Islamorada, Florida – Workforce Town Homes

Florida Keys, Islamorada, Florida
The Middle Keys Land Trust and Bayview Builders – Jim Saunders

The Middle Keys Community Land Trust and Bayview Homes proudly introduce Woods Corner, Islamorada’s newest affordable/workforce housing community. The property consists of 16 two-story system-built homes, each with 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths.The homes have been reserved for purchase by the low and moderate income workforce of the Upper Keys. Homes are available for ownership and priced at $130,500 and $190,000.

The property was developed by the Middle Keys CLT, a local non-profit organization dedicated to the creation and preservation of affordable/workforce housing, and was constructed by Bayview Homes, a local builder with extensive local experience. Palm Harbor Homes was chosen as the system built manufacturer. Bayview’s comprehensive construction services handled all aspects of permitting and construction. Rick Casey, Administrator of the Middle Keys CLT reports, “I continue to be impressed with the knowledge, experience and professionalism which the Bayview Homes team has regularly demonstrated throughout the project.”

The Middle Keys CLT acquired the land, construction financing and is now currently marketing the homes to those working in our community. The project has been possible due to several community partners, including the Village of Islamorada, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and the Monroe County SHIP Program. Jim Saunders, President of Bayview Homes comments, “This was truly a community based project. The Middle Keys Community Land Trust was impressive and perseverant as the lead on this project. Local sub-contractors were used when possible. The Village building and planning staff, and the Village Council of Islamorada were instrumental to the success of the project.”

Bay St. Louis – Coastal Reconstruction

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
De Novo Mississippi Homes – Mickey Renfroe

De Novo Mississippi Homes is active in the Bay St. Louis area assisting with the reconstruction of high end coastal homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Bayou La Batre – Hurricane Community Rebuilding

Bayou La Batre, Alabama
The Mitchell Company – Chris Sylvester and Ken Kvalheim

The Mitchell Company is working with the city of Bayou La Batre to assist flood victims to finally move out of their FEMA travel trailers. Following a failed attempt with site built construction, the city partnered with the Mitchell Company and Palm Harbor Homes to provide more attractive, better built and energy efficient homes that are elevated 8 to 10 feet to survive future storms and flooding.

Sarasota Signature – High End Coastal Infill

Sarasota Signature Properties, Sarasota, Florida

Using Palm Harbor modular homes, Sarasota Signature Properties develops luxury lifestyle homes on infill properties for the discerning Coastal buyer. Read more on Sarasota Signature’s developments.

Cove Gardens – Workforce Housing Subdivision

Cove Gardens, Pensacola, Florida
Land Services of Pensacola – Skip Butler

Cove Gardens is an urban subdivision providing workforce housing without sacrificing style using Palm Harbor homes.

Fulton Place – Subdivision

Fulton Place, Foley, Alabama
Samaritan Development Group – Kyle Bohannon and Terry Holman

Fulton Place is an upscale 107 site subdivision providing complete turn-key pricing form $149,900 to $249,900. The development is centered around a spring-fed lake and features homes with southern-style bungalow architecture and rear garages built by Palm Harbor Homes.

Land Trust Homes Go Modular

Strategy helps Hannibal Square keep its affordability…

Read the full article on Orlando Sentinel (Sep. 23, 2007) by Christopher Sherman.

There is No Place Like (a Pre-fab) Home

Read the full article on Herald Tribune (Sep. 5, 2007) by Cathy Zollo about the success of Sarasota Signature Properties, one of Palm Harbor‘s building partners in Florida, in delivering custom, hurricane-resistant homes to customers in need.

Rebuilding the Gulf Coast

On August 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The storm devastated the entire area, killing 1,570 people and dramatically impacting the lives of thousands more throughout the region and across the country. In the wake of the storm, adequate shelter continues to be most important need for area residents and those hoping to someday return. In an area with such a rich architectural and cultural history, simply building homes isn’t enough. Residents, builders and developers want new architecture to reflect the historical significance of the region. Fortunately, Palm Harbor was already involved in several projects designing homes for New Orleans when Katrina hit.

Palm Harbor VP of Product Design and Development, Tony Lucas, explains. “Before Katrina, we were asked to put together plans for New Orleans’ Garden District to emulate pre-existing homes. In studying the area, I found a predominance of Acadian (Cajun), Creole and French Creole architecture. I began developing floor plans and elevations that would blend well with existing architecture by featuring these styles.”

Perfectly Positioned to Help

The timing of the storm put Palm Harbor Homes in a unique position. The pre-Katrina New Orleans projects provided a head start toward delivering homes that excite residents and builders. And though the team didn’t know it at the time, it also provided an opportunity to study the landscape prior to Katrina.

Palm Harbor Sales Manager Charlie Hill recalls the months following the storm. “We spent a lot of time talking to builders and homebuyers in the region after the storm hit. These discussions provided a strong understanding of expectations regarding floor plan size, layout, architectural style, specs and price. We were able to mesh our own experience with the expectations of builders and homebuyers. The result is a unique product offering that addresses the specific wants and needs of the region.”

Mississippi Recovery Expo

Palm Harbor showcased two of the designs, “The Magnolia” and “The Azalea,” at Mississippi Governor Hailey Barbour’s Recovery Expo in Biloxi. This free, convention-style event welcomed the general public to enjoy a wide range of information, demonstrations and exhibits regarding every aspect of the rebuilding and renewal effort in Mississippi. Outside the convention center, Palm Harbor set the two new homes in a landscaped “neighborhood” featuring more than 20 manufactured, modular and steel-framed homes.

“The Magnolia” is a mid-size 3 bedroom, 2 bath home set on stilts. The traditional center isle home’s design allows gentle coastal breezes to flow through its living areas. It also includes full porches front and rear. “The Azalea” is a “shotgun-style” home well suited for bayou or city infill lots. It includes a full front porch. Both homes include high-end features such as name brand appliances and ceramic tile. As a result, they are well suited to serve temporarily during rebuild and long-term as a guest cottage. These homes also serve well as permanent housing, as they include quality features and designs typically seen only in custom site built homes.