Little Gables Green Homes Break Ground

Earlier this week Little Gables had the ground-breaking ceremony for it’s first “green” homes. Architect Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo, with Sustainable Development Services, LLC will be developing the two homes at 4464 and 4456 SW 11 ST with an eye towards LEED for Homes and USDOE Energy Star Rating for Homes certifications.

Also at the event, Karen Shane, President of the Little Gables Neighborhood Association, told CBS4 Miami, “We want Little Gables to be an example of green living. This began years ago as the neighborhood planted over 100 live oaks and other native trees in our swales, promoted recycling and worked with the County to clean some of our problem properties.”

The two 3-bedroom homes will have approximately 2,000 square feet of “flexible interior floor plan” with an adaptable bonus room. Green features will include:

• Reinforced insulated concrete walls
• Tinted impact-resistant windows
• LED and compact florescent light fixtures controlled through wireless programmable switches
• A/C with Wi-Fi smart thermostats and solar ready connections
• Bamboo flooring
• Permeable pavers
• Gutters for rain harvesting
• Low-maintenance landscaping
• High efficiency plumbing fixtures
• Solar-panel ready reflective metal roofs

“For the past three years I have been asking builders, investors and developers to provide me with Green inventory to sell and everyone seems to be hesitant. So I decided to do it myself to show the local housing industry that there is a market for green houses in South Florida and that green houses can be affordable,” Carlos said in public a statement.

Having repeatedly asked the major local single family home developers the same question, I share Carlos’ frustration, and wish him the very best on his venture.  If you would like additional information about the Little Gables Green Homes, or any other green homes in the South Florida area, please contact me at 305.801.3133 or at MelanieinMiami@gmail.com.