LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, recently received a Builder of the Year award from the Florida Green Building Coalition, marking the fifth consecutive time the builder has earned this honor since 2013.
At the March 23 ceremony, held in Orlando, Fla., Neal Communities bested four other builders and was given the award for the most single-family homes certified. Seven other awards were given out, including most multifamily homes certified, highest scoring single-family and multifamily home, highest scoring commercial project, highest scoring residential high-rise project, highest scoring local government (city and county) and the certifying agent of the year.
Drew Smith, Florida Building Commissioner – Green Building and founder of Two Trails Green Building Consulting, accepted the award on behalf of the builder.
“We are extremely proud to accept this award recognizing our green initiatives in the state,” said Cathy Engels, vice president of purchasing for Neal Communities. “It’s always an honor to receive this designation as we strive to provide our homeowners with the best benefits of green and energy-efficient living for a reduced cost.”
In 2015, the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) held a special 15-year anniversary celebration, and Neal Communities was named the No. 1 builder out of the top 15 builders from 2000-15.
The FGBC is the leading certifier of green projects in Florida. To date, it has 15,000 residential, more than 24 million square feet of commercial and high-rise, 53 land developments and 86 local governments participating in its certification programs. FGBC certification programs are the only standards developed with climate specific criteria to address issues caused by Florida’s hot-humid environment and natural disasters.
FGBC certified homes complete 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.
Founded in 2000, the nonprofit is dedicated to improving the built environment and seeks to lead and promote sustainability with environmental, economic and social benefits through regional education and certification programs.
About Neal Communities
With over 40 years of building award-winning homes, Neal Communities has over 70 successful communities throughout southwest Florida. The Lakewood Ranch-based builder was named the Professional Builder 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine.
To date, Neal has built over 13,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include numerous Parade of Homes awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.