A luxury condominium will soon begin construction near Ellenton Premium outlets.

In a joint venture, Defined Companies and Nadeb Investments Group purchased a 7.86-acre property on Factory Shops Boulevard for $4.95 million. Now developers expect to build a 235-unit luxury apartment complex advertising resort amenities.

SVN Commercial Advisory Group represented the seller, Ohm Teerth Development in Bradenton. The land owners have worked in the last year to change the allowable land-use on the property, which in the past has been zoned for such retail uses as a movie theater.

Tony Veldkamp, a senior advisor at SVN, said the property is perfect for multi-use housing. While the property still have some commercial capacity, he said the land was easily marketed to developers specializing in residential construction.

“Mixed-use developers are few and far between,” he said. “Most know apartments or know retail. Few do both.”

Defined, a Fort Lauderdale company led by founders Noah Leon and Steven Guasch, has a focus on developing high-end multi-family residential. Nadeb, led by president Eben Mensah, specializes in the acquisition, development, construction, and management of multi-family residential communities.

Veldkamp said that while the project will primarily focus on the luxury market, developers did agree to keep 60 units in a price range deemed as “affordable housing” with the county in order to obtain density bonuses.

He said the community can expect an attractive resort-style development to result. Construction should start in the first quarter of this year, with the first units coming online within a year.

Matt Fenske, also of SVN, said the project indicates strong interest in an already-booming Manatee region.

“The North River market has more than 23,000 new homes approved or being built,” Fenske said. “Manatee County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state and this new construction will help accommodate some of that population influx.”

The buyers issued a joint statement saying this purchase made the most sense based on current forces.

“With the ever-changing capital markets constraining construction financing, developers must prepare themselves to protect and carry their investments until there is a sense of normalcy,” the statement read. 

Aerial photo courtesy SVN.

Dan Miller has joined RE/MAX Platinum Realty as a Realtor in the downtown Sarasota, Florida, office. He has more than 15 years of experience in the luxury real estate market in Sarasota and the surrounding keys. Prior to his real estate career, Miller was an international bank examiner, and owned and operated a successful Sarasota-based chain of retail stores operating throughout the Southeastern United States. After selling the company, he parlayed his extensive market knowledge and passion for real estate investing into a successful real estate sales career. “I am dedicated to helping families and individuals relocate to this gorgeous town and embrace the vibrant Sarasota lifestyle,” Miller said. RE/MAX Platinum Realty’s Sarasota office is located at 1500 State Street, Sarasota, Florida 34236. Miller can be reached at (941) 376-7442 or ddm1@comcast.net.

The Women’s Resource Center presents Divorce 101, a free, four-part workshop series that explores Florida divorce law, how to claim financial power, and ways to change the emotional dynamic with a divorce. The series launches on February 15, 6-7:30 p.m., with “Emotional Workshop” with board-certified divorce coach, Kim Boyd; and continues February 22, 6-7:30 p.m., with “Financial Workshop #1” with Laura Mattia, PH.D., MBA, CFP, a financial advisor, educator, and author. The series will continue March 8 with “Legal Workshop” facilitated by Chris Florand, a certified family and civil court mediator. There are two new components to the Divorce 101 Workshops: “Children and Divorce,” March 22. The series will end on March 29 with a second “Financial Workshop.” This workshop is focused on housing and forensic accounting. This in-person series is at the Women's Resource Center Sarasota, 340 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. Participants can attend one or all of the sessions. To register, visit mywrc.org/divorce101. For more information, call 941-366-1700. 

The Florida Association of Teen Courts (FATC) has appointed Yantee Hines, Manatee Teen Court/Teen Court Too program supervisor to serve a one-year term on the FATC Board of Directors. Since 1995, the FATC has served Teen Court programs across Florida by providing collaboration, support, resources, and professional fellowship to reduce recidivism and provide a positive, safe environment for volunteers. As a core point of contact for Florida counties Teen Court programs, the association develops ideas and resource materials for enhancing program operations statewide. Since 1991, Manatee County’s Teen Court/Teen Court Too program has prevented thousands of cases from entering the juvenile court system and saved Manatee County taxpayers over $54 million. The program, overseen by the Office of Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, is a diversionary program designed to stop youthful delinquent behavior before a pattern is established. The program allows first-time youth offenders, ages 10-17, a second chance while holding them accountable for their actions. Hines has been the Teen Court/Teen Court Too supervisor since 2021. Since becoming supervisor, Hines has continued the success of the program and implemented new ideas such as a community organization awareness program where speakers from outside agencies are invited to speak to the youth volunteers prior to court. Previous speakers include MADD and Drug Free Manatee. For more information about the Manatee County Teen Court/Teen Court Too program, visit the Clerk’s website at www.ManateeClerk.com/Departments/TeenCourt and for more information about the Florida Association of Teen Courts, visit their website at https://floridateencourts.wordpress.com/about/.

After serving as Chairman of the Small Business Council for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and mentoring small business owners, Sherod Halliburton CEO of Financial Access Federal Credit Union has seen the demand up close. “I have been approached by business owners frustrated with their inability to access business capital. Many of these businesses have been operating for less than three years, funded their businesses on personal credit, have operational challenges, and/or need to borrow less than $100,000,” states Halliburton. Financial Access, in partnership with most of the area’s technical assistance providers, is committed to filling the lending gap and serving as a bridge to traditional business lenders.  

While Financial Access Federal Credit Union was founded as Tropicana Employees Federal Credit Union in 1958, it has grown and changed significantly while still celebrating its heritage. It now serves a larger field of membership and has expanded its geographic area. With $2 million in recent grants from the U.S. Treasury Department and a $1 million investment from Charter Communications, Financial Access can provide a more dynamic experience with upgraded technology, over 30,000 Fee-Free ATMs throughout the United States, and establishing a business lending program now available throughout the State of Florida. With improved technology, members and business owners can now easily conduct most of their business easily from the comfort of their homes and offices. Consumer loans are now offered for business purposes and business loans are available for up to $1 million. 

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and Financial Access will help them build credit and financial capacity with its unique strategies while serving as a bridge to larger traditional business loans. 

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Join us on March 7, 2023 at Michael's On East for a dynamic luncheon symposium centered on conversations focused on regional philanthropic topics. The luncheon will include a panel discussion to explore the ever-changing world of non-profits and honor outstanding individuals who have made a meaningful impact within the community. 

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