JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meritage Hospitality Group has acquired 20 Wendy’s restaurants in Jacksonville from undisclosed sellers. The fast food properties represent 35 percent of the city’s Wendy’s restaurants. Meritage will undertake exterior and interior renovations to the properties and will also install operating and accounting systems.
TAMPA, FLA. — The law firm Cole, Scott and Kissane has leased 32,723 square feet of space in Crescent Resources’ 247,000-square-foot Corporate Center Four at International Plaza. The Class A office property is located on Boy Scout Boulevard in Tampa. Cole, Scott and Kissane leased the entire fourth floor of the eight-story property, which is now 55 percent leased. Patrick Duffy of Atlanta-based Newmark Knight Frank represented the tenant, and Sharon Bragg of Tampa-based Crescent Resources represented the tenant.
DORAL, FLA. — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida has signed a 103,476-square-foot lease renewal with Prudential Insurance Co. of America for space in Westside Plaza 1. Blue Cross will occupy the space until 2014. The 363,328-square-foot property is located at 8400 N.W. 33rd St. in Doral. George I. Pino and Juan Ruiz of Coral Gables, Fla.-based Flagler Real Estate Services represented the landlord.
MIAMI — The local architecture firm Leo A Daly has been selected to design 60,000 square feet of retail space surrounding the new Florida Marlins baseball stadium in Miami. Nineteen companies were competing for the project, which is part of the 495,000 square feet of retail and commercial space planned to spread across four five-story structures. The project also includes designing the 5,800-space Stadium Site Parking Complex.
ORLANDO, FLA. — Orlando-based HuntonBrady Architects, the Florida headquarters of the Pizzuti Cos. and an undisclosed engineering company are the first to prelease space in the 11-story 777 N. Orange Ave. office tower in Orlando. These three leases account for 55,000 square feet of space in the development, which is slated to break ground later this year. The Class A LEED property, which is being developed by Pizzuti Cos., is part of a three building project, spanning 777, 757 and 737 N. Orange Ave. Delivery of the 777 building is slated for early 2011. Jamie Barati and Todd Davis of Colliers Arnold’s Orlando office are marketing the property.
GLEN BURNIE, MD. — The Children’s Guild and The Monarch Academy have signed leases with Platt Development Group to occupy space at 6730 Baymeadow Dr. in Glen Burnie. Monarch, an arts and technology-based school, has signed a 24,320-square-foot lease that carries an option to expand by 13,000 square feet. The lease can be extended for the next 25 years. By 2012, the school hopes to house 600 kids in grades K-8. The Children’s Guild, a special-education charter school, has signed a 25-year lease for 17,621 square feet. Greg Masi of Columbia, Md.-based Manekin represented both tenants, and Sage Platt represented Platt Development Group internally.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — Dallas-based Inland American Communities Group and Birmingham-based Corporate Realty Development have started work on the CiTYViLLE Block 121 mixed-use development. The property, which is located on 20th Street in Birmingham, includes 21,000 square feet of retail space and 255 apartments. CiTYViLLE features a swimming pool, a clubhouse, an internet lounge and a fitness center. Niles Bolton & Associates designed the property, and Birmingham-based Schoel Engineering Co. will serve as the project’s civil engineer. Golden & Associates Construction will build the development, which is expected to deliver in mid 2010.
TAMPA, FLA. — Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. has secured an $18.5 million loan for its 383-unit Mallory Square Apartments. The 3-year-old property is located at 11306 Mallory Square Dr. in Tampa. The adjustable-rate loan carries a 7-year term. Elliott Throne of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler’s Coral Gables, Fla., office and Fred Wittmann of the company’s Boston office secured the loan.
MARATHON AND TAVERNIER, FLA. — Southport, Conn.-based Summit Development has purchased two marina properties in the Florida Keys from Sun Vest Communities. Summit acquired the Sombrero Resort and Marina — which encompasses 124 condominiums, eight villas and a 54-slip marina — for an undisclosed price. Located at 19 Sombrero Blvd. in Marathon, the property also includes a full-service restaurant, tennis courts and a poolside tiki bar. The company also purchased the 130-slip Mangrove Marina, located at 200 Florida Ave. in Tavernier. Summit plans to renovate both properties. Funding for the purchase was obtained from Orion Bank.
SANFORD, FLA. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of a property leased to Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins between two undisclosed developers for $687,450. The property is located at 3768 S. Orlando Dr. in Sanford. Kevin Yaryan and Patrick Skinner of Marcus & Millichap’s Orlando, Fla., office represented the seller, and Michael Lombardi of the firm’s New Jersey office represented the buyer.