Accord Group announces global expansion with addition of industry veteran and new corporate partnership

 

Rita Ling

 San Francisco, CA – Accord Group, a global real estate strategic investment and capital advisory firm, has announced the appointment of Rita Ling to Managing Director, Asia, as part of the firm’s commitment to strategic and ongoing global growth.  

           Ling, who previously served as Managing Director & Head of Investor Relations at Invesco Real Estate in Asia, as well as at Phoenix Property Investors in Hong Kong, will help to expand Accord’s efforts in Asia in response to growing demand in the region, according to Desi Co, Managing Partner at Accord. 

Desi G. Co

"We are honored to welcome Rita, who brings 30 years of real estate and capital raising experience, to the Accord team,” says Co. “At Accord, we believe that our global perspective sets us apart.

"We have a deep history of working with sponsors throughout the world and a vast network of international capital partners, and we believe that cultural awareness is one of our competitive advantages.

Tricia Peterson

"Rita’s depth of expertise, combined with her keen perspective, will play a key role in positioning us to further these global efforts." 

Investment growth in Asia Pacific real estate continues to surge, with volumes up 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2022. According to data and analysis published in the JLL Capital Tracker Q1 2022, $40.8 billion of capital was deployed via direct real estate investment into the region throughout the quarter.

 Additionally, Asian outbound commercial real estate investment surged 69% year-on-year in 2021 to $54.6 billion, surpassing 2019’s pre-pandemic volume, according to data from CBRE. 

Rosalie Manansala

“I am thrilled to be joining the Accord team to bring broad Asia coverage and support Dr. Kee Rhee, Accord’s Senior Advisor, with Korean market outreach,” says Ling.

“I look forward to working with investors in Asia to support their global real estate investment needs, as well as finding capital solutions for real estate sponsors in this strong growth region.”  

In addition to the team’s growth, the firm has also expanded its corporate partnerships to include DOT Capital Advisors, according to Tricia Peterson, Managing Partner at Accord.  

Led by Rosalie Manansala, DOT Capital Advisors is a multifaceted commercial real estate financial services advisory group.

Focused on social impact, workforce housing, and mission-driven strategies, DOT provides general partners and emerging manager programs with a range of solutions, emphasizing impact investing and purposeful business strategies. 

“This opportunity to partner with Rosalie and the team at DOT Capital Advisors will support Accord’s outreach to family offices, RIAs and other investors in the United States,” says Peterson.

 “We pride ourselves on partnering with like-minded organizations that are committed to ESG initiatives, innovative solutions, and integrity.” 

 Contacts:

 Anthea Davis / Lexi Astfalk   

The Smart Agency, Inc.   

(949) 438-6262   

andavis@thesmartagency.com 

RKW RESIDENTIAL Two Team Members Earn National and Regional Recognition

 

Yanira Herrera

Miami, FL, Aug. 19, 2022 -- RKW Residential is proud to announce that two of its team members, Senior Marketing Manager Cynthia Blanco and Regional Vice President Yanira Herrera, earned prestigious national and regional recognitions.

 Miami-based Blanco is one of just 34 industry professionals to be selected for the organization’s annual Leadership Lyceum program.

 Herrera, who is also based in Miami, received a South Florida Business Journal 2022 “40 Under 40” award.

 

Cynthia Blanco

The Leadership Lyceum program provides selected individuals with the opportunity to develop as a volunteer leader. It is designed to identify, inform, inspire and empower new and emerging volunteer leaders of the NAA. Blanco is an active member of the NAA-affiliate South East Florida Apartment Association.

 Each year, SFBJ recognizes young South Florida leaders making an impact in the region’s economy and community. Herrera and the rest of the 2022 40 Under 40 class will be honored during a July 29 luncheon.

 

 Marcie Williams 

“We are so proud of Cynthia Blanco and Yanira Herrera for their many contributions to RKW and the multifamily industry,” RKW CEO Marcie Williams said. “These are incredibly talented future industry leaders. We are excited to support their continued growth.”

 Founded just eight years ago, RKW is one of the multifamily industry’s most compelling entrepreneurial success stories in recent memory.

 The company just made MHN’s annual “Top Property Managers” list for the fourth consecutive year, ranking No. 27 in the 2022 edition.

  Contact:

Eric Kalis

Vice President,

 BoardroomPR

ekalis@boardroompr.com

O 954-370-8999 

C 305-794-5123

Bank of America Plaza | 1776 N Pine Island Road

Suite 320 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322

Web | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

www.rkwresidential.com

Ware Malcomb promotes Ilbret Adeh and Melani Dannenberg to studio managers in Los Angeles office

 

Ilbret Adeh 

 LOS ANGELES, CA, Aug. 18, 2022 – Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, today announced the promotions of Ilbret Adeh to Studio Manager, Interior Architecture & Design and Melani Dannenberg to Studio Manager, Architecture in the firm’s Los Angeles, California office.

Adeh will help lead the growth and management of the office’s Interior Architecture & Design Studio and manage select projects.

Dannenberg will help lead the growth and management of the office’s Architecture Studio and manage select projects. 

Adeh is a licensed architect in multiple states with more than 20 years of experience in commercial architecture and interior design.

Melani Dannenberg

 

She joined Ware Malcomb in 2021 as Senior Project Manager managing some of the firm’s most prestigious client accounts.

 Her experience includes landlord accounts, tenant improvements, corporate workplace and capital repositioning projects. Adeh holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design, Architecture, from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado Denver.

She is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the American Institute of Architects. 

Alicia Zaro

 

“Ilbret has shown tremendous dedication and leadership. She has taken the lead on several large accounts and excelled in managing the interiors operations,” said Alicia Zaro, Director, Interior Architecture & Design for Ware Malcomb.

 “As our firm continues to grow, she’s been incredible at enhancing client relationships and establishing new partnerships. We congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion.” 

Dannenberg has more than 24 years of experience leading teams in various market sectors. Her experience includes overseeing all aspects of project design and management.

 

Sergio Valentini

She is well versed in a wide variety of project types including office, entertainment, retail, restaurant, financial, industrial and manufacturing.

 Dannenberg joined Ware Malcomb in 2020 and has helped manage the daily responsibilities of the architecture studio, mentor the team and manage complex projects.

 She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona. 

 “Melani has helped cultivate a strong team through her ability to mentor and connect with people,” said Sergio Valentini. “She is incredibly collaborative and her positive attitude is appreciated by our team, clients and consultants.

Melani has become a trusted leader of the Los Angeles Architecture Studio, and we look forward to her continued growth and leadership.” 

 

Contacts:

Rachel Devany

VP Public Relations,

 KCOMM for Ware Malcomb

rachel@kcomm.com

  Maria Rodgers, PR & Communications Manager, 949.660.9128, mrodgers@waremalcomb.com

 Maureen Bissonnette, Principal, Marketing, 949.660.9128

 mbissonnette@waremalcomb.com

waremalcomb.com

Orlando’s Westwood Corporate Center Receives Major Transformation

 

Shayna Hansen

ORLANDO, FL – Lincoln Property Company Southeast (LPC), the management firm for Westwood Corporate Center, is putting the finishing touches on an extensive $2.5+ million modernization of its 125,000 square foot 5-story office tower at 6649 Westwood Blvd.

The property which fronts Interstate-4, offers an unobstructed view to over 200,000 cars passing per day, includes a two-story, all-glass lobby that features a trendy coffee bar with adjacent training/conference center amenity available to all tenants. 

Additional seating outdoors surrounds a refreshed landscaped corridor to the neighboring tower with ping pong tables and life-size chess. 

A new private fitness center will offer exercise pods for those who don’t want to work out in groups, and instructors in health and wellness offering group classes for everything from yoga to zumba, according to Shayna Hansen, Director of the firm’s Florida Region.

“As we all know, many employees have been working from home over the last couple of years," Hansen said.   "We are definitely seeing a shift now as many employers/employees are more than ready to get back to the office. 

"Between Zoom fatigue, the lack of personal interaction and the obvious synergy that is created in a vibrant office environment – it’s time to get back into the office atmosphere.” 

Sean Dupree

With a quarter mile of frontage along the Interstate, the Westwood Corporate Center was home to Marriott Vacation Club for 20 years before the corporation moved out of the 6649 tower to build its own facility.  

Westwood is home to many major long-term tenants and is the regional headquarters for several national companies.

 “The visibility is a driving factor for interest in HQ relocations,” Hansen said, adding that several leases are in the works for the tower and two are out-of-state companies looking to expand into the Central Florida area.

The 6649 renovated tower also placed an emphasis on technology, offering Veea Edge high-tech “smart” capabilities, including a conference room that allows employees to log into meetings through apps on their cell phones. Touchless entry and a purified air system by WYND are among the new features being installed in the building.

“We opted for an air system that monitors air quality and promotes employee wellness," said Sean DuPree, Director of Sales/Leasing for Lincoln Property Company.

The system enables healthy indoor environments by identifying problems and automatically implementing solutions as it relates to air quality in the building,”

 

Westwood Corporate Center,
6649 Westwood Boulevard,
 Orlando, FL

Westwood Corporate Center, which is owned by New York-based Innovatus Capital Partners, also has onsite property management, dry cleaning service twice a week and on-site security.

DuPree added that the new training/conference center and other common area amenities at the renovated tower are available to all tenants throughout the 21-acre corporate center with 344,000 square feet of Class A office space in two towers and three one-story buildings, plus a large 4-story parking garage.   

 Contacts:

Shayna Hansen, Director of LPC’s Florida Region, 317-400-5636, 407-872-3516 or Shansen@lpc.com

Sean DuPree, Director of Sales/Leasing, Lincoln Property Company, 407-872-3538 Sdupree@lpc.com

Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-461-3781

or 407-644-4142; beth@larryvershel.com.

 

Enterprise Mill named 2022’s Best Apartment Complex in Augusta, GA

Stephanie Harrison
 and husband John

AUGUSTA, GA, Aug. 16, 2022 – Beacon Real Estate Group, the Miami-based commercial real estate firm with a vast portfolio in Georgia, and across the Southeast U.S., is commencing a $3 million improvement plan at the Enterprise Mill in Augusta, Georgia.

The former cotton mill is now a vibrant mixed-use complex and considered one of Augusta’s true historic landmarks.

Enterprise Mill, 1450 Greene Street,

 named 2022’s Best Apartment 

Complex in Augusta, GA

 

The Enterprise Mill was recently named Augusta’s “Best Apartment Complex” of 2022 by the Augusta Chronicle. Each year, the publication’s readers vote on the “City´s Best of the Best” in different categories.

 Stephanie Harrison of Harrison Properties oversees management and leasing of Enterprise Mill’s apartments.

C. Ralph Kitchens of Nichols Land & Investment oversees management and leasing of Enterprise Mill’s office space.

Upcoming improvements to the 1450 Greene St. complex include interior renovations to all 60 loft apartment homes; new landscaping; north and south tower beautification and signage upgrades; a fire pit gathering area; tenant buildouts for office users and more.

Carlos Imery

 Beacon previously invested more than $2 million to enhance Enterprise Mill’s amenities, add 24-hour security and address deferred maintenance from before the firm’s 2016 acquisition of the property.

 “Enterprise Mill is a crown jewel for both our firm’s portfolio and Downtown Augusta overall,” Beacon Chief Operating Officer Carlos Imery said. 

“These upcoming enhancements build on the momentum we have created through prior upgrades and modernization of the apartment and office components.”

 Originally constructed in the 1840s, Enterprise Mill is a completely renovated former cotton mill adjacent to the historic Augusta Canal. Its revival symbolizes a new era, where southern heritage blends seamlessly with contemporary urban lifestyle. With unique character and stunning original architecture, the mixed-use complex’s apartment homes and office space stands alone in the area.

Enterprise Mill is located between Augusta’s Downtown District and Medical District, which is home to Augusta University, University Hospital, VA Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

 

C. Ralph Kitchens 

Each of Enterprise Mill’s one, two and three-bedroom loft apartments have unique features and design components, including wide plank pine floors, exposed brick walls, ceilings that are at least 15” tall and oversized windows. Amenities include a resort-style fitness center, business center with conference room, on-site ATM, courtyard, grill and picnic area.

 “Our residents love how the apartments combine Augusta’s history with modern aesthetics,” Harrison said. “They also recognize that Enterprise Mill offers a one-of-a-kind downtown lifestyle with convenience, waterfront access, entertainment and outdoor activities. Beacon’s substantial improvements will make the quality of life at Enterprise Mill that much more appealing.”

 The complex’s 215,000-square-foot Class A office facility is popular with law firms, engineers, cybersecurity firms, medical tenants and more. Some professionals who work at Enterprise Mill also rent apartments there – especially nurses, doctors and engineers. The office space is fully equipped with state-of-the-art fiber optic communications.

 Apartment home residents and office tenants have access to shared amenities including the fitness center, conference rooms, and the Starch Room,” a rustic event venue located adjacent to Enterprise Mill.

 For apartment inquiries, contact Harrison at (404) 819-3338 or stephanie@hpatlanta.com. 

For office inquiries, contact Kitchens at (706) 364-3901 or rkitchens@nicholsland.net.

Beacon owns more than 6,000 multifamily units in the Southeast U.S., with a strong focus on secondary markets. The company’s portfolio also includes nearly 1 million square feet of office and retail properties in the region.

  

 Contact:

Eric Kalis

Vice President, BoardroomPR

ekalis@boardroompr.com

O 954-370-8999 

C 305-794-5123

Bank of America Plaza | 1776 N Pine Island Road

Suite 320 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322

Web | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

  

Western Specialty Contractors Hires Debbie Kalck as Chicago Facades Branch Manager

 Debbie Kalck 

 

 St. Louis, MO -- Western Specialty Contractors announces the appointment of Debbie Kalck as Manager of its Chicago Facades Branch.

In her new position, Kalck is responsible for managing sales, daily operations, and field personnel, plus developing new projects within her branch’s territory.

“Debbie’s ability to connect with people, her positive energy and drive for growth made her the perfect fit to lead our Chicago Facades team,” said Justin Berndt, Western Specialty Contractors Midwest Region Operations Manager.

Justin Berndt

“She has an extensive background in finance, construction, sales, restoration, training, and development, and has spent a large part of her career leading successful teams in multiple industries."

Prior to Western, Kalck was Director of Operations for nearly five years at LMC Construction, Inc. During her time with the Chicago masonry contractor, she became a Certified Manager of Community Associations, Certified Lead Renovator and obtained concrete and masonry licenses. 

In addition, she worked for three years as an Account Executive for a large Chicago-based commercial flooring contractor.

Kalck also has more than 24 years of experience managing customer investments and teams in the financial sector, having worked for Morgan Stanley, MetLife, and Merrill Lynch.

 Contact:

Jennifer Beidle
Jennifer Beidle Communications
St. Louis, MO 63129
United States

www.westernspecialtycontractors.com.  

 

iBorrow provides financing for acquisition and renovation of historic Hamptons' boutique hotel on Long Island, NY

 

Brian Good

 

SAGAPONACK, NY – iBorrow, a nationwide private direct lender for commercial real estate, has provided financing to a well-known boutique hotel/inn owner and operator to support the acquisition and renovation of Wainscott Inn, a 30-room boutique inn situated at 3720 Montauk Highway on the east end of Long Island in Sagaponack, NY.

The financing comes at a time when travel is ramping back up post-pandemic and hospitality-sector fundamentals are improving, according to Brian Good, CEO of iBorrow.

“As people return to traveling, the hospitality sector is benefitting from the rebound of the effects of the pandemic,” says Good. “In Q4 2021, hotel occupancies had risen to 63.2% across the nation from 48.9% one year prior. 

"As a result, hotel investors are increasingly placing capital in assets like Wainscott Inn, which is located at a convenient destination for both business and leisure stays.”

iBorrow’s $3.3 million financing of this asset assists the borrower in adding the property to its portfolio and will serve as a bridge loan as the sponsor pursues construction permits and city approvals.

Jon Heoing

“iBorrow has always been a reliable source to assist in funding projects we have invested in over the years,” says Jon Heoing at Atlantic Equity Partners.

“This particular investment shows strong potential as tourism and travel recover. The financing iBorrow helped to secure is structured to assist us in executing our business plan of acquiring the asset and implementing full renovations.”

Wainscott Inn, 3720 Montauk Highway
on the east end of Long Island 
in Sagaponack, NY.

Lenders are likely to be more open to underwriting hotel transactions as sector fundamentals improve, Good explains.

“While hospitality has been one of the slowest asset classes to rebound from the pandemic, it is anticipated to make a full recovery by 2025," says Good.

 "In fact, the year ahead is trending positively, with hotel occupancy rates and revenue per available room (RevPAR) expected to approach 2019 levels. These indicators boost our confidence in the long-term success of this investment.

 Contact:

Katie Haga

The Smart Agency, Inc.

(949) 438-6262
khaga@thesmartagency.com