Real Estate Wire/Green Trends News Wire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  The Florida Apartment Association(FAA)  has called for more state housing funds to be allocated to affordable multifamily projects. According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, t he demand for affordable housing is on the rise and many Floridians struggle to pay for housing.  Florida will need to add 669,000 new apartment homes by 2030 to keep pace with the state's current demand for apartments. Florida has a dedicated funding source to build more affordable homes in the form of the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund, but year after year these funds are swept to pay for other budgeting concerns.  In addition, only 35 percent of funds from the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund are allocated to apartments, per Florida Statute 420.9075, while 65 percent of funds are allocated to home ownership programs.  According to FAA, partments can provide more housing per square foot at a lower cost than single-family homes. Additionally, apartments can

ORLANDO - The annual International Council of Shopping Centers' (ICSC) Florida Deal Making Conference is the one-stop for education, networking and deal making, providing an opportunity for attendees to gain information about current industry issues, meet and interact with colleagues doing business in the same region and make deals. This year’s event, which takes place Aug. 26 – 28 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. With brokers, retailers, product and service providers and other industry professionals in attendance, ICSC Florida Conference 2018 will showcase a wide range of products and services related to shop, retail and municipal sectors.The approximate number of exhibitors is over 250. Over 4,000 visitors are expected at this event. One of the biggest highlights of this annual event is the destination itself. Orlando has long served as a cultural center—a place where people not only flock to theme parks but spend lots of time shopping, too, making it a natur

COCOA, Fla.  -- The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) will be offering The Florida Green Home Certification Training course and exam for becoming a Designated Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Certifying Agent. FGBC is a nonprofit 501(C)3 Florida corporation dedicated to improving the built environment. Founded in 2000, FGBC is the leading certifier of green projects in Florida with a mission is to lead and promote a state of sustainability with environmental, economic, and social benefits through regional education, information, grassroots outreach and certification programs. This two-day course will be offered on Thursday, Aug. 9, and Friday, Aug. 10, 2018 at the Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Fla.  32922. This will be the only course offered this year.  FSEC, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to serve as the state’s energy research institute. The main responsibilities of

CHARLESTON, S.C. – LandSouth Construction, an award-winning Jacksonville, Fla. based general contractor specializing in multifamily, senior living and mixed-use development has begun construction on The Merchant, a $37 million luxury apartment community in historic Charleston, S.C. Developer Pollack Shores Real Estate Group of Atlanta, Ga. chose Cline Design Associates of Raleigh, N.C. as the architect for the gated, 10 building, three and four-story development that sits on six beautifully landscaped acres. Completion is scheduled for December 2019. “The Merchant’s architectural design and construction takes full advantage of its location and appeal to the city’s young professionals and students. The 244,940 square foot project will offer a host of on-site amenities including communal gathering spots and residences configured in one and two-bedroom floor plans.  It will also include commercial space that will further enhance the urban living experience,” said James P

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Beachwalk celebrated a major milestone this week when developer John Kinsey emptied the last gallon of water into the new communities’ 14-acre crystal-clear lagoon, completing a world-class amenity. The lagoon contains 37 million gallons of water and serves as the anchor for Beachwalk, bringing a little bit of the Caribbean to Northeast Florida. “Some said it wouldn’t happen,” said Kinsey of the largest man-made lagoon in the country. “I think today, with the filling of the lagoon, we have silenced the doubters. There’s nothing else like it in Northeast Florida.” Set against a white lining, the lagoon has taken on the natural turquoise hue that will deepen to a “Caribbean” blue.  The sparkling waters are surrounded by a 100-foot white-sand beach with wavy palms and winding footpaths. B eachwalk is a truly a developer’s vision that has become a reality. “We’ve owned this property for a long time,” recalls Kinsey. I t’s part of the New Twi

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the leading certifier of green projects in the state, announced today during the Florida Association of Counties annual conference in Orlando, that 10 counties have become "Florida Green" certified.  Manatee County was Florida’s first platinum-certified county government. Manatee joins Charlotte, Martin, Osceola, Orange, Pinellas, Sarasota, St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Volusia. In all, 94 local governments through out the state are either certified or registered to be certified though FGBC. An all time high since the non-profit was founded in 2000.  FGBC’s Green Local Government Certification program is the only one of its type in the state endorsed by the Florida Legislature, the Florida League of Cities and the Florida League of Mayors. “We commend local governments for their dedication to sustainability and pursuing local certification,” said C. J. Davila, FGBC’s Executive Director. “This achievement d