Saturday, September 8, 2012

Loft Building with Rooftop Garden Commands $10.2 Million in Flatiron District of Manhattan


 NEW YORK, NY – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has sold 37 W. 19th St., (top left photo) a seven-story, owner-occupied loft building with ground-floor retail, in the Flatiron district of Manhattan. The sales price is $10,215,000.

Brian Hosey (lower right photo), an associate in the Manhattan office of Marcus & Millichap, represented the seller, a private investor. The seller’s attorneys were Michael Federman and Peter Mannarino of Federman Steifman LLP. Hosey also represented the buyer, Waterbridge Capital. 


“Properties like 37 W. 19th St. – an exceptionally well-located, owner-occupied elevator building in immaculate condition with a beautiful rooftop garden – rarely trade in Manhattan,” says Hosey. “In this case, the seller decided to retire and move out of the city,” he says.

“Because of this asset’s location, condition and the strength of Manhattan’s investment sales market, dozens of qualified buyers – spanning the spectrum of ownership – including private investors, funds and foreign buyers expressed interest in this asset,” he adds.

Located at 37 W. 19th St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues, the loft building contains six full-floor units atop a ground-floor retail center. Currently, the property includes more than 25 feet of frontage on 19th Street and is zoned C6-4A with approximately 7,775 square feet of additional air rights.

Contact:

Stacey Corso
Public Relations Manager
(925) 953-1716

Thursday, September 6, 2012

HFF closes sale of and arranges financing for three-building office portfolio in Houston’s Energy Corridor



HOUSTON, TX – HFF announced it has closed the sale of and arranged financing for a three-building office portfolio totaling 566,308 square feet in Houston’s Energy Corridor.

                HFF marketed the property on behalf of Falcon Southwest and CarVal Investors. 

Beacon Investment Properties, LLC purchased the property free and clear of debt.  Fixed-rate financing for the acquisition was arranged by HFF through JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

The portfolio consists of three “best of class” Class B, multi-tenant office buildings located in Houston’s Energy Corridor at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Dairy Ashford Road across from the world headquarters of ConocoPhillips and Shell Oil North American Exploration & Production Group.  Most recently renovated in 2007, the three eight-story office buildings are 93.6 percent leased overall. 

                The HFF investment sales team representing the seller was led by senior managing directors Robert Williamson (middle right photo) and H. Dan Miller (middle left photo). 

HFF’s debt placement team representing Beacon Investment Properties, LLC was led by senior managing director Susan Hill (bottom right photo).
  
                Beacon Investment Properties, LLC is a real estate investment manager and operator concentrating primarily on core-plus and value-add office properties in large MSAs in Texas and the eastern seaboard of the United States.  

Beacon has more than five million square feet under management and has sponsored five close-end investment funds, as well as separate accounts with life insurance companies.  .

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:.

KRISTEN M. MURPHY
HFF Associate Director, Marketing
(713) 852-3500                                   

HFF arranges joint venture equity and refinancing for Austin, TX industrial portfolio



DALLAS, TX – HFF announced  it has arranged a joint venture between Live Oak-Gottesman, LLC and KFG Investment Company for a 204,000-square-foot industrial portfolio in Austin, Texas. 

 In addition, HFF secured refinancing for one of the buildings in the portfolio.

HFF worked exclusively on behalf of Live Oak-Gottesman, LLC and KFG Investment Company to secure the joint venture financing through Principal Real Estate Investors.

The properties are located near the intersection of Interstate 35 and West Howard Lane within Tech Ridge, a 1,000-acre multi-use business park in Austin. 

The portfolio consists of three, Class A industrial buildings that are 94 percent leased to six tenants including NCS Pearson, Inc., Ultra Clean Technology, Dynamic Manufacturing, Anixter, Inc. and Finisar Corporation. 


The HFF equity placement team representing Live Oak-Gottesman Company included senior managing director Randy Baird (middle right photo), managing director Jud Clements (middle left photo) and director Robby Rieke. 

Senior managing director Mona Carlton (lower right photo) represented the borrower in the debt placement portion of the transaction.

For almost 40 years, the principals and professionals who merged to form Live Oak-Gottesman, LLC have represented a leading force in Central Texas commercial real estate.  

Live Oak-Gottesman is the product of a strategic merger of three respected organizations:  Live Oak Group, The Gottesman Company and the leasing and property management divisions of Trammell Crow Company. 

Formed in early 2007, Live Oak-Gottesman, LLC is a vertically integrated, full-service commercial real estate firm with diverse holdings and operations spanning the industrial, office, retail and land development sectors of the Central Texas market.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:.

KRISTEN M. MURPHY
HFF Associate Director, Marketing
(713) 852-3500                                    



HFF closes $121.4 million leasehold sale of Carroll Square in Washington, D.C.

 



 WASHINGTON, D.C. – HFF announced it has closed the leasehold sale of Carroll Square (top left photo), a 178,000-square-foot, Class A office property in the East End submarket of Washington, D.C.
 HFF marketed the property exclusively on behalf of the seller, Seaton Benkowski & Partners.  GLL Partners purchased Carroll Square for $121.4 million and assumed an existing loan on the property.

Carroll Square is a 10-story building comprised of both new construction and seven late 19th century commercial townhomes. 

Its unique features include a small public art gallery, three rooftop terraces and a “pocket park” located between the office building and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church to the north.

The property is encumbered by a ground lease with the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. through 2102 and is fully leased to tenants including the law firms of Seyfarth Shaw, Holland & Hart, and Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto.  Retail tenants include Le Pain Quotidien, Leica Camera and Coco Sala. 


Located at 975 F Street, NW, Carroll Square is close to Gallery Place, the Verizon Center and the New Convention Center, and is within walking distance of five different Metro lines.

The HFF team representing the seller was led by executive managing director Stephen Conley (middle right photo) and senior managing directors Jim Meisel (lower left photo), Dek Potts and Andrew Weir.  Additional support was provided by real estate analysts Matt Nicholson and Jessica Dickinson.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:.

KRISTEN M. MURPHY
HFF Associate Director, Marketing
(713) 852-3500                                   



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

55 Allen Plaza Achieves LEED Gold Certification in Atlanta, GA



 ATLANTA, GA (Sept. 5, 2012) – 55 Allen Plaza (top left photo), a Class-A, 350,000-square-foot office tower in downtown Atlanta that is managed and leased by Lincoln Property Co. Southeast, has achieved LEED Gold certification.

 Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and administered by the Green Building Certification Institute, the Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design (LEED) program provides third-party verification that a building operates in a sustainable manner. Certification is awarded on fourlevels, and Gold is the second-highest level behind Platinum.

 LEED certification is based on a number of environmental criteria, and 55 Allen Plaza achieved LEED Gold status because of its indoor air quality, strengthened in part by the use of environmentally cleaning products; its electronics recycling program, which has diverted 250 pounds of electronics from landfills in 2012; its water conservation, which has reduced water consumption by 30 percent; and its overall energy efficiency.


“We are honored and thrilled that 55 Allen Plaza has achieved this environmental honor,” said Tony Bartlett (lower right photo), senior vice president of Lincoln Property Co. Southeast. “This certification is a tribute to the outstanding job that our entire management team has done with 55 Allen Plaza and is a testament to Lincoln’s commitment to taking care of our environment.”

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Stephen Ursery
Wilbert Public Relations
404-965-5026

ASAP International Arranges Purchase of Embassy Suites Hotel in Anaheim, CA


LOS ANGELES, CA, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ASAP Expo Incorporated (OTCQB: ASAE) today announced that it has arranged the purchase of the 222-room Embassy Suites--Anaheim-North (top left photo) for $25.5 million on behalf of Urban Commons, LLC. 

FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated has sold the property as part of its long-term portfolio repositioning strategy. ASAP International Holdings also arranged CMBS senior debt from Morgan Stanley as part of the purchase.

Taylor Woods, President of Urban Commons, LLC stated, "We are pleased to be able to close on another hospitality acquisition with the support of ASAP International and to continue to build our portfolio of trophy properties."

Frank Yuan (middle right photo), CEO of ASAP International stated, "Urban Commons has been aggressively adding more assets to their portfolio and we are happy to help them with their transactions. We are working diligently to assist in several more real estate purchases in the near future as well."

ASAP is a holding company that operates real estate, investment banking and consulting for Chinese companies. Our mission is to be the bridge between China and the Western world. Our Real Estate division assists with institutional and high net worth individuals with acquisition advisory and asset management.

Urban Commons, a Los Angeles based real estate investment firm, specializes in hospitality and residential income generating assets.  Urban Commons targets income property acquisitions in highly populated, predictable markets.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

:
Jerome  Yuan


Carter Breaks Ground on $50 Million Mixed-Use Project in Heart of Downtown Columbus, OH

   
ATLANTA, GA (Sept. 5, 2012) – Carter, one of the nation’s largest investment, development and advisory firms, announced today it has commenced construction on the second phase of a mixed-use project at Columbus Commons in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

 Carter, along with local equity partners Bob Weiler and Don Kelley, is moving forward with the $50 million project, which is a redevelopment of the former Columbus City Center mall that was dismantled in October 2009 to create a public park and spark future development. (top left rendering)

Recently named HighPoint at Columbus Commons, the 325,000-square-foot residential and retail development will add 301 residential units atop 23,000 square feet of first-floor retail space to a well-known, high-profile area of the city. 

A number of public and private investments, including Columbus Commons and the Scioto Mile, have helped to transform this area of downtown Columbus and are serving as catalysts for private investments like HighPoint.

 Residents and visitors can expect to see 10-15-foot construction fences going up around the site during the coming weeks, with work beginning on underground utilities and foundations before the end of the month. The project is scheduled to be completed by December of next year.

 “The location of this development on Columbus Commons is a huge amenity,” said Conor McNally (top right photo), chief development officer at Carter.

“We are excited and honored to be a part of such an important project for an incredible city. HighPoint at Columbus Commons is the next step in an exciting mixed-use re-development plan for this site. We are delighted to build on the momentum that the park has created in the short time since it opened last year.”

Located on the west side of the park, along South High Street, HighPoint will comprise two acres on the Columbus Commons site.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Wilbert News Strategies
Tony Wilbert
404-965-5022 or 404-405-3656

Hadley Creekmuir
Wilbert News Strategies
O: 404.343.4080
C:  404.556.0010



Tandem Construction Begins Phase Two of Union League Boys & Girls Club Renovation in Pilsen, IL



CHICAGO, IL (Sept. 5, 2012) – Chicago-based Tandem Construction announces it has started work on the second stage of a $4.2 million renovation of the Union League Boys & Girls Club at 2157 West 19th Street in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

This phase of the project entails a full remodel of the original 19th century “Club One” building, and follows Tandem’s completion in July of a four-story, 17,000-square-foot annex adjacent to the existing facility.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Sarah Lyons,
(312) 267-4520

Kim Manning,
 (312) 267-4527

The Westin Xian, Located in China’s Eternal City, Unveils A Heavenly Gift Package



XIAN, CHINA (Sept. 5, 2012) – The Westin Xian (top left photo), located in the cradle of Chinese civilization and home of the renowned terracotta soldiers, is pleased to announce the A Heavenly Gift Package, offering guests deluxe accommodations and the opportunity to take a piece of Westin’s unparalleled Heavenly Bed home with you.

  A haven of luxury and relaxation, The Westin Xian invites travelers to experience refined Chinese hospitality in a storied location.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Hwee Peng Yeo
Director of Asian Markets
Glodow Nead Communications
Level 21, Centennial Tower
3 Temasek Avenue
Singapore 039190

Glodow Nead Communications • San Francisco • New York • Singapore
O: 65.9768.6087 or 1.415.394.6500 • E hweepeng@glodownead.com • FB: GlodowNead



DoubleTree by Hilton Opens First Hotel in Huntsville, AL




McLean, VA (Sept. 5, 2012) – DoubleTree by Hilton proudly announces the opening of an upscale, full-service, all-suite hotel situated in Huntsville, Alabama, an area known for its genuine Southern hospitality.

 The 149-room DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Huntsville South (top left photo)is conveniently located near popular attractions, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Hampton Cove, Huntsville Historic District and Ditto Landing, a natural waterway where adventurers can enjoy canoeing or kayaking.

Formerly a Radisson, the hotel is owned by Enterprise Lodging of Huntsville, LLC, and operated by Yedla Management Company.

Rob Palleschi (lower right photo), global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “DoubleTree by Hilton now invites our loyal travelers to stay with us in Huntsville. 

The newly renovated DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Huntsville South extends our commitment to welcoming the world’s travelers in popular destinations and providing a comfortable, amenity-rich hotel experience for all types of travel.”

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Maggie Giddens
Director,
Global Brand Public Relations
DoubleTree by Hilton
+1 703 883 5346

Chris Daly
President
Daly Gray, Inc.
Ph: 703-435-6293
Cell: 703-864-5553




Gemini Hospitality Management Names Michael Hutchins Vice President of Sales Development



NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 5, 2012—Officials of Gemini Hospitality Management, a leading developer and operator of premium-branded and independent hotels, today announced that Michael Hutchins (top right photo) has joined the company as vice president of sales development. 

In his new role, he will be responsible for sourcing hotel management opportunities for the organization.

“Gemini has launched a new growth strategy that focuses on third party management projects which will take advantage of the significant expertise and internal resources that we have built over the years,” said Will Obeid (lower left photo) Gemini’s president & CEO.

 “With more than 20 years in the hospitality field, Michael’s extensive experience working with the industry’s leading brands, along with his relationships with ownership groups, adds depth to our senior management team.”

Prior to joining Gemini, Hutchins was vice president of sales development for Dellisart LLC, an owner and manager of nationally branded hotels throughout the United States, where he oversaw the acquisition of new management contracts for both new build and existing hotels.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Michael Hutchins
480.250.7244.

Chris Daly
President
Daly Gray, Inc.
Ph: 703-435-6293
Cell: 703-864-5553



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M1 PowerSports and New Orleans Hotel Collection Announce Partnership for Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans Motor Race

  
 New Orleans, LA, Sept. 5, 2012 – M1 PowerSports and The New Orleans Hotel Collection today announced a partnership naming the Collection as the Official Recommended Hotel Partner of the Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans race presented by Dunlop Tire and LeoVince.

The race weekend takes place October 5 – 7, 2012 and marks the first professional event scheduled at NOLA Motorsports Park.


Teams, riders and fans should look no further when seeking hotel accommodations this fall. As the preferred hotel choice of M1 PowerSports, The New Orleans Hotel Collection is offering Big Kahuna discounts at the seven outstanding hotels located in the greater New Orleans area.

“We’re proud to have The New Orleans Hotel Collection as our preferred hotel partner for the Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans,” said Cameron Gray (middle right photo), CEO of M1 PowerSports.

 “At M1 PowerSports, we surround ourselves with only the best and The New Orleans Hotel Collection fits right in. They offer a great location and value for our fans, teams and riders visiting New Orleans for the Big Kahuna.”

The New Orleans Hotel Collection includes seven lodging choices throughout New Orleans: Audubon Cottages, Bourbon Orleans Hotel (bottom right photo),  Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport, Dauphine Orleans Hotel, Hotel Le Marais Hotel Mazarin, and Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans. 

The Collection’s restaurants, bars and lounges include: 7 on Fulton, Roux on Orleans, Patrick’s Bar Vin, The Landing, Bourbon Oh!, May Baily’s Place, and Vive! Bar and Lounge.

  For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Marc Becker
Area Director of Marketing
(504) 527-0407

Chris Daly
President
Daly Gray, Inc.
Ph: 703-435-6293
Cell: 703-864-5553





Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NAI Realvest Negotiates Lease for 3,240 SF of Office Space in Longwood, FL



 MAITLAND, FL. – NAI Realvest negotiated a new lease agreement for 3,240 square feet of office space at 1920 Boothe Circle in Longwood.

 Michael Heidrich, principal at the firm, brokered the transaction representing the landlord Ray A. Kennedy of Maitland.  The tenant is Longwood-based Jon M. Hall Company.

For more information, contact: 

Michael Heidrich, Principal NAI Realvest 407-875-9989; mheidrich@realvest.com; 
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com  
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

HFF closes sale of nine-building industrial portfolio in northern New Jersey

  
 FLORHAM PARK, NJ – HFF announced today that it has closed the sale of a nine-building industrial portfolio comprised of approximately 2.6 million square feet of primarily warehouse and office space in port-centric locations in northern New Jersey.

HFF marketed the portfolio on behalf of the seller, affiliates of Avidan Management LLC.  An affiliate of Cohen Asset Management, Inc., an industrial and commercial real estate investment firm, purchased the portfolio for an undisclosed amount.

The portfolio includes a mix of bulk distribution, light industrial space, cold storage and office space, and is 98 percent leased to a diverse base of tenants.  The properties are located in South Brunswick, Edison, Elizabeth and Bayonne, New Jersey. 

 The HFF investment sales team representing the seller was led by managing director Michael Nachamkin (middle right photo) along with senior managing directors Jose Cruz (middle left photo), Andrew Scandalios (lower right photo)and Jon Mikula, managing directors Kevin O’Hearn and Jeff Julien and associate director Michael Oliver.

The law firm of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith and Davis, LLP represented the seller.  The legal team was led by Jack Fersko, Esq. along with Regina Schneller, Esq. and Ken Bills, Esq.  In addition, James C. McDonald of CFC Advisors acted as business consultant to Avidan Management LLC.

“This transaction represents one of the largest sales of industrial property in northern New Jersey in the past several years.  The land-constrained, infill locations have a long history of steady tenant demand including port driven exporters and importers requiring key locations in close proximity to the Port of New York/New Jersey in Elizabeth, Newark and Bayonne.  HFF is extremely pleased to have been a part of such a significant industrial transaction,” commented Nachamkin.
 
Avidan Management, LCC has been a significant owner of industrial and commercial properties in New Jersey for more than 40 years and is one of the foremost experts on providing solar energy technology through its Avidan Energy Solutions affiliates. 

There were five power purchase agreements negotiated as a part of the sale transaction, involving in excess of six megawatts of solar production.

Established in 1992, Cohen Asset Management, Inc. is a national owner and operator of commercial property with a primary focus on the industrial real estate sector and extensive experience in successfully implementing value-add strategies. 

Cohen Asset Management, Inc. is strategically headquartered in Southern California with a regional office in northern New Jersey managed by Howard Freeman, Senior Vice President.

Contacts:

 MICHAEL NACHAMKIN                              
 HFF Managing Director                                        
(973) 549-2000                                                     
mnachamkin@hfflp.com                                     

KRISTEN MURPHY
HFF Associate Director, Marketing
 (713) 852-3500

Mercantile Capital Corp. Provides Commercial Real Estate Loan in Orlando worth $535,000

  
Orlando, FL  – Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, closed a commercial loan for Florida Vein Care recently for $535,000 in total project costs.

"I am so excited to own a beautiful newly renovated office in the growing East Orlando/Waterford area”, said owner, Richard Bragg, M.D. (top right photo).

 “With 14 years experience and offices in Lake Mary and Dr. Phillips, we are now readily accessible to all of Central Florida. My professional staff and I look forward to caring for and contributing to quality health care for all clients that walk through our doors."

For more information, visit www.504Experts.com and www.504Blog.com.

For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please contact:

Chris Hurn, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Robin Lashley, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040