By Jean Sealey
Northeast Florida Builders Association
Three homes of concrete-block construction were among the winners at the Northeast Florida Builders Association 2005 Parade of Homes celebration last month at the Florida Theatre.
The Diamond by Beazer Homes at Stonefield at Bartram Park was the gold-award winner in the $180,700 to $190,000 category, The Calais II by Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Royal Coast Builders at Queen’s Harbour won a gold award in the $1 million to $2 million category, and The Blue Heron by McGarvey Doerer Custom Homes at Sea Colony was the gold-award winner in the $2 million to $3 million category.
All three received awards from the Florida Concrete and Products Association.
The Calais was named the Best Concrete Block Home in the 2005 Parade of Homes.
“The Florida Concrete and Products Association is a manufacturers association and not very well known to the public,” said Martyn Adshead, past regional chairman of the FC&PA. “By joining with NEFBA to recognize concrete-block homes, we have gained the attention of homebuyers.”
Adshead said FC&PA is intent on educating the public about the advantages of concrete-block homes.
“People often recognize the advantages of concrete-block construction, but they don’t always make the connection between a beautiful home and its construction,” Adshead said. “The three Parade of Homes winners made of concrete block are perfect examples of the variety and beauty available with concrete.”
Gershen and Adshead agree on the importance of educating the public about the many benefits of concrete-block construction.
“There’s been a misconception that block homes all look like shoeboxes - four corners, no angles and paint being applied directly to the block,” Gershen said. “Through the Parade of Homes this year, we were able to show the public that many homes they see on a regular basis are concrete block, and these Parade winners prove concrete-block homes look as good as any other method of construction.”