Residential Division Recognized by the Industry’s Most Prestigious Multifamily Award for the Tenth Year in a Row

Charlotte, N.C., July 7, 2010 – Crosland LLC, one of the Southeast’s leading real estate companies, announces that its residential division has earned national acclaim for its excellence in customer service for the tenth consecutive year. This recognition by an independent third party, CEL & Associates, is a reflection of Crosland’s longstanding commitment to providing the highest level of customer service to its residents. It also validates the hard work of Crosland team members who stand behind that commitment every day.

Crosland Makes the “A List”

Each year CEL & Associates, Inc. compiles customer satisfaction survey data from residents within thousands of buildings and communities to determine which real estate organizations and properties are indeed the best in the industry. CEL & Associates’ National Real Estate “A List” Awards For Service Excellence are awarded to those who truly provide a superior level of service.

Apartment residents placed Crosland among the best of its industry peers through the CEL & Associate Inc.’s third-party survey. The award is given to one recipient in each category according to the number of properties under management. Crosland is one of only six multifamily award recipients nationwide.

“A decade of being placed among the top of the industry by our own residents is a testament to Crosland’s promise to residents by providing excellent customer service and high quality housing,” said David Ravin, Crosland’s president of the residential division. “This also provides reassurance to the owners we serve that we are providing great third-party management.”

More than 2.5 million residents in 6,000 apartment communities across the nation participated in the survey, which measures management performance and commitment to the highest level of quality and service.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that our hard work has been recognized! The entire team is to be congratulated, and acknowledged as being among the best in the industry,” said Meg Pisczek, vice president of property operations and president of the Apartment Association of North Carolina.

With communities ranging from affordable housing to upscale mixed-use properties, Crosland’s multifamily portfolio totaling nearly 7,000 units includes 35 diverse apartment communities, varying from 40 to 568 residences, in Asheville, Cary, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Gastonia, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wake Forest in North Carolina. Approximately 4,000 units are managed for third-party owners. Crosland maintains a 95 percent occupancy portfolio for its stabilized residential properties.

Triangle Area Honors

Some of the Triangle area communities participating in the survey included Oberlin Court, Southpoint Village and Weston Lakeside. Crosland is currently managing over 2,000 units in the area.

The company is also building Trinity Commons at Erwin in Durham slated to be completed at the end of the year. The eco-friendly community is registered in the LEED- NC program at the Silver level. Trinity Commons will consist of 342 luxury apartments with studio, 1 and 2 bedroom floor plan options. The luxury community across from Duke Medical Center will include a 3,000 square foot clubhouse complete with an outdoor pool, a climbing wall, cardio/weight room, indoor resistance salt water lap pool, indoor spa, steam room, and sauna.

About Crosland Investment Services LLC

Crosland Investment Services (CIS) is Crosland's property management, leasing and asset management business unit which manages assets on behalf of other owners. The division manages a total of approximately 4,000 multi-family units across North Carolina as well as over 3 million square feet of retail space across the Southeast for third parties.

The Investment Services team has extensive experience in navigating real estate economic cycles and is highly experienced in market analysis, competitive pricing strategies, product comparison and ancillary income generation. CIS’s third-party clients range from private investors to large institutions such as Northwestern Mutual, Ferncroft, ARA, AEW and Eastern Federal Corporation. CIS manages both stabilized and distressed assets. More information about Crosland’s residential communities can be found at www.croslandliving.com.

Rutland Commons Welcomes Four New Tenants

Crosland LLC, one of the Southeast’s leading diversified real estate firms, announces several tenant additions to Rutland Commons, a neighborhood shopping center featuring specialty shops, services, restaurants and financial institutions in the greater Richmond area. The new tenants include Marty’s Grill, The Ruby Slipper Boutique, Custom Blends and Sun Trust.

Marty’s Grill (3,946 sf) opened its doors to Rutland Commons customers in late January. The eatery strives to provide the highest quality food and service, in a relaxed atmosphere shared with family and friends.

Marty’s Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, provides customers with a variety of menu options from breakfast favorites such as french toast and omelets to delicious soups, sandwiches and salads to distinctive entrees such as The Double Deuce – a 22-oz. rib-eye paired with mashed potatoes and seasoned asparagus and April’s Seafood Carbonara – lump crab and tiger shrimp sautéed with country ham in a rich asiago cream sauce tossed with angel hair pasta. The restaurant also offers a full bar for the perfect beverage complement to any meal.

Owner Michael Cohan said he chose Rutland Commons to open the restaurant named for his father, Martin Cohan.

“Rutland Commons is an up-and-coming development with a lot of potential and some great people in the neighborhood,” he said. “It’s a place I could trust to open the restaurant named for my father.”

The Ruby Slipper Boutique (1,800 sf) which relocated to Rutland Commons in April offers specialty labels in women’s clothing, accessories and gifts such as Tribal, Multiple, 600 West, and Brighton jewelry and handbags. The store is currently owned and operated by Vicki Trice.

Custom Blends (561 sf) opened in mid May. The tobacco shop provides only the best in all-natural tobacco and related products such as pipes, rolling papers, tobacco tins and pouches as well as collection of fine cigars.

Joining these tenants in the fall will be SunTrust (3,200 sf), one of the nation’s largest and strongest financial services holding companies with total assets exceeding $174 billion. SunTrust purchased a 1.63-acre outparcel at Rutland Commons in January and is expected to begin construction this summer, with an anticipated opening in the fall. SunTrust offers customers 1,683 retail branches and 2,822 ATMs located throughout Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia. SunTrust also provides clients with a full selection of technology-based banking channels including online, 24-hour customer services centers and the latest mobile devices.

The Shops at Greenridge Announces New National Anchor

Greenville, S.C. – Crosland Investment Services - leasing agent and property manager for The Shops at Greenridge - announces buybuy BABY will join the premier shopping center as its newest anchor. Occupying 29,879 square feet, buybuy BABY is expected to open in late fall. Charles Thrift, senior leasing associate with Crosland Investment Services, represented the property owner on the transaction.

“We’re extremely pleased with to have buybuy BABY choose Shops at Greenridge as their first store in upstate South Carolina,” said Susan McGuire, senior vice president for Crosland’s retail division.

buybuy BABY, a baby superstore specializing in furniture, products, clothing and accessories for preemies, infants and toddlers, is committed to delivering an exceptional selection of products with an unparalleled commitment to customer service.

The superstore provides nursery and children’s furniture including cribs, dressers, gliders, bedding and accessories from the industry’s leading manufacturers – AP Industries, Berg, Bonavita, Dutailier, Mother Hubbard, Natart, Stanley, Sorelle, Westwood Designs and much more. The retailer also offers top car seat, stroller and highchair brands such as Baby Jogger, B.O.B., Britax, Bugaboo, Combi, Graco, Maclaren, Peg Perego and Phil & Ted.

With more than 20,000 products to choose from, the superstore features feeding, nursing, bath, health and safety departments along with everyday essentials including formula, diapers, wipes and lotions. buybuy BABY’s toy department presents popular name brand toys, activity centers, learning and development products, along with a complete book and audio/visual department featuring a variety of educational and entertainment CDs and DVDs.

buybuy BABY also provides customers with computerized gift registry, home delivery, including furniture delivery and assembly, a private feeding room as well as complimentary gift boxes and gift wrapping.

To learn more information, please visit Crosland.com, mixed-use development specialists

Dr. Wellenreiter to Open Office at Blakeney Professional Center

Charlotte, N.C. - Darren Wellenreiter, LLC purchased Suite 201 (2,498 s.f.) in Building 17 at Blakeney Professional Center, a Crosland project developed by Merrifield Patrick. It will be the office of Darren Wellenreiter, DDS.

Dr. Wellenreiter practiced family dentistry with emphasis on cosmetic and implant dentistry in Indianapolis, Indiana for 16 years. He brings with him his attention to detail in patient care and believes that everyone deserves a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. He has been working in the Matthews area for the past year and is excited to be opening his own practice again. Dr. Wellenreiter and his wife have three young boys and they are enjoying their new home in Charlotte. Dr. Wellenreiter will be accepting most major insurance plans when his office opens in May. For more information, please call 704-341-5770.

Ken Heiliger of Heiliger Associates represented the buyer and George Macon of Merrifield Patrick represented the seller in the above transaction.

Blakeney Professional Center is a 30-acre commercial center located within the overall Blakeney project. Blakeney is the culmination of two decades of planning and includes 270 acres of single-family attached and detached homes, apartment homes, retail, commercial, and office development. This mixed-use development is located at the intersection of Rea and Ardrey Kell Roads just two miles from the I-485 Interchange. Forty-five acres have been preserved for greenways and wetlands along the Flat Branch Creek. A community green lies adjacent to the retail center. The retail center offers 500,000 square feet of space anchored by a Harris Teeter and Target.

Learn more about our office property in Charlotte at our website!

Crosland Welcomes Home Furnishings Retailer, Maternity Boutique and Thai Restaurant to Blakeney; Barbershop Joins Blakeney Crossing

Crosland LLC, one of the Southeast’s leading diversified real estate firms, announces four new openings of retailers and restaurants at the Blakeney Shopping Centers.

Casual Elegance, Belly Elan Maternity and Blue Basil will join the 270-acre multi-use development in early 2010. Barbers at Blakeney will be opening in the adjacent Blakeney Crossing.

Casual Elegance (2,449 sf), a home-décor retailer will open at Blakeney in late March. Casual Elegance is the second retail store to expand from Black Lion to Blakeney. While owners Bob and Beth Taflinger will maintain a presence at Black Lion, it has always been a dream of theirs to operate a full storefront in Blakeney. This second Black Lion booth expansion supports Blakeney as the perfect location for local business owners to grow their customer base throughout the Charlotte area. Casual Elegance specializes in traditional and transitional décor, artwork and accessories for the home. The retailer will also offer an assortment of jewelry and gifts.

“Our love for the Blakeney area along with the tremendous response we received at the 2009 Southern Christmas Show facilitated our desire to expand our business,” said Beth Taflinger.

Belly Elan Maternity Boutique (800 sf) offers the best in maternity apparel for all stages of pregnancy and after birth. Belly Elan specializes in new-mom clothing and baby products and offers an assortment of diaper bags, baby gifts and accessories. Opening its first Charlotte retail store in Feb. 2005, Belly Elan relocated from its original location at Promenade on Providence. The boutique re-opened for business in early January.

“We are thrilled to be the newest members to join the Blakeney family,” said Belly Elan owner Nidhie Dhiman. “This new location allows us to expand our store and our presence throughout the Charlotte community.”

Joining Blakeney’s dining repertoire is Blue Basil (2,280 sf), a causal Thai restaurant, which is expected to open in March. Blue Basil will offer a true Thai experience with authentic Thai dishes using only the freshest meats, seafood, vegetables and spices. To complement each meal, the restaurant will offer a unique selection of beer, wines and liquors. While Blue Basil is new to Charlotte, owner Rick Taing is not. Taing owns and operates two Sushi 101 locations in Charlotte.

Joining the Blakeney Crossing family is Barbers at Blakeney (1,060 sf) which is located between Smoothie King and Massage Envy. Planned to open early this month, Barbers at Blakeney will provide full barber services and the sale of related products.