Villamar in Palm Beach County: The passion behind the project
April 23, 2019 4 Minute Read
When it comes to designing a better home, no detail is left unturned at Akel Homes. Quality reins over cost here at Villamar and it shows.
When you first meet Alexander Akel, you’ll feel the enthusiasm he has for Villamar at Toscana Isles, the first project from Akel Homes in Palm Beach County. The 27-year-old is co-president of Akel Homes, along with his father Ramsey Akel, and their debut community together is clearly a passion project.
Akel will tell you about the elegance of the contemporary Spanish and transitional architecture. You’ll hear a rundown of the impressive list of amenities and premium included features, but you’ll also hear about the principles that drive his work and his determination to build the best homes.
Building better starts with designing better. Many of our competitors focus on design at the expense of construction quality. At Akel Homes, form and function are in complete equilibrium
Alexander AkelPresident, Akel Homes
He goes on to describe how many home builders use a wood frame construction over garages or on the second floor to achieve a certain architectural look. Akel Homes goes above the building code requirements in Palm Beach County, an extremely hurricane-prone location. Akel Homes has chosen to build first- and second-story full concrete block without sacrificing design aesthetics.
As Akel talks about Villamar, from the overall strategic plan to the most minute details, it becomes easy to see that homebuilding is in his blood.
The family business
My father built his first home as a teenager — which he still owns today says Akel. Having built over 4,000 homes, there are very few people in the industry that boast his knowledge of architecture and design, land development, construction, finance and law.
Alexander AkelPresident, Akel Homes
Over the years, Akel absorbed the real estate business through involvement in the day-to-day operations of his father’s business. He learned about what worked well and didn’t.
He earned a degree in business at George Washington University, followed by a master’s in real estate at Harvard. By the age of 24, he was already a state certified contractor and ready to make his mark with a solid education and equipped with years of industry experience working alongside his father.
The most paramount thing he instilled in me was the importance of learning. That was the foundation for my success.
Alexander AkelPresident, Akel Homes
Matters of design
Even before you purchase a home from Akel, you can visit their Design Studio, a resource that will be available at all their communities. The Design Studio boasts hundreds of aesthetic options such as cabinets, countertops, floorings, backsplashes and so much more. The on-site design consultants will help you imagine how you will use each space in the home and the effect that each design choice will have on your living experience.
By “designing better” Akel has focused on maximizing efficiencies in the home through the creation of usable living spaces. Floorplans are open, bedrooms are expansive, kitchen islands are massive and there is ample storage.
There is not one square inch of wasted space. Each floorplan is meticulously designed to work to the advantage of every family — from the empty nesters to growing families.
Alexander AkelPresident, Akel Homes
Not only are they focused on efficiency of space, they’ve also put a focus on making homes more energy efficient. Villamar at Toscana Isles is a natural gas community with tankless water heaters, 16 SEER air conditioning units, low-emissivity impact rated windows and energy-saving LED light bulbs.
They’ve also made it easier to manage your home with standard smart features. Every Akel Home comes standard with a smart front-entry keypad, video doorbell, thermostat, garage door opener, light switch and home control center. It’s all controllable from the homeowner’s smartphone device.
Location, location, location
For their first project, Akel zeroed in on developing property on Hypoluxo Road and Haverhill Road, situated in the dead center of Palm Beach County.
Villamar is just three minutes west of I-95. Anyone living here can feel like they're living in a resort-style community with quick access to the entertainment, dining and shopping destinations like West Palm Beach and Downtown Delray.
Alexander AkelPresident, Akel Homes
Akel describes the location as a “Goldilocks” location. It’s not too far east, so you can get to the freeway quickly. It’s not too far west, so you’ll have easy access to the glistening beaches for which Florida is so famous.
We know schools are important. My family emphasized education, and we took that need for families into serious consideration with this neighborhood. Currently, the community is zoned for Palm Beach County schools. Villamar is also conveniently located to various private schools and charter schools and leading colleges and universities.
Alexander AkelPresident, Akel Homes
Villamar is also conveniently located to various private schools and charter schools and leading colleges and universities.
Building for the future
Akel Homes has its eye on a wide range of new opportunities. The company plans to start construction on a vibrant new senior rental community in Lake Worth located on Hypoluxo Road and Lyons Road later in the year. The yet-to-be-named community will be amenity-rich, boasting a fitness and aerobics studio, two restaurants, resort-style pools and cabanas, salon, amphitheater, movie theater and more.
Akel Homes will also continue to stick to its bread and butter: resort-style master-planned communities in Florida's most sought-after locations. That's what we do.
Alexander AkelPresident, Akel Homes
Discover the Akel Advantage and learn about living in Palm Beach County and the lifestyle that could be yours with Akel Homes... Stop by Villamar at Toscana Isles, visit the design studio and start dreaming about your next home.
