West Miami Hotel to Re-Launch as Miami Mart Airport Hotel

MIAMI, FL –– The Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel (top right photo) has converted to the new Miami Mart Airport Hotel, effective June 26, 2008, offering both business and leisure travelers a convenient and comfortable place to stay.

The hotel, located just three miles from Miami International Airport, (bottom right photo) provides complimentary round-trip shuttle service to hotel guests.

The Miami Mart Airport Hotel will retain its new name until a new brand is selected in the near future.

Offering 24,160 square feet of flexible meeting space, the hotel can host functions ranging from corporate events to weddings. Featuring dedicated event space and a conference center which is connected to the hotel, the Miami Mart Airport Hotel presents the best in service and convenience for meeting planners and attendees.

“We are eager to unveil our new hotel name – furthermore, we are deeply committed to bringing our guests the same level of quality, service and experience as they have come to expect from an Interstate Hotels & Resorts-managed hotel,” said General Manager Raul Aguilera.

“When a guest chooses to stay with us at the Miami Mart Airport Hotel, our dedication to top-notch service and loyalty to our guests will leave a positive lasting impression.”

Located near the Blue Lagoon business district and 15 miles west of downtown Miami, the hotel is close to many corporations including: Bell South, Florida Power & Light, Ricoh Latin America, and IBM, among others. Guests can enjoy both sporting and leisure activities in close proximity, as the hotel is situated only a few miles from both.

Fontainebleau Golf Course and Doral Golf Resort & Spa. (middle left photo) Or, guests have the opportunity to take in a fast-paced Miami Heat game at American Airlines Arena or an action-packed game at Dolphin Stadium.

The west Miami hotel offers 334 comfortable guestrooms, all equipped with high-speed Internet access.

Hotel amenities include a tropical outdoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center, for the comfort and convenience of their guests. Hotel guests also may enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site, full-service restaurant, Impressions.

The Miami Mart Airport Hotel is situated approximately three miles from Miami International Airport.

Local attractions include Bayside Market Place, (bottom right photo) James L. Knight Center, Orange Bowl Stadium, and Parrot Jungle. Hotel amenities include complimentary airport shuttle, 24-hour room service, laundry/dry cleaning, housekeeping, business center, beauty salon, printing mart, safe deposit box, and baggage storage. Visit the hotel online: http://www.miamimartairporthotel.com/ww.miamimartairporthotel.com/.

The Miami Mart Airport Hotel is operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the nation’s largest independent hotel management company. For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company’ Web site: http://www.ihrco.com/.

CONTACTS:

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

Raul Aguilera, General Manager, Miami Mart Airport Hotel, (305) 261-3800 raul.aguilera@ihrco.com

Arbor Closes $2.1M Fannie Mae DUS® 3MaxExpress® Loan on Horizon Apartments in Hilliard, OH

UNIONDALE, NY-- Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, has funded a $2,100,000 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® 3MaxExpress® product line to refinance the 76-unit complex known as Horizon Apartments (above photo) in Hilliard, OH. DUS and 3MaxExpress are registered marks of Fannie Mae

The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 6.43 percent.
The loan was originated by Alex Kaushansky, (top right photo) Director, in Arbor’s full-service New York City lending office.

“The borrower was pleased with Arbor's ability to deliver in a volatile period,” said Kaushansky. “This loan has helped the borrower maintain a low interest rate and optimum term portfolio.”

Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC, Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, and Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., have extensive experience in mortgage origination, servicing and securitization and have built a reputation for service, quality and flexibility.

Arbor’s seasoned management team specializes in debt and equity financing for multifamily, office, retail, hotel and various other commercial real estate properties. The company offers a broad array of financing options including Fannie Mae DUS®, FHA, CMBS, Bridge and Mezzanine products. Currently, Arbor services approximately $3 billion in loans. Arbor is a rated Standard & Poor’s third-party commercial loan and special servicer.

Arbor also manages Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust, (REIT), formed to invest in real estate-related bridge and mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments and in limited cases, discounted mortgage notes and other real estate related assets. Arbor is headquartered in Uniondale, NY, and has full-service lending offices throughout the United States.

CONTACT:
Ingrid Principe, Tel: (516) 506-4298. Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. 333 Earle Ovington Blvd, Suite 900 Uniondale, NY 11553.

Commercial/Multifamily Delinquency Rates: Mixing Performance Measures Gives a Misleading Picture of Commercial Property Loan Performance

WASHINGTON, DC (July 1, 2008)--The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released today its most recent Commercial/Multifamily Research DataNote, which examines federally published data on banks' commercial/multifamily mortgage delinquency rates.

The DataNote finds that some of these series include construction loans, including those for single-family and other construction and development projects.

The inclusion of these loans greatly inflates the delinquency rates reported for commercial and multifamily real estate loans. Once construction and development loans are excluded, commercial and multifamily mortgages have delinquency levels that are close to historic lows.

(MBA's headquarters building in Washington, DC is at top right)

Research DataNotes are produced by MBA's research and economics staff to provide periodic insights into important issues within the real estate finance industry. Please visit the following Web link to review this Research DataNote:

http://www.mortgagebankers.org/files/Research/CommericalDataNotes/CommericalDataNote070108.pdf
Should you have questions, please contact Jason Vasquez at (202) 557-2950 or jvasquez@mortgagebankers.org

GVA Advantis Retained by Tower Realty Asset Management to Exclusively Lease Airport Corporate Center and Bay Tec Center

TAMPA, FL – (June 30, 2008) – GVA Advantis is pleased to announce it has been retained by Tower Realty Asset Management to exclusively lease both Airport Corporate Center in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, and Bay Tec Center in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.

Both flex portfolios will be exclusively represented by Paula Buffa, (top right photo) CCIM, senior director of office services and Lauren Geller,(top left photo) associate of office services with GVA Advantis.

“We are looking forward to teaming with Tower Realty to lease these two exceptional flex projects,” says Geller. Each provides tenants a prime location in both the Pinellas Gateway submarket and the Westshore / Airport submarket.”

Airport Corporate Center (middle left photo) is comprised of six flex buildings in the Westshore / Airport submarket. Located at 6702 – 6712 Benjamin Road in Tampa, the portfolio totals 107,540 square feet and was built in 1982.

Bay Tec Center (bottom right photo) consists of eight flex buildings totaling approximately 125,000 square feet. Built in 1985, the portfolio is located at 2810 - 2880 North Scherer Drive (Buildings A – H) in St. Petersburg in the Pinellas Gateway industrial submarket.

GVA Advantis is a full-service real estate firm that leases, manages and sells office, industrial, retail and other commercial real estate properties and sites. The company also provides tenant representation, corporate real estate, construction and project management services.

GVA Advantis employs approximately 400 people, leases and manages more than 30 million square feet of commercial facilities, and had an annual transaction volume of approximately $1.5 billion in 2007.

Including its headquarters in Atlanta, the company has 15 regional offices throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. For more information, visit www.gvaadvantis.com.

GVA Worldwide is an international organization of real estate industry leaders serving key markets in 20 countries. The organization comprises more than 3,750 real estate professionals in 95 markets worldwide. In 2007, GVA Worldwide partners collectively completed $35 billion in transactions and managed more than 165 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and specialized property.

A leading advisor in commercial real estate, GVA Worldwide optimizes client portfolios locally and around the world. It serves the real estate needs of clients including multinational corporations, major space users, developers, owners, institutions, lenders and investors. For more information, visit www.gvaworldwide.com.

For more information, visit http://www.gvaworldwide.com/.

CONTACT:

Lisa Hyde, Director of Marketing, Advantis Real Estate Services Company, 3000 Bayport Drive, Suite 100, Tampa, Florida 33607. Tel 813.342.4752. Fax 813.342.4004
Lhyde@gvaadvantis.com
http://www.gvaadvantis.com/

Georgia Senior Housing Property Sells for $55.6M

TAMPA, FL --CLW Health Care Services Group is pleased to have represented Coastal Community Retirement Corporation in the sale of Marsh’s Edge, (top right photo) a premier Entrance Fee Continuing Care Retirement Community located in St. Simons Island, Georgia. (Lighthouse photo middle left)

The 75-acre campus is comprised of:

• 30 Cottage Homes
• 110 Independent Living Apartments
• 52-unit Health Center (Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s and Skilled Nursing)

The purchase price was $55,600,000 ($289,583 per unit).

CLW Health Care Services Group is a division of CLW Real Estate Services Group, a national, commercial real estate firm providing investment sales, multi-market tenant representation, project management, and construction services throughout the United States. CLW Health Care Services Group specializes in exclusively representing sellers throughout the United States in the sale of Senior Housing properties. CLW has sold over one billion dollars in Senior Housing assets.

Konover South Announces Metro PCS Lease at Its New Inverrary Falls Retail Center in Lauderhill, FL

LAUDERHILL, FL – Deerfield-based Konover South, LLC, one of the Southeast’s premier retail developers, announced that Metro PCS has signed a lease for 1,250 square feet at its new Publix-anchored, 85,000-square-foot Inverrary Falls retail center at Oakland Park Boulevard and Inverrary Boulevard in Lauderhill, Broward County, FL.

Company leasing specialist Vivian Ricardo represented Konover South in the transaction. Other major tenants include Bank Atlantic, Blockbuster Video, Golden Krust, Gourmet China, H&R Block and Urban Land LLC as well as Little Caesar’s, the UPS Store, Wachovia Bank and others.

Konover South, LLC, a fully integrated acquisition, development and management company operating throughout the southeastern U.S., is based in Deerfield Beach, FL. Visit the company’s website at http://www.konoversouth.com/.

CONTACT:

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

Marcus & Millichap Lists $242.95M Apartment Portfolio in Three States

ENCINO, CA – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has retained the exclusive listing for the Premier EPM Portfolio, a 10-property, 2,704 unit-apartment portfolio located in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Ind., Omaha, Neb., and Gainesville, Ga.

The listing price of $242.95 million represents a value well below replacement costs. The properties are being offered as a portfolio or separately.

Matthew Friedman, an associate vice president investments and director of Marcus & Millichap’s National Multi Housing Group in Encino, is representing the seller, Empire Corporate America.

Colin Atkinson, an investment specialist in the firm’s Indianapolis office; Daniel Goaley, an investment specialist in the firm’s Omaha office; and Elliott Hollander a senior associate in the firm’s Atlanta office; are also representing the seller. Empire Corporate America is a private investor that owns and operates multi-family properties throughout the United States.

“Upon acquiring this portfolio, an investor has the opportunity to gain control of a substantial portfolio of Class A properties that are all well located within their respective markets. With a current occupancy in the mid-90 percent range, this portfolio offers stable cash flow, rental and operational upside, and quality construction in locations with inherent growth potential,” says Friedman.

Built in phases between 1997 and 2007, these luxury communities offer extensive resort-style amenities and first-class unit accommodations. The properties range in size from 224 units to 330 units. In Indianapolis, there are a total of 1,296 units; 546 units in Fort Wayne., Ind.; 570 units in the Omaha Neb., area; and 292 units in Gainesville, Ga.

The portfolio includes:

· Avon Creek, (top left photo) located at 291 Great Lakes Circle West, Avon, Ind.; 256 units
· Brownsburg Crossing, located at 1122 Windhaven Circle, Brownsburg, Ind.; 224 units
· Greenfield Crossing, located at 2011 North East Bay Drive, Greenfield, Ind.; 272 units
· Saratoga Crossing, located at 4200 Stillwater Blvd., Plainville, Ind.; 240 units
· Settler’s Run, located at 3200 Prairie View Trail, Danville, Ind., 304 units
· Reserve at Dawson’s Creek, located at 401 Augusta Way, Fort Wayne, Ind.; 274 units
· Island Club, located at 2302 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, Ind.; 272 units
· The Landings, (bottom left photo) located at 10215 Cape Cod Landing, Bellevue, Neb.; 240 units
· The Outlook, located at 2882 Comstock Plaza, Bellevue, Neb., 330 units
· Empirian Lanier at Carrington Park, (top right photo) located at 150 Carrington Park Drive, Gainesville, Ga.; 292 units.

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

Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park Announces Property Wide Renovation

$6.5 million of Upgrades Checking in This summer to Further Enhance the Guest Experience

ATLANTA, Ga.-June 30, 2008- Privately held Noble Investment Group (“Noble”), a leading sponsor of private equity real estate funds and an integrated lodging and hospitality operating and development organization, today announced the launch of a $6.5 million dollar substantial renovation to Noble’s 8- story full-service Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park (top right photo).

The renovation will include full upgrades to all of the Hilton’s 205 guestrooms, 10,000 square feet of event and meeting space and is scheduled for completion in October of this year, as the hotel prepares to celebrate 25 years of iconic service in Birmingham, Alabama.

"This is an exciting time for all of us at the Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park as we reach the 25 year mark of being an intricate part of our community,” said Mohammad Nilieh, the Hilton’s general manager. “The hotel will remain open during the extensive $6.5 million dollar renovation as the Noble development team, among the very best in the industry, is committed to ensuring our guests experience minimal impact during the renovation.”

“The Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park has been a strong partner with the CVB for many years,” said James H. Smither, president of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Their multi-million dollar renovation will bring even more appeal to the group of hotel properties along the 280 corridor. We congratulate the Hilton on 25 years of adding ‘the spirit of hospitality’ to our community.”

Media Contacts:

Bonnie Herring, Noble Investment Group, 404-262-9660 bonnie.herring@nobleinvestment.com

Chris Daly, Vice President, Daly Gray Public Relations. ph: 703-435-6293, chris@dalygray.com

Major Retailers Entering Brooklyn Despite Credit Market Turmoil

BROOKLYN, NY — In spite of the current economic downturn, the retail property sector in Brooklyn continues to evolve as noted national and regional retailers seek spaces in an underserved market with 2.5 million residents, according to a second-quarter Retail Research Report by Marcus & Millichap, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm.

In recent months, brands such as Morton’s Steakhouse, Urban Outfitters, Circuit City and Trader Joe’s have leased space.

“Despite a challenging climate in property financing, taxpayer assets will remain highly coveted by investors seeking to trade out of more management-intensive properties, such as apartments,” says J.D. Parker, (top right photo) regional manager of the Brooklyn office of Marcus & Millichap.

Following are some of the most significant aspects of the Brooklyn Retail Research Report:

· This year, 750,000 square feet of retail space is expected to be delivered, compared with 192,000 square feet in 2007.

· Vacancy is forecast to end the year at 4.7 percent.
· Rents can vary between neighborhoods, but the average asking rent in the entire borough is predicted to climb 9 percent this year.
· New rents on spaces leased to national tenants are expected to rise at a much greater rate.
· In the multi-tenant sector, the median price has advanced 11 percent during the most recent 12-month span to $267 per square foot, compared with a 4 percent gain in the previous year.

For a copy of the complete Brooklyn Retail Research Report, as well as reports on other markets nationwide, visit our website at http://www.marcusmillichap.com/.

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

Kansas City's Retail Market Remains One of Strongest in Midwest

KANSAS CITY, MO— The historically strong Kansas City retail market is anticipated to record long-term growth this year based on favorable demographic patterns, according to a second-quarter Retail Research Report by Marcus & Millichap, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm.

While other Midwestern metros have posted job losses, out-migration and housing market woes during the past several years, Kansas City’s economy has remained relatively stable. (Downtown Kansas City photo top left).

“Buyers with long-term holding strategies may find opportunities in the southern portion of the submarket, near Gardner, where a new intermodal transportation hub will spur job growth and attract future retail developments,” says Gary Lucas, (top right photo) regional manager of the Kansas City office of Marcus & Millichap.

Following are some of the most significant aspects of the Kansas City Retail Research Report:

· Builders are set to add more than 3.3 million square feet to local inventory in 2008, up from 1.4 million square feet last year.
· Vacancy is forecast to end the year at 12.5 percent.
· Asking rents are projected to climb 1.3 percent to $14.20 per square foot.
· Effective rents will gain 1.1 percent to $12.40 per square foot.
· The government and educational and health services sectors have each gained almost 2 percent year over year, creating 2,500 and 2,100 jobs, respectively.

For a copy of the complete Kansas City Retail Research Report, as well as reports on other markets nationwide, visit our website at http://www.marcusmillichap.com/.

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

Healthy Local Economy Supports Retail Property Sector in Charlotte, NC

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— While much of the country continues to register weaker economic conditions as a result of the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis, the Charlotte retail market remains fairly healthy as employers expand payrolls at a rate that exceeds the national average and home prices appreciate, according to a second-quarter Retail Research Report by Marcus & Millichap, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm.

Employment growth will soften metrowide this year; however, Charlotte’s affordability and educated work force will attract new firms to the area.

“Retail transaction velocity peaked just over a year ago, and activity and volume appear to have returned to more normal levels, a trend expected to continue through the rest of 2008,” says Gary R. Lucas, (middle left photo) regional manager of the Charlotte office of Marcus & Millichap.

Following are some of the most significant aspects of the Charlotte Retail Research Report:

· Job growth will total 4,300 positions in 2008, a 0.5 percent employment increase.
· Builders are forecast to complete 1.7 million square feet of retail space this year.
· Vacancy is projected to end the year at 8.3 percent.
· Asking rents are expected to rise 3.2 percent to $18.35 per square foot by year end.
· Effective rents will increase 2.6 percent to $16.23 per square foot.

For a copy of the complete Charlotte Retail Research Report, as well as reports on other markets nationwide, visit our website at http://www.marcusmillichap.com/.

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