Monday, May 24, 2010

Hunter Realty Sells or Places Under Agreement 18 Hotels in Last Four Weeks


ATLANTA, GA., May 24, 2010—Hunter Realty, a leading national hotel investment services firm, today announced that it had sold or placed under contract 18 hotels in the last four weeks.

“There are definite indications that positive changes are on the horizon,” said Teague Hunter, (top right photo)  President. “We are placing hotels under agreement and closing on deals at a much heavier and quicker pace than in recent months.”

“We see more lenders starting to take action on their troubled hotel loans,” said Lee Hunter, (top left photo) COO. “This action by lenders appears to be the start of a new wave of properties coming to market.”

“Despite substantial headwinds, people are feeling optimistic. Pricing power is coming back and consumer confidence is returning,” said Teague Hunter. “There are assets in the full-service and upscale segments, which have been on the sidelines, now becoming available.”

Hunter has six offices nationwide and the 18 properties under agreement or sold are

“We have a comprehensive understanding of local market conditions, financing opportunities and qualified buyers. Financing for these hotels was varied and ranged from all-cash to community banks and SBA loans,” Teague Hunter added.

“We expect that as the recovery continues and lenders are able to bolster their balance sheets, loans will become more readily available.

“Deals are out there and through our long-standing relationships in the hotel finance industry, we are able to help our buyers obtain the financing they need. More money is coming to the market every day.

" The majority of the dollars are all chasing the same product; newer, better branded assets in high barrier to entry (top 25 MSA) markets. Values for these assets will remain surprisingly high. There are deals to be made all over the country.”

Hunter Realty, founded in 1978, has offices in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Minneapolis. The firm’s exclusive focus is in hotel brokerage and financing.

 For more information or to visit current listings, please visit http://www.hunterhotels.net/  or contact Teague Hunter at 770-916-0300 in Atlanta.


Contact: Chris Daly, Jerry Daly media, (703) 435-6293, chris@dalygray.com

Friday, May 21, 2010

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Office Lease Agreement with International Food Trade Company at La Vina Office at Lake Nona, FL


ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 1,410 square feet of office space at La Vina Office at Lake Nona, 9145 Narcoossee Rd. in southeast Orlando.

Mary Frances West (top right photo), CCIM senior associate at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord Orlando-based Ripley’s International, LLC.

The tenant, SCG Trading aka South Commerce Group, Inc., an international food trade company, already has one Florida office in Miami and is opening its second with a two-year lease at this location.

For more information,  contact
Mary Frances West, CCIM, Senior Broker-Associate NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mfwest@realvest.com;
Patrick Mahoney, Chief Operating Officer NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
 Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lversehlco@aol.com

Grubb & Ellis Adds Top Retail Team to Rapidly Expanding San Diego Office


SAN DIEGO, CA– Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, announced that its San Diego office, which opened in March has expanded its capabilities with the addition of the Retail team of Anthony M. Villasenor (top left  photo) , Ryan Gonzales (top right photo)  and Christopher Belaire.

 The team joins from Voit Real Estate Services, effective immediately.

Villasenor joins as senior vice president, Gonzales as senior associate and Belaire as research coordinator.

“Tony and his team are well-known throughout the San Diego marketplace,” said Greg Coxon, president, Brokerage Services.

 “Their knowledge of the local marketplace and reputation for providing unparalleled client service are consistent with our objective of attracting quality professionals to our office. We are committed to building the top commercial real estate services office in San Diego, and we’re thrilled to have Tony and his team on board.”

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

Marcus & Millichap Promotes Spencer Yablon and Joseph Cesta to Vice President Positions

Spencer Yablon Will Continue as Regional Manager of Philadelphia Office

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has promoted Spencer Yablon (top right photo)  to vice president, according to Harvey E. Green, (top left photo)  president and chief executive officer of Marcus & Millichap.

Yablon currently serves as the regional manager of the Philadelphia office, a position he will continue to hold.

“Spencer’s excellent management skills, brokerage expertise and superior knowledge of the investment sales market make him a great asset to our clients and investment specialists in Philadelphia and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” says Green.

Yablon joined the Philadelphia office in March of 2004 and listed more than $180 million in investment properties. He was promoted to associate in September 2005. Yablon became a member of the management team in September 2006 as a sales manager of the Philadelphia office. In April 2007, he was promoted to regional manager and in 2009 he earned the firm’s Regional Manager of the Year designation.

Prior to joining the firm, Yablon worked as a wealth management consultant for a New York investment bank and was the top rookie in his training class. Prior to leaving that firm, he managed nearly $250 million for high net-worth individuals with his partners.

Yablon graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.


Joseph Cesta Remains Regional Manager of Newport Beach, CA Office

NEWPORT BEACH, CA May 21, 2009 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has promoted Joseph Cesta  (middle left photo) to vice president, according to Harvey E. Green, president and chief executive officer of Marcus & Millichap.

 Cesta currently serves as the regional manager of the Newport Beach office, a position he will continue to hold.

“Joe’s excellent management skills, brokerage expertise and superior knowledge of the investment sales market make him a tremendous asset to our clients and investment specialists in Orange County and throughout Southern California,” says Green.

Cesta joined Marcus & Millichap in 2001 as a sales intern. He became an agent in 2002, specializing in retail investments.

 Cesta earned several sales awards and reached senior associate status in 2004. In May 2005, he joined the management team as sales manager of the Ontario office.

 Cesta then became a sales manager of the Newport Beach office in December 2007. In July 2008, he was promoted to regional manager of the Newport Beach office.

Cesta attended Arizona State University on a football scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing and a Minor in Communications.

Marco Lala of Marcus & Millichap Lists More than $30M in New York Real Estate

NEW YORK, N.Y., May 21, 2010 – Since January, Marco Lala (bottom left photo) , an associate vice president investments in the Manhattan office of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has listed and closed more than $30 million in commercial real estate assets and has been asked to perform more than 70 Broker Opinion of Values (BOVs) for banks, large institutional groups and private owners, according to J.D. Parker, (bottom right photo)  regional manager of the firm’s Manhattan office.


“Since joining Marcus & Millichap in 2008, I have been able to better serve my clients,” says Lala. “I’ve not only continued to focus on my core business in The Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester but more importantly, cover the entire metro area working with Marcus & Millichap brokers in other offices, including Brooklyn, New Haven and New Jersey.”

In 2008 and 2009, Lala brokered the sale of 62 properties.

As the investment sales market becomes even more challenging and lending sources continue to tighten, Lala’s consultative approach to brokerage has earned him the respect of some of the city’s biggest property owners, explains Parker.

“Many of the city’s local owners seek Lala’s advice or ask him to provide with a ‘back of the envelope’ analysis on their next deal,” says Parker.

Lala’s most recent closing was a 28-unit apartment building that closed for $2 million at 34 Putnam Ave. in Brewster, N.Y.

His listings include:

39-43 Garfield St., Yonkers: a seven-family residential building with 30 parking spaces for $750,000;
641 President St. and 682 Union St., Brooklyn: a mixed-use for $5,995,000;
2543-67 Decatur Ave., The Bronx: a 94-unit apartment building for $6,995,000;
2608 Creston Ave., The Bronx: a 54-unit apartment building for $4,395,000;
3128 Villa Ave., The Bronx: a 30-unit apartment building for $2,395,000;
647 Bryant Ave., The Bronx: a mixed-use building for $1,375,000;

1302 Rev. James Polite, The Bronx: an 8-unit building for $695,000
1306 Fteley Ave., The Bronx: a 63-unit and five-store mixed use asset for $5,995,000;
307 E. Tremont Ave., The Bronx: a 62-unit and a four-store mixed use building for $5,999,000;
1251-1255 Webster Ave.; The Bronx, a 55-unit asset for $4,199,000;
42 Buena Vista Ave., Yonkers, a development site for $300,000;
7 Terrace View, New York, N.Y.,: a development site for $375,000.

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

Marcus & Millichap Sells 14-Unit Apartment Building in Clearwater, FL


CLEARWATER, FL, May 21, 2010 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has announced the sale of The Edward Apartments (top left photo) , a 14-unit apartments property located in Clearwater, Florida, according to Bryn D. Merrey, Regional Manager of the firm’s Tampa office.

The asset commanded a sales price of $360,000.

Michael P Regan investment specialist in Marcus & Millichap’s Tampa office and Felipe J. Echarte, investment specialist in the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of both the seller and the buyer, limited liability companies based out of Florida.

The Edward Apartments is located at 1408 Alpine Road.

“This property was successfully sold as a structured short sale. We are seeing banks being more proactive in going down this route with cooperating borrowers, rather than chancing a long foreclosure process” Regan stated.

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

HFF named to market for sale 428-unit Schaumburg, IL multi-housing community


CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that it has been named to market for sale The Lakes of Schaumburg (top left photo) , a 428-unit multi-housing community in Schaumburg, Illinois.

HFF managing directors Marty O’Connell (top right photo)  and Sean Fogarty (top left photo)  and executive managing director Matthew Lawton (middle right photo) will lead the investment sales team on behalf of its client, Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC.

 The property is listed without a formal asking price free and clear of existing debt.

The Lakes of Schaumburg is located at 801 Belinder Lane near Interstates 90 and 290, O’Hare International Airport and two Metra commuter rail lines in the northwest Chicago suburb of Schaumburg.

The property has one- and two-bedroom units averaging 800 square feet each and the current occupancy is over 95%.

Residents have access to two clubhouses offering a business center, coffee/tea bar, fitness center and weight room as well as two outdoor heated swimming pools, two sand playgrounds, extensive beautiful landscaping including three fountain ponds and a jogging/bike trail.

“The Lakes of Schaumburg is ideally positioned in one of the area’s most desirable and historically highest performing submarkets,” said O’Connell.

 “There has also been minimal construction in the Schaumburg area. The last community to be built was in 1990, making communities such as The Lakes of Schaumburg, which has been extensively renovated, one of the very finest communities for renters in the area.”

Contacts:

Martin F. O'Connell, HFF Managing Director, (312) 528-3650, moconnell@hfflp.com
Sean P. Fogarty, HFF Managing Director, (312) 528-3650, sfogarty@hfflp.com
Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500,  krmurphy@hfflp.com


HFF arranges refinance of GSA-leased facility in Houston

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston and Dallas offices of HFF(Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) have arranged a financial joint venture for Southwest Science Center (middle left photo) , a 34,277-square-foot facility fully leased to the General Services Administration (GSA) in Houston, Texas.

HFF senior managing directors Dan Miller (middle right photo below Matthew Lawton photo) and Mona Carlton (middle left photo beneath GSA property photo)  and real estate analyst Trent Agnew represented the owner, Live Oak Gottesman Company, an Austin, TX-based full-service real estate firm.

A private real estate group entered into a joint venture with the owner and assumed existing debt as part of the agreement. HFF arranged another financial joint venture on behalf of Live Oak Gottesman in January for another GSA-leased facility in McAllen, Texas.

Southwest Science Center, located at 4150 Interwood South Parkway, is situated on nearly six acres near the Sam Houston Tollway and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in a 440-acre master-planned, mixed-use development called Interwood.

The building is a state-of-the-art forensics laboratory that was developed and constructed for U.S. Customs & Border Protection.

Contacts;

H. Dan Miller, CCIM, SIOR, HFF Senior Managing Director, (713) 852-3500, dmiller@hfflp.com
 Mona K. Carlton, HFF Senior Managing Director, 214) 265-0880, mcarlton@hfflp.com
Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, ( (713) 852-3500, krmurphy@hfflp.com


HFF named to market for sale a super-core trophy retail project adjacent to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL

CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago and Dallas offices of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced today that they have been named to market for sale The Streets of Woodfield, a 711,402-square-foot, super-core retail project in Schaumburg, Illinois.

HFF directors Kenneth Glomb and Daniel Kaufman, along with senior managing directors Matthew Lawton, Jim Batjer and Barry Brown,  will market the property exclusively on behalf of the ownership.

The Streets of Woodfield is 98% leased on a long-term basis, and anchored by Carson Pirie Scott, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Crate & Barrel and Whole Foods Market. The Streets of Woodfield also includes a 20-screen AMC Theatre and the U.S. flagship store for LegoLand Discovery Center. The property is located at 601 North Martingale Road immediately adjacent to Woodfield Mall, (bottom left photo) a 2.2 million-square-foot super regional mall.

“The center features a dynamic, thoroughly modern architectural design, which appeals to the area’s sophisticated shopper base; and the open-air circulation allows excellent visibility into the project from Interstate 290 at the entrance to Woodfield Mall,” said Glomb.

“The Streets of Woodfield is a well-seasoned retail landmark in suburban Chicago which sits at a main-and-main location adjacent to one of the nation’s top 25 super regional malls. The center’s A+ retail location, outstanding / productive tenant mix, and upside potential are highly coveted by retail real estate investors today,” said Kaufman.

“The trade area offers retailers an exceptional demographic base featuring 270,000 people within a five-mile radius of the property and an $87,000-plus average household income.

Approximately 250,000 cars per day travel past The Streets of Woodfield on I-290 and Higgins Road.

 As a result of the area’s outstanding demographic characteristics, the Woodfield Mall submarket is a tier-one location for retailers doing business in the United States and The Streets of Woodfield is a first stop location for those retailers.

The property’s retail tenants report consistently high sales including top 10% of chain performance for a number of the retailers, and Whole Foods’ recent addition and long-term commitment to the center further demonstrates the strength of this location and the appeal of The Streets of Woodfield,” added Glomb.

Contacts:
Kenneth J. Glomb, HFF Director, (312) 528-3650, kglomb@hfflp.com
Daniel A. Kaufman, HFF Director, (312) 528-3650, dkaufman@hfflp.com
Kristen M. Murphy, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, (713) 852-3500, krmurphy@hfflp.com

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Marriott International Confirmed as Title Sponsor of Second Annual Cornell Icon of the Industry Awards Dinner


NEW YORK, NY, May 20, 2010—Officials of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration today announced that Marriott International will be the title sponsor of the second annual Cornell Icon of the Industry Awards Dinner.

 This year’s event will honor the 2010 Icon of the Industry, Class of 1956 alumnus Charles "Chuck" Feeney (top right photo), co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers and founding chairman of The Atlantic Philanthropies.

The event also honors the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship’s 2010 Hospitality Innovator Award winner, Solomon Kerzner,(middle right photo)  founder, CEO, and chairman of the board of Kerzner International.

The annual awards dinner features a gathering of the world’s most influential hospitality and travel leaders coming together to support Cornell School of Hotel Administration scholarships and programs.

The event will be held on June 8, 2010, at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, and will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. The dinner and awards ceremony will follow.

Officials also announced that J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., (top left photo)  chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, Inc., and inaugural winner of the Icon Award, along with the school’s dean and E. M. Statler Professor, Michael Johnson, (bottom right photo) will co-present the award to Feeney.

Marriott was presented the award last year in recognition for his extraordinary industry, community, and philanthropic leadership. He is a member of the National Business Council and the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

“Chuck’s influence on the hospitality industry has been wide ranging and long lasting,” said Bill Marriott. “His mark on retail travel, as well as his philanthropic endeavors, are each impressive in their own right.

"His foundation has a great record worldwide, including in Vietnam and Australia. I’ve known Chuck for years, and he is a smart businessman, a generous benefactor and an ideal recipient of this year’s Icon of the Industry award.”

Solomon Kerzner will receive the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship’s 2010 Hospitality Innovator Award for his visionary work redefining the scope and scale of destination resort/casino development and operation throughout much of the world.

With a career spanning more than four decades, he founded both of South Africa’s largest hotel groups, played a pivotal role in the development of tourism industries in Mauritius and the Bahamas, and continues to develop industry leading projects in unique destinations throughout the world.

He also manages six of the top-rated luxury resort properties in the world under his One&Only brand in the Bahamas, Mexico, Mauritius, the Maldives, Dubai, and South Africa.

Jonathan Tisch (middle left photo) will co-present, also with Johnson, the Hospitality Innovator Award to Kerzner.

Tisch is chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels, as well as co-chairman of the board and member of the Office of the President of Loews Corporation, its parent company, which was founded by his father Robert Tisch.

 He also holds positions as chairman emeritus of the United States Travel Association (U.S. Travel), a travel industry lobbying group; trustee of Tufts University; treasurer of the New York Giants Football Team; and board member of the Tribeca Film Institute.

 His published works include The Power of We: Succeeding Through Partnerships, Chocolates on the Pillow Aren't Enough: Reinventing the Customer Experience and his recently released, Citizen You...Doing Your Part to Change the World.

He also hosts “Beyond the Boardroom with Jonathan Tisch,” an Emmy-nominated series of one-on-one interviews with America’s preeminent CEOs and business people on Plum TV, a media network. The show also has aired on CNBC, Fox, PBS, and WNBC-New York.

The event already has attracted more than 60 sponsors and 650 registered attendees, according to Joe Strodel, Jr., (bottom left photo) director of corporate & foundation affairs, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

To RSVP, please register at www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/events/icon or contact Liz Flint at es232@cornell.edu.

 Admission prices are $1,000 for VIP seating (limited seating still available); $575 for premier seating; and $275 for regular seating. To share a testimonial on either of the event honorees, please do so here at www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/industry/events/icon-accolades.html.

Interested sponsors may contact Rachel Ash, manager of corporate & foundation affairs, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, at rep6@cornell.edu.

 For additional information, please go to the event’s official Web site: www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/industry/events/awardsdinner.html.

Contact: Jerry Daly, Chris Daly, Daly Gray Public Relations, (703) 435-6293

SOLD: CBRE Orlando Closes Six Apartment Deals in Six Weeks


ORLANDO, FL--CB Richard Ellis is pleased to announce the sale of three more multi-housing communities in Orlando over the last two weeks – their sixth apartment closing in six weeks.

The three most recent sales occurred in separate transactions to different buyers. The properties are Archstone Altamonte Springs, Notting Hill, and Residences at Villa Medici.

Shelton Granade (top right photo)  and Luke Wickham (top left photo)  of CBRE’s Central Florida Multi-Housing Group exclusively represented the sellers on all three assignments.


The properties sold range from a stabilized, value-add deal built in the late 1980’s (Altamonte Springs, 224 units) to bulk sales on two fractured condo communities (Notting Hill in Lake Mary and Residences at Villa Medici in Orlando).

 Buyer interest in multi-housing assets in Central Florida has increased significantly over the last few months.

CBRE currently has several other assets under contract, and is generating more than 40 offers on some widely marketed offerings. For further information, please contact the Central Florida Multi-Housing Group of CB Richard Ellis.


Contacts:

Shelton Granade, Senior Vice President, Central Florida Multi-Housing Group,  T 407.839.3103, shelton.granade@cbre.com

Luke Wickham, Director of Operations, Central Florida Multi-Housing Group,  T 407.839.3130,  luke.wickham@cbre.com

Jones Lang LaSalle Completes 71,286 SF Industrial Lease in Los Angeles


LOS ANGELES, CA, May 20, 2010 — Jones Lang LaSalle announced that it has completed a lease with Love Culture for 71,286 square feet of industrial space, including 18,550 square feet of office space, at a single tenant building located at 2423 23rd Street in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jones Lang LaSalle’s team of Executive Vice President Paul Sablock (top right photo), Senior Vice President Barry Hill, Vice President Greg Matter and Associate Zac Sakowski represented the landlord, Daumosh, Inc., in the transaction. Bryan Lee and Kee Kwon of North American Properties represented the tenant.

“Daumosh was looking to lease their property quickly so it could move into its new building and avoid any vacancy,” said Sablock. “We were able to locate a tenant who was looking for an industrial building in the garment district which contained significant amount of high image office space.”

Founded in 2007, Love Culture is one of the fastest growing speciality retailers featuring the latest styles for women ages 14 to 40.

Contact: David Ebeling, Ebeling Communications, 949.278.7851, david@ebelingcomm.com

Grubb & Ellis Commercial Florida Negotiates Long Term Retail lease at Post Commons Shopping Center for New Chinese Restaurant in Melbourne, FL

MELBOURNE, FL - Grubb & Ellis Commercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently negotiated a five year lease agreement for 6,300 square feet in the Post Commons Shopping Center (bottom left photo) at 4100 Wickham Rd. in Melbourne.

Cheryl Harrington, (top right photo) vice president of retail development for Grubb & Ellis
Commercial Florida in Melbourne, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Post & Wickham Corporation, Inc. based in Fort Lauderdale.

Yong Wang Buffet, Inc. of Daytona Beach, leased suite 114 with 6,300 square feet for a Chinese restaurant that seats 260. Interior buildout is underway, with opening planned for early this summer.

Grubb & Ellis Commercial Florida  is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties.

Currently Grubb & Ellis Commercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

Contact: Cheryl Harrington, VP Retail Development, 2108 W. New Haven Avenue, West Melbourne, FL 32904, 321.984.1957

First Wyndham Grand in Hawaii Will be New, Oceanside Residential Resort



PARSIPPANY, NJ– Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN),  announced that the brand’s first new build project in Hawaii also will be the first to fly the Wyndham Grand® flag: a 322-unit luxury resort and residential development currently under construction on a 25-acre tract at Poipu Beach on the south shore of Kauai.

Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach Wyndham Grand Resort (bottom left rendering) is owned by Poipu Beach Villas LLC, a Salt Lake City-based consortium, and is being developed in multiple phases.

The general contractor is Layton Construction, also known locally as Resort Construction Managers, which has served the needs of commercial construction customers for nearly six decades. Azul Hospitality Group of San Diego, a hospitality management company specializing in full-service hotels and upscale resorts, will manage the property.

Construction began in June 2008. The project ultimately will include one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom luxury residences. Construction is expected to be completed on Phase One during the third quarter of this year, which the resort will celebrate with a grand opening. Phase One will include 85 luxury resort residences, two lagoon pools, fitness center and a dining and shopping marketplace.

“This will be an impressive addition to the Wyndham Grand Collection portfolio, which represents our most distinguished properties,” said Jeff Wagoner, (top right photo)  Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president.

“We are committed to expanding the Wyndham brand to provide our guests with the broadest choice of high-quality vacation opportunities in some of the most popular destinations in the world.”


“Customers are still seeking thoughtfully planned, high-end vacation opportunities in desirable locations like Kauai’s south shore, with luxurious resort amenities to complement their interests and lifestyle,” said Kent B. England, president of Poipu Beach Villas, LLC. “We are delighted to add the Wyndham Grand name to this spectacular resort, which will create an exciting new destination in the highly popular Hawaiian market.”

Koloa Landing is offering full ownership of these luxury residences with price ranges beginning in the low $900,000’s to more than $3 million for the penthouses. For more information, visit www.koloalanding.com or call (866) 921-4242. For more information about the Wyndham Grand Collection, visit www.thewyndhamgrandcollection.com.

. Additional information and reservations for all Wyndham hotels are available by calling (800) WYNDHAM -- (800) 996-3426 -- or visiting http://www.wyndham.com/.

Contact; Evy Apostolatos, Director, Public Relations, Wyndham Hotel Group, 22 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054, +1 (973) 753-6590, evy.apostolatos@wyndhamworldwide.com

The Resort at Pembroke Pines, Pembroke Pines, FL - Engler Financial Group Exclusive Offering


ATLANTA, GA--Engler Financial Group LLC presents The Resort at Pembroke Pines (top left photo),  an upscale 1,520-unit apartment community which was constructed in three phases between 1986 and 1990 in Pembroke Pines, Broward County, Florida.

The Property is located along the north side of Pembroke Road, just east of S. Flamingo Road, approximately two miles east of Interstate-75.


The Resort at Pembroke Pines is offered for sale on an “unpriced” basis and represents an excellent opportunity to purchase a well-located multifamily asset which underwent an extensive exterior renovation in 2007.


The Resort at Pembroke Pines is currently encumbered with a $120,000,000 assumable DMBS Fannie Mae Variable rate (90 day DMBS + 1.34%) loan.

The loan rate, which has a high correlation to LIBOR, is established thru a security sale every 90 days and is currently at 1.58% thru August 2, 2010.The loan matures August 1, 2015 and is "interest only" for the remaining term.

Spreads on new DMBS product would typically be priced in the 2.5%-3% over range versus 1.34% on the current loan. The reduced spread adds a significant amount of cash flow to the asset.



Contacts:
Greg Engler, CEO/President, 678/992-2000, ext. 1, gengler@efgus.com
Pat Jones, Senior Vice President, 678/992-2000, ext. 2, pjones@efgus.com
Kris Mikkelsen, Senior Associate, 678/992-2000, ext. 4, kmikkelsen@efgus.com

Grubb & Ellis Represents UCLA in 81,195-SF Office Lease Extension in Los Angeles


LOS ANGELES, CA – Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, announced that members of its Tenant Advisory Group represented the University of California, Los Angeles in a 130-month lease extension for 81,195 square feet of office space located at 5767 W. Century Blvd.

Sean O’Leary, vice president, and Maury Gentile, executive vice president, represented the university in conjunction with Joanne Williams of UCLA Real Estate.

The university uses the space, located near the Los Angeles International Airport, for the Faculty Practice Group Physician Support Services office, which has approximately 400 employees.

The office is responsible for billing 1,300 providers at four hospitals, including Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, (bottom right photo) Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center & Orthopedic Hospital, Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, as well as 65 other clinics.

 The facility also houses the Physician Referral Services call center. According to O’Leary the lease generated significant cost savings for UCLA.

The owner of the property, Decron Properties, represented itself in the transaction.

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

Elika Associates in Manhattan Reports a Diversified Market Share and Sees Tremendous Sales Transactions in Spring


NEW YORK,  NY (May 20, 2010) -- Spring, traditionally a busy season in real estate, is off to a strong start for Elika Associates, Manhattan’s first and only exclusive buyers brokerage, which saw incredible sales activity in all sectors of the market.

Elika Associates, a boutique brokerage that works extensively with high-end and international buyers, experienced a diversification in its market share, thanks in large part to the Federal Housing Tax Credit propelling first-time homebuyers to enter the market.

Pieds-a-terre buyers and international investors were also active players in the marketplace and Gea Elika, (top left photo)  the company’s founder and principal broker, along with his top agent, Megan McGinn, (top right photo)  completed eight deals in the first quarter of the year.

“A wide range of well-qualified buyers are stepping away from the sidelines as the market bottoms out and as a result Elika Associates experienced a tremendous growth in our client base,” said Elika. “The luxury market is next to recover and I’m confident that we’ll see more high-end buyers ready to pull the trigger by year’s end.”

In the months leading up to the deadline for the Federal Housing Tax Credit, Elika Associates experienced a surge in leads from pre-qualified, first time homebuyers, fielding 20 to 30 inquiries per day.

 Elika agents are currently reporting a wave of parents purchasing homes for their children who will be starting at city universities in the fall and international buyers who are looking to invest in a recovering New York market, some even purchasing apartments sight-unseen.

Elika Associates is New York’s premier buyers brokerage. Elika exclusively represents the buyer and provides exceptional services tailored to each discerning client’s unique real estate needs.

Elika provides buyers with expert unbiased assistance with all property inquiries while finding, managing and negotiating the purchase of their next real estate investment. Elika Associates is a proud member of REBNY, FIABCI, NAEBA and REALTOR(TM). For more information, please visit www.elikaassociates.com.

Contact:  Rubenstein Associates, Inc. – Public Relations, Eiko Suzuki: 212-843-9395, esuzuki@rubenstein.com