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Showing posts from June, 2015

Homeownership Rates Drop to Historic Lows

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The fledgling U.S. housing recovery lost momentum last year as homeownership rates continued to fall, single-family construction remained near historic lows, and existing home sales cooled, concludes The State of the Nation’s Housing report released today by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.  In contrast, rental markets continued to grow, fueled by another large increase in the number of renter households. However, with rents rising and incomes well below pre-recession levels, the U.S. is also seeing record numbers of cost-burdened renters, including more renter households higher up the income scale. “Perhaps the most telling indicator of the state of the nation’s housing is the drop in the homeownership rate to just 64.5 percent last year,” says Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies. “This erases nearly all of the increase from the previous two decades. In fact, the number of homeowners fell for...

City, U.S. Green Building Council North Florida Achieve Energy Efficiency for Taxpayers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville’s St. James Building, which houses City Hall, has earned ENERGY STAR certification from the Environmental Protection Agency. The designation comes after several years of partnership between the city and the U.S. Department of Energy to track energy usage in public buildings and achieve energy efficiency for taxpayers and the environment. “The St. James Building is a historic architectural jewel in Downtown. I want to thank our Public Buildings Division for their great stewardship of our buildings and the environment, reducing costs for Jacksonville taxpayers by making energy efficiency a priority,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “I also want to thank the United States Green Building Council North Florida for engineer Mark Gelfo’s assistance in helping us achieve the ENERGY STAR designation.” Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR certification perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide, using an average of 35 percen...

SENIOR LIVING: First Phases of American House Opens with Salute to Veterans

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BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. - With a focus on Veterans, LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville, Fla. based general contractor specializing in multifamily, senior housing and mixed use developments, helped celebrate the grand opening of Phase One and Two of American House Senior Living Community in Bonita Springs, Fla. With veterans, city officials and residents present during the ceremony, American House announced it will be a sponsor of the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team that will play in Bonita Springs on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. AH Bonita Springs LLC is the developer and Progressive Associates the architect of phase one and two of the $14,101,099 senior community. “American House is a quality developer with a lot of experience with nearly 4,300 senior living units across nearly 40 communities, making it one of the top-25 largest senior living providers in the U.S,” said LandSouth’s Vice President of Operations Joe Passkiewicz. Nestled on 25 acres, American Hou...

Rita Williams' Merchandising Completes Spectacular New Model for ICI Homes at Amelia National

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Further Information Contact: Mike Bonts mike@bontspr.com (904) 424-6641 AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- Amelia National Golf & Country Club, a Fernandina Beach community built and developed by ICI Homes, recently announced the opening of its newest model home, the Egret II. ICI Homes called on Jacksonville, Fla. based Rita Williams' Merchandising Plus to reflect lifestyle in Amelia National's latest model home in this historic setting. “A grand dream home that sparked immediate sales in our once again active market place.  This showhome has enticed back second home destination, retirement and the empty nester’s buyer,” Williams said of the Egret II. Upon entering the foyer you are met with a fantasy décor of artful barefoot elegance. Immediately bring the outside within this open Grand Living, Dining and Theatre Kitchen floorplan. "Our goal was to make every prospective buyer instantly excited to have the Egret II as t...

Generation Homes Begins New Home in Beach Haven

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For further information contact: Mike Bonts @ (904) 424-6641 mike@mbprgroup.com PALM COAST, Fla. (June 15, 2015) – Generation Homes is unveiling its newest custom coastal design- The Tides End –in the ocean side community of Beach Haven in Northeast Flagler County. The Tides End, designed in collaboration with Michael Stauffer A1A, epitomizes modern coastal cottage architecture with sprawling front and rear porches and metal roof accents. The home features three bedrooms, two baths, and an oversized two car garage in 3,170 total square feet, 2,244 square feet heated and cooled . As you enter, the foyer opens into a spectacular Great Room that is perfect for relaxing or entertaining. An upstairs rec room offers a tranquil getaway spot. The kitchen features GE Energy Star appliances, LG Viaterra Quartz counter tops, 42-inch cabinets with crown molding, Moen faucets with a lifetime warranty and a deep stainless steel sink. The l...

LandSouth Construction Begins $49 Million Mixed Use Project

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 9, 2015) -- LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville, Fla. based general contractor specializing in multifamily, senior housing and mixed use developments, has begun construction on 500 Ocean, a $49 million mixed-use apartment community in Boynton Beach, Fla. A six-story building on 4.7 acres will connect the 341 luxury apartment homes with a parking garage, clubhouse, pool, retail and office space as well as other convenient resort style amenities. Award winning LeCesse Development Corp. of Altamonte Springs, Fla. is developing 500 Ocean Apartments. The project is being designed by MSA Architects of Miami, Fla.  and is scheduled to be completed by April 2017. “500 Ocean Apartments is true upscale Florida living with spectacular views, resort style amenities, a public transportation stop, nearby beach access, retail, office and restaurants planned,” said LandSouth’s Vice President of Operations Joe Passkiewicz. “The project is in-line with the C...