City Place Keeps Moving Forward

Why not rent our fabulous  condo

The Courtyards at City Place

With clothing and furniture stores limping through this recession, CityPlace is moving toward a new identity:  The Entertainment Capitol

Coming soon: Carousel Can Can Cafe. This is a French bistro that will feature a bar shaped like a carousel, as well as a healthy dose of entertainment, including can can dancers, fortune tellers, mimes – and waitresses dressed as French maids (Ooh la la!).

A creation of Karim El Sherif, who owns the popular Metronome brasserie in Palm Beach Gardens, Carousel is slated for the space vacated by Mark’s restaurant last April. Look for an old-style theme that’s colorful, festive and reminiscent of happier days gone by – such as a childhood spin on a painted wooden horse.

Also in the works at CityPlace: B.B. King’s Blues Club. The regional chain, which has locations in Orlando, Memphis and Nashville, offers Creole and Southern comfort food, along with live blues music.

Carousel and possibly B.B. King’s would join two other recent entertainment additions to CityPlace. Taverna Opa, is a festive Greek eatery that also features dancing on the tables. Palm Beach Improv, a comedy club, recently doubled its space.

CityPlace managing partner Ken Himmel confirmed the deal with Carousel, and the talks with B.B. King’s. He was enthused about the center’s efforts to further enhance its reputation for offering entertainment. “They could be a great fit for us,” Himmel said.

“What it does is transform CityPlace from a shopping destination with restaurants, to an entertainment destination with shopping,” added Alan , a Palm Beach Gardens restaurant broker with Score Realty. “That’s really what separates CityPlace from the rest of the market.”

“People love to be with people and watch people, and feel like there’s something to do,” said Koch, who is working these new deals.

There will be plenty to do and look at in Carousel. The restaurant’s exterior will be pushed in, creating more room for an outside bar, which will have a carousel top. Can can girls will dance through the night inside in a dining room adorned with plenty of brass poles, mirrors – even a sculpture of a can can girl on a horse: “Very sexy,” El Sherif said.

But start a new restaurant in this economy?

El Sherif said he wouldn’t have done this deal if it were an upscale steak place, for instance. But a venue that focuses heavily on entertainment will serve the needs of people seeking an escape: “We all need an outlet to let loose and have fun,” he said. “I want to transport people to yesteryear.” The success of Taverna Opa convinced El Sherif that CityPlace was ready for another unique idea.

Food also will be important, of course, with bistro classics plus some Mediterranean dishes. Entrees will be prices mostly in the $12 to $18 range. El Sherif hopes to open Carousel by May.

Despite the down economy, Himmel said restaurants and the movie theaters did very well during the holidays – further proof that entertainment is the way to go

During the next few weeks, car shows, festivals, bike nights and green markets will all be on display at Abacoa. In fact, some 100 events are set for the next 12 months. Palm Beach Gardens-based retail broker Richard Lackey, who is working with Abacoa owner Woolbright Development to bring new tenants to the center, said the events are designed to increase pedestrian traffic to the shops and restaurants. And look for new ones coming soon

City Place is also home to our fabulous Florida holiday rental condo. For details on this condo or our beautiful 3 bedroom home at PGA Village Port St Lucie visit http://kenduncanrealtor.com/category/rentals/ 

 

The West Palm Beach shopping and dining mecca is re-creating itself as an entertainment destination, focusing on tenants that amuse as well as feed.

FIRST TIME BUYERS ARE READY TO BUY

ORLANDO, Fla. – March 27, 2009 – Out of 1,000 potential first-time home buyers, 78 percent say that now is a good time to buy a home, despite widespread concern about the economy. And 68 percent think now is a better time to buy than six months ago. The survey was conducted in early March for the Century 21 First-Time Home Buyer Survey.

Prices are the driving motivation for potential first-time home buyers, with more than eight of 10 first-time home buyers (85 percent) saying they consider current home prices affordable, and 73 percent citing current prices as a major factor in their decision to buy now. However, potential first-time buyers are still split between “being willing to consider an offer now” (42 percent) and “waiting for prices to go down before they seriously consider making a purchase” (48 percent).

“Current pricing, rates and incentives, such as the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, provide tremendous opportunities for first-time home buyers to get into the market,” says Tom Kunz, Century 21 Real Estate president and CEO. “Our research shows that while consumers still have concerns about the future of the economy, many are actively considering their options as we move into the spring selling season.”

Among the survey’s other key findings:

• Bargains in the marketplace provide additional options for buyers to consider. Fifty-six percent of potential first-time home buyers are considering a foreclosed or short sale home, and 63 percent are open to a “fixer-upper” or “as-is” home.

• When asked to rate the features that they look for when choosing a home, price is the primary consideration, with 87 percent saying this feature is “very important,” followed closely by neighborhood safety (80 percent) and the home’s condition (71 percent).

• Having enough money for a downpayment is a top concern of potential first-time home buyers, as nearly half (46 percent) said they are “very worried” about the issue.

• Most respondents (86 percent) are in the market for single family homes.

The Courtyards at City Place

Ken

 

Thanks again for letting us use your fabulous condo in City Place.

Everything was perfect again this season. Easy access to the Honda Classic and Doral looking forward to going back home and hopefully returning again next December for the Florida swing.

Enjoy the wine we left!

Yours

Way and Jane

EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS!

More Good news

U.S. government: Home prices up 1.7 percent month-to-month

WASHINGTON, DC – March 25, 2009 – U.S. home prices rose 1.7 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from December to January, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) monthly House Price Index.  This could be the start to a turn around in the housing market our only advice to people who are thinking of buying not to waste much time as houses are selling and selling fast in some areas.

The Commerce Department said sales rose 4.7 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 337,000 units from an upwardly revised January figure of 322,000. Even after the revision to January’s sales results, the month remained the worst on records dating back to 1963.

South Florida Realtors report a 5  Month increase in sales as high as 35% over last years sales records. These figures just released by The Commerce Department and the recent 5  month sales figures reported by The Realtors Association of Florida are proof that South Florida is  a very popular place for investors to buy. Dean Gasabi from International Agents reports that he has buyers from all over the world interested  in South Florida ” I actually needed to ask my wife to help me due to all the inquiries.  It is amazing within 4 months from no business now I have to much business”

NOTHING BUT GOOD NEWS ON THE REAL ESTATE FRONT

Buyers everywhere

A crisis in the housing market sparked by a surge in delinquent “subprime” mortgages was a key factor behind the U.S. slide into recession.

Now some Realtors see the glimmer of a turnaround.
“It’s like it’s been raining buyers, when they’ve been the scarcest thing in town,” said Joan Dodd, a Realtor who has worked 30 years in the Phoenix Valley – one of the areas most blighted by foreclosures as boom turned to bust.

“The buyers are just seeming to come out of nowhere … We’ve had a long dry spell, but it seems to be over.”

Dodd said she thought interest rates were “fabulously low,” which had helped entice buyers back into the market. She further cited an $8,000 tax allowance for first-time home buyers – a view echoed by others.

Janie Hudson, a Realtor who has also been in the business for 30 years, said she saw positive trends.

“It isn’t great, but I don’t see any doom and gloom. If (homes) are priced well, they are starting to sell,” she said. Just this month, a three-bedroom ranch house, priced at $330,000, sold in its first week on the market at its asking price – something she had not seen for some time.

SOUTH FLORIDA HOMES ARE SELLING

Dont beleive everything you read in the UK papers

“Prices to drop even lower in Florida”

Florida’s existing home sales rose in January, making it the fifth month in a row that sales activity showed increases in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). Existing home sales rose 35 percent last month with a total of 9,450 homes sold statewide compared to 6,810 homes sold in January 2008, according to FAR.

Florida Realtors also reported a 13 percent gain in statewide sales of existing condominiums in January, making it the fourth recent month (following September, October and December) that statewide existing home and existing condo sales were higher compared to year-ago levels.

House sales are up 35% on last year and rising

Dont miss the bargains available in South Florida

The market here is turning, sales are up on previous years figures, people from all over the world are taking advantage of the amazing bargains, prices are at 1980’s level.

Several UK papers have predicted an even greater drop in prices this is not true. The only exception may be in older homes that are in need of extensive renovation this type of property may still drop in value.

Ocean Front Condo $109,000/SORRY SOLD

9940 South Ocean Drive

Jensen Beach Florida

$109,000 SORRY THIS CONDO IS NOW SOLD

PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR A LIST OF OCEAN FRONT CONDOS

1 bedroom2 bathroom condo on the ocean

walk out your patio door onto the beach

1021 square feet fully furnished

FEELS LIKE A BEACH HOUSE, PATIO AND ON TO THE BEACH, REMODELED KIT, FURNISHED, SHUTTERS, BOAT/RV STORAGE INCLD., PET 20 LBS.OK , FITNESS CENTER, HEATED POOL,  VERY WELL KEPT, FIRST LEVEL (GRND FLOOR), HEATED POOL, TENNIS CT,GOLF COURSE MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE,MINUTES FROM SHOPPING,UNDER 2 HOURS FROM ORLANDO AND MIAMI

It does not get any better than this , prices are at rock bottom

Houses and Condos are selling at 1980’s prices and they are selling fast

House sales are up 35% on last year and rising

Dont miss the bargains available in South Florida

The market here is turning, sales are up on previous years figures, people from all over the world are taking advantage of the amazing bargains, prices are at 1980’s level.

Several UK papers have predicted an even greater drop in prices this is not true. The only exception may be in older homes that are in need of extensive renovation this type of property may still drop in value.

Google Maps

Contact me by email ken@yourfraction.net  or  telephone 305-320-6744

Old Tom Morris Comments on Worlds Oldest Course

 Old Golf Course is the oldest course – and that’s official

Published Date: 19 March 2009

He also mentions that “Mary, Queen of Scots reputedly played here in 1567″. included in The Golf Book Of East Lothian, published in 1896 and written by John Kerr, the minister of Dirleton.

The Old Golf Course, which is now managed by SportPlus on behalf of East Lothian Council, was originally a seven-hole course. The eighth and ninth holes were added in 1838 and 1870 respectively.

Musselburgh Links also hosted the original Open Championships six times between 1874 and 1889. Throughout the centuries it has been linked to golfing legends, such as Willie Dunn, who won the first unofficial US Open in 1894. John Gourlay, the feather ball maker, and John Carey, arguably the most famous caddie in the history of golf, are also associated with Musselburgh Links.

Robin McGregor, the secretary of the Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club, said all the staff were thrilled about the accolade.

Stuart Currie, the depute leader of East Lothian Council, said: “This is great news for the golf course and East Lothian in this year of Homecoming.”

Damian Field, a spokesman for Guinness World Records, said: “We
hope that golf continues to be played and enjoyed there for many years to come.”

 

theoriginaloldtommorris,

heaven 19/03/2009 12:08:54

The Old Course is a disgrace you should all be hanging your heeds in shame.

What kind o eegits would build a race track around a my favorite course

What eegits would let the worlds oldest playing course get into such a run down condition , why it was in better condition when I was playing it a 130 years ago.

If the course was in that new country across the water where all the fat people live and play golf on those 4 wheeled carts it would be a national monument.

Go and hang your heeds in shame the lot of you for letting this place turn into a fair ground.

I am no haunting the place any more I am heading doon the road tae Gullane where I will be mare appreciated.

Signed

Old Tom

Thanks for all the help with my purchase

Hi Ken
Thanks for all the help with my purchase. I was very impressed with how simple you made everything.
I hope all is well with you and thanks again.

kerr on Sun,

Port St Lucie to Invest $22 Million

Port St Lucie is about to invest $22 million to attract high profile companies to the city.

This is the largest investment fund held in Florida. The whole idea focuses in building a huge jobs creation corridor at Tradition where Torrey Pines opened it 100,000 square foot lab earlier this year. Now VTGI Florida is breaking ground in the same area this year on its new lab.

This is only the start. Tradition is one of the largest new development areas in Florida with a lot of other interested companies looking to invest in the area.

We will keep you posted on this story as it happens. This only adds to the fact that buying an investment property in Port St Lucie at  current prices is a very good idea.

Next Page »