Our press archive:
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Nicole Hawker
Phone: 813-228-0652, ext. 113
JMC Communities Breaks Ground on Ovation
Downtown St. Petersburg's newest luxury condominium now under construction
St. Petersburg, Fla. (February 14, 2007) — JMC Communities, an award-winning St.
Petersburg-based developer specializing in luxurious waterfront communities, broke ground
today on its newest downtown St. Petersburg community, Ovation. About 150
people, including Mayor Rick Baker, Ambassador Mel Sembler and Craig Sher of The
Sembler Company, Jimmy Aviram of ANB Enterprises, city officials and future
residents gathered for the Broadway-themed groundbreaking.
The upscale 27-story condominium building will be located on prestigious
Beach Drive and 2nd Avenue NE, overlooking downtown St. Petersburg's waterfront.
JMC secured an $80 million loan commitment with Bank of America to fund construction
in July 2006. Completion is anticipated for summer 2009.
"We are delighted at the turnout of today's event, which reflects the
tremendous response Ovation has received from future residents and the
community," Mike Cheezem, chief executive officer of JMC Communities said.
"With its unparalleled views, location and convenient shopping, Ovation will
offer a truly unique, luxurious living experience. As a company based here
in St. Petersburg, we are proud to play a role in the redevelopment of the
city's downtown and strive to make Ovation its premiere residence."
"Our downtown has just become the best downtown in the state of Florida,
and I don't just say it here, I say it anywhere," Mayor Baker said. "I believe
unless people like Michael Cheezem and Mel Sembler and others in this room
who actually come in and say we're going to take a risk on St. Petersburg
than nothing would have ever happened. So I am thankful to the people who
believed enough in our city to invest their risk capital and invest their
time and their energy and their passion into St. Petersburg to make it
become the great place that it is today because without that we wouldn't
be here."
Ovation will feature classic, contemporary architecture and will be the
only condominium of its kind to offer 360-degree view penthouses and
180-degree panoramas from the other residences in such a preferred location.
The project will include 42 estate-sized residences at 3,657 square feet,
two per floor, four full-floor penthouses at 5,329 square feet and three
city homes at 2,374-3,372 square feet. Prices start at under $2 million.
Additionally, 17,800 square feet of retail space will enhance the Beach
Drive shopping experience.
As part of its commitment to the communities it serves, JMC Communities
presented The Florida Orchestra with a $5,000 donation at the groundbreaking
event. The donation will be used to help support and expand educational and
youth programs offered through the organization. In addition, the JMC will
be the title sponsor for The Florida Orchestra's upcoming performance of
Madama Butterfly at the Mahaffey Theatre in March.
"We are very grateful to JMC Communities for their generous contributions
to The Florida Orchestra," said James R. Gillespie, chairman of the board of
The Florida Orchestra. "They are a great community partner and we look forward
to a lasting relationship."
"There is a quiet visionary sitting here with us today by the name of Jimmy
Aviram, who saw this piece of property and said what a spectacular location
and he tied up this piece of land with a lot of hard work," Ambassador Mel
Sembler said. "We then sat down together and said who is the most outstanding
condominium developer in our community and head and shoulders above everyone
else is the Cheezem organization, JMC Communities, and we were so pleased
to partner with this outstanding firm."
Ovation's amenities will include: balconies with full views of Tampa Bay
and downtown St. Petersburg, private high-speed elevator entries into each
home, wireless Internet access, two reserved parking spaces per unit, fitness
center and sauna, a business center, concierge services, elongated oval
swimming pool with arched waterfall, covered dining and gathering spaces,
and a clubroom.
Ovation is being created in partnership with The Sembler Company and ANB
Enterprises.
For sales information about Ovation, please visit the sales center at 70
Beach Drive NE Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Sunday from
12 to 5 p.m., call (727) 898-1180, or visit www.ovationjmc.com
Founded by J. Michael Cheezem in 1978, St. Petersburg-based JMC Communities
is recognized as one of the top multi-family community developers in Florida.
With a strong reputation for innovation, integrity and quality, JMC is committed
to enriching the lives of its residents through exceptional living environments
by developing communities that provide peace of mind, comfort and enduring
pride of ownership. JMC is committed to providing unsurpassed value at a high
level of quality from site acquisition to property management. The firm serves
as its own general contractor, and is focused on quality "vertical integration,"
where a project team is always in place — from the architect and project
manager to the landscape architect and interior designer. Innovative design,
thoughtful home planning, attention to detail and quality customer service
are provided by JMC to all customers through every phase of construction.
JMC has built more than 3,800 quality condominium homes. Projects include
The Mandalay Beach Club, Belle Harbor and Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater
Beach, The Bellamy on Bayshore in Tampa, The Florencia in St. Petersburg,
The Grande and The Meridian on Sand Key and Minorca in New Smyrna Beach.
Several other projects are currently underway including Marquesas on Clearwater
Beach, Ovation in downtown St. Petersburg and The Strand on Daytona Beach
Shores. For more information please visit www.jmccommunities.com or call
727-823-0022.
Editor's Note: Electronic images available upon request (nhawker@tuckerhall.com)
or visit the press room at www.jmccommunities.com.