By MATT BLUMENFELD, mblumenfeld@breezenewspapers.com
When Ralph and Cathy Sangiovanni began plans for their custom-built home, they were simply trying to accomplish a lifelong dream. Little did they know their Mediterranean-styled house would be recognized as the Best in Show at this year’s Cape Coral Construction Industry Association Builder’s Showcase.
“It just blew me away,” Mr. Sangiovanni said after the announcement.
Hurricane Charley “redecorated” their home on Southeast 27th Street, so the Sangiovannis decided to knock everything down, save a few walls and the foundation, and build their dream home on the same spot.
“We redesigned the house from the ground up,” said Mr. Sangiovanni.
After spending almost two years in planning, the couple teamed up with Alvian Homes to make that dream a reality. In just over nine months, the house was completely rebuilt as the Sangiovannis watched from their temporary residence across the street.
“You have to put it on Ralph and Cathy for putting together their dream,” said Alvian Homes president Rob Rimany, adding he was pleased but not particularly surprised with the victory. “We put a product that was over the top and had the confidence that we would win.”
The high pomp and circumstance that normally accompanies the showcase awards dinner was scrapped in favor of a lower key ceremony so more money could be spent on generating foot traffic in the 18 homes entered in the competition. In a nod to the housing market meltdown, the dinner was punctuated with self-deprecating humor on one end and an inspirational message during the invocation.
“Our nightmares are others’ greatest dreams,” said Moe Beneke of Fifth-Third Bank. “A bad day in America is better than a good day anywhere else.”
Powell Construction was one of the night’s biggest winners as three of its model homes won awards in different price point categories. But in another show of industry weakness, representatives of only a handful of the dozen companies that entered homes into the showcase actually showed up at the La Venezia ballroom.
But that did not seem to put a damper on the evening’s celebration and the Sangiovannis were incredibly excited with their victory. They have been living in their home since December 2006, but did not enter the competition until being prompted by Alvian.
“Most people have regrets, but my reaction is that if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change one percent,” Mr. Sangiovanni said of his custom home.
The couple had nothing but high praise for the homebuilder, which took home the top prize in their first showcase. Alvian Homes Vice President Marc Bonnett said their company is unique because it greatly involves their customers, and clients can order interior and exterior design elements from anywhere in the world.
“Our customers like that because our houses are truly custom,” he added.
“Living here in Southwest Florida for 34 years, and Cathy for 47 years, we know well how important it is to get the right builder for the project,” said Mr. Sangiovanni. “They were phenomenal and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
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