they can afford in this very expensive city. Harvey’s passion and bluntness made recent headlines when he walked out of a city planning meeting when he believed the commission seemed to be doing everything possible to make building workforce housing near downtown impossible. My hat is off to Harvey, and every builder who fights the good fight to get something done – and call out hypocrisy – with our public officials. It always amazes me when builders and developers in our region are given a bad rap. These folks are some of the hardest working business owners I know. They have the vision and the stamina to keep our economy flowing. They are among some of our most successful small business, delivering top-notch client satisfaction. OK… enough of my soapbox. Speaking of giving your customers what they want, some builders have made a name for themselves by providing a very specialized product. Take Steve Ellis and Grant Castillow, co-founders of My Green Buildings, which is now known as MGB Home Builders. I first met Steve right after he formed My Green Buildings in 2006. With a lifetime of building experience absorbed from growing up in the construction industry, Steve decided he could improve the home building experience and provide a sustainable LEED product in answer to a new trend he was observing: Green Living. While sustainability remains an overriding principle of their construction methods, the name “MGB Built” was chosen to better represent the quality, strength and experience these unique builders provide. There’s also a demand for living close to nature. South Sarasota County is becoming a booming area for its incredible opportunities to experience true Florida. I counted fifteen official preserves listed on the srqecoseeker.com website. Dozens of trails, waterways and bird sanctuaries wind their way through these preserved lands. My late cousin, Stewart Udall, Secretary of Interior under President Kennedy, was famous for his quotes on nature. He said, ‘”Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.” Regarding preservation, he said that “...parklands have a major role in providing superlative opportunities for outdoor recreation, but they have other “people serving” values, too.” Smart builders know this. There is a positive economic impact to ecological efforts. It is a draw. People are inspired by nature. Living near preserved land is a huge attraction that can influence property values in an enviable way. Within a very small radius, Bay Street by D.H. Horton, Edgewater at Hidden Bay, Ryland Homes’ Palms at Casey Key and Bayside by Taylor Morrison are examples of projects that are popping up for folks who find value in another Udall quote, “Cherish sunsets, wild creatures and wild places. Have a love affair with the wonder and beauty of the earth.” I give sincere thanks to wise developers, elected officials and organizations like Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. They are influencing our future by overcoming small-minded arguments while saving our rich natural bounty of land and waters. They know that the outcomes of their efforts parallel those in my home state. After all, “There’s not a single person in Arizona today who would say the Grand Canyon was a mistake,” was another well-said quote from my cousin.
HOMES Realtors find the properties to facilitate our life changes; builders and developers plan the big picture. But it’s the contractor, architect, designer, retailer and artisan who jump into the nitty-gritty of personalizing our homes. Tom and Geri Chaffee have led a constantly changing, renaissance lifestyle. After a music industry career performing with many of rock’s finest, a second career bubbled up in the entrepreneurial tech world when he founded ePublishing.com. He currently multi-tasks with consulting, investing, speaking and advising as one of Fortune Magazine’s featured “Insiders” while Geri’s marketing company gave her experience in a wide variety of skills she uses to manage their real estate holdings and adventurous family. They have taught their children to find their respective genius by experiencing all that life has to offer. From home schooling, to jumping in the RV for a nationwide tour, the Chaffee’s are a family team that takes advantage of opportunities. So, when the opportunity came for the children to attend Pine View in Osprey, the family relocated to this quiet town in order to avoid the long commute from Lido Beach. At first, the old house they found on the water was seen as temporary. Then they fell in love with the slower pace and surrounding nature. And so began a multi-phase renovation that has brought together a local team of specialists and landed the family on national TV. Lucas Congdon’s company, Lucas Lagoons, was one of many pool companies that the Chaffee’s interviewed to remodel their pool area. Born into a family of Vermont landscapers and stonemasons, Lucas has been cutting and crafting stone since the age of 14 when his creative talents and love for outdoor design quickly surfaced. Now based in Sarasota, Lucas built a company that produces incredible, state-of-the-art, custom projects. Some of these captured the attention of network television where he is now the star of Animal Planet’s hit series, Insane Pools: Off the Deep End. Lucas and the Chaffee family clicked immediately. With a team of characters that include people with the nicknames “Woman”, “Crash”, “Old Man” and “Sunshine’”, it’s no wonder Lucas’ show is in its second season with a rabid fan base! To call the Chaffee’s new pool a remodel would be a gargantuan understatement. Lucas’ company started with a dated, caged rectangle of water from which they created a bird sanctuary with multi-leveled infinity water edges and a stage for impromptu musical performances by Tom and his musician friends. You can see the transformation documented on the episode entitled “For the Birds.” Another resource was Celeste Gruenstein, who left a successful career as an international trade attorney to jump into the entrepreneurial world. By using her established relationships in China and whip-smart mind, Celeste has built a company with a mission to reclaim, restore and repurpose. Decor Direct Wholesale Warehouse has been supplying innovative and sustainable home furnishings to the design trade and general public since 1998. Animal Planet was so impressed by Celeste and her company, they contracted her to be a regular on their hit show Insane Pools. The Bradenton-based facility boasts three structures, numerous outdoor spaces and a team that exudes June 2016
|
SCENE
83