Jan 31 2006
Bougain Villea Luxury development in the Florida Keys is generating industry praise. The new luxury homes will withstand 200 MPH wind capacity: Unprecedented on the Island and well above the 150 MPH state code.
The Luxury Home Development “Bougain Villea” being developed in the Florida by FRP Technologies, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, will feature luxury living that is impressive with its elegance: private elevators; high ceilings; roof top decks and many state-of–the-art amenities. Clearly, luxury living in the paradise of Florida Keys. What is most impressive, however, is its ability to withstand 200 mph winds.
“The Bougain Villea development is pretty impressive.” said Dr. Robert Stroh, Director of Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing of The University of Florida. “The entire state would be in a lot better shape, of course, if all new and old construction met that standard.” Currently the state code is 150 MPH. The Shimberg Center was established to ‘facilitate the provision of safe, decent, and affordable housing in the state of Florida “While this is a high end property”, Dr. Stroh said, “it is impressive and a great indicator that a builder would take it upon itself to go above and beyond the required standards for a property.” He added, “Although it increases the cost in the initial building to meet 200 mph wind capacity resistance, it is by far the most economical and safest way to go in the long run… especially for the home owner.”
Th initiativeof the Bougain Villea development, located in Marathon, Florida, is FRP Technologies Inc. Utilizing land located on the Gulf and views of the Atlantic Ocean, Bougain Villea will include 12 lluxury homes , “When we decided to develop this property, we knew we would only do it if we could go above and beyond industry standards,’ said FRP Technology Principal Partner, Raymond Lane. “After the last season of hurricanes, we only wanted to build the best product possible structures. Until now, there was nothing on the Island that could withstand 200 mph winds. Additionally, they are going to be 10 to 12 feet off the ground.” Lane added, “We want to put the absolute best product out there…we think we have it.”
FRP Technologies Inc., an established builder, brings industry experience from their years of work in the crane industry where they have participated in building projects throughout the Unitied States made of massive cement structures. “The process of building with thick concrete structures just made sense to us,” Lane said. “Even the glass windows have wind resistance of up to 200 MPH – without shutters.”
According to The Hurricane Protection Magazine, “After looking at the damage caused by Hurricane Wilma in Florida and Katrina along the Gulf Coast, new building codes, strict enforcement and required hurricane protection for the building’s opening should be part of any rebuilding effort.” (IHPA Special Report: The 2005 Storm Season - A Florida & Gulf Coast Perspective & the Value of Hurricane Protection)
Dr. Stroh sums it up, “Bougain Villea project is setting a precedence. I hope this is an indicator of more to come."