Southport Development, Taylor Morrison Named Top FGBC 'Florida Green' Multifamily Builders
 
Celebrating 20 Years, the Florida Green Building Coalition has certified over 22,500 projects
 
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 21, 2020) – The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the leading certifier of green projects in the state, has named Tampa's Southport Development as Multifamily Builder of the Year with 194 certified homes.
 
The highest scoring multifamily home was built by Taylor Morrison Homes, Bradenton, Fla., with a Gold level score of 180
 
“Congratulations to the winners and our members who are dedicated to improving the green built environment, sustainability and promoting its positive environmental, social and economic impact in our state,” said FGBC Executive Director C.J. Davila.
 
With over 22,500 certifications since being founded in 2000, FGBC is by far the largest certifier of green homes, residential communities, and local governments in the state. 
 
Unlike other national and international certifications such s USGBC LEED and Green Globes, FGBC are only standards developed with Florida-specific criteria. They address Florida’s hot-humid climate, environment, unique topography, resiliency, and natural disasters.
 
Points are awarded by FGBC for each of the individual green certifying levels - bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Numerical points are given for selecting and integrating individual environmentally friendly green products, best practices, and sustainable techniques from a menu of available green options. Homes are visited, reviewed, and certified by a third-party green verifier.
 
 
FGBC’s five certifications provide pathways to build green homes, developments, local governments, high rises, and commercial buildings. The free market aspect of FGBC certifiers also keeps costs reasonable.
 
Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. For more information contact the Florida Green Building Coalition at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org call (407) 777-4914.
 
List of 2019 Winners:
 
Builder of the Year (Most Certified Single-Family Homes)
Lennar Homes - SW
 
Builder of the Year (Most Certified Multi-Family Homes)
Southport Development
 
Commercial: 
Downtown Doral Charter Upper School
 
High-Rise Residential: 
Amelia Court
 
Local Green Government (City): 
Dunedin
 
Local Green Government (County): 
Palm Beach
 
Highest Scoring Home Single-Family Home: 
Alys Beach Construction
 
Highest Scoring Multi-Family Home: 
Taylor Morrison Homes
 
Certifying Agent of the Year
Drew Smith, Two Trails, Inc.

 

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.  (October 24, 2019) – The St. Johns Housing Partnership has announced that new, affordable rental homes in the Nation’s Oldest City will be certified “Florida Green” by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC).
 
“Not only do these new residences at 87 Evergreen Ave. feature below-market rent, they will be certified green through the Florida Green Building Coalition, meaning a lower cost of living each month going forward,” said FGBC Board Member Mary Tappouni.
 
In 2000 FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green standards tailored specifically to Florida.
 
The new building will include two apartments — each a three-bedroom one-bath residence with the rent ending up somewhere around $900 per month.  A price point is almost unheard of in a housing market where the average 2-bedroom rental goes for north of $1,000 monthly.  
 
SJHP Executive Director Bill Lazar said that he is “very excited” with the start of the partnership’s first new rental project.
 
“Lisa Drudi of SJHP has been working hard on this and it’s finally coming out of the ground,” Lazar said. “Many working middle-class families cannot afford to reside in St. Augustine, even if they are employed here. This project is a major step towards alleviating this problem.”
  
Lazar noted that twenty-five percent of workers commute to St Johns County for their jobs, traveling from Putnam County or Duval County.  This scenario hurts — because these workers, including police officers, firefighters, schoolteachers and others, are taking money out of the local economy only to spend it where they live.
 
“Thanks to Ameris Bank for providing financing that will allow us to build at least a dozen units over the next 12-months,” Lazar said, pointing out that this is one of the first truly, verifiable, affordable housing rentals built in St Johns County in almost 15 years.
 
The St. Johns Housing Partnership promotes safe, decent and affordable housing by creating links between the public and private sectors on projects that create low- and moderate-income housing, rebuild neglected homes and neighborhoods, thus benefiting disadvantaged areas and enhancing community economic and social development.
 
FGBC’s five certifications provide pathways to build green homes, developments, local governments, high rises and commercial buildings. FGBC is by far the largest certifier of green homes, communities and local governments in Florida. 
 
National standards like USGBC LEED and Green Globes also move contractors and owners towards environmentally friendly building. “Florida Green” standards take a scientific approach and are developed with state-specific criteria. They address Florida’s hot-humid environment, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency and natural disasters.
 
For more information on the St. Johns Housing Partnership visit www.sjhp.org or call (904) 824-0902.
 
Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition at (407) 777-4914, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org.