Visitors got their first glimpse of the Funky Fish House in February at an open house.  They were as excited about the whimsical concept as were our builders who design and construct these fanciful waterfront luxury cottages.  Marvin Homes and Florida Lifestyle Homes, two of the designated builders, have worked hard to design incredibly creative floor plans for these unique homes.

Together with artist and designer Steve Turner, Richard F. Durling, president of Marvin Development Corporation, worked on the overall design and floor plans to construct the first of the 19 Funky Fish Houses.  Durling, with a passion for art, architecture and design work, met the challenge and completed the home that took seven awards in the Lee Building Industry Association's February Parade of Homes.   "The project, because of the location, really set the tone for what you can build" Durling said, "and Steve Turner's vision of what the project would look like pointed us in the right direction."

Durling, who was inducted into the Florida Home Builder Association's Hall of Fame two years ago and who was the 2002 Florida Builder of the Year, has produced several conceptual design plans for the homes.  His plans, he said, come from the grounded experience he has in home building sprinkled with a bit of whimsical inspiration that oftentimes springs in his mind.  "We have a couple of other plans on the drawing board for the Funky Fish House project." 

The plan for Marvin Homes' second fish house is near completion.  This one will be a four-story model.  Another, in the final planning stages and yet to be built, is Durling's popular 'Lighthouse' design.  "The Lighthouse would be a landmark for the project and is something we definitely want to build."

The Funky Fish Houses are at the top of Brad Kiraly's list to promote because of their distinguished individuality.  Kiraly is director of sales and marketing for Florida Lifestyle Homes, one of the Funky Fish House designated builders.  Florida Lifestyle also has an entire series of floor plans ready to go.  "We need to embrace the Funky Fish House concept", said Kiraly. "They are just flat-out so unique and they have everything that is needed to be successful in today's market.  They are unique because they're on the water in a resort community and you can rent them nightly.  I doubt there will ever be two that are the same and once they're sold, everybody will be saying, 'Gee, I wish I'd bought one of those Funky Fish Houses'.''  

"The advantages of owning are clear", Kiraly said.  He believes that the Funky Fish Houses will be in high demand.  A home could be a guest house, a home for a large family, a company retreat, a seasonal or vacation home, or for a boater who wants something on dry land to do their laundry, cook a few meals and continue on their boat trip.  And, more importantly, he said, "Because the number of these unique homes is limited, they will have excellent value now and be worth their weight in gold in time."

Kiraly said his firm is fielding many inquiries on the funky homes.  He is promoting his firm's three unique Calypso Design Series homes - the two story Calypso Cottage with two-bedrooms and two baths, the four story Calypso Castaway with four bedrooms and three baths, and the larger four-story Calypso Coastline with four bedrooms and three and one-half baths.  The resort and Key West inspired design plans are meant to be fun and flexible.  Homeowners can pick and choose from the designs as well as interchange features depending on their needs and wants.

Marvin Development Corporation and Florida Lifestyle Homes of Fort Myers, Inc. are just two of eight designated builders of Funky Fish Houses.  Other builders are Island Development, LLC, Marino Construction Group, Inc., Paul Homes, PGI Homes, Tudor Villas Construction and Wyman Stokes Builder, Inc.