Building to Meet Hurricane Codes
Good afternoon and happy Friday! Many of you have asked about how the HGTV Dream Home in the Florida Keys was designed and built to meet hurricane codes. Our friends over at sister site HGTVPro.com have the full story on building the home, including 31 very informative videos from the job site.
Watch the “Coastal Homes” video to hear HGTV house planner Jack Thomasson, architect Rick Wissmach and construction manager Mike Uhre discuss the techniques and materials used to make the HGTV Dream Home in Islamorada as strong as it is beautiful. For instance, there are concrete 16-inch diameter concrete piles going down seven feet into the ground.
Be sure to click on each of the tabs to the left of the player to explore all the videos for more on the home, including the backup generator, tankless hot water heater and even the tools used to build the home.
Finally, have you entered today for a chance to win the HGTV Dream Home in the Florida Keys? You can enter once a day, every day, but time is running out: the entry period ends Feb. 19.
MORE ABOUT HGTV DREAM HOME 2008
Enter the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win a Beach House in the Florida Keys
HGTV Dream Home Online Tour
HGTV Dream Home Giveaway Prizes »
HGTV Dream Home Giveaway Rules »
HGTV Dream Home Central »
Share Photos/Videos of the Florida Keys »
The Shore at Islamorada: Site of HGTV Dream Home 2008 »
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I hope that someone very deserving wins the home. I would love to of course (along with millions of others) but the odds are like winning the lottery, so we can all hope and dream together. It is truly a beautiful home. As are all of the vivid colors, the ocean and landscaping, the natural light drawn within the home due to the exceptional architectural details. Not to mention what seems like ocean views from just about everywhere. Looking at the slideshow, you can almost smell the ocean and envision yourself there already. Personally, I had a devastating 2007, so this dream home would be a dream come true for myself and my family. If we don’t win this year, the great thing is we can enter every year and hopefully one of us will win a beautiful home. I don’t know how to work out taxes paid (property and so forth) I believe Florida does not have state taxes (?). I think one would have to have a job that would enable them to keep up the home and pay for these expenses, or it could be problematic. Good Luck to All of you! Julia
WOW! Another GREAT home. Like many of you have stated-I’ve entered to win the other homes, too.
It’s a shame that only one can win AND they usually just SELL it. The hardest part for me to stay interested & keep trying is that the contest/drawing is always on OR, near to my birthday. I keep dreaming it’s my B. present(**). This yr. is especially difficult because it looks like my daughter might be one of the unfortunate “ones to lose their home” in this foreclosure MESS brought on by “BUSH’S WAR.” they have a 3 yr, old daughter & I just don’t know what we all are going to do. Well, a prayer and some VERY GOOD LUCK is all ANY of us can to win the Dream Home. Best Wishes & Good Luck to all of you-and I really mean that.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Rosemary
Hi bloggers, i just went to the message board, they have a section on the dream house. you should go there because i found answers to things i didn’t know.
OK, you all can quit entering…I have won the house so you are just wasting your time…thanks for entering…now leave…
By the way, the last post was indeed a joke. The house is awesome. It literally is a “dream” house. One could only wish to occupy such a home. You did a great job. Good luck to all of you who have entered…
God bless all of you who work so hard to make hgtv viwers dream. I am dreaming for years now, to win the dream home, God willing will be this year; thank you again for the opportunity and the dreams. Blessings, ythamar grose-chaney
Hello Everyone,
Thanks for all the compliments on my new home–just wanted to let you know that the bench in the master closet blocks a maintenance door that leads to the air conditioning systems–sorry not a secert room,
sure hope and dream to win this wonderful house, would be very happy to call our own, we already live in the keys , key west it is paradise but would’nt mind to move the islamarada at all, it is a great house and the location is fantastic, great work to all involve, Hgtv is my favorite show, love and blessing, special prayer this morning as we are going to be in church, all have a blessed day from key west
In Iowa we are now in middle of another Blizzard, you can believe me that Florida looks great! Foot of snow on the ground is not as enjoyable as lush green lawns and warm soft breeze! Good Luck to who ever wins this Home and delightful location! Have enjoyed “What If I Win” thoughts.
Well, everyone that has posted to this blog has given their ooooooohs and aaaaaahs on this most magnificent home. I have one word to say…..
“Heavenly”.
As a whole I really like the house. AlthoughI have never been to the Keys, I would relish the idea of living in an area that has any snow. I currently live in Kansas and still work full time at a company that is scheduled to close this Fall or early 2009. Even though I can technically retire, I still have to keep working so I can retire maybe next year. I certainly would be happy not living in an apartment anymore. Thanks for reading my comments. Sincerely, Katherine Varney
I can’t even imagine affording the HOA fees to keep up 8 homes, a pool and insurance for the common areas! I manage HOA’s in FLorida for a living, and the expense split by even larger communities can be daunting. And if only 1 homeowner doesn’t pay, it will be a HUGE burden for the rest of the HOA members.
I recently lost my home to an ugly divorce… I I wanted custody of my two daughters, who I virtually raised alone, more than the house… so my ex has a house and we need one. I know that I’ll have one again someday, through efforts we all have to make, but it is my dream, my fantasy, to win this contest. I have seen myself walking through the front doors, felt the ocean air on my face, made dinner in the kitchen and tucked my children into bed at night, and it’s all a dream. My daughters ask me daily, if I’ve entered the contest for the day yet. We are all hoping, wishing, praying, and holding our breath. One more day to enter… then the waiting… I’ve told my girls that it’s a very small chance that we’ll win… we will enjoy the fantasy until March 16th. After that, who can say? My heart goes out to everyone entering this contest who’s life would really be improved by winning… we all have needs and hopes. Good luck to us all. Warmly, Dore’
Well I’d have to say this is “The Dream Home”. I have always said if I ever won the lotto that would be my first purchase, a home in the keys! I currently live in central FL, but visit the keys every year during mini season. Who cares about the taxes, insurance, or bad weather! I can honestly say it would be a dream come true to win ! Good Luck to All.
I wish everyone luck on the draw. This home is a dream come true.
I have entered every year for the excitement of just thinking I might win.
Good luck everyone!
Absolutely beautiful!! Good Luck to All
I am so happy they built the house using the hurricane codes, me and my daughter live where hurricanes hit and each year things will hit the windows hard.
good luck everyone who entered.
We watch HGTV every night without exception. I must say that this is the most beautiful home I have seen on the show (including the contests, giveaways, and the buying and selling reality shows). This home would definately be our dream home! Our whole family is hoping and praying! Good luck everyone!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LOOKING FORWARD TO ENTERING EACH DAY. YOU ARE THE BEST AND MADE MY DAY.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL IT WAS WORTH ALL THE TIME,
Just wanted to let fcole and HGTV know that my husband and I will be home all day on March 16th
We would sign a pledge to keep this house: we dive in the Keys 2-3 times a year and would host many family reunions.
WHAT A BEATIFUL HOME!!!!!! I WATCH HGTV ALL THE TIME – BY FAR THE BEST HOUSE YET- OHHH WHAT A DREAM THANKS HGTV
This home is absolutely beautiful… after many difficult health problems, it would be wonderful to have this home to truly call “home” and relax having not been able to afford a home… I could truly relax with my little “Stella” pup there and spend the last few years there at peace… I hope I win… thank you HGTV… this would truly be a “blessing” for me.
I too like everyone else would certainly appreciate such a beautiful home with evrything furnished. Right now I only live with my aging father with health problems having suffered a heart attack stroke and complications from those surgeries. I too suffer from a long list of health problems including multiple sclerosis. So being unable to provide such a home such as this on my own is only a dream.
Certainly winning such a home would be wonderfully appreciated by anyone, but currently living with my aging father with health problems including complications from a heart attack and stroke and along with my own long list of health problems including multiple sclerosis only buying such a home on my is only a dream.
I HAVE ALWAYS ENTERED THIS CONTEST AND I GET SO DISAPPOINTED CAUSE I NEVER WIN. IN FACT I HAVE NEVER WON ANYTHING IN MY LIFE. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS HOME AS A VACATION HOME FOR MY FAMILY AND GRANDCHILDREN. BUT WHAT REALIST WHAT ARE THE CHANCES. THIS HOME IS SO GREAT, IT IS ALOT MORE THAN LAST YEARES HOME. IT IS SO BREATH TAKING. LINDA MILLS.
Hello all,
My wife and I along with our dog and cat would love to win this beautiful home. We would sell our house in California and immediately move to Florida. When will the winner be notified??????
HGTV-Thank you for building my home, it’s beautiful and ready and waiting for me. The move from Michigan is long overdue.
Hello everyone…just wanted to
wish everyone good luck.. Yes is a wonderful house, and yes I bet everyone wants it…. But like I told my Morher,,, let God choses and decided who really diserved it… So yes Good Luck to everyone… God Bless all of you… Take care…
All I can say is if I won this house I would think I was in Heaven. Never won anything in my life, don’t expect to win…but it’s sure nice to dream. Also,I would like to thank you for all your wonderful programs. The wife and I watch your shows all the time. Thanks for all you have taught me about everything concerning what and how to do it with your home. Thank You
Thanks HGTV, for giving ALL of us the chance of a life time even if we can only dream about it….It takes me to a wonderful place in my mind, a safe place, a relaxing place, a place I would LOVE to call home.
Thanks to all of you
Sincerely,
Alex
Both sides of the family are gonna love it
Hi,
Like the rest of you, I’d love to win this house for many reasons, the obvious being how well this house has been built (and how beautiful it is and the detailing…was amazed when I found the ‘throne’!) but also because my step son lives w/ his mother in Florida and this would bring my husband, our 4 year old son and I closer to him! My husband is also disabled, he has MS, and loves the warm weather (we live in PA) so I too am praying to be the blessed and lucky winner-this truly would give new meaning to ‘Dream’!
Does anyone know @ when to be contacted if you are one of the finalists? Best of Luck to All!!
who knows how old you ahve to be to win? 18 or 21?
ohhhhhhhh ohhhhhh get on the double duched bus,the double duched bus.Jumped on it,on it.That is from college Road Trip.IIIII LLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE TTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT HHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEE.HAVE A GREAT DAY.BYE