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Management News

Daroff Design Inc + DDI Architects PC Merges with Nelson Worldwide

Award-winning architecture, design and strategy firm Nelson Worldwide has merged operations with Daroff Design Inc + DDI Architects, PC (DDI), an award-winning, internationally recognized interior design and architecture firm headquartered in Center City, Philadelphia.

DDI’s creative team, grounded in innovative thinking, combined with Nelson industry knowledge and geographic reach, will allow the firm to expand and strengthen its ability to deliver exciting and emotionally connected experiences within the built environment, the firm said.

Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Nelson offers services that include architecture, interior design, graphic design and brand strategy. DDI joins Nelson with an expansive project portfolio across the workplace, hospitality, multifamily and public sector. DDI’s most notable clients include Comcast, NBC Universal, The Durst Organization, Vanguard, Disney, JetBlue, Loews Hotels, St. Regis, Ritz Carlton, PIDC, Sheetz and MGM Resorts.

Eos Hospitality to Manage Key West Resorts

Eos Hospitality, a full-service hotel management company, has been selected to manage Havana Cabana at Key West and Tranquility Bay Beachfront Hotel and Resort, in the Florida Keys. Both properties are owned by DiamondRock Hospitality Company, a real estate investment trust with 33 premium hotels and resorts containing over 9,400 rooms concentrated in gateway cities and destination resorts throughout the United States. Boasting the largest pool in Key West, Havana Cabana Key West blends the art and culture of Cuba with chic, tropical design elements throughout its 106 guest rooms. The hotel features classic cars out front, mojitos and music poolside and custom murals throughout. Guests can discover authentic Cuban fare at the hotel’s Floridita Food Truck.

Tranquility Bay Beachfront Hotel and Resort is a waterfront property featuring a blend of luxury accommodations, with 87 private beach houses and 16 guestrooms. It is nestled in the heart of Marathon, Florida and surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico.

Romer Debbas Forms Diverse, All-Woman Agency Lending and Affordable Housing Department

Real estate and general practice law firm Romer Debbas LLP has formed a fully diverse, all-woman Agency Lending & Affordable Housing Department. The practice is led by 20year industry veteran and firm Partner Carmen I. Pagan Esq., a native of Puerto Rico, who is joined by Senior Associate Catherine M. Azevedo Esq., a second-generation Filipino-American and Associate Pamela U. Norbert Esq., a first-generation Nigerian-American. Azevedo has primarily focused on the representation of commercial lenders, seller/ servicers and other financial institutions in the financing of multifamily properties.

Norbert shares a primary focus on representing commercial lenders, seller/servicers and other financial institutions in the financing of multifamily properties, also with an emphasis on affordable housing. Pagan is tenured in her representation of a wide range of clients from construction lenders, seller/servicers and other financial institutions in all aspects of commercial lending with a focus on affordable housing.

Karen Daroff John (Ozzie) Nelson Jr. Photos courtesy of Nelson Worlswide

Tranquility Bay Beachfront and Hotel

Photo courtesy of PRNewswire

Carmen Pagan Catherine Azevedo Pamela U. Norbert

Photos courtesy of Romer Debbas

Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP Expands to South Florida

New York City-based law firm Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP will expand to South Florida in a merger with Bresky Law and Johnson, Ritchey & Feldman P.A. The firm will continue to practice under the name Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP (SSRGA), and establish its Florida office at 2424 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton.

SSRGA is a full-service firm with practice areas including real estate, health care, notfor-profit, litigation, business and corporate, matrimonial and family law and trusts and estates law. The South Florida office will focus on appellate, matrimonial, family law, trusts and estates, real estate, probate administration and corporate law.

Since 2000, Bresky Law has become known for state and federal appellate work in Florida, handling criminal and civil appeals, administrative appeals and litigation support. Johnson, Ritchey & Feldman P.A. is a matrimonial and family law firm.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Partners with CBRE to Build More Diverse, Inclusive Talent Pipeline

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the largest organization exclusively representing the Black College community, announced a new partnership with CBRE Group Inc. focused on preparing students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for careers in commercial real estate. The partnership aims to create a markedly more inclusive and diverse talent pipeline for the industry. TMCF has a history of success supporting nearly 300,000 students who attend HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), the organization said. Since its founding in 1987, TMCF has awarded over $300 million in scholarships for students and boasts a 90% graduation rate for students in its programs.

“Supporting students in achieving a higher education not only helps them succeed but also has a positive impact on their families and communities,” said Harry L. Williams, TMCF president and CEO. “CBRE’s partnership with TMCF will help HBCU students gain education.”

WNC Forms Preservation Equity Fund Advisors, Taps Caruana as President, CIO

WNC, an affordable housing investment and development firm has formed affiliate Preservation Equity Fund Advisors LLC (PEF Advisors), a registered investment advisory company committed to acquiring and preserving existing affordable housing in high-cost markets. Ann Caruana has been appointed as president and chief investment officer (CIO) of PEF Advisors.

Caruana has more than 19 years of direct experience in the multifamily investment sector, including nearly eight years specializing in underwriting and acquiring affordable rental housing investments to create attractive economic returns for investors.

Caruana moves to president and CIO of PEF Advisors after three years as senior vice president of WNCs preservation equity funds where she oversaw the acquisition and asset management teams. Prior to that, Caruana was with a private real estate equity firm.

Ann Caruana

Photo courtesy of WNC

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