Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Southgate, FL.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Southgate, FL, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Southgate, FL, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
LAKELAND — The thought of a second Chick-fil-A opening on South Florida Avenue has raised alarm among Lakeland residents.Tampa-based Bohler Engineering held a neighborhood meeting Thursday night to meet with residents about a proposal to open a Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2301 S. Florida Ave, just north of Southgate Shopping Center."It's a poor location. It has been for years and years and years," said Chad Reid, a Lakeland resident of 30 years. "Now the road diet ends just before it and drivin...
LAKELAND — The thought of a second Chick-fil-A opening on South Florida Avenue has raised alarm among Lakeland residents.
Tampa-based Bohler Engineering held a neighborhood meeting Thursday night to meet with residents about a proposal to open a Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2301 S. Florida Ave, just north of Southgate Shopping Center.
"It's a poor location. It has been for years and years and years," said Chad Reid, a Lakeland resident of 30 years. "Now the road diet ends just before it and driving is crazy at that location."
The roughly one-acre site was previously a Bank of America branch. It has been vacant for several years. Chick-fil-A seeks to use the site to build its new model restaurant. In almost a complete reversal from COVID-era policies, the franchised chain wants to build a sit-down restaurant without the drive thru that Chick-fil-A's model is well known for.
Bohler Engineering staff representing a Chick-fil-A franchise owner declined to speak with The Ledger any further about their new concept restaurant.
"The concept is still new. There's not a lot of data available on what traffic would be like," said Abby Rowzee, a West Palm Drive resident who attended Thursday night's meeting.
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Traffic and safety of local residents, students and parents traveling to Southwest Elementary School are the main concerns of residents if the proposal moves forward, Rowzee said.
The property is adjacent to residential homes on West Poinsettia Street, which loops south turning into West Oak Drive and connecting to Southgate Shopping Center. Residents say there is also an existing driveway that connects a parking lot alongside the former bank building to Play It Again Sports, potentially allowing motorists to cut north to West Palm Street.
Reid, who's son attends Lakeland School of Music on West Oak Drive, said there are already traffic problems on the residential streets.
"It's murderous traffic to get in and out of the schools every single day," he said.
Rowzee said dozens of vehicles back up on West Oak Drive and West Poinsettia daily during Southwest Elementary School's pickup and dropoff hours. This essentially limits the already narrow street to one-way travel for safety's sake.
Large sections of the neighborhood also lack sidewalks, Rowzee said, causing residents and students alike to run, walk and bike on the streets. She said she fears traffic from Chick-fil-A could lead to an increase in pedestrian accidents.
Reid and Rowzee said they both are Chick-fil-A customers who visit the South Lakeland franchise, located approximately 2.5 miles to the south. A key difference is that restaurant is located amid other businesses, not immediately adjacent to a residential neighborhood.
Southwest residents asked Bohler Engineering and Chick-fil-A representatives if they would consider other locations that would not back up against residential homes.
To move forward, Bohler Engineering and Chick-a-Fil would need to request a change of zoning from Lakeland's Planning and Zoning Board. The request would go through a hearing process before going to the City Commission for final approval.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.
Apartment Income REIT Corp. (NYE: AIRC) announced it has a deal to acquire the Southgate Towers apartments in Miami Beach for $298 million, plus it closed on a new Fort Lauderdale apartment complex for $173 million.The Denver-based multifamily firm made the announcements during its third quarter earnings release.Located at 900 West Avenue, the Southgate Towers has 495 units in 14 stories. It will be sold by Southgate Towers LLLP, an affiliate of Henrico, Virginia-based Gumenick Properties. Once the deal closes, the price will e...
Apartment Income REIT Corp. (NYE: AIRC) announced it has a deal to acquire the Southgate Towers apartments in Miami Beach for $298 million, plus it closed on a new Fort Lauderdale apartment complex for $173 million.
The Denver-based multifamily firm made the announcements during its third quarter earnings release.
Located at 900 West Avenue, the Southgate Towers has 495 units in 14 stories. It will be sold by Southgate Towers LLLP, an affiliate of Henrico, Virginia-based Gumenick Properties. Once the deal closes, the price will equate to $602,020 per unit.
Totaling 554,694 square feet, Southgate Towers was built on the 4-acre site along Biscayne Bay in 1958. Gumenick Properties completed a $40 million renovation of the property in 2016.
According to Apartments.com, units in Southgate Towers range from 394 to 2,157 and rents run from $2,179 to $6,429.
However, the West Avenue area of Miami Beach is one of the most vulnerable areas to sea level rise and high tide. City officials have been working to raise the street and implement more flood controls.
Meanwhile, AIR said it closed on the purchase of the District at Flagler Village in Fort Lauderdale for $173 million during the third quarter. Located at 555 N.E. Eighth St., the building totals 453,314 square feet with 350 units, so the price worked out to $494,286 per unit.
It was developed on the 2-acre site earlier this year by CIP18 Flagler Village LLC, an affiliate of Boca Raton-based Mill Creek Residential.
No deed was filed in county records as part of the sale. Instead, state records indicate the managing members of CIP18 Flagler Village LLC were changed in July from executives of Mill Creek to executives of AIR. That allowed the property to change hands without the seller paying hundreds of thousands of dollars of documentary stamp taxes to the state and county.
According to Apartments.com, units in the District at Flagler Village range from 360 to 1,435 square feet and they rent from $2,301 to $3,847.
AIR has been active in acquiring apartment complexes to capitalize on rising rents. Across its national portfolio, same-unit rent increased 9.6% in the third quarter and net operating income at its properties increased 13.3%.
It noted it’s focused on buying apartments in high growth submarkets like Miami-Dade and Broward counties because there’s less regulatory risk than in New York and Chicago. There are more regulatory limits on raising rent and evictions in the latter two cities.
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Ranked by Sq. ft. managed, as of June 15, 2022
| Rank | Company | Sq. ft. managed, as of June 15, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cushman & Wakefield | 33.14 million |
| 2 | Avison Young | 24.14 million |
| 3 | Prologis | 20.00 million |
| View This List | ||
Air Communities is spending big bucks on South Florida multifamily projects.The Denver-based real estate investment trust is paying $471 million for two apartment properties in Miami Beach and in Fort Lauderdale’s booming Flagler Village neighborhood.Air bought The District at Flagler Village building at 555 Northeast Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale for $173 million, and has Southgate Towers at 900 West Avenue in South Beach under contract for $298 million, according to the REIT’s third quarter earnings release....
Air Communities is spending big bucks on South Florida multifamily projects.
The Denver-based real estate investment trust is paying $471 million for two apartment properties in Miami Beach and in Fort Lauderdale’s booming Flagler Village neighborhood.
Air bought The District at Flagler Village building at 555 Northeast Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale for $173 million, and has Southgate Towers at 900 West Avenue in South Beach under contract for $298 million, according to the REIT’s third quarter earnings release.
Mill Creek Residential sold The District, after completing the 24-story building with 350 units last year. The Boca Raton-based firm had paid $7 million for the 2-acre development site in 2019.
The District’s apartments range from studios to three-bedroom units with monthly rents from $2,301 to $3,847, according to Apartments.com.
Air’s purchase, which closed in the third quarter, pencils out to $494,000 per unit.
The 495-unit Southgate Towers consists of a pair of 14-story buildings on 4 acres in South Beach, overlooking Biscayne Bay and Miami. Gumenick Properties, based in Richmond, Virginia and Miami Beach, owns the property, according to records. The late Nathan Gumenick, who founded Gumenick Properties in the 1940s, developed Southgate, according to media reports. The firm is now led by Chairman Randy Gumenick.
The buildings offer apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units with monthly rents from $2,179 to $5,465, according to Southgate’s website.
Air’s purchase of the buildings, which equates to $602,000 per unit, is expected to close early next year.
The REIT also bet on the multifamily market in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood this summer. Air paid $211 million for the 28-story, 296-unit Watermarc at Biscayne Bay on the northeast corner of North Bayshore Drive and Northeast 21st Street. Mill Creek also sold this property.
South Florida’s apartment market has experienced hefty investment sales activity. The influx of residents since late 2020 fueled record rent hikes, although the growth rate has slowed. In September, the area’s rents increased 13 percent, year-over-year, to $2,590, according to Realtor.com.
Air, led by Terry Considine, spun off from Aimco in 2020 as an apartment communities REIT.
Aimco also has been investing in the South Florida market. In Flagler Village, Aimco paid $100 million in three deals this year, assembling 9 acres at 901-927 North Federal Highway and land on both the southeast and southwest corners of Northeast Ninth Street and Northeast Fifth Avenue. The properties allow for 3 million square feet, including up to 1,500 units, more than 300 hotel keys, and over 100,000 square feet of retail.
Lakeland has got some pretty picturesque spots, but when it comes to finding a landmark that best represents the Swan City – there are several that come to mind.We all know the typical spots — Lake Mirror, our skyline of steeples, downtown tree arch — but what’s the one place that locals and out-of-towners alike look at and immediately think of L...
Lakeland has got some pretty picturesque spots, but when it comes to finding a landmark that best represents the Swan City – there are several that come to mind.
We all know the typical spots — Lake Mirror, our skyline of steeples, downtown tree arch — but what’s the one place that locals and out-of-towners alike look at and immediately think of Lakeland?
We asked locals on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram what iconic images evoke the spirit of Swan City, and then ranked the top six.
There’s something iconic about our city’s neon signs —and yes, even our Tax Collector’s office gets it. This landmark not only lights up the city at night, but it also beautifies the street with its pastel green color during the day.
No drive through Dixieland is complete without a glance at the Southside Cleaner’s quote of the day. The sea-foam green and sunny starburst sign has been around since 1962 and is curated with different phrases on the marquee throughout the week.
This spinning neon demon (often dubbed as “Sputnik” because it looks like the satellites that were launched in the 1950s) was designed by Warren Milks between 1961-1970. The Roto-Sphere is so much of a Lakeland landmark, that it’s said that pilots use it as a reference point at night.
Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the Frances Langford Promenade was completed in 1928 and later dedicated to Lakeland native Frances Langford.
The Polk Theatre may be one of the most famous landmarks in Lakeland. And it certainly ranks among the most photographed locales.
Built in 1957, the Southgate Shopping Center transformed the Polk County skyline – and now, you’d be hard-pressed to find an illustration of Lakeland that doesn’t include it. Not to mention, its universal claim to fame with an Edward Scissorhands cameo. With an overwhelming number of votes, the Southgate Shopping Center arch easily cinched the top spot on our list of Lakeland icons. But are you even really surprised by that?
Honorable Mentions
While we love the symbols that define quintessential Lakeland, it’d be wrong not to pay homage to some of our lesser talked about landmarks — those that give our city an extra dose of character. Here are a few of your more eccentric suggestions:
“The Publix cake water tower.” – @yesjustkate
“The swan statue that the sun shines behind is what I picture when I think of home.” – @thespringhouse
[email protected]: An earlier online version had the incorrect spelling of Faye Doppelheuer’s last name.LAKELAND — A flash of neon-style lights over Southgate Shopping Center has sparked renewed hope for the future of the Lakeland landmark.The shopping center’s retro arch is being retrofitted with new LED lighting according to Stephanie Carte...
CORRECTION: An earlier online version had the incorrect spelling of Faye Doppelheuer’s last name.
LAKELAND — A flash of neon-style lights over Southgate Shopping Center has sparked renewed hope for the future of the Lakeland landmark.
The shopping center’s retro arch is being retrofitted with new LED lighting according to Stephanie Carten, marketing manager for Crossman & Company, a retail leasing firm that manages the property.
“We know it’s an icon and we definitely want to make sure it’s done right,” she said.
The 70-foot-tall sign with stylized script has been dark for decades after the original neon sign was damaged. Carten could not provide an exact shut-off date, but restoration efforts began in November.
“We are upgrading it and moving away from neon,” she said. “We are looking to get away from the issues with neon including fire risks, which is why we had to shut it down years ago.”
The sign will be lit using FloppyFlex LED neon lighting designed by Australia-based Firefly Lighting, according to documents submitted to the City of Lakeland. It is marketed as “the perfect replacement for traditional neon,” produces a variety of colors and can be programmed to produce a custom light show.
The FloppyFlex lighting and its installation will cost approximately $58,700, according to an electrical permit application filed in November with the city’s building inspection division.
Many Lakeland residents are already familiar with how FloppyFlex’s LED rope lighting looks. One of the product’s biggest customers is Disney, according to Jeffrey Crisp, branch manager for Sesco Lighting, in a November letter to Crossman & Company.
Faye Doppelheuer, owner of Babe’s Shoes & Apparel, was one of several people who witnessed a test run of the sign’s new lighting on Tuesday. Doppeheuer published a few photos on Babe’s Facebook page.
“I was just teasing people,” she said.
Doppelheuer could barely contain her excitement to see the sign restored and she’s not alone. Photos of the test run were shared by several residents to overwhelmingly positive reviews.
“It is going to be so awesome for the shopping center and the Lakeland community,” she said. “The arch is iconic and is known worldwide.”
The retro arch of Southgate Shopping Center has become a pop-culture icon since it was built in 1957. It has appeared in several Hollywood movies, perhaps most famously in director Tim Burton’s 1990 hit “Edward Scissorhands” featuring actor Johnny Depp.
More recently, Disney took over the shopping center in June 2018 to shoot scenes for its upcoming movie “The One and Only Ivan,” an adaptation of the Newberry-medal winning novel by Katherine Applegate. It is scheduled to be released in August 2020 and lists actress Angelina Jolie as a producer.
Carten said there is no date set for when Southgate’s iconic sign will regularly light the skies over South Florida Avenue again, but plans for a grand celebration are in the works. The owners declined to comment to The Ledger on why they’ve waited until now to restore the sign.
Whether the wait is a few more weeks or months, it can’t dampen Doppelheuer’s spirit.
“It’s been pushed forward so many times,” she said. “The past 12 months Southgate Shopping Center has come back alive and I’m so excited to see it finished.”
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7545.
