The Florida Green Building Coalition, celebrating its 15th year, has released a list of 15 home builders who have built the most FGBC-certified houses.
Lee Wetherington Homes' Verona model in The Concession, Manatee County, is a "best overall" design award winner in its price category in the 2015 Parade of Homes. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-7-2-2014.
The Sarasota-Bradenton market has four builders on the list – Lee Wetherington Homes, Neal Communities, Taylor Morrison Homes and Kimball Hill Construction.
The list, in alphabetical order:
Florida’s Top 15 Green Home Builders:
- Atlantic Housing Partners, Winter Park
- Contravest Management Company, Altamonte Springs
- FLF Holdings, Jupiter
- Florida Home Partnership, Ruskin
- Hovnanian Homes, Tampa
- Kimball Hill Homes, Bradenton
- Lee Wetherington Homes, Sarasota
- Minto Communities, Coconut Creek
- Neal Communities, Sarasota
- Premier Construction & Development, Tallahassee
- Southern Crafted Homes, Land O’ Lakes
- Taylor Morrison Homes, Sarasota
- WCI Communities, Bonita Springs
- William Ryan Homes, Tampa
- ZOM Development, Ft. Lauderdale
Neal Communities' Gull 2 model in Central Park at Lakewood Ranch. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 2-18-2014.
“These builders are being recognized for their conscientious green building efforts in creating healthier and safer homes and a more sustainable Florida,” said Suzanne Cook, executive director of FGBC. “As FGBC marks its 15th anniversary, we’re pleased to salute their contributions to creating more resilient communities and protecting Florida’s natural resources.”
Cook said FGBC-certified homes meet a “technically rigorous” building assessment and construction process to promote design and construction practices that “reduce the negative environmental impacts of the building, improve occupant health and well-being, and reduce operating costs for the owner.”
All houses built in Lakewood Ranch must be FGBC-certified; Wetherington, Neal and Taylor Morrison all build there.
"I applaud these builders for taking the path of sustainability," said Drew Smith, founding president of the FGBC and a current board member. "Lakewood Ranch has been at the forefront of that by mandating it. Green building has become mainstream. They know how to do it and do a great job at it. Lakewood Ranch generates at least 50 percent of the FGBC single-family certifications in the state."
Said Smith of his role in the organization, "It has been very rewarding and FGBC has come a long way in 15 years. Having played a role in creating it, it is like watching your kid graduate from high school."
On the cover: A Taylor Morrison model home in Cobblestone on Palmer Ranch.
