Stuart Duffin of NAI Southcoast awarded CLS designation

Duffin

Stuart Duffin, a sales associate with NAI Southcoast, was officially recognized by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) as a Certified Leasing Specialist on May 18.

The designation reflects the high standards and expertise that are required on a day-to-day basis to be a successful shopping center professional.

Founded in 1994, the CLS program was designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance and designate those who demonstrate knowledge essential to the practices of shopping center leasing. The CLS certification is designed to set the individual apart from other professionals and establishes them as a leader in their field. CLS designees must have at least four years of experience in shopping center leasing and pass a comprehensive exam.

The CLS designation is in addition to the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation Duffin has previously been awarded.

14,200 SF Office/Warehouse Space Sold in Stuart

NAI Southcoast sold a 14,200-square-foot freestanding building located at 2951 Dominica Terrace in Stuart May 11, 2012. The property, located off U.S. 1 in Stuart’s industrial area, was sold by WGTJ, Inc. to Quorum Marine & Electronics, Inc. for $675,000.

Boyd Bradfield and Stuart Duffin of NAI Southcoast brokered the sale after navigating an extensive short sale process that involved negotiating with two lenders Bank Atlantic and SBA. Daniel Haggerty of Mariner Title was instrumental in his work to complete the sale.

“It was a long process but everyone was very professional in working towards the common goal of getting this closed,” Duffin said.

Quorum Marine & Electronics, Inc. also known as Ocean Breeze, is a 20-year-old, Stuart-based business that manufactures marine-grade industrial and commercial A/C systems. Co-owner Carolyn Baruch said the company plans to buy new equipment and expand its staff in the near future.

Freestanding building sold in Palm City

The 3,998-square-foot freestanding building located at 995 SW Martin Downs Boulevard in Palm City sold earlier this month. The property, located just west of the Palm City Bridge, was sold by Shaher Barghouthy. Douglas Legler of NAI Southcoast brokered the sale after an extensive seven-month marketing campaign.

“The new owners plan to substantially renovate this property in accordance with the goals of the CRA and the community,” Legler said. “This will, in turn, improve the appearance of this highly-trafficked gateway into Palm City.”

Virginia Avenue Plaza in Fort Pierce sold to local buyer

Virginia Avenue Plaza, located at 800 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce, has sold. The 53,000- square-foot neighborhood shopping center, previously owned by H & H, LLC, was sold to Virginia Plaza, LLC.

The property was listed for just three months before being placed under contract and closed within 45 days. Nikolaus M. Schroth of NAI Southcoast represented the seller and Bryan Grunbaum, also of NAI Southcoast, represented the buyer in the transaction.

The new owners have been locally involved in commercial properties for more than 30 years. NAI Southcoast, who has managed, leased and brokered commercial properties on the Treasure Coast for more than 30 years, will handle the management and leasing for the shopping center.

Spaces are available for lease. Please contact Bryan Grunbaum at 772-286-6292 for additional information.

VM Ironworks and Structural Steel Corp purchases warehouse space in Palm City

VM Ironworks and Structural Steel Corp. in Palm City recently purchased the 4,784-square-foot warehouse space located at 2170 SW Poma Drive in Palm City, Fla. First Citizens Bank/Ironstone Bank/Neuse, Inc. sold the property for $175,000.  Boyd Bradfield, President of NAI Southcoast, brokered the sale.

The company manufactures structural steel and miscellaneous ironwork, such as beams, columns, bar joists, decks, gates, railings and staircases.

Vice President Darren Marzella said he plans to use the space as a fabrication plant.

Centerline Utilities, Inc. purchases warehouse space in Palm City

Centerline Utilities, Inc., a site contractor based in Jupiter, recently purchased the 4,784-square-foot warehouse space located at 2180 SW Poma Drive in Palm City, Fla. First Citizens Bank/Ironstone Bank/Neuse, Inc. sold the property for $315,000. Boyd Bradfield, President of NAI Southcoast, brokered the sale.

Centerline Vice President Freddy Chesney said he plans to relocate corporate headquarters from Jupiter to the Palm City space to stay ahead of the market.

“Our business is site development, and we see it pushing north in the next five to 10 years,” he said.

Kissimmee-based coffee company to open second location in Downtown Stuart

Quokka Coffee will soon occupy Unit 103 at Civitas Place in Downtown Stuart, across from the Martin County Courthouse. 101 East Ocean Blvd, LLC purchased the property from Capstone ResDev, LLC for $145,000, Boyd Bradfield and Nikolaus Schroth of NAI Southcoast brokered the transaction.

Civitas Place

Quokka Coffee is a coffee shop and café boasting fair trade coffee and locally-produced goods with an Australian flair. The concept also incorporates selling a selection of Australian beer and wine in the evening. Presently Quokka Coffee has one other location in downtown Kissimmee.

Tim Majors, President of Quokka Coffee, is an Australian and a former attorney. Majors launched a successful retail educational business across Australia and then sold it to a private equity firm in 2007.

Majors moved with his wife and three children to Florida soon after and opened the first Quokka Coffee in Kissimmee. The Stuart location is scheduled to open June 1, 2012, and several more are slated to open this year and the next.

“Stuart is the perfect fit for our brand,” Majors said. “It’s a great town, and our concept, we hope, will only add value to the community. We look forward to being an active and valued member of the business community.”

For more information about Quokka Coffee, go to www.quokkacoffee.com.

NAI Southcoast is the oldest Commercial and Industrial Realtor in the Stuart and Treasure Coast marketplace. As such, it is uniquely qualified to maximize the marketing of quality commercial, industrial and investment properties.

For more information about NAI Southcoast, please visit www.naisouthcoast.com.

NAI Global is the world's leading managed network of 5,000 professionals, 325 offices in 55 countries. Since 1978, our clients have built their businesses on the power of our expanding network. NAI Global’s extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services.  To learn more, visit www.naiglobal.com.