By Christine Davis
In collaboration with IBM, the software company Innovative Solutions has opened an office in Boca Raton, where the company expects to employ more than 100 people by 2026.
Innovative Solutions, based in New York and using artificial intelligence technology, brings Generative AI (GenAI) solutions, AI-infused managed security services, and an AI-infused observability platform for cloud-based applications and businesses to customers from its new headquarters on Palmetto Park Road at Interstate 95.
Via AWS Marketplace, customers can more easily access offerings developed by Innovative Solutions that embed IBM technology to help modernize businesses.
“Our services combine best-in-class software from IBM with best-in-class cloud infrastructure from AWS, providing real-time value that can’t be found anywhere else,” Justin Copie, CEO of Innovative Solutions, said in a news release. “We’re already based on the East Coast, and are excited to bring more jobs to Boca Raton, which has a rich history in technology.”
Copie said IBM is known for creating a strong sales force and a business philosophy that emphasizes excellent customer service, superior performance and respect for the individual.
“Innovative Solutions could not be more aligned,” he added. “Our partnership with IBM now enables us to do exactly that.”
Innovative Solutions’ first corporate headquarters is in Henrietta, New York, and a third office space is in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.innovativesol.com.
***
***
Basis Industrial purchased the 2,272-square-foot property at 347 NE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach, on May 24 for $1.57 million. Basis is headquartered in Boca Raton, and the Delray Beach property will serve as its new headquarters.
The seller was 347 Core LLC, managed by John Henry Goldman. Basis Industrial President/COO Anthony Scavo represented the company in the transaction. Scott Pressman of the Keyes Co. represented the seller. Banesco is providing financing for the purchase.
Founded in 2012 by Jay Massirman, Stephen Garchik and Daniel Weinstein, Basis Industrial owns more than 4 million square feet of self-storage and industrial real estate in Florida, Alabama, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and in the Boston and Los Angeles areas. In 2023, Basis Industrial was ranked No. 1 on South Florida Business Journal’s 2023 “Fast 50” list — the 50 fastest-growing private companies in South Florida.
***
John and Barbara Simoni recently sold their 9,486-total-square-foot residence at 174 W. Coconut Palm Road, Boca Raton, and the adjacent 0.34-acre lot in the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club for $19 million.
The buyers are the M Sean Revocable Trust and the M Beth Revocable Trust, both listing Jonathan Bloom as trustee.
The Simonis bought the 0.42-acre lot along Buccaneer Palm Waterway for $1.55 million in 1998 and built their home the following year. They purchased the vacant neighboring lot for $2.88 million in 2005. David W. Roberts with Royal Palm Properties brokered the latest deal.
***
RealTrends Verified, the real-estate performance platform previously known as America’s Best, has published its list of top agents compiled from 2023. RealTrends Verified is part of HousingWire and a sister company to Altos Research.
The rankings were open to real estate professionals who chose to participate in the project, based on their reported sales volume and other criteria over 2023. To be considered for a ranking, an agent must have closed at least 40 transaction “sides” or recorded $16 million in closed sales volume for 2022, according to RealTrends. Teams must have closed 60 residential transactions or $24 million in closed sales volume.
Under the rules of the survey, agents and brokers who handled both sides of a transaction — representing buyer and seller — were allowed to double the final dollar figure when they calculated their total sales volume for the sale. Following are agents and teams from south Palm Beach County who made the lists.
• Agents by sides: Ralph Harvey III, List With Freedom, Boynton Beach, with 2,692 sides, ranked No. 2 nationally and No. 1 in Florida; Paul Saperstein, eXp Realty, Delray Beach, 182 sides, ranked No. 37 nationally and No. 5 in Florida; Nicole Bouchard, Keller Williams, Boca Raton, 137 sides, ranked No. 76 nationally and No. 11 in Florida; Michael Ledwitz, Engel & Volkers, Boca Raton, 109 sides, ranked No. 151 nationally and No. 14 in Florida; and Stacy McNall, Coldwell Banker, Delray Beach, 83 sides, ranked 367 nationally and No. 25 in Florida.
• Agents by volume: Ralph Harvey III, List With Freedom, Boynton Beach, with $826 million, ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 in Florida; David Roberts, Royal Palm Properties, Boca Raton, $291 million, ranked No. 21 nationally and No. 5 in Florida; Michael Ledwitz, Engel & Volkers, Boca Raton, $142 million, ranked No. 102 nationally and No. 18 in Florida; Bonnie Heatzig, Douglas Elliman, Boca Raton, $129 million, ranked No. 120 nationally and No. 21 in Florida; and Marcy Javor, Signature One Luxury Estates, Boca Raton, $112 million, ranked No. 148 nationally and No. 29 in Florida.
• Medium teams by sides: The Julian Soffer Team, Keller Williams, Boca Raton, with 162 sides, ranked No. 165 nationally and No. 10 in Florida.
• Large teams by sides: The Platt Group, Compass, Boca Raton, with 185 sides, ranked No. 256 nationally and No. 22 in Florida; and The Rucco Group, RE/MAX Direct, Delray Beach, 164 sides, ranked No. 341 nationally and No. 35 in Florida.
• Mega-teams by sides: The Saperstein Group, eXp Realty, Delray Beach, with 428 sides, ranked No. 109 nationally and No. 8 in Florida.
• Small teams by volume: Candace Friis Team, Corcoran, Delray Beach, with $216 million, ranked No. 27 nationally and No. 5 in Florida; D’Angelo/ Liguori, Boca Raton, $204 million, ranked No. 30 nationally and No. 6 in Florida; The Randy & Nick Team, Douglas Elliman, Delray Beach, $119 million, ranked No. 121 nationally and No. 23 in Florida; Susan Demerer, Compass, Boca Raton, $89 million, ranked No. 234 nationally and No. 32 in Florida; and The Bloom Haym Group, Boca Raton, $81 million, ranked No. 291 nationally and No. 38 in Florida.
• Medium teams by volume: Pascal Liguori Group, Premier Estate Properties, Delray Beach, with $207 million, ranked No. 28 nationally and No. 4 in Florida; The Senada Adzem Team, Douglas Elliman, Boca Raton, $200 million, ranked No. 32 nationally and No. 5 in Florida; Jennifer Kilpatrick Team, Corcoran, Delray Beach, $135 million, ranked No. 110 nationally and No. 14 in Florida; and Alicia Gold, Compass, Boca Raton, $95 million, ranked No. 236 nationally and No. 28 in Florida.
• Large teams by volume: The Platt Group, Compass, Boca Raton, with $173 million, ranked No. 65 nationally and No. 8 in Florida; The Buchbinder Group, Compass, Boca Raton, $105 million, ranked No. 206 nationally and No. 28 in Florida; Jonathan Postma Group, Coldwell Banker, Boca Raton, $86 million, ranked No. 305 nationally No. 38 in Florida; The Rucco Group, RE/MAX Direct, Delray Beach, $79 million, ranked No. 360 nationally and No. 43 in Florida.
• Mega-teams by volume: The Koolik Group, Compass, Boca Raton, with $234 million, ranked No. 93 nationally and No. 9 in Florida; and The Saperstein Group, Delray Beach, $167 million, ranked No. 160 nationally and No. 15 in Florida.
***
Customers who filled their prescriptions at Huber’s in Delray Beach learned the historic pharmacy had closed for good on June 22 after a brief note announcing the closure was abruptly posted on the door, citing financial reasons for the closure.
Store manager Art Ayala said the pharmacy had been at 321 E. Atlantic Ave. for 34 years. The downtown fixture was previously located at 400 E. Atlantic Ave. The store is owned by SBF Investments, which also owns a sister store, Green’s Pharmacy, at 151 N. County Road, Palm Beach.
“The profit just was not there anymore for that type of business. The owners decided it wasn’t worth (additional investment),” Ayala said.
Prescriptions are being transferred to Green’s Pharmacy and can subsequently be transferred elsewhere at the customer’s request, he said. However, prescriptions that were being delivered by Huber in Delray Beach will continue to be delivered, with no change necessary, Ayala said.
“The only difference is that they will say ‘Green’s Pharmacy,’” he said.
***
The latest in ongoing renovations at the Seagate in Delray Beach is happening at the Seagate Beach Club, where the two-story, 250-seat, 3,500-square-foot oceanfront clubhouse is undergoing a dramatic refresh.
The clubhouse closed for renovations on May 20 and is scheduled to reopen in October.
Guests still have access to the beachside pool, Shoreline Grill, and the outdoor bar and beach service.
The renovation will include architectural and interior design updates by New York’s Dash Design. The interiors will embrace the Colonial style of the building with classic design elements.
The Seagate Beach Club was established in the 1950s. The original structure was damaged during Hurricane Wilma in 2005, resulting in a new two-story clubhouse.
“The Seagate Beach Club has a storied history in Delray Beach, creating memories for locals and visitors alike, and we are so excited to unveil the new clubhouse in the fall,” said Alex Schnoeller, managing director of the Seagate.
The Seagate recently completed a major renovation to the Seagate Golf Club, including its Joe Lee design 18-hole championship course and practice facilities and the property’s 41,064-square-foot clubhouse.
Renovation of guest rooms, the lobby, dining room and meeting rooms at the hotel will be undertaken in coming months.
***
Yearning for a staycation? The Seagate is offering summer discounts to make that a more affordable goal. The hotel’s Stay Golden package includes 30% off room accommodations and two complimentary cocktails to enjoy poolside when booking a minimum one-night stay now through Nov. 13. The Seagate Shotmaker package includes 50% off on a full round of golf along with up to 20% off accommodations and two gratis cocktails when booking through Sept. 30. The hotel is also offering a Fourth Night Free deal through Oct. 31.
The Seagate is at 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. For more information, call 561-665-4800 or visit seagatedelray.com.
***
Mark J. Suchinski, former CFO of Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems, was appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer of The Geo Group Inc., a Boca Raton-based corporation that operates private prisons and immigration detention centers.
***
Recently promoted by Lifespace Communities, Nicki Anno became assistant executive director at Harbour’s Edge in Delray Beach. Anno joined the organization in March 2023 as an administrator, overseeing operations of the senior living community’s health center.
“Nicki has been an integral part of our team,” said Harbour’s Edge Executive Director Jim Horsman. “In addition to her health care operations experience, Nicki is passionate about serving our residents and supporting our team members. She is committed to finding solutions to any challenges that arise and creating opportunities where everyone can thrive.”
***
Gina Carter, the city of Delray Beach’s director of communications, achieved the Florida Municipal Communicators Association’s Certificate of Excellence/Local Government Communicator for her work, training, and participation in the organization’s programming.
“Her innovative approach to engaging with our community through various digital platforms, including social media, the city’s digital magazine, and the city’s new app, has significantly increased transparency and public participation,” said Delray Beach City Manager Terrence Moore. “Gina’s dedication to clear and effective communication has ensured our residents stay well-informed and significantly strengthened the bond between our city government and the community.”
***
Baer’s Furniture Co. Inc. was honored for its commitment to philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Business & Professional Industry Icon event, held recently at the federation’s Zinman Hall.
“Celebrating our family’s legacy and philanthropic endeavors at the B&P Industry Icon event is a profound honor,” said Cathy Baer. “As we stand in our fourth generation of business leadership, we remain deeply committed to nurturing spaces where families can come together and forge memories that will endure for generations to come. This recognition only fuels our dedication to serving and uplifting our community.”
***
Members from chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in Belle Glade and Wellington, and members of Omicron Delta Zeta in south Palm Beach County, joined with 90 activists from the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County to visit 16 high schools, where they helped 1,146 seniors register to vote prior to their graduation ceremonies.
“Of course, now that they are registered, our next job is to get them to turn out and vote,” said Pamela Maldonado of the league’s voter services committee. “By encouraging young voters to actually vote, we want to help establish a lifelong habit of voting in every election.”
***
American Humane, a national animal welfare organization with headquarters in Palm Beach, has kicked off its 14th annual Hero Dog Awards. It’s a nationwide competition that recognizes dogs that do extraordinary things — like saving lives on the battlefield, aiding humans with sight or hearing, and overall contributions to people’s well-being.
“Through the Hero Dog Awards, we honor and celebrate the immense hope, courage and quality of life that dogs bring to our lives,” said Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “We look forward to sharing inspiring stories of these canines with the voting public so we can give our hero dogs the recognition they truly deserve.”
To nominate a dog, visit HeroDogAwards.org through Aug. 1.
Sallie James and Mary Thurwachter contributed to this column.
Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.
Comments