La Quinta Inn & Suites hotel in Sebring Florida wins Top 50 Award
|
Administrator at: 7/15/2010 |
SEBRING, FL: July 15, 2010 - La Quinta Inn & Suites hotel in Sebring Florida wins Top 50 Award
Liberty Group of Companies is proud to announce that the brand new La Quinta Inn & Suites hotel in Sebring, Florida has been recognized as the Top 50 Hotels in the La Quinta system for Guest Satisfaction!
The prestigious award was presented to Sherry Bartley, General Manager of the La Quinta Inn & Suites, on July 13, 2010 by Jeff Palla, Vice President of Franchise Operations and Rajiv Trivedi, Executive Vice President of Franchising and Chief Development Officer of La Quinta Hotels Worldwide.
The La Quinta Inn & Suites hotel in Sebring, Florida was developed by the Liberty Group of Companies and opened in October 2009. The hotel is managed by Liberty Hospitality Management and features 77 guest suites, an outdoor pool and spa, meeting facilities, and state of the art fitness and business centers.
Liberty Group of Companies is a privately held real estate development and investment company based in Tampa, Florida. More more information, please visit www.LibertyG.com
| |
|
|
|
Punit R. Shah selected as Panelist for Crittenden Real Estate Finance Conference
|
Administrator at: 7/13/2010 |
ATLANTA, GA: July 13, 2010 - Punit R. Shah selected as Panelist for Crittenden Real Estate Finance Conference
Liberty Group of Companies is proud to announce that Punit R. Shah, President of the Liberty Group of Companies, has been selected as a Panelist for the Crittenden Real Estate Finance Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The Crittenden Real Estate Finance Conference is comprised of educational sessions and networking opportunities facilitated by the industries leading executives, with years of experience and the forefront of up-to-date information.
Crittenden strives to create a bridge of information between the Real Estate industry and its professionals. Over the past 25 years, it has established a recognizable platform where business professionals are given the necessary tools to build their companies and succeed in todays ever changing market.
The event will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on October 24-26, 2010 and tickets begin at $695 per person. For more information, please visit http://www.crittendenrealestatefinance.com.
| |
|
|
|
Liberty Group & DeBartolo Development acquire Holiday Inn Express Venice
|
Administrator at: 7/9/2010 |
SARASOTA, FL: July 9, 2010 - Herald Tribune Newspaper
Liberty Group of Companies and DeBartolo Development LLC have bought the Holiday Inn Express near Interstate 75 in a joint venture for $3.5 million.
The hotel, 380 Commercial Court, was built in early 2009 for $7.5 million, and DeBartolo's purchase price shows the pressure on commercial properties in this economy.
DeBartolo Development -- founded by mall entrepreneur Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. and now run by his son, Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. and brother Edward Kobel -- described the deal as "part of our strategy to pursue real estate assets that are undervalued but present attractive growth opportunities."
The four-story hotel has 73 rooms, a fitness center, an outdoor pool and a breakfast room. The DeBartolo family previously owned a Holiday Inn Express in Boardman, Ohio, but sold it in 2005 after 17 years.
Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. is the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Penguins. DeBartolo Development is one the largest privately held real estate development companies in the country.
| |
|
|
|
Commercial Construction Magazine - Board Talk
|
Administrator at: 6/17/2010 |
ATLANTA, GA: June 1, 2010 - Eyeing the Rest of the Year
As the commercial construction industry continues to work itself through these trying economic times, we will ask our Editorial Advisory Board to lend their insight into the various trends, issues, and challenges impact all of us. Following is an edited version of their responses to our industry question.
AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDDLE OF 2010, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW BUSINESS WILL SHAKE OUR THE REST OF THE YEAR? HOW IS YOUR PLANNING GOING?
The hospitality construction sector is in a very challenging environment at this stage of 2010. The current
cycle and timing of the hotel development sector has effectively paused any new ground-up construction.
New loans for hotel development essentially ended in mid-2008, so construction loans on hotels that were approved prior to then permitted hotels to be built and finished by the end of 2009 and early 2010. Now that this timeframe has passed and construction on these hotels is completed, we are not seeing any new product coming out of the ground; The focus has shifted to repositioning of existing product through
renovations and rebranding.
We believe that there will continue to be limited, if any, development of new hotel projects through the
end of 2010. General Contractors will be positioned well to pursue renovation projects on a large-scale
basis for full-service hotels and refresh/rehabilitation basis for select and limited-service hotels. Virtually
all funding for these projects is private equity, so Owners and Asset Managers of hospitality assets will be
very keen on keeping renovation budgets to an absolute minimum.
Our internal focus has shifted from new development of hotel product to acquisition and renovation of
existing products in selective markets. 2010 will be a unique year that will afford opportunities to those
best positioned to take advantage of the current market, but also a challenging year for those that are
unwilling to recognize and adapt to the market conditions in our industry.
-PUNIT R. SHAH, President, Liberty Group of Companies
| |
|
|
|
Pearl Beach Inn Review - Florida Weekly Magazine
|
Administrator at: 6/17/2010 |
SARASOTA, FL: June 17, 2010 - Englewood serves up old Florida with a mix of flavors
BY KATHY GREY kgrey@floridaweekly.com
TAKE A TRIP TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY AND YOULL find two very different worlds within minutes of each other in the town of Englewood, straddling both Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
Its all in Englewood: Pristine gulf views from the Pearl Beach Inn and a historic downtown just a 15-minute drive away.
One is the Pearl Beach Inn, an oasis on the Gulf of Mexico, inconspicuously nestled among million-dollar homes on Manasota Key. The other is Old Englewood Village on Lemon Bay, just on the other side of town, 15 minutes away.
Each location is a treasure in itself, but the juxtaposition of the two disparate environments makes this part of Southwest Florida something really special, and well worth the experience.
We found ourselves lolling around the beach searching for sharks teeth as the sun came up, and savoring a leisurely lunch in a funky bistro in dowtown Englewood by noon. We enjoyed a quiet stroll down Dearborn Street, where a plethora of boutiques, galleries and restaurants drew us out of the heat into their comfortable and welcoming environs. Late in the afternoon, we retired to our beach retreat for a quiet nap, another spectacular sunset and genteel conversation with other guests staying at the 12-room Pearl Beach Inn Resort.
What made the experience unique is that it was comfortable in every way. Visitors are lost in a wonderful world of God- and man-made history, of art and nature. And if you let it, a stay in Manasota/Englewood what we like to call surf and turf can envelop a travelers cares and whisk them out to sea or at least keep them at bay for a day or two.
Beaching on Manasota Key the Pearl Beach Inn Manasota Key is home to several public beaches, including Blind Pass, Englewood Beach, Manasota Beach and Stump Pass. For the day-tripper, each has a character all its own as is well worth the trip.
Our favorite beach was a gift that came along with accommodations at the Pearl Beach Inn Resort. The pristine and secluded beach was just 30 feet from our room at the Pearl, which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. The Pearl Beach Inn is in the middle of Manasota Key, and affords the ultimate old Florida beach getaway for the world-weary. Visitors share the beach with adjacent and hospitable residents, standing side by side, knee-deep in the tide, engaging in stories and recreational fishing. The Pearls beach is loaded with sea treasures shells, fish and sharks teeth. Its a taste of unspoiled Southwest Florida at its best, where visitors become lost in a sandyfooted world of goodness, and enjoy the genial and unobtrusive world-class attention of its manager in residence, Robert McKenna.
Wills Honkytonk is a self-proclaimed sunny spot for shady people in Englewood. The Pearl was built in 1950, and has undergone generations of change, all for the good. Each newly-renovated room is appointed in Bahamian flair, with quality linens and art adorning the interior, flat-panel TVs with digital cable access and free wireless internet. Each unit has its own window A/C, ideal for climate control. The units are outfitted with kitchens and necessary utensils for those who want to dine in. The common areas of the Pearl are havens for guests to congregate, dotted with hammocks and barbecues for their enjoyment.
Venturing out, we took our hosts advice and traveled south on the key for a meal at the Lock and Key, which features reasonably-priced meals in a low-key, Floridian setting, complete with clapboard ceilings and paddle fans. Along the way, we discovered Canopy Road, an awe-inspiring three mile tree-topped stretch of Manasota Key Road.
Resident manager Robert McKenna, originally from Saganaw, Mich., fishes at sunset most nights. We retreated back to the Pearl Beach Inn, which is a cross between cottage and resort, and comfortable in every way. We chatted with guests who make an annual trek to the Pearl Tripping along Old Englewood Village.
On the other side of town lies quaint and historic Old Englewood Village. This is an old Florida locale reminiscent of a souped-up, hippiefied Mayberry, featuring a mlange of fine art, food and a funky mix of shops that gives the area its positively quirky edge.
Dearborn Street calls to the day-tripper offering an array of great places for entertainment, food, shopping and curiosity seeking.
As we drove into town, we noted Saturday Nite Live signs staked along the streets. SNL is a community party held twice monthly in season, featuring live outdoor entertainment, later-night shopping and restaurants ready to serve downtown nighttime revelers. It was the last SNL of the season, but the fun kicks up again starting in September.
We enjoyed a gourmet lunch at the colorful Mango Bistro, which offers French crpes, wraps, salads, and inventively tasty dishes. The caf mocha was rich and flavorful, as was the lobster bisque, served with rosemary focaccia. The bistro itself was memorable, with its mango-hued walls and local art pieces for sale, including sarongs produced by co-owner Marie LaForge. Her Zigamazoo sarongs are, as theyre labeled, wearable works of art.
After lunch, we had to visit Girlie- Man Chic @ Dearborn, just for its names sake. Outside, the Cyndi Lauper-like landscaping gives way to a whimsically-themed upscale consignment shop.
Next door to Girlie-Man is the Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay, where we met artist Marsha Banas, whose eye-catching oil pet portraits were on display. The alliances art is fine, beautifully displayed and reasonably priced.
Along Dearborn, we popped in at the Roasters Coffee Bar and listened to live music performed by Phil Jones and Robert Thacher of Lemon Bay Harmonics. The duo can be heard every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and at other venues around town.
Down the road, we visited Mystic See, a new age emporium and the Blue Pineapple, with its eclectic assortment of design accents.
After a long day, we stopped in to meet Joyce Colmar, who owns Vino Loca, a tapas and wine bar down the road. Ms. Colmar sells more than 30 wines by the glass and more than 300 wines by the bottle. Vino Loco is involved in the Dearborn Street Wine Walk, held the last Saturday in February.
Outside the Dearborn Street hub we spotted a few more gems of local color, including the 1917 Buchans Landing settlement, the Green Street Church and Museum and the Ringlingaffiliated Englewood Arts Center, which closes at 2 p.m. in the summer.
We spotted the biker bar Wills Honkytonk (a sunny spot for shady people) on the way out of town, an establishment that confirmed to us that Englewood is for everyone.
Back at the Pearl Beach Inn, we had a quiet in-room meal, took in another sunset and enjoyed one last night of conversation with our new friends.
Were not sure which we love more, the surf or the turf, but theres one thing thats certain: Well be back to spend more time in Englewood, the land of surf and turf.
| |
|
|
|
Punit R. Shah appointed to Editorial Board of Commercial Construction Magazine
|
Administrator at: 1/22/2010 |
ATLANTA, GA: January 21, 2010 - Liberty Group of Companies is pleased to announce that Punit R. Shah, President of Tampa-based developer Liberty Group of Companies, has been appointed to the Editorial Board of Commercial Construction Magazine (http://www.cc-mag.net). Mr. Shah brings his extensive experience in developing commercial projects including hotels, assisted living facilities, multi-family residential projects, and mixed-use developments to Commercial Construction Magazine.
Commercial Construction Magazine reports on the design, construction and facilities operations of major commercial construction segments, including retail, hospitality, restaurant, education, corrections and more. The content is designed to meet the information needs of high-level executives, especially the collaborative management process needed to complete projects on time and on budget, and to manage these facilities efficiently.
Liberty Group of Companies is a privately held real estate development and investment company based in Tampa, Florida. More more information, please visit www.LibertyG.com
| |
|
|
|
LIBERTY GROUP OF COMPANIES ANNOUCES THE OPENING OF THE LA QUINTA INN & SUITES HOTEL IN SEBRING, FLORIDA
|
Administrator at: 10/21/2009 |
LIBERTY GROUP OF COMPANIES ANNOUCES THE OPENING OF THE LA QUINTA INN & SUITES HOTEL IN SEBRING, FLORIDA
Sebring, FL October 20, 2009. Privately held Liberty Group of Companies, a leading developer and operator of limited-service hotels, announced the completion and opening of the brand new La Quinta Inn & Suites hotel in Sebring, Florida. Liberty Groups second hotel development in Sebring is located on US 27 South and under the leadership of General Manager Ms. Sherry Bartley and her team of hospitality professionals. Ms. Bartley welcomed her first hotel guest on October 20, 2009 as the hotel officially opened for business.
As one of the closest hotels to the Sebring International Raceway, the new La Quinta Inn & Suites offers guests pet-friendly three-star accommodations, a heated outdoor pool and spa, lush tropical landscaping, and meeting space for up to 60 persons. Featuring 77-guest rooms and suites, the La Quinta Inn & Suites also provides guests with free high-speed wireless Internet access, free Bright Side breakfast, free local calls, and a state-of-the-art fitness and business center. Luxurious Bright Morning bedding, large bathrooms with wood and chrome elements, and modern bold design tones welcome guests into a crisp setting influenced by Sebrings rich history and culture. All rooms features 32-inch high-definition flat panel LCD televisions, as well as brightly lit work areas and ergonomic chairs to accommodate business travelers.
"La Quinta Inn & Suites is designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travelers. As a pioneer in the Sebring market, the Liberty Group of Companies is continuing to stay focused on brand innovation and guest satisfaction, said Punit R. Shah, President of Tampa Bay-based developer Liberty Group of Companies. La Quinta Inn & Suites is pleased to offer our proprietary Bright Side breakfast bar, Bright Morning bedding package, and free high-speed Internet access--all which have shown to be top priorities to our guests in Sebring. The hotel was designed around a vintage racing theme with modern and sophisticated design elements.
Situated near the intersection of US Highway 27 South and US Highway 98, the new 39,000 sq.-ft. property is the second hotel development in Sebring by developer Liberty Group of Companies. With the addition of the new La Quinta Inn & Suites in Sebring, the Liberty Group of Companies will be responsible for bringing over 140 new hotel rooms to Sebring including their 2006 development of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Dennys restaurant on US 27 North. Future development plans for the site also include a similar quick-service restaurant to be located along the frontage of the property.
A Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for the holiday season, as well as an introduction party for local Chambers of Commerce and business leaders.
The La Quinta Inn & Suites in Sebring is owned and managed by the Liberty Group of Companies (website www.LibertyG.com) , under a license agreement with LQ Hotels and is located at 4115 US Highway 27 South, Sebring Florida 33870. Telephone: 863-386-1000; website www.LaQuintaSebring.com
| |
|
|
|
Liberty Group of Companies announces the Opening of the Pearl Beach Inn Resort in Manasota Key, Florida
|
Administrator at: 10/10/2009 |
Sarasota, Florida 10/10/2009 - The Liberty Group of Companies announces the acquisition and management of the Pearl Beach Inn Resort in Manasota Key, Florida. This Sarasota beach resort is situated directly on the Gulf of Mexico, and offers direct access to beautiful white sand beaches, the combination of blue skies, white sands and aqua waters that the beaches of Northwest Florida and the Gulf of Mexico have provided the backdrop for countless weddings over the year.
The Pearl Beach Inn Resort in Manasota Key offers special group rates and spacious suites so families and groups have room to relax together. All suites are furnished with kitchens, making this the perfect family reunion or group event site. Our dedicated property manager will gladly help you organize outings for your entire group by booking your tee times, fishing excursions, etc.
"The Pearl Beach Inn Resort is a great getaway for family reunions in Florida and groups events in Florida looking for a private, secluded beach resort," said Punit R. Shah, President of St. Petersburg-based developer Liberty Group of Companies. "The Resort has been fully renovated to blend modern amenities with charming tropical design elements. Each suite features flat-panel televisions, wireless internet, and spacious living areas."
An all-new website for the Florida beach resort is now live at www.PearlBeachInn.com
| |
|
|
|
Holiday Inn Express & Suites becomes Preferred Hotel of University of South Florida (USF)
|
Administrator at: 7/28/2009 |
Tampa 7-27-2009
The Liberty Group of Companies announced today that the new 123-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites-USF/Busch Gardens, joined the University of South Florida Preferred Hotel program. As a participant in the USF Preferred Hotel program, the Holiday Inn Express & Suite offers great rates and value for USF Athletics Teams visiting the Tampa area. "Our Tampa hotel at the University of South Florida offers the best in location and modern amenities to all USF sporting teams and visitors," states Angela Bristol, Director of Sales for the hotel.
The new Holiday Inn in Tampa is among the first in the featuring the refreshed dcor and design package, and is designed specifically for its location adjacent to the University of South Florida and Busch Gardens. A virtual tour is available at www.HolidayInnUSF.com
Guests of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites will be able to take advantage of smart amenities unique to Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotels. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites offers both the FREE Express Start hot breakfast bar, which has re-defined the meaning of limited-service "free" breakfast bars and the SimplySmart shower, which is raising the bar on guest expectations of a hotel shower experience.
Additionally, the Developer has carefully integrated GREEN elements into the project to ensure environmental sustainability. As a participant in the Florida Green Lodging Program, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites is among only a handful of hotels in the Tampa Bay area eligible for this designation.
"Holiday Inn Express & Suites is designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travelers. As a leader in the segment, the Liberty Group of Companies is continuing to stay focused on brand innovation and guest satisfaction, said Punit R. Shah, President of St. Petersburg-based developer Liberty Group of Companies. Holiday Inn Express is pleased to offer our proprietary Express Start breakfast bar, enhanced SimplySmart shower amenities and free high-speed Internet access--all which have shown to be top priorities to our guests.
Situated on the intersection of Bruce B. Downs and Busch Boulevard, the new 69,000 sq.-ft. property boasts safari-themed modern dcor throughout the lobby and guestrooms and offers a variety of amenities such as flat-panel televisions, king and queen-sized pillow-top mattresses, fitness and business centers, meeting facilities, outdoor pool, and free transportation to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, USF, and University Community Health Hospital.
USF visitors will find large desks with ergonomic chairs, FREE WiFi, HDTV flat-panel televisions, two phones with private voicemail and complimentary USA Today newspapers. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites offers competitive rates for business and leisure travelers, toll free and free local phone calls.
The property is within walking distance to Busch Gardens and just minutes from USF and the hotel offers free shuttle service to both. University Community Health and Adventure Island are also a short drive from the hotel.
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites USF/Busch Gardens is owned and managed by the Liberty Group of Companies, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group and is located at 2807 East Busch Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33612. Telephone: 813-936-8200; website: www.HolidayInnUSF.com
| |
|
|
|
Categories:
Announcenments
News
|
