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.”