How the property changed hands over past decades
DELAND — The historic Hotel Putnam has seen a lot in its 100 years at 225 W. New York Ave. in downtown.
Demolition began on Feb. 13, about six weeks after a structural engineer recommended it be torn down because of the level of deterioration.
Here’s a look at what happened just within the past 10-plus years:
2012: Apartments no more
Owner Jayne Rocco receives notice from the bank that it would begin collecting “all rents and profits” due to her falling behind on mortgage payments.
The last of the remaining tenants were evicted from the Putnam, which had been serving as a 60-unit apartment building, the previous year as many had stopped paying their rent, which led to Rocco falling behind on the mortgage.
The two clubs on the first floor, JR’s Saloon and Club Envy, also closed around this time.
moving out:The Hotel Putnam’s final days as an apartment building in downtown DeLand
2013: New owner from New York City
The Hotel Putnam was purchased from Occor Inc., owned by Rocco, for $902,800, by Soly Halabi with Venture Capital Properties in New York City, according to property records.
Halabi said he and his silent partner in the venture wanted to restore the property for operation as a hotel or possibly apartments.
‘Move quickly’:The new owner talks about intentions for the Putnam Hotel project
2014: Plans for Putnam ‘on hold’
A year into owning the Putnam, Halabi says the plans he and his silent partner have for the building are “on hold for the time being.”
He also said they wouldn’t knock the aging building down.
“There’s too much history with the building,” Halabi said that July.
2015: Sold again
A Daytona Beach-based development company purchases the Putnam for $450,000, according to property records.
Summit Hospitality Management Group declined to comment at that time on the plans for the vacant building.
2016: Hotel Putnam ‘available’
A for-sale sign is posted at the front of the property, just west of the intersection of West New York and Florida avenues.
The listed agent, Scott Garrett with the Orlando-based Boss Commercial Real Estate, said the asking price was $999,999.
Summit Hospitality’s vice president of operations said that September that the company was actually hoping to keep the acquisition and find a possible partner in the project.
2017: New proposal from new developer
Sarasota-based Tony Collins, who was under contract to buy the Putnam, proposes a plan to the City Commission in April that would see the city contribute $750,000 in cash over five years.
Additionally, Collins sought a change to the city’s code that would amount to a tax exemption of $600,000 to $700,000 over 10 years. Collins pitched using the Putnam for “high-end” apartments with a museum space on the first floor.
The commission voted that June to invest $500,000 from the general fund over five years.
By the year’s end, the agreement expired as Collins failed to obtain the necessary financing.
expired:The agreement between the developer and DeLand on Hotel Putnam failed to come to fruition
2018: Orlando-based developer enters the picture; a fire breaks out
Mohamed Rashad via his company, Big Bubba Investments, LLC, purchases the Putnam for $1 million.
Not long after making the purchase with plans to turn it into a multi-family project, DeLand firefighters responded to the property after a blaze was spotted.
Future after fire?:Prospects for DeLand’s historic Hotel Putnam uncertain after blaze
The investigation into the “set-fire” was closed six months later, no suspects were identified.
It was common knowledge that trespassers entered the property and/or the actual building now and then.
2021: Utah-based developer brings hope
Axia Partners bought the Putnam Hotel from Rashad for $2.3 million in November.
DeLand City Manager Michael Pleus said he and others familiar with the property’s history were feeling as hopeful as Axia had experience with major redevelopments.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Downtown DeLand’s historic Hotel Putnam: How the property changed hands
Sol & Ora | “Sun & Shore”: The Coastal Way of Life in Sentosa
Sol & Ora | “Sun & Shore”: The Coastal Way of Life in Sentosa
Does the name Sol & Ora ring a bell? If it does, you probably have heard of or even visited Sol & Luna, a bistro at CapitaSpring, Raffles Place. Riding on the success of its sister restaurant, Sol & Ora is 1-Group’s latest multi-concept beachfront project and is perched on the rooftop of the Outpost Hotel, a stone throw from Imbiah Station. It is an all-day dining restaurant with a menu inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, specifically from the countries of Italy, France, Spain and Greece.










As you can see, there is a wide variety of offerings on the Sol & Ora menu so give it a try if you want somewhere more private and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Budget per person: $30 to $40 per person
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East Coast Commune | A Wholesome, Family-Friendly Cafe in Marine Cove (East Coast Park)
East Coast Commune | A Wholesome, Family-Friendly Cafe in Marine Cove (East Coast Park)
With new cafes constantly popping up in Singapore, we sometimes get caught up in visiting and trying out the new places and neglecting the ones that are good. We are glad to re-visit East Coast Commune as it celebrates its second anniversary with new menu items for brunch (available until 3pm), lunch (available from 11am) and all-day dining. We are also happy to find out that the cafe has extended its hours on weekends to include dinner service (6pm to 9pm) and are serving anniversary picnic sets too.






East Coast Commune occupies a 3000 sq ft area and its high ceiling, scandi-themed furnishings makes it an aesthetically pleasing place to be at. I am already planning my next trip back as I wanted to try more items from their menu but was limited by my stomach space this time. Perhaps I will make a visit in the evening to try out their dinner menu and am certainly eyeing their signature sourdough waffles with ice-cream for dessert.
Special mention to the little touches that we noticed during our visit to show how family-friendly the East Coast Commune is. Apart from having a play area for the kids to have fun whilst parents dine, there is also a nursing room and dedicated kids menu for the little ones. It’s a little wonder why the cafe was packed with families during our visit on the weekend!
Budget per person: $20 to $30 per person
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WAKUDA | Celebrating The Best of Okinawa Produce With Chef Tetsuya Wakuda
WAKUDA | Celebrating The Best of Okinawa Produce With Chef Tetsuya Wakuda
Situated in the lobby of Tower 2, WAKUDA Singapore is the brainchild of two-Michelin starred chef Tetsuya Wakuda and John Kunkel, CEO of 50 Eggs Hospitality. A buzz-worthy restaurant that redefines traditional Japanese dining and prides itself on using fresh produce. During our visit this time, we had the opportunity to try WAKUDA’s “Celebrating the best of Okinawa” menu, a specially curated menu together with the Okinawa Prefectural Government Singapore Government Office. It is a one-off ten-course menu as WAKUDA introduces its lunch service (12pm to 3pm) on Thursdays and Fridays. Previously, WAKUDA only served dinner from 5pm to 11pm.









Our experience at WAKUDA was great, it felt as though we were momentarily transported to Japan, amidst the elegantly designed communal spaces and the well-thought out dishes. This menu also introduced us to Okinawan produce and the recurring word throughout our meal was “refreshing”.
PS If you’re planning to dine there or are celebrating a special occasion, we recommend getting the seats in front of the beautiful tree (which were told to come from Japan), right behind the counter where you see the Chefs in action. We are not posting a photo here so that you can witness its beauty in person during your visit!
Budget per person: – (menu featured is not usually available), but lunch sets start from $72++ per person
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CANCHITA | Peruvian-Mexican Brunch in Dempsey’s Lush Greenery
CANCHITA | Peruvian-Mexican Brunch in Dempsey’s Lush Greenery
Located on the corner of Dempsey Hill, CANCHITA embodies the vibrant energy of Latin America through its modern Peruvian cuisine, colorful interiors and upbeat salsa music. Having opened their doors for more than a year, the owner-chefs Tamara and Daniel Chavez are introducing diners to a brunch menu with dishes that are staples in Mexico and Peru.








Do note that Canchita has 3 different dining areas – the Amazon room, the Inca room and the outdoor terrace. We dined in the Amazon room where you can see the lush greenery and it feels like you were dining in the Amazonian jungle, hence its name. However, we would love to dine at the Inca room on our next visit as it looked quieter and suited for smaller groups. If you have a preference as to where you would like to be seated, do indicate when making reservations.
Budget per person: $30 to $40 per person
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Issho Izakaya | Japanese Izakaya in Marina Bay
Issho Izakaya | Japanese Izakaya in Marina Bay
issho izakaya should be a fairly familiar name for those who love their Japanese food. Having 2 established outlets at Great World City and Singpost Centre, issho izakaya opens its third outlet at One Fullerton, with alfresco sitting, normal indoor sitting and private dining rooms with the same extensive menu that it offers at its other outlets.









issho Izakaya also offers sake pairing with its food and they are offering a promotion for their draft sake at $50 for two 120ml glasses – the draft sake is light, hence easy to drink and can pair with sweet, savory and spicy food alike.
Budget per person: $35 to $45 per person
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Lawry’s The Prime Rib | Special Menus this Festive Season
Lawry’s The Prime Rib | Special Menus this Festive Season
Before you know it, we are approaching the end of 2022 and at the end of each year, we reflect on what happened in the past year and catch up with family and friends over good food. As with each year, Lawry’s has special set menus on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Located on the 4th level of Mandarin Gallery, Lawry’s the Prime Rib Singapore is known for its “old-world charm, new-world luxury” feel. One will undoubtedly feel as though you are transported out of Singapore once you set foot into the restaurant. We were invited to try the 6-course Christmas Eve Menu and would like to share some of the dishes they have to offer.







This Christmas, every table with a bill of $500++ will also leave with a bottle of Cocchi Piemonte Brut NV so that the celebrations can continue at home. Guests seated between 11.30am to 2.30pm can also enjoy 10% off set menus.
Budget: $189++ per guest
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Wagatomo | Festive Omakase Menu – Wagyu-centric dishes
Wagatomo | Festive Omakase Menu – Wagyu-centric dishes
We made a second visit to Wagatomo in less than 2 months to try its Wagyu-centric festive omakase menu, where Chef Tomoyuki Kiga – the brain and chef behind Wagatomo – curates a tasting menu featuring some of the best dishes of Wagatomo.
Available only from 1 – 31 December, this nine-course menu is value-for-money and showcases the prized Wagyu cuts in various ways.









This omakase sharing menu is one of the more value-for-money menus that we’ve come across recently and definitely one for the beef-lovers to check out. Do book before heading down as you can expect the seats to fill up quickly!
Budget: $98++ per person (minimum 2 to dine)
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