Prospective Southwest Florida homeowners can get a first-hand look at some of the area’s most talented builders over the next three weekends.

The Cape Coral Construction Industry Association’s 2021 Builders’ Showcase of Homes starts today, as 22 of the Cape’s best creators and designers display 26 different models for prospective buyers, or just anyone, to tour over three weekends.

“We’ve all sacrificed so much in 2020, and we wanted to make sure we continued this event that we’ve been doing for a long time,” said Bill Johnson Jr., CCCIA Executive Director and CEO. “This is a great opportunity for our community to get out and see what selections are out there. It gives (individuals) three weekends to view what we have to offer.”

Model homes will be open to the public this weekend, next weekend, as well as the weekend of Feb. 5.

Touring hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Out of the 26 home models, 24 are in Cape Coral; one is in Matlacha and one in Fort Myers.

While COVID-19 is still present in Southwest Florida, Johnson and the CCCIA felt they could move forward with this year’s showcase while keeping both visitors and home builders safe.

“Each one of the builders is providing sanitation equipment throughout the models and we’ve provided additional signage to cover basic common practices,” Johnson said.

There will be a limited number of occupants inside of each model at a time and masks are highly encouraged and could be required to enter depending on the preferences of the builder.

“We want you to go out and have a good time and view all of these homes, but we want you to be safe in the process as well,” Johnson said. “This was the best way we could still maintain doing the show and keep the safety aspect there.”

The showcase is a vital event for the CCCIA and its members, which was a major reason this nearly three-decade tradition continued.

“The builders sell a lot based off of this show,” Johnson said. “We didn’t want to not do it because it’s a showcase of our city and a great sales tool for our participating builders.”

An extremely helpful facet of the showcase is that there’s something for all walks of life and budget to explore. The event also helps connect prospective buyers with builders who can work together in the future to design exactly what you may be looking for. Model homes on display range from $250,000 to $3 million.

“There’s always something in every price point for every person looking,” Johnson said. “It gives a nice broad spectrum of what Cape Coral offers. We have production-based builders, but the bulk are custom builders. And we have builders who have varying price points with a wide variety of offerings.”

The new year also marks the 50th anniversary of the CCCIA.

“It’s been great advocating for the city within the industry for 50 years and we’re excited about the future,” Johnson said. “Construction is a huge industry in this city and we’re glad we’re able to work to keep it moving forward.”

That construction growth only seems to be rising in a city only halfway to its projected 400,000 population. Johnson said in the first three months of the city’s budgeting year (beginning in October) nearly 1,000 single-family home permits were issued. Johnson said that’s more than they would do in a year only five years ago.

“People are seeing the allure of wanting to come to Florida,” Johnson said.

This year’s CCCIA president will be Melanie Williamson of Williamson and Sons Marine Construction, Inc.

“She’s hit the ground running and doing a fantastic job,” Johnson said.

The CCCIA held its Builders’ Showcase of Homes awards presentation in a socially distanced event at Palmetto Pine County Club Wednesday night to recognize those who stood out among the rest.

Awards in 12 categories (differentiated by price range) were given for best pool design, best landscape, best outdoor living, best exterior design, best interior design, best kitchen, best bath, best livability and best overall in that price range.

There were also top overall awards for best overall interior design, best overall landscape design, best overall pool design, best overall home technology and best overall home, all regardless of price.

Best overall interior design went to Aubuchon Homes for “The Carleton.”

Best overall landscape design went to Koogler Homes & R&R Sprinkler & Landscape for “The Modern Jewel.”

Best overall pool design went to Windward Construction Custom Pools by Design for “The Makai.”

Best overall home technology went to Koogler Homes for “The Modern Jewel.”

Best overall home went to Windward Construction for “The Makai.”

Category 1 saw Option 1 Builders sweep for “The Genova 2.0.”

In Category 2, Holiday Builders took home best exterior, landscape and outdoor living for “The Charleston” while Dr. Horton rounded out the category with “The Cali.”

Coral Isle Builders swept category 3 with “The Ibis.”

Beattie Development took home best landscape and interior for “The Arthur” while Tudor Villas won the remaining seven areas for “The Havana Luxus.”

In Category 5, SPO Homes were awarded for exterior design, landscape and interior design for “The Florida” while Poseidon Homes rounded out the remaining honors for “The Pegasus 3.”

DMI Homes swept Category 6 for their work on “The Punta Gorda Isles.”

In Category 7, Sposen Signature Homes took home best overall and five other honors for “The Spica Signature.” Ravenwood Homes were awarded best exterior design and kitchen in the category for “The Aurora” while Pinnacle Building Solutions took home best livability for “The Sailfish.”

Category 8 was swept by Tracey Quality Building for “The Hammerhead” while Tundra Homes took home all honors in Category 9 for “The La Palma II.”

Coastal Edge Coastal Homes & Lifestyle took home best overall and five other honors in Category 10 for “The Prince” while SW Florida Dream Homes earned best exterior design, landscape and pool design for “The Case Dei Sogni Grande.”

Aubuchon homes won best overall in Category 13 (no submission for categories 11 and 12) as well as livability, interior design, bath and kitchen for “The Carleton” while Koogler Homes earned best exterior design, pool, outdoor living and landscape for “The Modern Jewel.”

Windward Construction swept all honors in Category 14 for their work on “The Makai.”

For more information on the CCCIA and The Builders’ Showcase of Homes, including a map and detailed imaging of each model home, visit www.cccia.org.