Luxuria in Boca Raton

A Sarasota-based limited liability company has paid $8.5 million for a pair of units in Boca Raton’s Luxuria condominium, according to a deed filed with the Palm Beach County Clerk’s office. The two units were sold directly by the project’s developer, Boca Ocean Development, to an entity called BTIBR, LLC, which lists Michael Furen as its managing member. [more]

Boca Raton community activists have succeeded in their efforts to keep Ocean Strand on A1A a public park, along with  restoring Lake Wyman, the Sun Sentinel reported. The City Council voted unanimously on May 8 to fund the projects, which have been stalled over funding disputes, flooding concerns and a study needed to designate the land for public use. The delay and public controversy have led to a rethinking over the projects. Mayor Susan Whelchel said she found the plan somewhat troubling. [Sun Sentinel] 

Former Robb & Stucky location

Furniture retailer Ethan Allen is heading to Boca Raton, the latest retail tenant to occupy a former Robb & Stucky location, the Sun Sentinel reported. The deal comes after Lord & Taylor announced it would be taking another former Robb & Stucky space in Mizner Park. The space was formerly occupied by Robb & Stucky Patio. “We first brought our new interactive design center concept to the southeastern region when we opened our Miami location, and we are thrilled to now bring it to this location in Boca Raton,” said David Burton, senior district design manager for Ethan Allen. “This design center will really be our flagship location in the south.” Robb & Stucky filed for bankruptcy last year, opening up a number of retail spaces in South Florida. [Sun Sentinel]

Timeshare developer Bluegreen reported that its income doubled in the first quarter of 2012, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The Boca Raton-based company reported revenue of $97.2 million and net income of $5.65 million in the first three months of the year. “We are very pleased with our performance during the first quarter of 2012,” said Bluegreen CEO John Maloney. “We experienced strong growth in systemwide sales and our fee-based service business.” Last year, Bluegreen sold its residential division for $31.5 million to Southstar Development Partners. [SFBJ]

The iPic in Boca Raton

Boca Raton will soon be the site of the only iPic movie theater in the state, the Sun Sentinel reported. The new theater will open on Friday at Boca’s Mizner Park. The theater also includes a 7,000-square-foot restaurant, Tanzy, along with a lounge. “It’s a great south anchor to the park [and] is sure to really bolster business back into the area,” said Troy McLellan, president of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. “It’s great to have another theater in the Mizner Park community.” [Sun Sentinel]

Plumtree Centre

Real estate investor James Batmasian has paid $3.1 million for Boca Raton’s Plumtree Centre retail space, the South Florida Business Journal reported. Batmasian, who is among the county’s largest commercial property owners, bought the property from U.S. Bank, which was represented by J. Brett Houston of Resource Real Estate Group. “Mr. Batmasian owns so much commercial property in the county that he was able to look beyond the current downturn and see the upside in the improving Palm Beach County office market,” Houston said. [more]

FAU in Fort Lauderdale

Boca Raton-based Florida Atlantic University is shuttering its downtown Fort Lauderdale campus, the South Florida Business Journal reported. The downtown campus, which teaches courses in architecture and design, will close by June 2013 in a cost-cutting move aimed at saving just under $2 million. The school will also be shutting down a campus in Port St. Lucie this year. Last year, the school opened a new $70 million football stadium on its Boca Raton campus. [SFBJ]

200 East

Developer Lojeta Group’s 200 East condominium in Boca Raton, part of new wave of growth in the city, has reached 100 occupancy in its ground-level retail space. The newest retailer, MUSE, a hair salon, will move into the building in use. The building has 27,000 square feet of retail space on its ground-floor level, now occupied by Philippe by Philippe Chow, a Chinese eatery and Ion Interactive, a local online marketing company. MUSE  signed a lease for 2,500 square feet. Its owner, Joseph Giustizia, has two other salons in Boca Raton. — Alexander Britell

One Thousand Ocean

Boca Raton’s One Thousand Ocean project has closed on three transactions totaling $11.5 million in the last three weeks, including a penthouse. The project has sealed the deal on 10 new residences for $50 million in the last year, according to developer LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels. It is now 80 percent sold, with 10 new residential units remaining. [more]

Scott Brenner

Brenner Real Estate Group President Scott Brenner has been appointed receiver for the Count de Hoemle Theatre in Boca Raton. The property, which is located at 7901 North Federal Highway, is the home of the Caldwell Theatre Company. Brenner will provide receivership services including asset stabilization and property management on behalf of mortgagee Legacy Bank of Florida, a Florida corporation. — Alexander Britell