Real Estate Wire/Green Trends News Wire

Jeff and Lori Hooks ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. -- Jeff and Lori Hooks lived the life of a military family for 30 years, moving from base to base. During that time, St. Augustine Beach served as more of a hometown for them than most other places. “When we vacationed, we would vacation in St. Augustine. So, our kids knew it as kind of a summer home,” Lori said. With Jeff’s Marine Corps career now behind him, the couple will finally claim the beach community as their own. Jeff and Lori will be among the first residents to move into Ocean Ridge, located on Anastasia Island at Mickler Road and 11th Street. Developed by McGarvey Residential Communities, Ocean Ridge will offer Florida beach style architecture with lake views and private swim club. In early 2019 the Hooks will move into their new semi-custom home, built by SH Design. Ocean Ridge builders, Riverside Homes and SH Design, both offer expansive floor plans, spacious master suites, gourmet kitchens and covered patios sta...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mike Bonts Public Relations, a Jacksonville, Fla. based marketing firm that works with real estate, hospitality and tourism clients throughout the Southeast, has launched a new web site. “We are excited to partner with Orlando, Fla.-based 82 Agency, an accomplished web development and brand identity company with brilliant ideas and a contagious amount of energy, to give our online presence an accelerated, creative boost,” Mike Bonts said. The new website, launched during the Southeast Building Conference being held at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, acts as a dynamic platform reflecting a fresh approach to public relations and brand building while outlining skill sets and experience. Designed without flash and with the ability to open beautifully on any device, the website is all-in-one, reflecting 82 Agency’s creativity and attention to detail. “Our websites build a brand story that will resonate- especially when it comes to design, content and navigation,...

ORLANDO, Fla. --Rita Williams' Merchandising Plus showcased their creativity for clients by being honored during the design portion of the EXCEL and AURORA Awards in the interior merchandising categories at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) in Orlando last week. "We had a marvelous time at SEBC and I am so proud of our builders and developers, our suppliers and whole team," said Williams, owner of Merchandising Plus, specializing in home builder and developer marketing for single- family residential, multifamily, resorts and active senior living. "The awards are a testament to everyone's dedication to meet a client's expectations while enhancing their customer's vision for creativity, quality and design. Clients receiving Awards for Best Interior Merchandising included: Developer and Builder ICI Homes for The Victoria Model at Tamaya, Jacksonville, Fla. Builder and Developer D.R. Horton for: The Lantana Model at Country Club H...

(Photo by Nancy Beecher) NEW YORK - Inc. magazine has revealed that LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville-based general contractor specializing in multifamily, senior living and mixed-use development is on its 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. LandSouth Construction ranked No. 1509 and it’s the second consecutive year it has appeared on the prestigious list that represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—private small businesses. In the photo, LandSouth Construction President/CEO James Pyle (left), Joe Passkiewicz, Senior Vice President, Development and Dana Webb, Vice President, Finance celebrating a year of accomplishments at the company's 20th Anniversary Celebration earlier this year.  LandSouth Construction is currently working on apartments, senior living and mixed-use developments throughout the Southeast including North Augus...

WASHINGTON -The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) today announced an agreement to extend the co-location of the NAHB  International Builders' Show® (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), known as Design & Construction Week® (DCW). The new six-year agreement will begin in 2020 and will run through the 2026 shows. Created by the two associations in 2014, DCW has become the banner industry event focused on new ideas, products and technologies to design, build and remodel homes. ' While IBS and KBIS remain two separate and distinct shows, the combined shows host more than 2,000 exhibiting brands spanning over a million net square feet of exhibit space, making DCW the largest annual gathering of the residential design and construction industry. One pass provides attendee access to both shows. "We have seen extraordinary growth and success of Design & Construction Week over the pa...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  - Local female leaders talked about how they found success in male dominated professions during a “Women in Leadership” panel discussion, held at Riverside House. The event was sponsored by the AIA Jacksonville Chapter's Women in Architecture Committee. Sherry Magill, former president of Jessie Ball duPont Fund, moderated a conversation that covered everything from commanding respect to finding mentors to navigating their career as a minority. They advised a largely female audience to speak up for equal pay and promotions, form a network of peers when mentors are scarce, and to be oneself. “Remember, expressing femininity does not make you weak,” one of the panelists said. The five panelists represented widely diverse careers, and included Michelle Tappouni, property development director for Ability Housing; Commander Kim DaCosta-Azar, U.S. Navy pilot; Jennifer Shoaf Richardson, lawyer for Jackson Lewis P.C.; Jennifer Suharmadji, senior architect at Ha...

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the state’s leading certifier of green projects, will be featured at this year’s Southeast Building Conference beginning Thursday at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary of being the original regional trade show, the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) - Aug. 16-17, 2018 in Kissimmee, Fla. - continues to be the place to grow the building industry. “We are proud to celebrate this milestone with a sold-out show,” says Drew Smith, SEBC Committee Chairman, Chief Operating Officer of Two Trails Sustainable Building Consultants and FGBC member. “It’s amazing to know that what started as an idea over 40 years ago, has grown to become one of the most sought-after industry events in the Southeast.” With a mission of education, verified third-party certifications and community outreach and advocacy since being founded in 2000, FGBC is by far the largest certifier of ...

Osceola County Commissioners and County staff receive a framed copy of the Florida Green Government certificate from representatives of the Florida Green Building Coalition. Osceola County keeps mining Silver by participating in a rigorous Green Government program that rewards improved environmental performance. The County was re-certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Monday, August 6,  2018. The County was certified again at the Silver level. It received the original award in 2012 – and is one of only 14 in the state of Florida that is currently certified. “It’s an honor to be a leader in this very worthwhile program,” said Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Cheryl Grieb. “Achieving this certification can lead to a streamlining of operating costs, better departmental communication and cooperation, as well as a wealth of environmental benefits, including a measurable reduction in CO2.” The FGBC Certified Green Lo...

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Avail Group and builder Encore Homes of North Florida are delighted to announce the opening of their designer model home in Moultrie Woods near historic St. Augustine, Fla. “Making good neighborhoods great is more than just a company motto,” noted The Avail Group President Eli Rozier. “It’s our mission.” Over the past 20 years, Rozier has owned, rehabilitated, and developed residential real estate while integrating a variety of businesses with different cultures and business practices. Founded in 2005, The Avail Group began by rehabilitating houses in Columbia, S.C while migrating into brokerage, development, property management, and the wealth building aspects of real estate.  They have partnered with Encore Homes to rejuvenate one of St. Johns County’s traditional neighborhoods with much needed affordable, work-force housing. Moultrie Woods, located off Wildwood Drive near State Road 207, consists of 17 beautiful home sites with t...

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Providence One Partners, a Lake Mary, Fla. based multi-disciplined real estate development, investment, and consulting company, has broken ground on a new office/retail building at the front entrance of the premier Colonial TownPark in Lake Mary, Fla that will also become home to the company.   Focused on client-driven real estate solutions, Providence One Partners was founded in 2008 by Tom Green and Michelle Pierce. They have a distinguished track record and over 60 years of industry experience in multiple property types. Scheduled for occupancy in the first quarter of 2019, the ground floor features 5,400 square feet of retail or restaurant space with a patio seating option. Providence One will occupy 2,700 square feet on the second floor with an additional 2,700 square feet of Class A office space available for lease. “It’s a strategically located building at the front entrance of and last developable parcel in the award winning Colonial TownP...

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – Ocean Ridge is a rare opportunity to own a pristine, new homesite just blocks from the ocean on highly sought-after Anastasia Island. Nestled among the natural beauty of rolling dunes and majestic oak canopies, McGarvey Residential Communities’ newest development is the last planned community in St. Augustine Beach. Close attention to the environment, respecting open space, maintaining the topography, architectural elements and landscaping with native plant material are features that distinguish every McGarvey community. St. Augustine Beach resident Mark Bailey bought a homesite in Ocean Ridge. He knows first-hand how McGarvey seamlessly integrates people, architecture and the environment while upholding the integrity of each. “In the vision, planning stage and in the development phase, Jay focuses on specifics. He thinks through the details and aesthetics. That attention to detail is what makes his communities special, especially for families,” ...