We welcome the new year with unprecedented joy to see last year in our rearview mirror, and we look ahead to 2021 with fresh optimism. Despite the challenges to keep our job sites, clients and staff as safe as possible during a pandemic, we continue to complete gorgeous residential homes on time and on budget – thanks to our hard-working teams.
We hope you enjoy our 2nd edition of Constructing Conversations. It features one of our favorite custom homes built along the John’s Island Club fairway in Vero Beach. Join us as we foster thoughtful conversations together while shining a light on the talented artists and teams who help make our community a beautiful place to live.
Situated along the beautiful John’s Island Club golf course, this original home was built in 1985. Thirty years later, the daughter of the original homeowners wanted to update it and keep the home all in the family. Together with Harry Gandy Howle Architect & Associates, the homeowners agreed with our team that it would be more practical to raze the house and build a new home rather than renovate the old structure. The old structure would have presented costly renovations to bring it up to current building codes and still achieve exactly what the clients wanted in their new home. Both loved cooking and golfing, so the kitchen design and positioning of the main living areas to take advantage of long fairway views were important to them.
We maximized the fairway views, including a seamless transition from the French-inspired kitchen to the loggia and golf course just beyond. A trio of French doors in the living room opens to a spacious pool terrace and another gorgeous golf course view. One of many unique features in this home is the continuous 48’ radius arched glass transom above the set of French doors. Typically, there would be separate transoms above each door. Adding to the engineering complexity, the arched theme was repeated in the living room’s ceiling beams and doorways. The dramatic arches are both stunning and difficult to engineer.
The collaboration between the teams worked liked a well-oiled machine. From the initial planning stage with the clients to the architectural design, construction and interior design installation, it took us approximately two years to complete the project. With fairway views and year-round outdoor living areas, the homeowners were thrilled with the final results. Take a peek at our Fairway Bliss project.
It’s often said if you choose a career you’re passionate about, you’ll always love your work. For Harry Gandy Howle Architect & Associates, that passion comes through in every beautiful home designed by Harry and his associate, James Stein. Born and raised in the low country of South Carolina, Harry honed his love of architecture surrounded by classical architecture. James grew up working alongside his father, a general contractor, where he discovered his appreciation of architecture and design. Our superintendents enjoy working with James, who provides construction administration for our collaborative residential projects.
Harry began his creative journey in Vero Beach more than 35 years ago and his firm was one of the first architectural firms to collaborate with Croom Construction Company. Harry and James bring their passion and talent to fruition in the many homes they design in Vero Beach, including the John’s Island home featured in this issue.
To see more Pure Harry collections, visit www.hghowlearchitects.com
“Calm, cool and collected” are traits you want in a person who is responsible for managing the maintenance of your coastal home, and that’s exactly how everyone who works with Jon describes him. Meet Jon Longnecker, Whitehall's Maintenance Division Manager. He joined our team in 2019 with years of experience. With a Master of Science in Sports Management from Florida International University, he also has the professional training needed to lead our team.
Relocated from Minnesota, he and his wife, Chandra, live in Vero Beach with their two sons. Outside of work, you can find Jon at the beach, enjoying fishing or golfing.
To learn more about professional home maintenance and management, visit WhitehallServices.com
Congratulations to Jason Flinn and Henry Jones, first- and second-place winners in our 1st Annual Employee Photo Contest. We love to see Croom Construction Company through the eyes of our team members and crews. On the left, Jason's winning photo was captured during one of our top-out crew parties (pre-COVID, of course). Henry's creative eye captured a unique view of the ocean from the perspective of a renovation project. Jason and Henry both won a gift certificate to their favorite local restaurant.
