Naples-based Barron Collier Companies this week launched Barron Collier Investment Partners, a joint venture with Metro Commercial Real Estate that will invest in and manage ground-up retail development projects in the southeast United States. Longtime South Florida Realtor Rod Castan will serve as president of the new partnership and a principal with Metro Commercial, which specializes in national, full-service retail advisory services.
“While the entity is new, the relationships are not new, and the scope of our work is the same,” said Blake Gable, CEO of Barron Collier Companies. “We have worked with both Metro Commercial and Rod Castan on investment projects and this move serves as a natural extension of our business, allowing us to streamline our investment process.”
Barron Collier Companies most recently partnered with Metro Commercial on developing Founders Square, a more than 50-acre mixed-use project on the southeast corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. The companies are also behind commercial development proposed for the Randall Curve area of Immokalee Road in Golden Gate Estates. “Our new partnership allows us to expand and enhance the professional services that we provide to both existing and new clients throughout the Southeast,” said Tom Londres, CEO of Metro Commercial. “Rod will lead us in building our platform to deliver those services to a variety of retailers, developers, lenders and owners.”
Formerly with Miami-based Courtelis Company for more than 25 years, Castan has been involved in the commercial real estate development and management industry since 1986. He has been instrumental in developing, leasing and managing 25 commercial projects totaling more than 4 million square feet throughout Florida.
Castan previously teamed up with Barron Collier Companies when BCC and Courtelis jointly developed and managed Granada Shoppes retail center on the southeast corner of U.S. 41 and Immokalee Road in North Naples. The joint partnership sold the local shopping center in December to Brixmor Property Group for $97 million.
Castan also was involved in leasing the mixed-use Ave Maria Town Center when it was launched in the master-planned community in Collier County. “I have been involved with Ave Maria since the beginning, so it means so much to me personally to be involved with this project again,” Castan said. “One of my primary goals is to help plan and attract more quality restaurants and retailers to Ave Maria.”
New Jersey-based Metro, which brings national research capabilities and connections to retailers, will be setting up shop with Barron Collier Companies. “Both organizations just have a tremendous culture and great people. That’s why I made the move.” said Castan, who will split his time from offices in Naples and Miami.
“It’s very similar to the role I had at Courtelis,” he said. “It’s just a little bit more focused.”
Castan said they are actively evaluating possible development projects throughout the state, including sites in Ave Maria, East Naples and a grocery-anchored center in Melbourne. “We have very long-range plans,” he said.
Castan was a founding member and vice president of the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District in downtown Naples. He is on the board of advisors for Florida International University Hollo School of Real Estate and also is an advisory board member for the University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center, where he previously was board chairman. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ certification and governing committee and past ICSC Florida state director.
