projects receiving a Partnering award.

The AGC Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Award recognizes successful partnerships and collaborations that work to improve construction projects.

Contractors honored with this award stand out for their ability to achieve common goals, resolving conflict and improve communication on the project with all audiences.

“McCarthy was selected for the award because of its success building the partnerships needed to complete a new patient care tower at Mission Hospital while working at an operational medical facility,” said Doug Pruitt, (lower left photo) President of AGC of America.

“McCarthy had to find ways to connect the new tower to the existing hospital while working around an active parking lot, underground tunnel and countless utility lines. If it wasn’t for the company’s approach to partnering, the project would not have been the success it is today.”

Designed by RBB Architects Inc., the new four-level patient care tower at Mission Hospital features a patient-centered design along with next-generation advancements in healthcare technology and seismic building safety.

The Mission Hospital Patient Care Tower project team tackled numerous challenges and overcame all of these through a spirited partnering approach coupled with an integrated project delivery method.

As a result of this collaborative team effort, the project was built with exceptional quality and was delivered on-time, within budget, and with zero claims.

Throughout design and construction, the 94,000-square-foot Patient Care Tower project encountered a host of potential budget and schedule threatening challenges such as unusually complex mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and the very stringent seismic requirements for California healthcare projects.

Beyond those, additional complications entailed: multi-level connections to the existing hospital; a tight site adjacent to the existing operational hospital; a highly complex building skin; complicated bridge construction, as well as the design and installation of the latest Imaging equipment technology.

The success of this project was optimized through the team’s collaborative partnering efforts, including reaching out to all of the stakeholders from the crafts workers to project executives, end-users, and even the local community. The project was completed ahead of schedule and opened in November 2009.

“Throughout the Mission Hospital Patient Care Tower project, the team established focused objectives and routinely challenged themselves to surpass previous benchmarks of project goals,” said James Ho, (bottom right photo)  Regional Director of Construction for St. Joseph Health Systems.

“We are extremely proud to have been a part of this successful and distinguished project. The level of commitment and partnership has set a new precedent for excellence and a model for partnering on future projects.”

Contact:

Laura Mickelson (LM Communications), (949) 453-0851
Susan Garritano (McCarthy Building Companies Inc.), (314) 968-3300

Four More Luxury Hotels to Join Wyndham Brand in China

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 9, 2010 – Following the recent addition of three luxury hotels in the key markets of Shanghai, Changsha and Hangzhou, Wyndham Hotel Group, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced its continued expansion in China with agreements to open four additional new luxury Wyndham® hotels in the cities of Chengdu, Suzhou, Shanghai and Kunming.

Soon to join the brand’s prestigious Wyndham Grand Collection are the 420-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Palace Chengdu, the 311-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Jingsi Garden Suzhou and the 374-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Colorful Kunming.

Also joining the brand is the 321-room Wyndham Shanghai Bund East. All four hotels, which are currently under construction, will be managed by Greater China Hospitality (H.K.) Limited.

“We are delighted to continue our long time relationship with veteran hotelier Wilburt Chang and especially proud to welcome several outstanding properties to the Wyndham Grand Collection, our most distinguished ensemble of hotels,” said Eric Danziger (top right photo) , Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer. “The addition of these hotels strengthens our position as the largest U.S.-based hotel company in China.”

Wyndham Hotel Group’s 207 hotels in China represent 33,336 rooms in primary and secondary cities under the Wyndham, Ramada®, Howard Johnson®, Days Inn® and Super 8® brands. The Wyndham brand debuted in China in 2009 with the opening of the 588-room Wyndham Xiamen. The 337-room Wyndham Baolian Hotel is scheduled to open next year.

“Our hotels and the Wyndham Grand Collection are setting new expectations for luxury accommodations in China,” said Wilburt Chang, (lower left photo) chairman and chief executive officer of Greater China Hospitality (H.K.) Limited. “It is exciting to be at the leading edge of our country’s lodging industry at a time of incredible growth in our national economy.”

Contact: Evy Apostolatos, +1 (973) 753-6590, evy.apostolatos@wyndhamworldwide.com

NAI Realvest Appoints Robert A. Boyd, CSM, Senior Vice President for CommerCenters, LLC and NAI Realvest

MAITLAND - NAI Realvest and its real estate development affiliate Florida CommerCenters have appointed Robert A. Boyd (top left photo)  senior vice president for both CommerCenters, LLC and NAI Realvest.

George Livingston, (middle right photo)  chairman emeritus of NAI Realvest and CommerCenters, LLC, said Boyd earned his MBA Degree from Stanford University and has more than 30 years of experience in commercial property development, asset management and investment sales.

Throughout his career, Boyd has held senior level positions in the USA and Middle East, where he specialized in many areas of business and real estate including investment analysis, investment advisory services, acquisitions, asset management, business development, sales and marketing.

Most recently Boyd was president of Florida Arabco & International Solutions Collaborative and responsible for the site selection, acquisitions, design and development, management, leasing and sales of shopping centers, office towers and master planned communities.

Some of his clients have included CNL, Houston Pavilions, Emmitt Smith, Hines Interests, Hollywood Center Studios, Winter Park Mall/Village, Fields Automotive Group, Saudi Economic Development Company and Simon Properties.

“Bob Boyd is a highly experienced Real Estate and Investment executive and we are pleased to have Bob rejoin our management team. He will play an important role in our continued growth and have responsibility for international Business Development and Investment Advisory Services,” Livingston said.

NAI Realvest is a commercial real estate brokerage company whose core business includes land, retail, office, industrial and multifamily properties. Florida CommerCenters develops industrial warehouses, distribution centers and flex-space throughout Central Florida.

For more information, contact:
George Livingston, Chairman Emeritus, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 glivingston@realvest.com;
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Commercial Real Estate Veteran Bruce Lyons to Lead Asset Management at Crossman & Co.

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, the Orlando-based commercial property firm that ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, recently hired Bruce Lyons (top right photo)  to lead its asset management and receivership division.

John Crossman, (bottom left photo) president of Crossman & Company, said Lyons brings more than 40 years of experience in investment analysis, development, financing, construction, leasing, marketing, property management and investment sales to the Crossman organization.

For more than a decade, he managed and directed special assets, workouts and distressed property repositioning for financial institutions. His previous headquarters were in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

“Bruce Lyons is one of the most highly experienced real estate executives out there, and we are very proud he has joined the Crossman & Company team.” Crossman added, “He brings invaluable leadership and experience to our growing team.”

Contacts:
John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com;
Molly Delahunty, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6220 mdelahunty@crossmanco.com;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com.

Cotter-Ryan Commercial Awarded Contract to Expand Aloma Cinema Grill and Draft House

LONGWOOD - Cotter-Ryan Commercial LLC, based in Longwood, was recently awarded a contract to expand the 18,000 square foot Aloma Cinema Grill and Draft House  (top left photo) on Aloma Avenue off Lakemont Avenue in Winter Park.

Scott Ryan, president of Cotter-Ryan Commercial, said the $150,000 project will add a third theater to the Aloma Cinema Grill which will expand the facility by 3,500 square feet. Once completed the Aloma Cinema Grill and Draft House will seat 195 patrons

For more information, contact:
Scott H. Ryan, President, Cotter Ryan Commercial, LLC, 407-786-7686 sryan@cotterryan.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

Sonny O’Drobinak Joins Grubb & Ellis as Vice President, Office Group

WALNUT CREEK, CA – Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm,  announced that Sonny O’Drobinak (top right photo) , CPM, has joined the company as vice president, Office Group from Colliers International. He will specialize in leasing and selling medical office properties.

O’Drobinak will be joined by Josh Scott,  (lower left photo) senior associate, Office Group, who also comes to Grubb & Ellis from Colliers International. O’Drobinak and Scott will be members of Grubb & Ellis’ Healthcare practice group.

“I have worked with Sonny for more than 10 years. He is an incredible asset for growing our medical office practice in the Walnut Creek office,” said Ed Del Beccaro, (bottom right photo)  executive vice president, managing director, Walnut Creek.

“He joins Grubb & Ellis with a proven track record, an in-depth understanding of the sector and many client relationships.”

O’Drobinak brings 27 years of commercial real estate experience to Grubb & Ellis, having spent the past 10 years as vice president, Medical Division, at Colliers International, where he developed the company’s East Bay Medical Division, as well as representing clients in the leasing, sales, acquisitions, development and management of medical office properties.

 Earlier, O’Drobinak spent six years as the regional manager of PM Realty Group, spearheading the company’s management and leasing of Columbia HCA’s medical office portfolio, which included a 2-million square-foot portfolio consisting of 50 buildings in 10 western states.

He began his career in 1983 with JMB Realty Corporation. O’Drobinak holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

Scott brings three years of commercial real estate experience to Grubb & Ellis. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.

Contact: Julia McCartney, Phone: 714.975.2230, Email: julia.mccartney@grubb-ellis.com

Marcus & Millichap Hires Ron Blanton as Senior Associate in Fort Worth, TX

FORT WORTH, TX – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has hired Ron Blanton (top right photo) a leading office and industrial investment specialist in its Fort Worth office, according to David Luther, (bottom  left photo) regional manager of Marcus & Millichap’s Fort Worth office.

Blanton, who joins Marcus & Millichap as a director of the National Office and Industrial Properties Group, will focus on the sale of office and industrial properties throughout Texas and the South Central United States.

“We are excited to have Ron join our firm,” says Luther. “His advisory and sales team leadership has resulted in the closing of transactions with an aggregate value of more than $1.3 billion, representing greater than 11 million square feet of commercial real estate investment property.”

“Marcus & Millichap’s national brokerage and marketing platform will allow me to more effectively grow and serve my nationwide client base,” says Blanton. “The firm strives to be a long-term advisor to investors, which is very important in my business.”

Prior to joining Marcus & Millichap, Blanton served in leadership roles with Jones Lang LaSalle, The Staubach Company and The Stan Johnson Company. He has also supported the efforts of office and industrial property developers, tenants and investors through the use of sale- leaseback structured transactions with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, GSA-FBI, Magellan Healthcare, Diebold, Preferred Freezer, HSBC, Verizon, Hy-Vee Grocery and many others.

Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

Equity Investment Services Brokers 815,000 SF-Plus in First-Quarter Leasing Activity

ORLANDO, FL--Nicholas E. Ledvora, (top right photo)  CCIM and Christopher M. Savino are pleased to announce Equity Investment Services successfully executed more than 815,000 square feet of exclusive landlord representation leasing assignments in the first quarter of 2010.

The new assignments include 9 shopping centers and 3 office buildings in the Greater Orlando market. Major tenants in the new assignments include Publix, Aldi, Winn Dixie, and Save-A-Lot.

During the first quarter Nathan R. Cutchin (middle left photo) and Sebastian M. Smith (bottom right photo) successfully executed 20 retail and office leases with a total base term rental amount of $1,750,000. Notable tenant leases include Pinch-A-Penny, Verizon Wireless, Snap Fitness, Dresses for Less and Ingram Financial Group.

Equity Investment Services employs a complete staff of experienced brokerage, leasing, and management professionals. EIS exclusively leases and manages approximately 2,000,000 square feet across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida.

Contact: Alana L. Champagne, Operations Manager, Director of Property Management, 820 North Thornton Avenue ♦ Orlando, FL 32803. Phone: 407.573.0711 ♦ Fax: 407.573.0710. Email: AChampagne@EISRE.com
 http://www.eisre.com/