It’s not a secret that real estate demand is high, and inventory is low. Chris McCall, Senior Director of the Commercial Division of Counts Real Estate Group, is honest with his clients about the market while helping them acquire the commercial or industrial properties they require.

The eight agents in the Commercial Division at Counts Real Estate Group carefully monitor market trends. They are paired with clients based on customer requirements and the agent’s experience and areas of expertise.

Over the past three years, lease rates and prices have increased dramatically. McCall said that high demand along with supply chain issues has accelerated growth in construction costs. He noted in particular price increases for steel, concrete and petroleum-based construction materials.

McCall advises people to anticipate needs and start looking into commercial property as early as possible.

“If you cannot find the right location and the right building, buyers and tenants should consider building for their specific requirements,” McCall said. “Construction costs and land costs are at all-time highs, but so are lease rates and values.”

If you do elect to build, you’ll need to consider building codes and requirements. Distribution centers, for example, must have high ceilings and dock-height loading.

McCall said people embarking on searches for industrial property should be mindful of considerations including location, costs, construction quality, square footage, ceiling height, loading, power and yard space.

In a tough market, McCall has recently achieved some major sales. He worked with the owners of the former Bell Signs Building in Panama City to restore the building, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael. The building was rebuilt, leased to two long-term credit tenants, then purchased by an investor for $7 million.

McCall and his partner Carl Allen purchased the former Century-Cobia Boats/Yamaha Motors plant in Bay Industrial Park. After a rebuild, they have leased two buildings to Conner Industries, and the remaining two buildings are under contract to a manufacturer who will create over 120 jobs.

“I’ve never thought of myself as a salesman,” McCall said. “I simply help people and companies solve their real estate needs, minimize real estate overhead and maximize returns for real estate investors. It all equates to clients being satisfied and knowing they got the best deal possible.”

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Chris McCall – Commercial Real Estate
Brokerage & Advisory Services
Counts Real Estate Group – Commercial Division
2104 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL  |  (850) 814-9889  CountsCommercial.com

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Based in Northwest Florida, ReliantSouth Construction Group has become a much sought-after contractor that provides full-service commercial general contractor/construction management services. Led by professional engineer Richard Dodd, ReliantSouth has completed various exemplary projects throughout Northwest Florida and the Southeast.

Having started his construction career 38 years ago, Dodd has been leading successful and award-winning construction companies in this area for more than three decades.

What makes ReliantSouth stand out from its competitors is its adherence to one primary mission:

“We provide solutions and value to our clients while working collaboratively with all our stakeholders,” Dodd said.

The past two years — first with Hurricane Michael and then the pandemic — have dealt some unexpected hardships all across Northwest Florida.  Contracting has certainly been anything but ordinary. However, ReliantSouth has both persevered and excelled. So, what’s their secret?

“I believe it’s our perspective,” Dodd explained. “Because you see, life is truly a gift and should be appreciated all the time. Perspective helps you appreciate the little things.”

ReliantSouth takes great pride in adapting to circumstances, remaining steady in uncertainty, and building quality projects that exceed client expectations. Perhaps that stability comes from the fact that the firm is blessed with a rich legacy. Also, seasoned, integrity-filled construction professionals make up the team who have worked together for years.

And then there are the grateful ReliantSouth clients:

Hurricane Michael decimated Southerland Family Funeral Home. Steve Southerland, principal in the business and former member of Congress, felt contracting with ReliantSouth was an excellent decision.

“When Hurricane Michael completely destroyed our family’s business structure, we were devastated,” Southerland said. “However, we knew that in order to pick up the pieces and build back better, it would require contracting with the best commercial contractor we could find. In our mind, there was only one choice — Richard Dodd and the ReliantSouth team.

“They didn’t just meet our expectations — they far exceeded them and did so under budget as well as with the highest professional standards,” Southerland said. “Quite simply, we believe they are the ‘gold standard’ in construction, with their team of honest, respectful, and competent experts. When businesses are searching for a builder that will serve as a trusted advisor, who will also deliver value that exceeds price, look no further than Richard Dodd and ReliantSouth. It was one of the best decisions our family has ever made.”

This proven track record is also why Bay District Schools chose ReliantSouth to build their $37 million elementary school in Panama City Beach, and why other business entities rely on this ethical firm to build their projects.

Wayne Lindsey, owner of Sonny’s BBQ, shared why he chose ReliantSouth to handle his restaurant construction.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business for more than 35 years, and I was looking for a contractor who was honest and had my best interests at heart,” Lindsey said. “Once I found ReliantSouth, I knew I could quit looking. They do business the right way, with attention to detail, which is second to none.”

Richard Dodd explained what sets ReliantSouth apart within the industry.

“It all boils down to ReliantSouth’s corporate culture and engrained
core values,” Dodd said.

ReliantSouth has the expertise and values to make any dream a reality.

ReliantSouth
230 W. 5th St., Panama City | (850) 215-5540 | ReliantSouth.com

Previously a call center, this industrial/flex space in Marcus Point Commerce Park is perfect for any opportunity. This 58,564-square-foot building is completely climate controlled and is conveniently located near Highway 29, Interstate ı0 and numerous other industrial/flex users in Commerce Park. This building has an eave height of ı7-feet-4-inches, with three shared dock doors that measure ı4 feet. There’s also ample parking and outstanding power (3-phase-480 volts). Available units range in size from 8,800 to 9,600 square feet. There is also an additional laydown yard that will be accessible by all tenants at additional costs.

Lease Price: $11.75–$12.75 sf/yr (NNN)  //  Address: 5031 Commerce Park Circle, Pensacola 32505  //  Square Footage: 8,800–
9,600 SF  //  Year Built: 1994  //  Features: Estimated 120-day delivery from a fully executed lease. A 24-hour generator
that runs the entire building. Laydown yard. Units can measure 80-by-110 feet to 80-by-120 feet with 40-foot column spacing. 
//  Appeal: Great ingress and egress, plus an abundance of parking with current site plan showing 2.25 spaces per
1,000 square feet. Parking can be expanded to the north if needed.  //  Contact Information: Justin Beck, Stacy Taylor or Thomas McVoy, Beck Partners; (850) 477-7044

Based in Northwest Florida, ReliantSouth Construction Group has become a much sought-after contractor that provides full-service commercial general contractor/construction management services. Led by professional engineer Richard Dodd, ReliantSouth has completed various exemplary projects throughout Northwest Florida and the Southeast.

Having started his construction career 38 years ago, Dodd has been leading successful and award-winning construction companies in this area for more than three decades.

What makes ReliantSouth stand out from its competitors is its adherence to one primary mission:

“We provide solutions and value to our clients while working collaboratively with all our stakeholders,” Dodd said.

The past two years — first with Hurricane Michael and then the pandemic — have dealt some unexpected hardships all across Northwest Florida.  Contracting has certainly been anything but ordinary. However, ReliantSouth has both persevered and excelled. So, what’s their secret?

“I believe it’s our perspective,” Dodd explained. “Because you see, life is truly a gift and should be appreciated all the time. Perspective helps you appreciate the little things.”

ReliantSouth takes great pride in adapting to circumstances, remaining steady in uncertainty, and building quality projects that exceed client expectations. Perhaps that stability comes from the fact that the firm is blessed with a rich legacy. Also, seasoned, integrity-filled construction professionals make up the team who have worked together for years.

And then there are the grateful ReliantSouth clients:

Hurricane Michael decimated Southerland Family Funeral Home. Steve Southerland, principal in the business and former member of Congress, felt contracting with ReliantSouth was an excellent decision.

“When Hurricane Michael completely destroyed our family’s business structure, we were devastated,” Southerland said. “However, we knew that in order to pick up the pieces and build back better, it would require contracting with the best commercial contractor we could find. In our mind, there was only one choice — Richard Dodd and the ReliantSouth team.

“They didn’t just meet our expectations — they far exceeded them and did so under budget as well as with the highest professional standards,” Southerland said. “Quite simply, we believe they are the ‘gold standard’ in construction, with their team of honest, respectful, and competent experts. When businesses are searching for a builder that will serve as a trusted advisor, who will also deliver value that exceeds price, look no further than Richard Dodd and ReliantSouth. It was one of the best decisions our family has ever made.”

This proven track record is also why Bay District Schools chose ReliantSouth to build their $37 million elementary school in Panama City Beach, and why other business entities rely on this ethical firm to build their projects.

Wayne Lindsey, owner of Sonny’s BBQ, shared why he chose ReliantSouth to handle his restaurant construction.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business for more than 35 years, and I was looking for a contractor who was honest and had my best interests at heart,” Lindsey said. “Once I found ReliantSouth, I knew I could quit looking. They do business the right way, with attention to detail, which is second to none.”

Richard Dodd explained what sets ReliantSouth apart within the industry.

“It all boils down to ReliantSouth’s corporate culture and engrained
core values,” Dodd said.

ReliantSouth has the expertise and values to make any dream a reality.

ReliantSouth
230 W. 5th St., Panama City | (850) 215-5540 | ReliantSouth.com

Even as a growing number of people adapted to working from home, Stacy Taylor never once entertained thoughts about a possible demise of the physical workplace.

At least not in his market.

Taylor, who is the president of commercial real estate at Beck Partners, a real estate, property management and insurance firm headquartered in Pensacola, said in September that demand for office space has been so strong that the vacancy rates had reached an all-time low. Pensacola is sitting at 3.3%, and neighboring markets are trending similarly.

“Part of that is attributed to the economy continuing to gain momentum and adding employees, but it’s also because there’s been very little new construction to offset that number,” Taylor said. “That’s something you’ll find in tertiary markets such as Pensacola or Tallahassee. Less competition and construction means our market grows and expands as the economy does.”

According to Beck Partners’ third-quarter analytics report, ı30,65ı square feet of office space had been leased in Pensacola since January. Taylor said concerns spawned by the pandemic have waned, and “everybody seems to be back at work and moving in the right direction.”

Beck Partners shares One Pensacola Plaza, a multi-story, Class “A” office building, with several other businesses in downtown Pensacola including New York Life Insurance, which went remote at the height of the pandemic. Taylor said New York Life recently returned to its space on the seventh floor and added that Beck Partners just leased 3,000 square feet at One Pensacola Plaza to Aerotek, a staffing and recruiting agency.

“Everyone I spoke to throughout the pandemic was tired of working at home and looking forward to a return to the office,” Taylor said. “We had (Microsoft) Teams and Zoom to help ease the transition, but inevitably, you’d have technical issues, and it just wasn’t the same as sitting in a room with others. I think that holds true even in larger markets where people may hate their long commute but still want to be around others to collaborate, communicate and live.”

Though Taylor and other commercial leasing agents throughout Northwest Florida may not be feeling the pandemic’s impact, metropolitan markets surely are. Long-distance commuters and those who have grown accustomed to solitary working environments may not be keen on dealing with traffic, cluttered cubicles and the workplace of yesteryear. Those people, Taylor said, won’t be without options in the future.

“One trend I’ve been watching and paying attention to, especially in larger markets, is that of the satellite office,” Taylor said. “I worked for a number of years in Atlanta and have talked to some people up there who have said many companies are opening satellite offices because they’ve seen that, while their companies were able to function remotely, people missed the human interaction. Versus having 30,000 square feet in midtown, they’ll maybe open a couple of ı0,000-square-foot spaces to eliminate that long commute and give people options.”

Satellite offices offer other conveniences, such as minimizing workplace distractions with a lower volume of employees and providing more space for projects. And, these cost-effective, smaller leases often lend themselves to the sharing of workspaces among businesses.

Shared office spaces, sometimes called executive suite leases or co-working spaces, aren’t going away any time soon and will likely become more prevalent, Taylor said.

“When you’re boxed in at home, it’s difficult to connect with the outside world, while shared spaces invite collaboration and opportunities,” Taylor said. “It’s always good to poke your head out to see what others are working on and listen to their ideas.”

Beck Partners’ sister entity, Bayfront Capital Partners, specializes in entrepreneurial private real estate and oversees a 60,000-square-foot office park in Pensacola. Two buildings are in place for “executive suite leasing” and, as of early September, Bayfront Capital Partners signed two leases that brought them to ı00% occupancy.

Of course, even with increased vaccination rates and the prospective decline of COVID cases, there are those who have swapped stilettos and slacks for fuzzy slippers and PJs and won’t ever look back. Luckily for them, many offices are adopting the hybrid work model.

The option affords people and businesses flexibility; some staff may work remotely, while others operate on-site. All staff may report to the office for one portion of the week and stay at home for the other. And, sometimes, it’s a combination of the two.

“I think one of the biggest things to come out of all this is we’ve seen people have the ability to work from home without bending companies out of shape,” Taylor said. “Last week, when we received warnings about Hurricane Ida, we told people to just stay at home because the pandemic taught us to use our technology remotely. We knew we could just hop on Teams if anyone needed to communicate.

“But while we don’t have to be in an office to do our work, I do think, generally, people want to be here.”

As vice president and CFO of OliverSperry Renovation, Todd Sperry’s livelihood depends on demand for high-quality office space. He’s in the business of optimizing and beautifying workplaces in a market that stretches from Thomasville, Georgia, to Tallahassee to Mexico Beach.

Like Taylor of Beck Partners, Sperry believes that the office has plenty of life left to live.

“There is a lot of work that can be done well from home,” he said. “Filling out contracts, responding to email, preparing presentations — all of that can be done in your pajamas.”

A healthy work environment, however, is not just about task completion.

“The office is the emotional center of the workforce,” Sperry said. “People value connection with their co-workers and with leadership. This emotional side is where you care for the mental health and well-being of your people.”

Riley Palmer Construction of Tallahassee attributes roughly 50 percent of its revenue to commercial office space, and like businesses around the world, it sent its staff home in March of last year. President and project manager Sutton Webb said his employees felt the drag of remote work taking its toll. 

“We followed protocols and worked from home,” said Riley Palmer president and project manager Sutton Webb. “But once things relaxed, everyone came back in. Everyone perked up a little bit more. They wanted to get back to work and see people. I felt like from our perspective, our office staff really longed to be here. Working from home, you lose that personal touch.”

Sperry said that following a slowdown in 2020, his pipeline of projects is overflowing today. OliverSperry is turning business away, unable to commit to additional projects until well into 2022. 

Riley Palmer Construction is experiencing record profits. No Riley Palmer staff member lost his job due to the pandemic, and the company is looking to grow.

Sperry said that future workplaces will include more sectioned off work areas, advanced ventilation systems and spacious welcome areas.

Sperry agrees with Taylor that co-working spaces will be prevalent.

“Seventy percent of communication isn’t about information, it’s about how you receive that information,” Sperry said. “Tone of voice, gestures, body language or simply making eye contact are all important to accurately portraying ideas, whereas the written word is much more easily misinterpreted.”

LOCATED IN MARCUS POINTE COMMERCE PARK, this office space is located just a mile from Pensacola Boulevard
(U.S. Highway 29) and only 2.5 miles from I-ı0. The building measures approximately 20,000 square feet and was formerly used
by a single tenant as a call center. Concrete-block exterior construction provides a clean, contemporary look.

Listed Price:
Sale Price: $2,500,000
Lease: $13 sf/year (NNN)    

Address: 5020 Commerce Park Circle, Pensacola

Square Footage: 20,000

Year Built: 1997

Features: Upscale office space; abundant parking; strategically located near major roadways; 3.93 acres includes additional land for future expansion and/or a laydown yard.

Appeal: 5020 Commerce Park Circle offers abundant parking and multiple access points of ingress/egress. The landlord is offering aggressive tenant improvement packages with affordable rents.

Contact Information:
Stacy Taylor, (850) 972-0156
Justin Beck, (850) 972-0142
Beck Partners

 

Conservation Florida has named Beck Partners CEO Justin Beck to serve as the chairman of its newly established Northwest Advisory Council.

Conservation Florida is a state-wide accredited land conservancy dedicated to saving Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Its conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation.

Founded in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 25,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.

It has done so by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Its other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a community partner in support of statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy.

The Northwest Advisory Council will serve as a community champion of Conservation Florida and its work in the area and provide in-depth, firsthand knowledge of the region that can be used by the organization to develop its holistic statewide strategy.

“Protecting what makes Northwest Florida special for future generations is something I believe in dearly,” Beck said. “And having the opportunity to work with Conservation Florida is a chance to really make a difference and preserve the special places and way of life that we enjoy here.”

Beck Partners is a full-service commercial real estate, insurance and property management firm with offices in Pensacola, Tallahassee and Mobile, Alabama.

Beck began working at Beck Partners in 2005, where he started as a sales associate. He has a deep understanding of real estate investment, ground-up development, and value-add investment strategies. Over the past decade, he has completed nearly 1,500 transactions totaling more than $500 million.

Beck Partners is pleased to present 50ı6 Grande Drive — a Class A, two-story medical/office building strategically located near Sacred Heart Hospital, Cordova Mall and Pensacola International Airport. The property consists of approximately ı2,305 square feet and offers prospective tenants maximum flexibility in their designs.

The space is in shell condition, which will allow tenants the opportunity to customize the space to fit their needs. Aggressive tenant improvement packages are available for qualified tenants, and quoted rental rates are very affordable. The building will also offer prospective tenants the opportunity to use a large, common conference center for meetings; there is also a rooftop terrace for networking events, company gatherings and social events.

The building sits in close proximity to numerous hotels, restaurants, shopping venues and various other commercial uses. The site provides abundant accessible parking. This location would be ideal for any medical or office tenant. Construction was estimated to be complete by the end of April 202ı.

LISTED PRICE: Leased at $19.50 per 22.50 square feet

ADDRESS: 5016 Grande Drive, Pensacola

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 12,305

YEAR BUILT: 2021

FEATURES: Premier office/medical space in the Cordova corridor; parking is four per 1,000; close proximity to I-110, Sacred Heart and Pensacola International Airport.

APPEAL: Brand new construction located in the medical hotbed near Sacred Heart Hospital. Affordable rents with above-market tenant allowances are available for qualified tenants.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Thomas McVoy, (850) 270-0588 and Stacy Taylor, (850) 972-0156

Located close to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, this four-story Class “A” medical office is offering aggressive tenant improvement packages with affordable rents. The steel frame construction allows for maximum space-plan flexibility, which is imperative when designing tenant interior spaces. The exterior facade has a beautiful, contemporary look and feel. The site also includes a Tesla charging station. Don’t miss this opportunity to occupy new construction in the medical hotbed of the Fort Walton area. 

LISTED PRICE: $21.00/square foot

ADDRESS: 1046 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 24,000

YEAR BUILT: 2020

FEATURES: Brand new office space available; located in a medical hot bed near Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; shell space available with aggressive tenant improvement packages; Class “A” Commercial Grade Construction; and abundant parking.

APPEAL: Located next to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Stacy Taylor: (850) 972-0156, staylor@teambeck.com

Justin Beck: (850) 972-0142, jbeck@teambeck.com

This third-floor medical office condo is ideal for any medical use — particularly those who benefit from the Gulf Coast Medical Center Complex’s location. The hospital is literally down the hall via a connected corridor. Building repairs are complete, and all of the common areas have been completely renovated. The space includes a large reception/waiting area, nurses station, X-ray room, two large physicians offices with private bathroom and shower, break room, etc.

 

Listed Price: $784,750

Address: 2202 State Ave., Suite 301 and 302, Panama City

Square Footage: 3,562

Year Built: 1987

Features: Main entrance is off the elevator landing with separate entrances off the third-floor hall. Other features include a large reception/waiting area, nurses station, X-ray room, break room and two large physicians offices with private bathroom and shower.

Appeal: Condo is in the Gulf Coast Medical Plaza with direct access to the hospital.

Contact Information:
Charlie B. Haas
Senior Commercial Associate
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc.
(850) 896-2240
3009 Highway 77 Unit H, Panama City
charlie.haas@countsrealestate.com