Commercial real estate professionals recorded for an awards presentation Thursday said the market is improving, but completing deals remains a challenge.
Members and guests of the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Northeast Florida Chapter met at the Florida Theatre for the group's annual awards.
Awards and winners were:
• Chapter Merit Award: Michael Loftin, Parkway Realty Services.
• Distinguished Service Award: Joe Newell, Elkins Constructors.
• Office Project of the Year: Mike Heise, Liberty Property Trust, for the Concorde Career College.
• Sustainable Project of the Year: Mike Heise, Liberty Property Trust, Concorde Career College.
• Developer of the Year: Liberty Property Trust, Mike Heise and Dan Santinga.
• Land Sale of the Year: Hobart Joost, David Ergisi and Guy Preston, Colliers International, the Flagler Center property sale to Ja-Ru Inc.
• Office Lease/Sale of the Year: Buddy Register, Cushman & Wakefield, for the Advanced Disposal lease.
• Industrial Lease/Sale of the Year: Bobby Gatling, Grubb & Ellis Phoenix Realty Group, for selling the 8813 and 8873 Western Way Mercedes-Benz property.
• Investment Broker of the Year: Robert Selton, Colliers International.
• Emerging Professional of the Year: Julie Bohn, Cantrell & Morgan Inc.
• Office Broker of the Year: Victor Hughes, Parkway Realty Services.
• Industrial Broker of the Year: Nathan Rogers, CBRE.
"We're starting to see things pick back up," Gatling said in his recorded interview.
However, deals are taking a lot longer. "It's always a chase," he said.
"I think we'll see continued steady growth," said Rogers, who did not attend the event, in the recording. Jacksonville CBRE Managing Director Jim Citrano accepted the award on his behalf.
Heise expects to see strength in the industrial market because of e-commerce and the need by retailers and manufacturers for distribution centers. Office growth is challenged by changes in workplaces because workers can do their jobs remotely and not need office space or need less of it.
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