Olivia Cruses & Resorts closed escrow on 434 Brannan Street on June 11th. Purchase price was $5,000,000. The three story 25,634 square foot building and parking lot, originally built in 1929 by Schilling Spices as a production facility, will now serve as Olivia's national headquarters.

Olivia was created for women, by women. It is the No. 1 provider of travel and entertainment for women. Founded in 1973 by Judy Dlugacz, Olivia will be relocating from its present headquarters in Oakland to San Francisco shortly after Labor Day. The addition of Olivia to the community will add 30-50 new, local jobs; as well reinforcing San Francisco's already bright image as the country's leader in attracting and creating diversity in all aspects of its social, economic and political fabric.

Mike Tobin of Pacific Union Commercial Brokerage represented Olivia in this transaction. Tobin notes that the San Francisco Investment Office market has been very active this year (this is his third "owner-user" investment transaction this quarter), and has maintained its value much better than the Leasing market. He looks for the Investment market to remain strong as good product is scarce and the economy is definitely improving. Tobin does, however, expect the Leasing market to remain "very much a tenant's market" for the next year or two. San Francisco rents are at levels not seen since 1993.

ICBC Broadcasting Holding, parent company of KBLX-FM the "The Quiet Storm", has negotiated and signed a ten (10) year lease extension for their present 11,500 square foot office and production facility at 55 Hawthorne. ICBC is a privately held, minority-owned, New York based radio group consisting of 17 radio stations across the country. The local stations, KBLX-FM , KVTO-AM and KVVN-AM, are celebrating their 25th Anniversary of broadcasting in the Bay Area.

Harvey Stone, President & General Manager of ICBC's California operations, credits his real estate consultant, Mike Tobin of Pacific Union Commercial Brokerage, for negotiating superior economics and new building upgrades as the major incentives for his renewing the leasehold. The new lease extension will insure that ICBC will continue to receive the benefits of today's "tenants" market well into the next decade.

Mike Tobin has long been the industry leader in representing media companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to just having represented KBLX, he is currently exclusively representing KNBR and KFOG (Susquehanna Broadcasting) and KOIT and KDFC (Bonneville International Corporation) in their searches for new offices/production facilities for approximately 60,000 square feet.

SEIU Local 790, San Francisco's largest union, has expanded their San Francisco Headquarters. The 30,000 member strong Local represents public health workers, BART, School/College Districts as well as other City & County employees. Mike Tobin of Pacific Union Commercial Brokerage, SEIU Local 790's real estate consultant announced that Local 790 renewed their lease at Fox Plaza for an additional three years, and expanded into an additional 4,500 square feet for a total of 15,300 square feet. Mike said that "Fox Plaza's location allows the Local to serve their membership effectively and efficiently. The solid Landlord-Tenant relationship, nurtured over the previous 10 years, gave me the impetus to successfully close the deal."

Corlett, Skaer & DeVoto Architects, Inc. announced through their real estate consultant, Mike Tobin of Pacific Union Commercial Brokerage, that they have successfully negotiated a ten-year extension to their San Francisco Headquarters lease. The international firm, with offices in Los Angeles, Phoenix, as well as a number of countries, specializes in airport, educational and other large public/private commercial projects.

Randy DeVoto, President of the firm, welcomed the opportunity to take full advantage of the local office market that allows him to continue to base his company in San Francisco, one of the most recognized cities in the world, all the while at lease rates and terms that are at a ten year low.

Bishop, Barry, Howe, Haney & Ryder relocated to 2000 Powell Street in the Watergate Project in 1998. After four very successful years, they voted to expand their practice to take the full floor (24,000+ square feet) and extend their leasehold interest through 2012. Mike Tobin of Pacific Union Commercial Brokerage, who represented them in their initial lease negotiations at the Watergate Complex, announced the agreement between Equity Office Properties (the world's largest office REIT) and his client, Bishop Barry. The exact terms of the transaction were not divulged, but Tobin noted that the deal did include the rent-free use of 7,500 + square feet temporary offices for 6- 12 months, a full tenant improvement package paid for by the Landlord and a blended lease rate nearly 25% below their initial rate.

General Woods & Veneers Ltd., a Montreal based International wood and wood product firm, announced through their Real Estate Consultant, Michael Tobin of Pacific Union Commercial Brokerage, that they have successfully negotiated the right to establish a West Coast Headquarters Office in San Francisco. 465 California Street, the historic Merchants Exchange Building, will house the large Canadian consumer products company. The site was chosen in part for its historic significance, architectural charm and reasonable lease terms.

Beijing Baxian Real Estate Company has announced that it is relocating its Headquarters Office from New Port Beach, CA to San Francisco first quarter 2003. Mike Tobin, Beijing Baxian's Exclusive San Francisco real estate consultant affected the move to Northern California, taking full advantage of the local market. The 30 year old company's new offices at 353 Sacramento Street in the heart of the Central Business District offer "bay and bridge" views, as well as a new, up-scale corporate identity. Coupled with rent-free use of temporary premises and the use of existing furniture systems, the effective rent is less than one third (33%) of similar transactions in 2000-2001.

Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation (HBC) has leased and relocated to new San Francisco headquarters at 750 Battery Street in historical Jackson Square. The new 15,000/sf offices will be home to their production, sales, and administration groups. The offices were previously occupied by Clear Channel (KSAN-KABL).

HBC subsequently subleased a 3,200/sf surplus portion of its space to Charlin Equities, a New York based financial service firm.

Mike Tobin represented HBC in both transactions.

Character, a San Francisco graphic design firm, has leased the top floor of 487 Bryant to expand and relocate its offices in June 2002. The relocation from is present offices represent a considerable upgrade and expansion for the firm; and at the same time, a substantial net decrease in Rent. This is made possible by the dramatic changes in the San Francisco Office Market. Vacancy is now at a 20 year high and rents at a 5 year low.

For more information contact Mike Tobin at 415-834-3553.

Miller & Van Eaton, a Wasington, D.C. based law firm offering specialized service in telecommunications, has expanded and relocated their San Francisco offices. The firm represents public and private sector clients alike, and is a recognized leader in both domestic and international telecommunications law.

Areas of speciality include: cable television, broadcasting, telephone and wireless communications. Mike Tobin, their West Coast real estate consultant expects Miller & Van Eaton to occupy their newly designed offices at 400 Montgomery Street in August 2001.

David Fenton, Chariman of the 20 year old Washington, D.C. public relations firm, announced that Fenton Communications has acquired San Francisco based Communications Works. Fenton pioneered the use of professional Public Relations and Advertising techniques by non-profit public interest groups in the United States and around the world. Their client base includes: American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Amnesty International, Aspen Institute and the Ford Foundation. Fenton Communications also has offices in New York City.

Mike Tobin, Fenton's exclusive real estate consultant, negotiated the full floor lease at 182 Second Street.