Julie Jones

In an issue of Go Riverwalk magazine, downtown Fort Lauderdale's redevelopment and architectural changes were featured. One article by Steve Tilbrook, past president of the Riverwalk Trust, explained the Downtown Master Plan update.

Basically, the Downtown Master Plan initiated in 2003, has been updated to add an additional 3,000 units in the Downtown area. The Plan's primary goal is to transform the city's architectural appearance and create livable, pedestrian-friendly areas, including the streets, in the downtown area.

The architectural design of the streetscapes includes zero setbacks for an active street wall of shops and restaurants, with large step-backs for the towers above. Residential amenities, such as parking areas and swimming pools will be exclusive to rooftops. This will ensure active use of ground-floor spaces which, in turn, accommodates street density while allowing light and air to flow into Downtown.

Architecturally, the plan encourages narrower pedestal towers with comfortable cornice heights and large step-backs. New towers will use sweeping bay windows and large balconies to accentuate Fort Lauderdale's unique life-style, climate and natural beauty.

View corridor analysis to consider skyline appeal is also emphasized. This analysis focuses on the architectural and sculptural elements of prominent buildings, giving them "expressive tops" to be seen from varying distances.

The final focus is towards architecturally significant cultural, governmental and commercial buildings. The Broward County Main Library, The Exchange Lofts (which used to be the Southern Bell Telephone Switching Station), and the Museum of Art, exemplify this attention to artful architecture. New, soaring residential towers, and private, luxury townhomes dotting the New River also add artistic form and comfort to the burgeoning area.

As well, I appreciate the architectural diversity of my many, luxury residential listings. Properties vary from a sky-high riverside condominium ( F886575), to a magnificent Moroccan-inspired waterfront estate (F860310). Directly on the New River, I feature a historic point-lot estate reflecting the ease and elegance of 1927 luxury Palm Beach living (F919652). On the Intracoastal Waterway stands an ultra-minimalist contemporary with twenty foot walls of windows bringing the outdoors in while offering water views from every floor (F895098).

Please visit www.LuxuryRealEstateFtL.com for a virtual tour of these exciting properties. Email Julie@PremierEstateProperties.com or call 954.328.3665, and allow me to answer your luxury real estate needs.

The second Annual "Chefs Helping the Homeless" benefit, an exclusive evening of wining and dining for fifteen designated contributors and their guests, will be held on Saturday, September 6th, an event which sold out last year! The Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. hosts the event to reduce homelessness by promoting independence and self-worth through advocacy, housing and comprehensive services.

The fabulous evening begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction for the VIP guests. This year, I'm pleased to announce the reception will be held at the historic, Las Olas point lot estate I currently represent for sale. Visit www.LuxuryRealEstateFtL.com and key in F919652 to view this magnificent residence.

After the cocktail reception, each of the fifteen hosts will be asked to select a number from a champagne bucket. The hosts and their seven guests will then find a limousine waiting with a corresponding number, ready to whisk them away. Their individual destinations are held secret. However, each private party will be delivered to one of fifteen designated restaurants where one of South Florida's fifteen most renowned and celebrated chefs will prepare a culinary feast.

This year's contributors are destined for a night of fun and exquisite gastronomical delights while enjoying some of Fort Lauderdale's luxurious locations. If you'd like to inquire about next year's event, call 954.832.7037.

Please visit www.LuxuryRealEstateFtL.com to view my exciting point lot and waterfront listings. Call 954.328.3665, so I can answer any of your luxury real estate needs, or email Julie@premierestateproperties.com.

In a report issued from Tallahassee, comprehensive insurance reform was addressed during the 2008 legislative session. Representative, Ellyn Bogdanoff, stated in her newsletter that the legislated "Homeowner's Bill of Rights" will level the playing field between insurers and their customers and ensure that all Floridians are treated fairly by their insurance companies.

The bill changes the state's insurance code to make it more difficult for insurance companies to raise rates and cancel policies, and easier for policyholders to collect from insurers. The bill also requires insurance companies to use only scientifically valid hurricane-loss models approved by the state to set rates. The insurance industry uses loss models to predict the potential for future hurricanes and determine insurance rates each year.

The insurance market is slowly rebounding in Florida, with insurance rates holding steady and even declining in some places. Bogdanoff believes properly storm proofing our properties is the best way to reduce insurance rates in Florida. Hurricane impact glass for windows and doors, shutters, properly trimmed trees around electrical wires, and FPL incentives to storm-proof residences all contribute to lower insurance rates.

The "Homeowner's Bill of Rights" is one more boost toward improving Florida's real estate market. I'm happy to share this information.

If I can answer any of your luxury real estate needs, call 954.328.3665 or email Julie@premierestateproperties.com. My exciting Fort Lauderdale listings can be viewed at www.LuxuryRealEstateFtl.com

The Florida Finance Network, a nonprofit consortium of organizations, exists to ensure that small to medium sized Florida companies have access to affordable capital they need to succeed. FFN delivers financing assistance from state and federal programs. Most Florida businesses established for two years are eligible. Start-ups are also funded, but might require assistance from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network.

Member organizations are:

Access Florida Finance Corporation - AFFC Founded in 1988 to strengthen the economy of the state by increasing the number of qualified black business enterprises which in turn will increase competition in the marketplace, establish business networks, and increase access of black businesses to both debt and equity capital. www.accessfloridafinance.com.

Florida Development Finance Corporation - FDFC Created by special state statute as an issuer of bonds, both taxable and tax-exempt, to provide low cost capital to Florida manufacturers. Transactions through FDFC are exempt from Florida taxes such as documentary stamp tax on noted evidencing a debt and intangible tax on mortgage instruments. www.eflorida.com.

Florida Export Finance Corporation - FEFC Created in 1993 as a not-for-profit corporation, with a mandate to expand employment and income opportunities by supporting the export of goods and services from the State. FEFC offers information, technical, consulting and financial assistance to small and medium sized Florida exporters. www.fefc.biz

Florida First Capital Finance Corporation - FFCFC Founded in 1983, is Florida's statewide Certified Development Corporation (CDC). Its mission is to strengthen the economic development of the state and provide financial assistance to small businesses in conjunction with SBA and private sector lenders. FFCFC provides growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for fixed assets and expansion costs. www.ffcfc.com

Neighborhood Lending Partners, Inc. - NLP Founded in 1993 as a nonprofit, multi-bank lending consortium and provides financing to developers of affordable housing and community revitalization. NLP works with public agencies to achieve maximum leverage of public and private dollars, as well as providing technical assistance to project sponsors. www.nlp-inc.com

Visit www.floridafinance.org for more detailed information.

As always, if I can answer any of your luxury real estate needs, please call 954.328.3665 or email Julie@premierestateproperties.com. Visit www.LuxuryRealEstateFtl.com to view my exciting Fort Lauderdale listings.

A recent article in South Florida Business Journal stated that the combined revenue of South Florida's top 100 private companies increased from $57.68 billion in 2006 to $64.6 billion in 2007. This 12% increase came even as we registered tremors from the real estate downturn and economic growth slowed nationwide.

These results are based on companies reporting their 2007 earnings to the South Florida Business Journal.

While certain real estate and construction-related companies showed revenue declines, three of the five largest gainers, in terms of percentage revenue, were real estate or construction related.

Kast Construction Co. posted revenue of $95 million in 2007, up from $30 million in 2006. General contractor, James A. Cummings Inc., continues to build government facilities including local schools and parking facilities and ranked second in percentage of revenue growth at 150%. The highest grossing development company is the Related Group: No. 9 on the list-even with a drop in revenue from $1.4 billion to $1.25 billion.

The top five companies in terms of overall revenue are:

•1. JM Family Enterprises, Deerfield Beach based automotive company with $12.2 billion in revenue.

•2. Miami based beverage distribution giant, Southern Wine and Spirits of America, with an 11% revenue gain from $7.5 to $8.3 billion.

•3. Miami's Brightstar Corp., cell phone distributor and manager of wireless supply operations, enjoyed a 32% jump from $3.6 to $4.8 billion.

•4. West Palm's OxBow Corporation, an energy, minerals and commodities firm grew revenue 146% from $1.4 billion in 2006 to $3.4 billion in 2007 while making two major acquisitions during this same period.

•5. Florida Crystals Corp, or Flo-Sun, our local sugar giant, grew 20%: $2.5 to $3 billion from 2006-2007.

And a curious entry on the list is Aero Toy Store LLC. This private jet, helicopter and yacht sales company saw 65% revenue growth, earning $838 million in 2007. South Florida Business Journal speculates that Aero Toy Store's success may indicate South Florida's continued ability to attract wealth, in spite of a struggling economy.

This is all encouraging news. And I'm pleased to pass it on.

If I can meet any of your luxury real estate needs, please call 954.382.3665, or email Julie@premierestateproperties.com. Don't hesitate to visit www.LuxuryRealEstateFtL.com to view my exciting Fort Lauderdale listings.