After years of analyzing the Ocala market, Watson Realty Corp. is expanding into the area.
The company bought the Real Living All Florida Realty’s Ocala office from David Bessette, who owns the firm.
The office is a full-service property management company offering services to commercial and residential condominiums and homeowners associations in the Ocala area, according to a news release.
William Watson Jr., founder and chairman of the board of his namesake company, said the firm has been looking at the area for quite some time.
“I have always liked the Ocala market, but the time, from a Watson standpoint, hasn’t fit until now,” he said.
The property management services will be managed by Susan McQuillan from Watson’s office in Gainesville.
The brokerage also will expand the services in Ocala to include a real estate sales office that will be led by Jeffrey Fagan, regional vice president.
The Ocala office is the 48th for Watson.
Architects group has ideas for Downtown
Want to draw more people to Downtown Jacksonville?
The Jacksonville chapter of the American Institute of Architects has an idea.
The continued redevelopment of Downtown will open opportunities for thoughtful design, said Christopher Allen, president of the local AIA chapter.
He shared ideas for addressing an upcoming architectural challenge at an AIA Jacksonville meeting at The Haskell Co.
Allen announced a River of Lights initiative, which an AIA panel plans to present to City Council and the Downtown Investment Authority.
The recommendations include the creation of activity nodes, which are objects that naturally attract groups of people. Examples include the Southbank’s Lone Sailor statue, Friendship Fountain and the Jacksonville Landing.
While Downtown has several activity nodes, they are isolated from one another, Allen said.
The AIA’s vision is to create more and connect them for a contiguous Downtown experience.
In support of its members, the group’s educational theme will be the practice of architecture in the age of digital simulation.
Digital simulation is a new class of software that uses whole elements — such as pipes for plumbing, windows and insulation — instead of line drawings, when designing a building.
The system allows for engineering analysis and contractor engagement much earlier in the process, and it is fast revolutionizing the way architects do their jobs, he said.
At the same time architects are learning new digital tools, they need to stay grounded in some old principles. Creativity is still the foundation of all good design, he said.
Preston Haskell, founder of The Haskell Co. and an avid art collector, spoke at the meeting about the value of art in the workplace and throughout the city.
“Art is a stimulus, especially for people working in a creative field,” Haskell said. “It gets people thinking outside the box. That’s certainly what architects need to do.”
After the meeting, he invited members to tour his collection of 20th century abstract expressionist art collection, which hangs on the company’s walls.
TrailMark hires lifestyles director
Lynzi Chambers has been hired as lifestyles director for the TrailMark community in northern St. Johns County.
Chambers is planning a variety of activities, such as pool parties, movies under the stars, beer and wine tastings and cookouts. There also will be Fourth Fridays, which will include food trucks and music; a summer luau; music in the park; and trivia night.
Since joining TrailMark, she has organized several gatherings, including Cookies with Santa and a chili cook-off.
Perron earns senior housing designation
Cynthia Perron, an agent with Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty, earned the certified senior housing professional designation from the Seniors Real Estate Institute.
The designation helps agents serve seniors and their families, which is critical as the need for senior housing is on the rise.
They can assist as seniors decide where they want to live and unravel the complexities involved in downsizing and selling a family home, according to a news release.
Berkshire Hathaway hires two new agents
Nancy Daniels and Angela Eckton have joined the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty.
Daniels previously worked for Citi, with teams handling multiple projects.
Eckton started her real estate career in property management, working as a leasing consultant for five years.
She later worked for Kraftmaid Cabinetry, which allowed her to be part of several projects, including the television show “Extreme Home Makeover.”
KB Home opening Southshore at Bannon Lakes
KB Home’s Southshore at Bannon Lakes is in St. Johns County off International Golf Parkway.
The community will have a 6.9-acre amenity center, featuring a 4,000-square-foot clubhouse and 5,000 square foot swimming pool and kids’ splash pads. Other amenities include a fitness center, playground, dog park and tennis and pickle ball courts.
KB Home is offering 13 one- and two-story floor plans in the executive and classic series, ranging from 1,342-3,052 square feet. They can include up to six bedrooms and four bathrooms. Prices start in the low $200,000s.
For more information, visit kbhome.com.