University of Florida, JLL & Front Street Team-Up for Innovation Square Management

By Robert Demeter

Gainesville Innovation Square

Gainesville, Fla–Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group has been selected to work with the University of Florida (UF) and JLL as the local property management and leasing agent for Ayers Plaza at Innovation Square in Gainesville, Fla. UF has tapped JLL to manage its assets within the Innovation Square to accelerate progress in the area. Front Street’s role in this project began earlier in April.

Ayers Plaza is a key property at Innovation Square, a 40-acre a modern live/work/play research and innovation community. The property provides space available immediately for interested businesses wanting to capitalize on the strategic location in proximity to UF’s main campus. As JLL and UF work with site selectors, corporations and developers on the surrounding shovel-ready acreage, Front Street will work to fill existing office space in alignment with current area tenants.

Existing office space at Ayers Plaza offers an immediate opportunity for businesses to maximize public and private partnerships and to connect technology and research offerings from UF with the market. JLL is also working to identify leases for surrounding properties including the expanding Florida Innovation Hub, a 48,000-square-foot facility scheduled for completion in 2018.

“Innovation Square is an important part of UF’s drive to preeminence,” said Lee Nelson, director, Office of Real Estate, University of Florida, in prepared remarks. “In order to compete with the universe of innovation districts around the country, UF enlisting JLL and Front Street will enable the message of Innovation Square to be spread to the potential users and developers who will find value in creating something at one of the country’s premier research universities.”

Front Street has already started marketing Ayers Plaza in coordination with UF and JLL as part of a long-term vision for Innovation Square and the surrounding area.

Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group is a leader in the Central and North Central Florida commercial real estate business. The company offers brokerage, commercial mortgage banking and property management solutions to its commercial real estate clients.

Image courtesy of Innovation Square