|
Royce
Rolls Into Island Home Market
Galveston
County Daily News, August 9, 2007,
by Laura Elder
GALVESTON
— A Houston homebuilder is making its foray
into Galveston with plans to develop 17 beach homes
on 22 acres near Galveston Country Club.
Also a first
for Coastal Living by Royce Homes is the way it
will build the homes, said George Selby, manager
of the coastal division of Royce Builders. The project,
at Marina Boulevard and Pirates’ Beach Circle,
marks the first time the company has built homes
without foundations.
West End requirements
call for homes to be built on piers above flood
level. A ceremonial gold-colored piling at the site
this week already has stirred curiosity, Selby said.Home
prices begin at $315,000 and go up to $425,000.Look
for crews to build about five homes at a time.
Getting construction
trades, including framers, on the island is a slow
and more expensive prospect compared with building
in other cities, Selby said. “When a trade
drives over the causeway, the cost of business goes
up 30 to 40 percent,” said Selby, who has
a home in Crystal Beach. But Coastal Living by Royce
Homes intends to build its base of construction
trades. The company has more island plans, but said
it was too early to elaborate. Royce builds in Dallas,
Phoenix, Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C. and Houston.
|
