Neal Communities Wins its 50th AURORA Award for Grand Palm

Neal Communities’ Grand Palm, a unique, master-planned community appealing to a multigenerational demographic in Venice, Fla., was recently honored with an AURORA Award for best community over 500 acres in the southeast U.S. The prestigious award, presented by the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC), brings the Lakewood Ranch based builder’s total to 50 Auroras.

The Grand Palm community, the first built under the Sarasota 2050 plan objectives, demonstrates a successful mode for building in concert with local government while preserving the environment. The neighborhoods are connected via an extensive 27-mile, multi-use trail system.

“We are humbled and extremely proud to have received this recognition from the SEBC,” said Michael Storey, president of Neal Communities. “Grand Palm took seven years of diligent planning and utilized cooperative partnerships with public officials and environmental specialists to create. The result was a beautiful master planned community that is intertwined within the natural beauty of the region, and to be recognized for this accomplishment is a testament to our hard working team,” he said.

The community boasts over nine miles of interconnected wildlife corridors, a 32- acre lake, a six-acre adventure island (with two fishing piers and a kayak livery) and an 18-acre central amenity area for all ages, which includes a 10-acre natural exploration park, clubhouse with fitness center, resort-style pool with slide, splash park, children’s playground, two dog parks and volleyball, tennis, bocce ball and basketball courts.

Grand Palm is a certified green community by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). Other communities in the Neal portfolio to have earned an Aurora award include University Park and Central Park.

In its 35th year, the AURORA Awards are open to builders, architects, designers, remodelers, landscape architects, interior designers, merchandisers and other disciples who have projects located within the 12-state southeastern region and eastern Caribbean.

About Neal Communities

Neal Communities 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 No.50 nationally among homebuilders by BUILDER Magazine. To date, Neal has built over 9,000 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 and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include 42 Parade of Homes 2014 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.

Manatee Elementary Community School

Neal Communities, the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, recently donated $5,000 to B.D. Gullett Elementary School’s Neal Communities Golf Challenge.

Held each Fall, over 65 golfers, including a team from Neal Communities, participated in this year’s golf challenge. The elementary school, which has grown by 100-plus students, raised over $16,000. The funds, including Neal Communities’ donation, have been allocated toward technology for its students.

“Neal Communities is committed to building communities, not just constructing homes,” said Pat Neal, CEO of the Lakewood Ranch based firm. “The company and the people who work here are dedicated personally and professionally to the ongoing success of our communities, including the neighborhoods, their schools and the services that help make life here wonderful.”

The school has already used a portion of the proceeds to purchase tablets for students. “We had a very successful Golf Challenge this year, and are so thankful for Neal Communities and all of our business partner sponsors. The fundraiser has made a significant impact in furthering the technology and educational environment of our wonderful school,” said the Golf Committee Chair.