Petra's Rich Trendel Brings Nightlife Downtown!

[Metro Jacksonville]

Petra's Rich Trendel Brings Nightlife Downtown!



In downtown, at least one landowner seems to have gotten the right idea about creating street traffic, and excitement through density, and that is Chris Hionides' Petra Management Company.

Directed by his dynamic son in law, Rich Trendel, Petra has made a landmark contribution to the nightlife of the downtown by supporting and helping to develop such entertainment based institutions as London Bridge for years, but in the past year Trendel seems to have found some momentum.

Join us as we briefly examine the exciting new projects that Rich has landed and brought to the Downtown.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-nov-petras-rich-trendel-brings-nightlife-downtown

[thelakelander]

Its great to see what many on these forums (including my self at one point) thought was DT and Springfield's largest slumlord turn out to be completely different.  Over the last few months, outside of the courthouse, nearly every single new project in the DT core has involved Petra management.  With the amount of property they own, lets hope the urban community attempts to work more with them to help secure tenants for their vacant properties.

[heights unknown]

Appears that he is becoming the "Master Cylinder" for Pubs, Bars and Restaurants in downtown Jacksonville.  Being that it appears that he is becoming a magnate in that area, I see him opening other venues around the Jax Metro, that's what it appears is happening with him; Slum Lord no more!  Great Job Rich; keep up the good work in Downtown Jax, Jax Metro and the First Coast!

Heights Unknown

[JeffreyS]

Do we have a map of Chris Hionides owned properties in the core?

[Dan B]

In fairness Lake, it wasnt until Rich was brought on board that things changed. Rich was a welcome change from the less-than-helpful woman that held his position for many years before him (Mary something-or-other). He has been easy to communicate with, he shares ideas, things that he is working on, hopeful projects, and is generally speaking a very good person to work with. Its easy to root for him, as he tried to make something out of his father-in-laws real estate empire.

The accusations about a "war" with Hionides are overblown, and based on comments on this and other forums before Rich was the man running Petra.

[Jason]

Maybe it was the media's tongue lashing over the past couple years (MetroJax included) that inspired him to make changes?  Nonetheless, he has quite the resume of properties and seemingly the leverage to make some bold moves for the benefit of the urban core and Springfield. 

Kudos to all involved with making this a reality.

[Dan B]

Agreed.

[fsu813]

Rich is a nice (very busy) guy. Though he lives out at the beach, he's in Springfield regualrly. He's fixing up the red-brick apartments on 4th & Silver and took part in the local parks improvment project as well.

I've only met Hionedes once, had lunch with him, and he's very "godfather-like". He's a major player in the Tapestry Park "urban" complex on the SS too.

That said, his philopsophy for keeping property without improvments for a long period of time has been a negative as well.

[Joe]

Wow. Why the hell is metrojacksonville lauding Petra for finally leasing out a small percentage of their properties? They are commercial property managers. That's what they're supposed to do. This doesn't change the fact that Hionides' original business plan was to buy up property, leave it vacant and deteriorating, and flip it without investing anything in the buildings or neighborhood.

I mean, congrats to Rich Trendel for being a good leasing agent. If I ever meet him, I'll give him my sincere kudos (seriously). Commercial property can be a rough business and he sounds like a nice guy.

But his father-in-law's original business plan has been absolutely toxic to Jacksonville's redevelopment. Yeah, now that the market has crashed, they actually HAVE to lease out their space to cover costs, instead of just being absentee investors. But don't give them a medal for it.

Good for Rich for providing some sanity to Petra, but let's not ignore the objective damage that's been done (and is still happening) because of Hionides' absentee investor strategy.

[archiphreak]

I agree with Joe.  Hionedes is and always will be a slum lord.  Is Rich doing something good with an almost unlimited supply of vacant/empty property in the Core?  Sure.  Could he fill/develop all of those properties in his lifetime?  Probably not.  He is one small cog in a very big wheel.  I for one would LOVE to see a map overlaying the properties that they own showing what is leased/occupied and what is vacant and for how long.  That would be very telling on just what kind of model they are running over there.

[archiphreak]

That is great news to hear, Stephen.  And if Petra makes good on that sentiment, then I only wish them well.  But, we are going by a pretty dark history here.  Here's hoping.

[Steve]

Wow. Why the hell is metrojacksonville lauding Petra for finally leasing out a small percentage of their properties?

I think you answered your own question.  Previously, they weren't doing anything, so even if they lease out a percentage of their buildings, it's helping to spur other things (i.e. the new club on Ocean that a thread was just started on).


Everyone who I've talked to about the situation seems to think that a big part of the issue was Mary Farwell, the previous properly manager for Petra.  If that was the case, then perhaps we are seeing a change in the tide.  This is a good step in that direction, and it is having a positive impact on our downtown.  For that, Petra deserves mention.

[Johnt]

It is so great to see positive things being written about our city and it's urban potential. Unfortunately some of the comments that have followed clearly have not been positive and have seemingly broken the rules of conduct for this forum (ie: derogatory remarks). I am profoundly disappointed to see the author of this well intended article, defame his own potential as a journalist, by contributing to the delinquency of this forum in what appears to be a personal attack against the previous management of the Petra Realestate Company. I have a keen interest in real estate and know from personal experience that a property manager is only allowed to carry out the directive of his property-owner/employer. Shame on you Mr. Stephen Dare for potentially undermining an otherwise well deserved story with harmful and derogatory personal remarks about an individual, who was likely only doing her job to the capacity allowed by her superiors. It is my opinion that you most certainly owe Ms. Farwell a sincere apology. Shame be on Metro Jacksonville publishers as well for allowing such defamatory comments to remain.

[Steve]

It is so great to see positive things being written about our city and it's urban potential. Unfortunately some of the comments that have followed clearly have not been positive and have seemingly broken the rules of conduct for this forum (ie: derogatory remarks). I am profoundly disappointed to see the author of this well intended article, defame his own potential as a journalist, by contributing to the delinquency of this forum in what appears to be a personal attack against the previous management of the Petra Realestate Company. I have a keen interest in real estate and know from personal experience that a property manager is only allowed to carry out the directive of his property-owner/employer. Shame on you Mr. Stephen Dare for potentially undermining an otherwise well deserved story with harmful and derogatory personal remarks about an individual, who was likely only doing her job to the capacity allowed by her superiors. It is my opinion that you most certainly owe Ms. Farwell a sincere apology. Shame be on Metro Jacksonville publishers as well for allowing such defamatory comments to remain.

Johnt - first of all, welcome to the forum.

Second, before you blast others on the forum for their remarks regarding Ms. Farwell, I might suggest a email or PM to the folks that made the comments you object to.  Perhaps they may be able to respond to your issue.

[Johnt]

Mr Dare,
My intent is not to defame you. You wrote a good article and with your name signed as author you published it, positioning yourself for any and all feedback. Ms. Farwell, however, didn't have the privilege to make that choice. In addition, you offered up comments to further cement your perspective. All seems well and good until you offer negative and derogatory remarks against a named private citizen whom like most of us, is only trying to earn an honest living and offer a positive contribution to mankind. My point is simply this: You wrote a good article, but you followed it up with irresponsible comments that have the potential to damage an individual's credibility, a deed which should not be tolerated by you or any other contributing writer or publisher of this magazine. That, my friend, discredits good journalism.