Colliers International South Florida brokers Robert Listokin and Clinton Casey represented landlord State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio in a 51,500-square-foot lease at Quadrant Business Center located at 600 SW 12th Avenue in Deerfield Beach.
The new tenant, Florida Backyard by Fortunoff, will use the space as a warehouse and distribution center for its retail outlets in South Florida. The lease transaction is valued at $4 million. Florida Backyard was represented by New York-based Julius M. Feinblum Real Estate.
“The I-95 exposure of Quadrant Business Center, its location, and opportunities for expansion drew Florida Backyard to the space,” Listokin said. The family-owned manufacturer of casual furniture and accessories is based in Long Island, New York.
“Florida has always been at the top of our list,” said Bernard Sensale, CEO of the Fortunoff Backyard Store. “Our first retail stores are planned for Stuart, Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens. They will open between September and October of this year. Florida is a great outdoor market and many people here are from the Northeast and are already familiar with our brand and what we offer. We are receiving merchandise in our Deerfield Beach distribution center now, and we are training new staff and associates with the goal of expanding throughout Florida in the next three to four years. This location on I-95 gives us easy north-south access, and to Florida’s west coast.”
Online Vacation Center Holdings Corp., one of the country’s largest cruise retailers, has signed a new long-term lease for 17,225 square feet at Riverbend Corporate Park Building B, located at 2307 W. Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
Greg Martin, Principal with Avison Young, worked with True North Management Group and Delma Properties, Inc., the new ownership of Riverbend Corporate Park, to complete the transaction.
The addition of Online Vacation Center increases the occupancy at the 66,917 square foot office building to 75 percent, a gain of more than 25 percent.
“The notable lease transaction with Online Vacation Center is an example of increased corporate optimism overall in the Broward market, specifically in Fort Lauderdale,” said Martin. “With plans for further office space development plus new retail in the area, Riverbend Corporate Park is the ideal place to locate and grow a business for years to come, with room to expand.”
“Online Vacation Center was seeking an impressive new location with convenient access to transportation and major thoroughfares for employees,” noted Martin. “At the nexus of the region’s existing transportation network and emerging transit hub, Riverbend Corporate Park presented a valuable solution to the office space needs of the company.”
Online Vacation Center was represented by Julie Berry, Broker Associate with Stiles Realty.
https://sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Riverbend.jpg270275adminhttps://dev.sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SFOBA-logo-sharpened-transparent.pngadmin2013-09-18 16:49:432013-09-18 16:49:43Avison Young Inks 17,000 SF Office Lease Deal
Gov. Rick Scott met with business leaders in Broward and Palm Beach counties on Tuesday to get their input on what tax cuts he should propose to the legislature since the state will have a budget surplus in 2014.
Their biggest concerns included rising personal property taxes and insurance costs, and taxes that affect businesses moving to the state or startups trying to grow.
The stops were part of Scott’s tax-cut tour across the state. Scott has pledged to cut taxes and fees for the state by $500 million in the 2014-2015 budget, the same year he would run for re-election.
“How do we give the money back to you, the taxpayers? I’m putting it back in your hands,” Scott told the group at the Palm Beach County Convention Center Tuesday morning.
Kelly Smallridge, president of the Business Development Board, the economic development agency for Palm Beach County, said when recruiting businesses to the area, Florida’s tax on commercial leases is an issue in being competitive with other states.
“We’re one of the only states that has a tax on commercial leases,” she said.
Real estate broker Robert Goldstein suggested to the governor the commercial leasing tax be reduced by 1 percent each year until it is phased out. “We’re at a competitive disadvantage,” he said. The current tax is 6 percent.
He said the impact on economic and job growth from eliminating the tax would far outweigh the tax revenues.
Several small business owners, including one who provided a sample of his company’s popcorn to the governor, attended the meeting at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale.
Rosana Santos Calambichis, owner of Davie catering company Big Chef, said she would like to see a reduction in the tax on fuel — her business has seven trucks — as well as the state tax included in insurance coverage and the commercial lease tax. “It adds up quickly,” she said.
Broward College radiology student Shelda Simon, 19, got her 15 seconds of fame — and a photo with the governor — after asking him why so many young graduates are unemployed.
“There are plenty of jobs around the state. But you have to get the right degree,” Scott told her.
Life science business owner Ken Kirby said the governor should consider proposing a new life science fund for startup businesses in the sector now that it has invested millions of dollars in Scripps Florida, in Jupiter, and other institutes.
“It seems a shame to waste the momentum,” said Kirby, whose company TransDermal Delivery Solutions Corp., which has developed alternative systems to deliver drugs to patients, opened a new headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens last year.
Florida expects a budget surplus by the time lawmakers draft the 2014-15 budget. A new forecast released Sept. 4 shows a surplus of $845 million in fiscal 2014, even after meeting current enrollment needs for schools and health care programs such as Medicaid and setting aside $1 billion in reserves, according to a draft report released Sept. 4 by legislative appropriation committees and researchers.
The surplus is mostly due to a recovering economy, said Amy Baker, state chief economist. “People here have more money to spend and more tourists are spending money here,” she said.
While general revenues are increasing due to pulling in more sales tax, the budget constraints have shrunk as some state programs were eliminated or reduced during the recession.
But forecasters warn that more than half of the surplus — $449 million — is a one-time windfall.
In recent weeks, Scott has promised to spend an additional $70 million on environmental projects dealing with the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee in the coming year, which could come out of the surplus.
Another target could be auto tag fees that were raised in 2009 when Gov. Charlie Crist was in office. Crist, now a Democrat, is expected to challenge Scott in the governor’s race in 2014.
Gov. Scott made a pledge in 2010 to eliminate the corporate income tax, which generates about $2.1 billion a year. But Florida lawmakers have steered away from the massive tax break, which would benefit mostly larger companies.
The “It’s Your Money” tour continues over the next three days in Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando.
https://sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Governor-Rick-Scott.jpg270275adminhttps://dev.sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SFOBA-logo-sharpened-transparent.pngadmin2013-09-17 21:56:382013-09-17 21:56:38Businesses Seek State Cuts In Commercial Lease Taxes
Brenner Real Estate Group’s Roxanna Collins, RPA, Regional Asset Manager, and Wendy Collins, Property Manager/Leasing Agent, have been selected to provide leasing and property management services for Courthouse Commons, a 93,000 SF Class “A” office building at 444 West Railroad Avenue in West Palm Beach.
The duo is representing the building for lease on behalf of Great Florida Bank, the property owner.
Courthouse Commons is located at the intersection of Quadrille Avenue and 3rd Street just two miles east of I-95. It is minutes from Palm Beach International Airport, and is walking distance from Clematis Street and City Place.
Courthouse Commons was built in 2007, and its four floors are currently 52% occupied with notable tenants including US Legal Services, Inc. and Burlington & Rockenback, P.A. A full floor lease of 23,482 SF is available. The building has an attached five-story parking garage and features a 5.0.
According to Roxanna Collins, the property is appropriate for professional service firms, particularly attorneys due to its direct access to the West Palm Beach County Courthouse through a covered pedestrian skywalk. The building also offers opportunity for a bank branch with three drive-thru lanes.
https://sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/courthouse-commons.jpg270275adminhttps://dev.sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SFOBA-logo-sharpened-transparent.pngadmin2013-09-11 20:59:082013-09-11 20:59:08Brenner Tapped To Lease, Manage West Palm Office Building
Sunbeam Properties, developer and owner of Miramar Park of Commerce, has partnered with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to lease its second generation office flex product, totaling an estimated 100,000 square feet.
The property currently houses more than 160 companies from start-ups to multi-nationals.
“We have worked closely with JLL over the years so they have a thorough, unique understanding of the Park,” said Andrew Ansin, Vice President of Sunbeam Properties. “Their success in the market along with the team’s professionalism, diligence and energy will be an asset to us as we adjust our marketing and leasing efforts to adapt to a changing environment.”
Located east of Red Road on both sides of Miramar Parkway, the Park offers direct access to Florida’s Turnpike and I-75.
https://sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Miramar-Park-of-Commerce.jpg270275adminhttps://dev.sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SFOBA-logo-sharpened-transparent.pngadmin2013-09-11 00:09:122013-09-11 00:09:12Sunbeam Awardes JLL 100,000 SF Leasing Assignment
Frank Castoro of NAI Rauch Weaver Norfleet Kurtz & Co., Fort Lauderdale represented the Buyer in the recent sale of a prestigious office/retail building located at 1103-1111 E. Las Olas Boulevard.
The Buyer, Metro II, LLC purchased the ±26,780 SF building for $5,200,000 from the Seller Teakko Group, Inc. who was represented by Heather Gogola of Creative Business Sales.
Office space is now being offered for lease and is being represented by Frank Castoro.
https://sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Frank-Castoro.jpg270275adminhttps://dev.sfoba.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SFOBA-logo-sharpened-transparent.pngadmin2013-09-04 18:47:102013-09-04 18:47:10Las Olas Building Trades
Colliers’ Listokin, Casey Broker $4M Lease
/in Done Deals, News/by adminColliers International South Florida brokers Robert Listokin and Clinton Casey represented landlord State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio in a 51,500-square-foot lease at Quadrant Business Center located at 600 SW 12th Avenue in Deerfield Beach.
The new tenant, Florida Backyard by Fortunoff, will use the space as a warehouse and distribution center for its retail outlets in South Florida. The lease transaction is valued at $4 million. Florida Backyard was represented by New York-based Julius M. Feinblum Real Estate.
“The I-95 exposure of Quadrant Business Center, its location, and opportunities for expansion drew Florida Backyard to the space,” Listokin said. The family-owned manufacturer of casual furniture and accessories is based in Long Island, New York.
“Florida has always been at the top of our list,” said Bernard Sensale, CEO of the Fortunoff Backyard Store. “Our first retail stores are planned for Stuart, Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens. They will open between September and October of this year. Florida is a great outdoor market and many people here are from the Northeast and are already familiar with our brand and what we offer. We are receiving merchandise in our Deerfield Beach distribution center now, and we are training new staff and associates with the goal of expanding throughout Florida in the next three to four years. This location on I-95 gives us easy north-south access, and to Florida’s west coast.”
Avison Young Inks 17,000 SF Office Lease Deal
/in Done Deals, News/by adminOnline Vacation Center Holdings Corp., one of the country’s largest cruise retailers, has signed a new long-term lease for 17,225 square feet at Riverbend Corporate Park Building B, located at 2307 W. Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
Greg Martin, Principal with Avison Young, worked with True North Management Group and Delma Properties, Inc., the new ownership of Riverbend Corporate Park, to complete the transaction.
The addition of Online Vacation Center increases the occupancy at the 66,917 square foot office building to 75 percent, a gain of more than 25 percent.
“The notable lease transaction with Online Vacation Center is an example of increased corporate optimism overall in the Broward market, specifically in Fort Lauderdale,” said Martin. “With plans for further office space development plus new retail in the area, Riverbend Corporate Park is the ideal place to locate and grow a business for years to come, with room to expand.”
“Online Vacation Center was seeking an impressive new location with convenient access to transportation and major thoroughfares for employees,” noted Martin. “At the nexus of the region’s existing transportation network and emerging transit hub, Riverbend Corporate Park presented a valuable solution to the office space needs of the company.”
Online Vacation Center was represented by Julie Berry, Broker Associate with Stiles Realty.
Businesses Seek State Cuts In Commercial Lease Taxes
/in News/by adminGov. Rick Scott met with business leaders in Broward and Palm Beach counties on Tuesday to get their input on what tax cuts he should propose to the legislature since the state will have a budget surplus in 2014.
Their biggest concerns included rising personal property taxes and insurance costs, and taxes that affect businesses moving to the state or startups trying to grow.
The stops were part of Scott’s tax-cut tour across the state. Scott has pledged to cut taxes and fees for the state by $500 million in the 2014-2015 budget, the same year he would run for re-election.
“How do we give the money back to you, the taxpayers? I’m putting it back in your hands,” Scott told the group at the Palm Beach County Convention Center Tuesday morning.
Kelly Smallridge, president of the Business Development Board, the economic development agency for Palm Beach County, said when recruiting businesses to the area, Florida’s tax on commercial leases is an issue in being competitive with other states.
“We’re one of the only states that has a tax on commercial leases,” she said.
Real estate broker Robert Goldstein suggested to the governor the commercial leasing tax be reduced by 1 percent each year until it is phased out. “We’re at a competitive disadvantage,” he said. The current tax is 6 percent.
He said the impact on economic and job growth from eliminating the tax would far outweigh the tax revenues.
Several small business owners, including one who provided a sample of his company’s popcorn to the governor, attended the meeting at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale.
Rosana Santos Calambichis, owner of Davie catering company Big Chef, said she would like to see a reduction in the tax on fuel — her business has seven trucks — as well as the state tax included in insurance coverage and the commercial lease tax. “It adds up quickly,” she said.
Broward College radiology student Shelda Simon, 19, got her 15 seconds of fame — and a photo with the governor — after asking him why so many young graduates are unemployed.
“There are plenty of jobs around the state. But you have to get the right degree,” Scott told her.
Life science business owner Ken Kirby said the governor should consider proposing a new life science fund for startup businesses in the sector now that it has invested millions of dollars in Scripps Florida, in Jupiter, and other institutes.
“It seems a shame to waste the momentum,” said Kirby, whose company TransDermal Delivery Solutions Corp., which has developed alternative systems to deliver drugs to patients, opened a new headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens last year.
Florida expects a budget surplus by the time lawmakers draft the 2014-15 budget. A new forecast released Sept. 4 shows a surplus of $845 million in fiscal 2014, even after meeting current enrollment needs for schools and health care programs such as Medicaid and setting aside $1 billion in reserves, according to a draft report released Sept. 4 by legislative appropriation committees and researchers.
The surplus is mostly due to a recovering economy, said Amy Baker, state chief economist. “People here have more money to spend and more tourists are spending money here,” she said.
While general revenues are increasing due to pulling in more sales tax, the budget constraints have shrunk as some state programs were eliminated or reduced during the recession.
But forecasters warn that more than half of the surplus — $449 million — is a one-time windfall.
In recent weeks, Scott has promised to spend an additional $70 million on environmental projects dealing with the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee in the coming year, which could come out of the surplus.
Another target could be auto tag fees that were raised in 2009 when Gov. Charlie Crist was in office. Crist, now a Democrat, is expected to challenge Scott in the governor’s race in 2014.
Gov. Scott made a pledge in 2010 to eliminate the corporate income tax, which generates about $2.1 billion a year. But Florida lawmakers have steered away from the massive tax break, which would benefit mostly larger companies.
The “It’s Your Money” tour continues over the next three days in Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando.
Source: Sun-Sentinel
Brenner Tapped To Lease, Manage West Palm Office Building
/in News/by adminBrenner Real Estate Group’s Roxanna Collins, RPA, Regional Asset Manager, and Wendy Collins, Property Manager/Leasing Agent, have been selected to provide leasing and property management services for Courthouse Commons, a 93,000 SF Class “A” office building at 444 West Railroad Avenue in West Palm Beach.
The duo is representing the building for lease on behalf of Great Florida Bank, the property owner.
Courthouse Commons is located at the intersection of Quadrille Avenue and 3rd Street just two miles east of I-95. It is minutes from Palm Beach International Airport, and is walking distance from Clematis Street and City Place.
Courthouse Commons was built in 2007, and its four floors are currently 52% occupied with notable tenants including US Legal Services, Inc. and Burlington & Rockenback, P.A. A full floor lease of 23,482 SF is available. The building has an attached five-story parking garage and features a 5.0.
According to Roxanna Collins, the property is appropriate for professional service firms, particularly attorneys due to its direct access to the West Palm Beach County Courthouse through a covered pedestrian skywalk. The building also offers opportunity for a bank branch with three drive-thru lanes.
Sunbeam Awardes JLL 100,000 SF Leasing Assignment
/in News/by adminSunbeam Properties, developer and owner of Miramar Park of Commerce, has partnered with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to lease its second generation office flex product, totaling an estimated 100,000 square feet.
The property currently houses more than 160 companies from start-ups to multi-nationals.
“We have worked closely with JLL over the years so they have a thorough, unique understanding of the Park,” said Andrew Ansin, Vice President of Sunbeam Properties. “Their success in the market along with the team’s professionalism, diligence and energy will be an asset to us as we adjust our marketing and leasing efforts to adapt to a changing environment.”
Located east of Red Road on both sides of Miramar Parkway, the Park offers direct access to Florida’s Turnpike and I-75.
Las Olas Building Trades
/in Done Deals/by adminFrank Castoro of NAI Rauch Weaver Norfleet Kurtz & Co., Fort Lauderdale represented the Buyer in the recent sale of a prestigious office/retail building located at 1103-1111 E. Las Olas Boulevard.
The Buyer, Metro II, LLC purchased the ±26,780 SF building for $5,200,000 from the Seller Teakko Group, Inc. who was represented by Heather Gogola of Creative Business Sales.
Office space is now being offered for lease and is being represented by Frank Castoro.