Business Observer 08.19.10

+ Three businesses coming to Lakewood
Hembree & Associates Inc. secured recently leases for three new businesses in Lakewood Ranch.

Select Automotive Management Inc. leased 1,650 square feet of office space in Technology Park of Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. The new office is located at 7244 Kyle Court.

VIR Inc. leased a 3,300-square-foot office space in Technology Park of Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. The new office is located at 7210 Kyle Court.

Wood Speciality Risk Brokers leased a 2,451-square-foot office space in the Gibraltar Building in Lakewood Ranch. The new office is located at 8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 200B.

For more information, visit Hembree & Associates’ Brad Lindberg’s website at www.BradLindberg.com or call 356-0338.

+ Central Park sales start strong
Neal Communities reported that 24 of its 35 signed contracts in July were for its new Central Park community in Lakewood Ranch.

More than 8,000 people have visited Central Park since its opening on July 17, the company reported.
“Central Park was clearly the best grand opening of the 54 community openings the company has ever conducted,” President Pat Neal said. “The community design, amenities, attention to the land plan and the organization of the sales team made it a resounding success.”

Central Park is the first residential village north of State Road 70 in Lakewood Ranch. The gated community is being developed by Neal Communities and includes homes built by Neal Communities and Bruce Williams Homes.

It includes about 800 green-certified homes in six neighborhoods across 380 acres. The community features preserve areas, six restored wetlands, walking trails and a storm water re-use system. The centerpiece is a grand, 10-acre park with a ball field, splash fountain, pavilion, play area and two dog parks.

For more information, visit nealcommunities.com.

+ Riley reports luxury sales
Real estate veteran Mark P. Riley reports signs of recovery in the East County’s luxury real estate market.
According to Riley, Luxury Estates International Inc. has closed 57% of the homes sold in the 34202 zip code listed above $2 million.

Since October 2009, Riley has sold six properties in The Concession and The Lake Club communities with a total real estate value in excess of $13 million. This total includes the highest price sale at $2.8 million for which Riley was both the listing and the selling agent.

“Today’s luxury market is more about value than ever before, and that is what luxury buyers are demanding,” Riley said. “Our increased market activity is a testament to the fact that great valued properties bring sales and luxury buyers.”

Currently, Riley is working with several buyers from Europe and the Middle East.

“The world financial markets and overall global economy is still in need of correction, but these sales show me that luxury buyers that are comfortable with their own financial position are going to continue to purchase value priced luxury properties,” Riley said.

For more information, call Riley at 350-2700.

+ Lennar to open River Strand condos
Lennar completed recently its second building of 30 new Terrace Condominiums overlooking the Manatee River at River Strand, the gated golf and country club community in Heritage Harbour.

Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said while the finishing touches are going on for the new Terrace Condominiums, there are a few move-in-ready two- and three-bedroom units available.

Units range in size from 1,194 square feet of living space to 1,408 square feet and are priced from the low $100s. Home ownership includes golf, tennis and country club membership at the River Strand Golf & Country Club.

For more information about the Terrace Condominiums at River Strand, contact Kyle Bernethy, Shawn Rhulman or Mike Barbalato at 896-8847.