ZOM Florida has selected Atlanta-based Hardin Construction Co. to build its 16-story, 313-unit Paramount on Lake Eola condominium tower. The 853,161 sq.-ft. development includes 15,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space, a 28,000 sq.-ft. Publix grocery store and a four-story, 632-space parking deck. Looney Ricks Kiss is the architect.

Completion is scheduled for summer 2008.

April Shows Increased Contract Activity for Florida

After several months of decline, the value of new contracts in Florida improved in April, McGraw-Hill Construction reported. The total value of new contracts signed in April for future construction totaled nearly $6.3 billion, up 10 percent from last April's $5.7 billion.

Nonresidential was the only declining sector in April, with the value of these contracts declining 10 percent compared to last April for a $778.3 million total. The residential sector regained positive momentum and improved by 12 percent compared to a year ago, for an estimated $4.8 billion total. Nonbuilding construction - which includes roads, bridges and water infrastructure - jumped by 27 percent to total approximately $668.4 million.

The April news turned Florida's year-to-date numbers from negative to positive, with activity now 3 percent ahead of 2005's pace. (As of March, Florida had been 3 percent behind 2005's pace.) The nonresidential category is 2 percent ahead of 2005, with about $3.5 billion of activity so far this year. The residential market is now 5 percent ahead with a $17.3 billion total. Nonbuilding construction is 8 percent down compared to last year, with a nearly $2 billion total.

REMS Group Announces Corporate Park

REMS Group of Hallandale, Fla., announced it will develop what it is calling "South Florida's first and only master-planned office/warehouse condominium" facility to be known as 595 Corporate Park of Commerce. The development will be located on 42 acres facing Interstate 595 in Davie.

The owner's projected cost for the 523,000-sq.-ft. facility is $150 million, which it plans to develop in three phases with a total of 18 buildings. Four different types of spaces will be available: office suites ranging from 1,500 to 15,000 sq. ft.; retail/showroom space; warehouse/office flex-spaces, and dock-high warehouse/office modules. Prices range from $300,000 to over $1 million.

595 Corporate Park of Commerce was designed by Cabrera Ramos Architects. Itasca Construction Associates will serve as general contractor.

REMS Group previously developed the Dolphin Park of Commerce near Miami International Airport.

Bovis Lend Lease Starts on $96 Million Trinity Hospital Replacement

McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge reported that Bovis Lend Lease has started construction on a $96 million Trinity Hospital replacement facility in New Port Richey. The owner of the nearly 550,000 sq.-ft. project is Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Earl Swensson Architects of Nashville is the project architect.

Kolter Breaks Ground for Domani

Kolter Communities recently broke ground on Domani in North Palm Beach. The development will feature 77 residences: 69 tower units within an 18-story tower, plus eight, two-story villa mansions. Averaging more than 5,200 sq. ft. of air-conditioned living space, the majority of residences range between $3 million and $5 million.

Typical tower residences range from 5,200 to 5,800 sq. ft. of air-conditioned living space, plus an additional 1,300 to 2,000 sq. ft. of private terraces. Averaging 5,300 sq. ft., the two-story, Tuscan-style villa mansions feature three bedrooms, a library, a "lift," a two-car garage and private pool.

Skanska USA Named CM for Holmes Elementary School

Skanska USA Building of Miami has been selected by Miami-Dade County Public Schools as the construction manager for the new 62,000-sq.-ft., $11 million Holmes Elementary School in Miami. Silva Architects is the project architect.

Work is scheduled for completion in June 2007.

Creative Contractors Building for Heidt & Associates in Ybor City

Clearwater-based Creative Contractors is building the new corporate headquarters for civil engineering firm Heidt & Associates in Tampa's Ybor City district. Curts Gaines Hall Jones Architects of Tampa is the project architect.

The four-story brick building will emulate the historic architecture of the Ybor City area, and will include approximately 53,000 sq. ft. of office space and a separate 2,200 sq.-ft. vehicle maintenance facility.

St. George Condo-Hotel Slated for Coral Gables

Gables Centre LLC, a collaboration of developers, architects and designers, announced plans for the St. George residences and condo-hotel project in Coral Gables.

Managed by Hilton Hotels, the St. George will feature 83 traditional condominiums and 117 studio and one-bedroom hotel condominium residences.

According to the developer, construction on the St. George is scheduled to begin this summer.

Kennedy to Build Tuscan Reserve Condominium Community

Roger B. Kennedy of Altamonte Springs has contracted with Tuscan Reserve to build an 80-unit condominium community in Palm Coast. Tuscan Reserve is comprised of nine two-story buildings totaling 125,000 sq. ft. Construction is scheduled for completion next May.

The architect is Slocum Platts/Architects Design Studio of Winter Park.

Monier Lifetile Builds New Plant in Lake Wales

Irvine, Calif.-based MonierLifetile LLC announced the start of construction for a new concrete tile plant. The new project will be an expansion of the company's existing facility in Lake Wales.

The new plant will be about 37,000 sq. ft.

SIKON Renovating Orlando's Herndon Plaza

SIKON Construction Corp. of Boca Raton is renovating the Herndon Plaza retail center in Orlando. Designed by The Scott Partnership Architecture, Orlando, completion is slated for early 2007. The former K-Mart store will be subdivided to include several new retailers including Sports Authority, Bed Bath & Beyond and Petsmart. Improvements to the entire center's façade will also be included.

Kraft/Schenkel Schultz Selected for Academic Village in Cape Coral

The city of Cape Coral has selected the team of Kraft Construction Co. and architect Schenkel Shultz to start master planning for its Academic Village project. Located on 171 acres, the Academic Village will include a charter high school, media/library building, academic buildings for university classes, a multi-purpose performing arts facility and multi-use athletic facilities.

The project will form a partnership among a variety of potential interests, including the city of Cape Coral, Lee County School District, Lee County Board of County Commissioners and various university and college branches.

Heery to Manage Palm Beach Co. Jail Expansion/Renovation Program

Palm Beach County has chosen Heery International to provide program management services for its planned $266 million jail expansion and renovation program. The county, which has multiple facilities, plans to increase the capacity of its jails by 1,500 beds. The program includes additions and renovations to two facilities and renovation to a third. Planning began in May.

Kaufman Lynn to Build Martell Lincoln-Mercury

Boca Raton-based general contractor Kaufman Lynn has won a $3.7 million assignment to build Martell Lincoln-Mercury in Miami.

The 20,000 sq.-ft. dealership was scheduled to break ground in June with completion set for November. A small warehouse renovation is also part of the project.

Sarasota Opera Selects Willis A. Smith for Remodeling

Willis A. Smith Construction of Sarasota has been selected by the Sarasota Opera Association for the major remodeling of its existing theatre. The architect is Killis Almond of San Antonio.

Woodland Construction Wins Office/Warehouse Projects

Jupiter-based tilt-up contractor Woodland Construction Co. was recently awarded several office/warehouse flex space projects. These included: Flightway 5 and 6 for Ralph Merritt Construction Corp. in Miami; five office condo buildings at Sawgrass Office Park in Sunrise; two buildings at Vista Center in West Palm Beach for McCraney Property Co.; and in Port St. Lucie, a 45,000 sq.-ft. flex building at University Park for Itasca Construction Associates.

Seretta Construction Announces Major Projects

Seretta Construction of Apopka was named the concrete tilt-up contractor for the ATCO Rubber Products project in Plant City. R.C. Stevens Construction is the general contractor for the 95,000 sq.-ft. expansion. The company is also working on a 38,000 sq.-ft., two-story office building for Hills & Associates in Tampa for JLB Builders.

Seretta is also providing tilt-up services for Maulding Development in Orlando for Arco Beverage Group's 109,000 sq.-ft., eight-building office condominium complex.

CES Awarded $4 Million in Contracts

Altamonte Springs-based Comprehensive Energy Services was recently awarded several HVAC and plumbing projects valued over $4 million: Westgate Palace Resorts Tower II with JK2 Holmes General Contractors, value $2.6 million; Disney's Theater in the Wild at Animal Kingdom with Friedrich-Watkins, value $906,000; and Kennedy Space Center Building M7-409 with Speegle Construction, value $587,000.

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