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Josh Cohen

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2018 Magic Media Day Behind the Scenes Photos

ORLANDO – A legendary American success story as a businessman and a noted philanthropist for his many charitable ventures, Rich DeVos’ nearly three-decade ownership of the Orlando Magic often ranked third on his list of lofty accomplishments.

Still, the impact that DeVos was able to make at the NBA level – specifically with the hundreds of Magic players he encountered through the years in one-on-one locker room chats – was realized on Thursday upon his death at the age of 92 years old.

Just as they had done numerous times before, past and present NBA players such as Shaquille O’Neal, Jameer Nelson and others, reached out to Magic CEO Alex Martins concerning Mr. DeVos. On Thursday, several contacted Martins and Magic leaders to pass along their condolences and fond memories about a man they considered to be, ``the best owner in the NBA.’’

``You’d be amazed at how many players and former players I’ve already heard from today, including Shaq and Jameer and several others,’’ said Martins after announcing that DeVos – the Magic’s owner since 1991 – had died at his home in Ada, Mich.

``They loved him as an owner and they’d always say to me personally, `He’s the best owner in the NBA,’’’ Martins continued. ``I can’t tell you how many times after players were traded or released or signed contracts elsewhere, when they’d be in warmups before games and I’d be out on the floor, they’d come up to me and ask, number one, for Mr. DeVos and how he was doing. And, number two, they’d say, the biggest thing that they regretted about their career was that they left the Orlando Magic. And that’s all because of Mr. DeVos and his family and the way that (players) were treated while they were here. He treated people incredibly well and wanted to treat them better than anybody else did and that included our players and coaches.’’

Added NBA Commissioner Adam Silver: ``One of the NBA’s longest-serving owners, Rich DeVos formed a deep bond with the city of Orlando, and whether hosting the Finals or All-Star festivities, he was always incredibly welcoming to the NBA family. And on a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and counsel over the past 25 years. We send our heartfelt condolences to Rich’s family and friends and the entire Magic organization.’’

DeVos died on Thursday following complications from an infection. His death comes nearly 11 months after the Magic organization was rocked by the death of Helen DeVos, Mr. DeVos’ wife of 63 years, before her passing last October. Martins said on Thursday that the Magic will wear `RDV’ patches on their uniforms this season and there will be a notation on the Amway Center parquet floor honoring the franchise’s legendary owner.

Now, less than three weeks before the Magic are to begin their season – one that Mr. DeVos was eagerly anticipating, according to Martins – the franchise must try and continue the legacy of an owner who always expected his franchise to be dynamic difference-makers on and off the basketball floor.

``We need to live our lives the way that Rich DeVos lived his life,’’ said an emotional Martins, who visited the Magic owner 10 days earlier. ``We need to continue to lift each other up and continue to build our community off the court and we need to run our franchise with a high level of integrity and strong work ethic. We must ensure that this is the community’s team and one that it can be proud of. That’s the way that he operated this franchise and it’s our responsibility now in his legacy to maintain that.’’

Upon buying the Magic in 1991, DeVos famously vowed that the team actually belonged to the people of Central Florida and he was merely a steward for the franchise. He always stressed that the Magic would strive for success – both as a championship-caliber team on the floor and a difference-making entity in the community.

In that respect, the Magic captured two Eastern Conference crowns, five division titles and won at least 50 games seven times during DeVos’ ownership. Twice, the Magic came close to winning a championship for Central Florida, losing in the NBA Finals in heartbreaking fashion in 1995 and 2009. Martins said being unable to secure a championship for DeVos will always be one of his greatest disappointments professionally.

``My biggest regret today is that we didn’t bring him an NBA championship,’’ said the Magic CEO, who had known and worked with DeVos for the past 27 years. ``We’ve said for years that we’ve got to get this done before he left us and that is the unfinished business, unfortunately. He wanted (an NBA championship) badly, but it’s not like he walked around saying it to everyone, `I’ve got to get an NBA championship; I want a NBA championship.’ You knew it from his actions and you knew it from the resources that he brought to the organization and you knew it from the way that he encouraged everyone.’’

DeVos’ son, Dan DeVos, has served as the Magic’s Chairman and representative on the NBA’s Board of Governors since 2011 and he will continue in that role going forward. Ceding control of his decision-making roles allowed Mr. DeVos to devote his full attention to what he always referred to himself as: ``the team’s biggest cheerleader.’’

Despite being confined to a wheelchair much of the past two years, he attended approximately 20 home games while rooting on the team from his customary seat along the baseline near the Magic bench. Before and after games, he’d show his support to the team’s players and coaches in the best way he knew how – through genuine, heart-felt words of encouragement.

``He was in that locker room every night that he was here in the building. And he’d go around to every single player in that locker room – before and after the game – encouraging them before the game and shaking their hands afterwards even after a loss and telling them, `That’s OK, you gave it your best,’’’ Martins recalled. ``That’s what who he was. He did want to win a championship and we wanted to win a championship for him. I’d say my biggest regret today is that we didn’t win a championship before he left us.’’

There is no regret, Martins stressed, in how the Magic have approached their active role in the Central Florida community because of the mandates made by DeVos for decades. DeVos’ philanthropic fingerprints can be seen all over Orlando and Central Florida whether it be his creation of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program at UCF, the eight community gymnasiums in Orange County, his contributions to the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center or his charitable donations following the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando in June of 2016.

Under the DeVos family’s direction, the Magic support the local community through sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, and grants. In addition, over the last 28 years, various local nonprofit community organizations have received support through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation which serves at-risk youth and has impacted more than one million children. Magic community relations programs annually impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP), an organizational staff-wide initiative, provides more than 7,000 community volunteer hours annually. Through the years, the franchise has donated more than $24 million to the community.

``We’re going to miss how generous of a person he was,’’ said Martins, speaking for the entire Central Florida community. ``As an individual and with his family, he donated hundreds of millions of dollars over the course of his life to causes that helped make people better – healthcare, education and many others – including many in our local community, in our Parramore community. … He was about making people’s lives better and that will be missed.’’

Martins said that he doesn’t anticipate any change in the Magic’s ownership in the near future because of the family’s complete investment in the franchise. In addition to Dan DeVos serving as the franchise’s chairman, Ryan DeVos – one of Mr. DeVos’ many grandchildren – recently completed a successful first season as Director of Magic Gaming. Martins figures the legacy started with the Magic via Rich and Helen DeVos will continue for years to come via the patriarch’s and matriarch’s children and grandchildren.

``The team is very much engrained into their family,’’ Martins said. ``The second generation (of the DeVos family) has owned the franchise for quite some time now as Mr. DeVos actually had no ownership of the team itself recently. Dan DeVos has been our chairman now for seven years and in recent years the league transitioned team governorship from Mr. DeVos to Dan. And, as a matter of fact, we have (DeVos) grandchildren working in the organization. So, this is something that the entire family embraces and I would envision that they would continue to be the stewards of this franchise for a long time.’’

Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.

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Coaches, Players Adored Rich DeVos' Generosity, Compassion and Enthusiasm

ORLANDO – Rich DeVos, a legendary businessman, philanthropist and owner of the Orlando Magic, died today at his home in Ada, Mich., from complications stemming from an infection. He was 92 years old.

In addition to owning the Magic since September of 1991 and relentlessly working to save professional basketball in Central Florida, DeVos was a champion for the betterment of Orlando and donated millions of dollars to the city through various charitable ventures. Under DeVos’ leadership, the Magic’s mission has always been ``to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way.’’ In DeVos’ time as the team’s owner, the Magic have won five division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010), had seven 50-plus win seasons and captured Eastern Conference titles in 1995 and 2009. In 2016, DeVos was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.

``Mr. DeVos' boundless generosity, inspirational leadership and infectious enthusiasm will always be remembered. Simply, he was the team's No. 1 cheerleader and the best owner that a Magic fan could ever want for their team,’’ Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a release on Thursday. ``When the DeVos Family purchased the Magic, his vision was that the team and organization would serve as a platform to improve the Central Florida community. That legacy will certainly live on, both in the Orlando Magic's community efforts and philanthropic contributions, as well as in the way we strive to play the game with passion, a strong work ethic and integrity, while also bringing people together from all walks of life.’’

Mr. DeVos’ death comes nearly 11 months after the passing of Helen DeVos, his wife of 63 years. The Magic wore a commemorative patch honoring Mrs. DeVos last season and will undoubtedly do the same this season to honor their owner of the past 27 seasons.

Dan DeVos, son of Rich and Helen, has been chairman of the Magic and Orlando Solar Bears since 2011. On Thursday, his family released a statement lauding Mr. DeVos for his family leadership, loving heart and charitable nature. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Grand Rapids Christian School Association, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church or Prison Fellowship Ministries.

Our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Rich DeVos, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on September 6, 2018, at age 92.

``Dad spread positivity everywhere he went and encouraged everyone he met,’’ read the joint statement from Dick, Dan, Cheri and Doug DeVos. ``He did that for his children and grandchildren, and for countless others around the world. His positivity was a constant, motivating force that inspired many others to make meaningful changes in their own lives and communities. He was a visionary leader, builder, life enricher, motivator, and a champion for people from all walks of life.

``Rich DeVos was many things to many people, but to us he was simply `Dad,’ `Grandpa,’ `Bumpa,’ or `Papa Great,’’’ the family statement continued. ``We are deeply grateful and blessed beyond measure to have been loved unconditionally, raised, mentored, and inspired by him.  He was a role model unlike any other.… While we are saddened by his passing, our hearts are full as we celebrate the extraordinary life he led. We are comforted that he is reunited with Mom, and that together they are experiencing the joy of eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.’’

Mr. DeVos isbest known worldwide as a co-founder of Amway and a pioneer of the famous direct-selling method that offered individuals the opportunity to build businesses of their own.A recipient of the Horatio Alger Award, Mr. DeVos’s life embodied the American dream of humble beginnings turned to great success through determined effort.

Born March 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, DeVos lived through the Great Depression before ultimately becoming one of the most successful businessmen in American history. In 1949, DeVos and close friend Jay Van Andel invested $49 and became highly successful independent distributors for Nutrilite, a manufacturer and direct seller of vitamins. The California manufacturer of vitamins used a person-to-person selling approach that the partners later adopted when starting Amway from their homes in Ada, Michigan, in 1959, with an all-purpose cleaner, L.O.C., as their only product.

Over five decades, they built their business into a multi-billion-dollar international corporation and the world’s leading direct selling company. Mr. DeVos was Amway president from the company’s founding until 1993, when he was succeeded by his son, Dick, and in 2002 by his son, Doug.

``Rich and my father built this company from the ground up, and in many ways, Rich was the heart and soul of Amway,’’ Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel said. ``His vision and spirit inspired our employees and independent business owners for more than 50 years. No one even comes close to Rich in the love he inspired in the hearts and minds of our family of employees and business owners. We will miss him terribly.’’

In addition to being a prolific author who penned five books, DeVos was also a noted philanthropist who donated millions of dollars to various causes in Michigan and Central Florida.

The DeVos family regularly supported numerous civic, educational and religious organizations in the Orlando area. Under his direction, the Magic support the local community through sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, and grants. In addition, over the last 28 years, various local nonprofit community organizations have received support through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation which serves at-risk youth and has impacted more than one million children. Magic community relations programs annually impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP), an organizational staff-wide initiative, provides more than 7,000 community volunteer hours annually.

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Rich DeVos Was a Champion For the Betterment of Orlando

Ada, Michigan - Richard M. DeVos, co-founder of Amway, died peacefully at his home in Ada, Michigan, surrounded by family, on September 6, 2018. He was 92. The cause of death was complications from an infection.

Perhaps best known as an inspiring, motivational leader and pioneer of the famous Amway direct selling method that offered individuals the opportunity to build businesses of their own, Mr. DeVos also was senior chairman of the Orlando Magic NBA franchise and a generous philanthropist with his late wife, Helen.

A recipient of the Horatio Alger Award, Mr. DeVos’s life embodied the American dream of humble beginnings turned to great success through determined effort. He was born March 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and grew up during the Great Depression. He credited his interest in owning a business to his father, who always encouraged his son to go into business for himself.

His entrepreneurial spirit took root in a high school friendship with classmate Jay Van Andel. The pair first dreamed of owning their own business while students at Grand Rapids Christian High School. Their friendship grew out of a business arrangement — Rich paid Jay 25 cents a week for rides to and from school in Jay’s 1931 Model A Ford.

After both returned from service overseas in World War II, their early entrepreneurial ventures included a flight school and one of the first drive-in restaurants in Michigan. They sold both interests in 1948 to buy a sailboat in Connecticut with intentions to sail to the Caribbean — even though neither had any sailing experience. Their old wooden schooner, “Elizabeth,” sank off the coast of Cuba. A passing freighter rescued them, and they continued their adventure on land through South America.

In 1949 they invested $49 and became highly successful independent distributors for Nutrilite, a manufacturer and direct seller of vitamins. The California manufacturer of vitamins used a person-to-person selling approach that the partners later adopted when starting Amway from their homes in Ada, Michigan, in 1959, with an all-purpose cleaner, L.O.C., as their only product. Their refined direct selling approach offered individuals around the world a business ownership opportunity.  After the first year of business, they moved to an abandoned service station located at Amway’s current headquarters site in Ada, Michigan. Over five decades, they built their business into a multi-billion dollar international corporation and the world’s leading direct selling company.

Mr. DeVos was Amway president from the company’s founding until 1993, when he was succeeded by his son, Dick, and in 2002 by his son, Doug. Continuing in their fathers’ tradition, today Doug DeVos shares the Office of the Chief Executive with Chairman Steve Van Andel, son of co-founder Jay Van Andel. Rich DeVos remained active as a member of Amway’s Board of Directors until his death. Jay Van Andel died in December 2004.

“Rich and my father built this company from the ground up, and in many ways, Rich was the heart and soul of Amway,” said Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel. “His vision and spirit inspired our employees and independent business owners for more than 50 years. No one even comes close to Rich in the love he inspired in the hearts and minds of our family of employees and business owners. We will miss him terribly.”

An award-winning, inspirational speaker, he motivated hundreds of thousands of independent business owners worldwide and kept a full schedule of speaking engagements for a variety of business and charitable organizations across the country. A self-proclaimed “cheerleader,” he promoted the values of freedom, family, faith and philanthropy in books plus thousands of speeches and interviews around the world. As a reflection of his strong Christian faith, he was known for introducing himself at speaking engagements as “just a sinner saved by grace.”

Mr. DeVos wrote five books: BELIEVE! (1975), Compassionate Capitalism (1993), Hope From My Heart (2000), Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (2008), and Simply Rich (2014). Simply Rich is a memoir reflecting on his work, faith, family, and the core values he held onto from his humble, Christian upbringing through his success as co-founder of Amway.

The DeVos family purchased the Orlando Magic in September 1991. The Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. The Magic have won five division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010) and had seven 50-plus win seasons, while capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. In 2016, Mr. DeVos was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.

“Mr. DeVos' boundless generosity, inspirational leadership and infectious enthusiasm will always be remembered. Simply, he was the team's No. 1 cheerleader and the best owner that a Magic fan could ever want for their team. When the DeVos Family purchased the Magic, his vision was that the team and organization would serve as a platform to improve the Central Florida community. That legacy will certainly live on, both in the Orlando Magic's community efforts and philanthropic contributions, as well as in the way we strive to play the game with passion, a strong work ethic and integrity, while also bringing people together from all walks of life,” said Alex Martins, Chief Executive Officer, Orlando Magic.

Annually ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s billionaires, Mr. DeVos shared his success as a philanthropist and community leader. Mr. DeVos volunteered his time and leadership to a number of causes and with his late wife, Helen, donated generously through the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation.

In the 1970s, as chairman of the New Grand Rapids Committee, Mr. DeVos was instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Grand Rapids, including the construction of the DeVos Performance Hall. He and Jay Van Andel led the restoration of the former Pantlind Hotel, which was purchased by Amway and is now the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Mr. DeVos and Mr. Van Andel also spearheaded the Amway-owned JW Marriott Hotel.

Mr. DeVos and his late wife supported many other community projects, such as DeVos Place Convention Center and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

The couple also supported Christian education including Rehoboth and Zuni Christian Schools in New Mexico that have been providing opportunities for Native American children for more than 100 years. Others include the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Arts and Worship at Grand Rapids Christian High School, the DeVos Communications Center at Calvin College and the Helen DeVos College of Education at Lee University. They were generous supporters to other higher education institutions including The King’s College in New York City, Grand Valley State University, Northwood University, Michigan State University – College of Human Medicine, and Hope College.

They were long-time residents of Central Florida and supported numerous civic, educational and religious organizations there. The Orlando Magic supports the local community through sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, and grants. In addition, over the last 28 years, various local nonprofit community organizations have received support through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation which serves at-risk youth and has impacted more than one million children.  Orlando Magic community relations programs annually impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP), an organizational staff-wide initiative, provides more than 7,000 community volunteer hours annually.

They also contributed to national organizations such as the National Constitution Center and the National Organization on Disability.

In 2006, Rich and the late Helen DeVos were honored with The Philanthropy Roundtable William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership. In 2010 they were awarded the Clare Boothe Luce Award by the Heritage Foundation and in 2012 they received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Direct Selling Association.

Rich and the late Helen DeVos always said they were motivated to give because of their Christian faith and their responsibility as stewards of the financial resources God had given them. In addition to Christian education, they supported scores of Christian churches and ministries.

Mr. DeVos was director of the Board of Home Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church and with his late wife, Helen, generously supported the work of denominational outreach. He was a member of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, where he served as an elder, and he was a former member of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

He was an active political supporter and major contributor to the Republican Party. Mr. DeVos was a friend of U.S. Presidents Gerald R. Ford, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and William J. Clinton. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the Presidential Commission on AIDS. He served as finance chairman for the Republican National Committee and was a member of the Advisory Board for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Mr. DeVos served numerous organizations with board leadership both locally and nationally. Local roles included: honorary committee member of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; Spectrum Health Board member; director of the Grand Rapids Economic Club and of the Heart of West Michigan United Way; president of Junior Achievement of Grand Rapids; and member of the board of trustees for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation.

Notable national leadership roles included: board member and chairman, Direct Selling Association; chairman, Direct Selling Education Foundation; director of the National Association of Manufacturing; member of the board of trustees, National Constitution Center; board member and founding chairman, National Organization on Disability; chairman of the Speakers Bureau for the United Network on Organ Sharing; council of trustees, Freedoms Foundation; and president, Council for National Policy.

Following are a few of the numerous major awards presented to Mr. DeVos: Norman Vincent Peale Award for Positive Thinking; Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award; Direct Selling Education Foundation Circle of Honor Award; Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame; Horatio Alger Association Horatio Alger Award; American Marketing Association Edison Award; Sales and Marketing Executives International Academy of Achievement; Salvation Army William Booth Award; Napoleon Hill Gold Medal Award for Free Enterprise Achievement; The Philanthropy Roundtable William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership;  Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Corporate Citizenship Award; Intercollegiate Studies Institute Trustee’s Award for Distinguished Service and Charles H. Hoeflich Lifetime Achievement Award; the Orlando Magazine Best Corporate Citizen Award; Grand Rapids Symphony Bravo! Award; and the Michigan Republican House and Senate American Spirit Award. He also holds 14 honorary doctorate degrees from various colleges and universities across the country.

Mr. DeVos was born March 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School, attended Calvin College, and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944 to 1946. He married the former Helen J. Van Wesep of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1953.

Mr. DeVos was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen, and is survived by their children and spouses Dick and Betsy, Dan and Pamella, Cheri, and Doug and Maria; grandchildren and their spouses Rick and Melissa, Elissa and Nate, Andrea and Michael, Ryan, Cassandra and Heath, Sydney and Andrew, Cole, Hannah, Katie, Ben, Jessa, Addie, Dalton, Micaela and Jordan, Monreau, and Olivia; and great-grandchildren Clara, Sloane, Remington, Richard, Wilhelmina, Aurelia, Taggart, and Riven. He is also survived by two sisters, Bernice Heys and Janice (Bob) Courts.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Grand Rapids Christian School Association, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, or Prison Fellowship Ministries.

Please visit www.RichDeVos.com for more information.

Statement from the Family of Rich DeVosOur father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Rich DeVos, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on September 6, 2018, at age 92.

Dad spread positivity everywhere he went and encouraged everyone he met.  He did that for his children and grandchildren, and for countless others around the world.  His positivity was a constant, motivating force that inspired many others to make meaningful changes in their own lives and communities.  He was a visionary leader, builder, life enricher, motivator, and a champion for people from all walks of life.

Rich DeVos was many things to many people, but to us he was simply “Dad,” “Grandpa,” “Bumpa,” or “Papa Great.”  We are deeply grateful and blessed beyond measure to have been loved unconditionally, raised, mentored, and inspired by him.  He was a role model unlike any other.

While we are saddened by his passing, our hearts are full as we celebrate the extraordinary life he led. We are comforted that he is reunited with Mom, and that together they are experiencing the joy of eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Richard M. DeVos, Co-Founder of Amway, Dies

ORLANDO - When the DeVos family and Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins originally sat down with architects more than a decade ago to discuss how they wanted the Amway Center, now an award-winning venue, to look and feel, one particular feature from the renderings really intrigued them.

Even though it wasn’t something that would be added right away, the DeVos’ always kept the idea in their minds, and in their hearts. Now, nearly eight years since the opening of the Amway Center, the hope of delivering a downtown sports and entertainment complex to Central Floridians is on the verge of being built.

With a strong, everlasting belief that this development will boost Orlando and its neighboring communities in nearly every which way possible, the DeVos family, Martins and the entire Magic organization are beyond excited about what’s coming to their own backyard.

“From the day that the Amway Center was contemplated, the DeVos family made revitalizing downtown and the Parramore area a priority for themselves,” Martins said. “The very first time we met with our architects along with the city to design the Amway Center, the very first design had a development right across the street from the Amway Center. Both the DeVos family and the mayor were very motivated by that, very intrigued by that.”

“Their commitment to this, their investment in this, the DeVos family has shown that they are truly interested in ensuring that this portion of downtown in particular continues to improve and gets raised up,” Martins added.

With a class A office space, multi-family residences, a first-class hotel with meeting and event space, a multitude of dining options, and a vibrant central events plaza with the latest in WiFi, lighting, audio, and digital experiences, this innovative and all-inclusive project will have something for everyone.

The proposed office building, which will become the Orlando Magic’s headquarters, will feature approximately seven levels of office space, and a 3/1,000 SF parking ratio, while the tenant experience will include tomorrow’s tech in regard to renewable utilities, security, transportation, digital infrastructure, and health and wellness.

At some point in 2019 construction will begin, with the entire complex expected to be up and running two years from then.

The goal is to make this project a 365-day-a-year destination for locals and tourists alike, regardless of what events are taking place at the Amway Center or any of the other nearby venues.

In addition to being socio-economic growth catalysts for Parramore and the other surrounding areas, the Magic are ecstatic knowing they are going to help pump in countless job opportunities.

“There is no doubt this development will create jobs,” Martins said. “When you are talking about a 250-room hotel, when you are talking about 200,000 square feet of office space, that means people and businesses are going to be moving into this space. And then there is going to be all types of entertainment based retail, restaurants, perhaps a social bowling alley, all that will create jobs.”

The project now enters the phase of procuring tenants for the office and retail components of the project.  As such, Foundry Commercial will assist in securing qualified marquee office tenants while JLL will assist in securing qualified marquee retail tenants for the project.

Other teams, such as the New England Patriots and L.A.’s downtown sports franchises, the Lakers, Clippers and Kings, have seen first-hand how an adjacent entertainment compound really helps. Now, the Magic expect similar results in their community, with perhaps even more amenities offered than the others currently operating around the country.

“The differentiator we think is the fact that we are really focusing on this being a smart development,” Martins said. “Really focused on technology, really focused on a holistic approach to living, working and playing. We’re going to be very focused on security, very focused on health and wellness amenities for the people who are going to be living here as well as the people who are going to be working in the office tower. It really is going to be focused on sustainability as well.”

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DeVos Family's Vision Coming to Fruition

ORLANDO - In an effort to continue the revitalization of downtown Orlando and Parramore, and to centralize the Orlando Magic staff downtown, the team continues to make progress on the Sports and Entertainment development design which will represent a $200 million-plus investment by the Magic and its partners that will create jobs and provide dining, hotel, living, and entertainment options.

The design will feature class A office space, multi-family residences, a first-class hotel with meeting and event space, a multitude of dining options, and a vibrant central events plaza with the latest in WiFi, lighting, audio, and digital experiences.

The proposed office building, which will become the Orlando Magic’s headquarters, will feature approximately seven levels (~200,000 square feet) of office space, and a 3/1,000 SF parking ratio, while the tenant experience will include tomorrow’s tech in regard to renewable utilities, security, transportation, digital infrastructure, and health and wellness.

“Like with the Amway Center, this has been several years of planning and working with the City to find the right avenue to add another iconic destination that will add to the core of downtown,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “We look forward to entering this new stage as we work with our partners to make Orlando a great place to live, work and play.”

The development, situated next to Amway Center, is located north of Church Street, east of Division Avenue, south of Central Avenue and west of Hughey Avenue. This development will further enhance the Magic’s expanding footprint in downtown Orlando, while complementing the Amway Center and Orlando City Soccer’s stadium. The city-owned, Magic-designed Amway Center, where the Magic have played their home games since 2010, has been widely hailed as one of the finest sports facilities in North America. It was named the 2012 Sports Facility of the Year by the SportsBusiness Journal. The dazzling facility also allowed Orlando to play host to the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has taken great pride in the success of the Amway Center, hailing it as “the envy of everyone in the NBA and the envy of everyone around the country.”

The Magic’s major investment also continues their efforts in the revitalization of downtown Orlando and the Parramore neighborhood. The Magic and the Parramore community have long been partners in helping the citizens of that region. The Magic have given more than $1 million to the Parramore community while also donating thousands of community service hours, building nine reading and learning centers and two playgrounds, and providing hundreds of backpacks with school supplies.

Martins is proud that the Magic have been able to broaden their footprint downtown so that they can continue to be socio-economic growth catalysts for the area. Martins is also extremely proud that the Magic will continue to be leaders in the growth and development of Parramore.

“It’s our neighborhood and it’s important to us that we continue to help revitalize it,” Martins said of Parramore. “We think this is another significant step. Like the great addition of Orlando City Soccer’s stadium, hopefully this is a spark for others to invest in that part of downtown. Downtown really stretches from Orange Avenue to Camping World Stadium. So, this is an opportunity to spark the western side of that stretch.”

Rendering 1: View from Amway Center tower looking to northwest.  At left is hotel with meeting and event space; at center of rendering is the multi-family tower; at right side of rendering is the office building; structured parking extends from below office structure to multi-family structure; retail on the ground floor throughout.

Rendering 2: Aerial view looking from southeast to northwest.  At left is hotel with meeting and event space; at top of rendering is multi-family tower; right side of image is the office building; structured parking extends from below office structure to multi-family structure; retail on the ground floor throughout.

About Foundry Commercial
Foundry Commercial is a full-service real estate services and investment company with 301 employees and more than 48 million square feet of management and leasing across the Southeast and Texas.  Foundry provides corporate services, brokerage, leasing, building management and project management services, and is the largest real estate service provider to religious and not-for-profit organizations in the Country.  Foundry also includes a development and investment platform that is fully integrated into its services business, leveraging its local market expertise to control nearly $1 billion in advanced investment opportunities in partnership with its clients.  Foundry Commercial was founded by CNL Commercial Real Estate in 2007 and launched as Foundry in 2016 through a management-led buyout.

About JLL
We are passionate about retail, and we’re ready to share intelligence to help you achieve your ambitions.  To us, retail intelligence is more than just information.  It’s the combination of three key elements. First, we have reliable data and powerful connections across the globe.  As the leading third-party retail service provider, we have access to more than 1,400 centers totaling 136 million square feet under management, lease, and sale.  That’s Market Intelligence.  And, because we are all people we talk like people, our meetings and conversations and our relationships are collaborations.  We have more than 160 retail brokerage experts spanning 39 markets, supporting 1,400 retail clients.  That’s People Intelligence.  Then natural curiosity in.  We move steps ahead of the industry and are constantly seeking inspiration. That’s Future Intelligence.  Together these work to form Retail Intelligence.  The fuel for your Ambitions.

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Orlando Magic Continue to Refine Design of Sports and Entertainment Development

Jose Fremaint

Our 30th anniversary season will be a celebration of our rich history and iconic identity as Orlando’s basketball team. Join us as we pay homage to our roots and look towards a bright future throughout the course of the 2018-19 season.

Visit our Orlando Magic 30th Anniversary Page

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Orlando Magic Unveil 30 Years of Pure Magic

Philadelphia will receive the L.A. Lakers' pick if it lands on 1, 10, 11 or 12

Boston will receive the L.A. Lakers' pick if it lands on 2 or 3

L.A. Clippers will receive Detroit's pick if it lands on 12 or 13

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2018 NBA Draft Lottery Odds

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ticketmaster

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Be There for Game 6 on Fri. May 1: <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/playoffs">Get Tickets &raquo;</a>