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As November begins, Issa Homes shares updates on recent milestones and new developments across its Gulf Coast projects, highlighting the success of the AMI Strong initiative, the sale of the Seaglass home, and progress at SeaFlower.

SOLD! Seaglass in Harbour Isle

Issa Homes officially sold Seaglass, its custom waterfront home in the Harbour Isle community. The property, designed with resilience in mind, withstood two consecutive hurricanes with virtually no damage, showcasing Issa Homes’ quality construction standards. The new homeowners will enjoy Seaglass’s luxurious amenities, including an elevated pool and panoramic views of Anna Maria Sound.

New Waterfront Homes Underway in Harbour Isle

Issa Homes will soon break ground on two new waterfront residences in the Harbour Sound section of Harbour Isle—Seasong and Seaside. Moreover, both homes overlook Anna Maria Sound, offering stunning water views and embodying Issa Homes’ signature luxury and craftsmanship. Seasong features an expansive outdoor living area, a private elevator, and breathtaking sunset views. Issa Homes plans to reveal more details about Seaside in the coming months, as these premier homes come to life in one of the Gulf Coast’s most desirable neighborhoods.

SeaFlower Update: Progress in Bradenton’s New Coastal Community

Development continues at SeaFlower, Bradenton’s newest coastal community. Issa Homes President and Partner Don Hempel recently reviewed progress on the company’s 80-foot lots, which are approaching the sales phase. Additionally, plans and pricing will be unveiled soon, highlighting a blend of coastal charm and modern convenience.

In an exciting addition, Publix will serve as the first tenant in the new SeaFlower Village Center. The 50,000-square-foot Publix store will bring added convenience to the nearly 1,200-acre mixed-use development, enhancing SeaFlower’s appeal as a luxurious coastal living destination.

AMI Strong Initiative Raises $20,000 for Hurricane Relief

The AMI Strong gift card matching campaign raised over $20,000 to support local businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Community members rallied around the initiative, which received hundreds of shares and widespread engagement, along with coverage from ABC Local. AMI Strong deepened Issa Homes’ ties to Anna Maria Island, showcasing its commitment to supporting Gulf Coast recovery efforts. Issa Homes expressed deep gratitude to all contributors who joined in the cause.

Looking Ahead

As the year draws to a close, Issa Homes focuses on building momentum with upcoming projects, community initiatives, and events. Plans for November and December include continued marketing for SeaFlower and Harbour Isle and finalizing preparations for SeaFlower’s sales phase. Issa Homes remains committed to updating the community as these developments unfold.

For more updates, visit the Issa Homes news section regularly.

Anna Maria Island, FL — Issa Homes is proud to announce the overwhelming success of its AMI Strong initiative, which raised over $20,000 for local merchants affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton as part of the ongoing Anna Maria Island hurricane recovery efforts. The program, which ran from October 1 to October 15, aimed to provide much-needed support to businesses on Anna Maria Island during a time of uncertainty.

Thanks to the generous participation of the community, over $10,000 was generated through gift card purchases and other transactions. Issa Homes matched every dollar, bringing the total to $20,526.16.

Issa Homes Commitment to Community

“Establishments like AMI Outfitters and The Waterfront have been part of our lives for over a decade; they’re like family to us,” said Don Hempel, co-owner of Issa Homes. “This initiative wasn’t just about rebuilding—it was about supporting the businesses that make this island so special. We’ve also had the pleasure of welcoming newer merchants into our circle, and seeing the outpouring of support from the community has been beyond our wildest dreams.”

Don Hempel wearing blue shirt with water behind

Local Support in Times of Need

The AMI Strong initiative was designed to give local merchants immediate cash flow during the aftermath of two hurricanes. With power outages, flooding, and other challenges on the minds of business owners, the initiative offered a way for the community to support while these small businesses managed their operations and personal lives.

Merchants Supported Through the Initiative

AMI Outfitters: $4,709.36
AMI Photos: $83.30
Aqua Salon Anna Maria: $2,400.00
Cheese Cake Cuties: $3,697.20
Hurricane Hanks: $950.00
Mademoiselle Paris AMI: $400.00
Nomad Collection: $2,636.30
North Shore Cafe: $550.00
The Doctor’s Office: $600.00
The Waterfront: $4,500.00

Resilience and Recovery: Anna Maria Island hurricane recovery

The resilience of Anna Maria Island’s small businesses mirrors the determination of its residents. According to FEMA, nearly 40% of small businesses never reopen following a disaster, and the ongoing recovery from Helene and Milton continues to challenge local merchants. Initiatives like AMI Strong provide essential support to ensure the island’s unique shops and restaurants not only survive but thrive.

Encourages Others to Pay it Forward

“We hope this initiative inspires other businesses to create matching programs and encourages fans of Anna Maria Island—locally and globally—to keep supporting our small businesses and pay it forward,” said Hempel.

Issa Homes’ Deep Connection to Anna Maria Island

Issa Homes has long been a part of the Anna Maria Island and Bradenton community, with its owners, Don and Lisa Hempel, actively involved in local life. They have been part of the Anna Maria community since 2010 and became homeowners on the island in 2014. As the SeaFlower development ramps up, Issa Homes will soon open its 2nd location in the area, further deepening its commitment to the region. Issa Homes is currently building custom waterfront homes on Holmes Beach and in Harbour Isle, and will soon break ground in SeaFlower, a new development in Bradenton designed for active, coastal living.

A Future of Continued Support

As Don Hempel remarked, “We wanted to help, but we had no idea how big of an impact this would make. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who participated and supported these merchants.”

Issa Homes is committed to continuing its community-driven initiatives. In addition to supporting Anna Maria Island’s local businesses, it is a proud sponsor of PACE and a member of the Bradenton Chamber of Commerce.

Check out this resource for Florida small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helena and Milton. As part of the recovery effort, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, offering $50 million in aid to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton. Eligible business owners can apply for assistance through the program.

What can you do as a business or volunteer?

Join the Anna Maria Island Community Virtually or In-Person – Volunteer and Donate

AMI Hurricane Recovery Facebook Group
- Stay up-to-date on community recovery efforts, volunteer opportunities

Official Volunteer and Donations
For more details on supplies needed and hurricane relief information, visit the AMI Center.

Issa Homes is making a grand re-entrance into the Cromwell neighborhood in Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, consequently marking another milestone in the long-standing relationship with Tavistock and the Lake Nona community.

new spec homes within the prestigious Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

“We are thrilled to return to Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, where we’ve had the privilege of building for sports celebrities, politicians, and families looking to settle in this iconic master-planned community,” remarked Don Hempel, President of Issa Homes, celebrating 50 years of building luxury homes in Florida. “This latest project marks the 54th home we have built in Lake Nona since we began in 2003, further highlighting our enduring partnership with this prestigious community.”

The latest project involves building new luxury homes in the prestigious Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, starting at $3.875 million. This new development lies in an area known as “Cromwell,” marking the first major expansion of this gated golf community. The master developer, Tavistock Development Company, has planned 46 lots along Cromwell Road, releasing 16 lots ranging from a quarter acre to half an acre in size.

ISSA HOMES PART OF THE EXPANSION INTO CRoMWELL

The expansion into Cromwell aims to satisfy current buyer demand and welcome new members to the community. It addresses the low inventory of resale homes, which indicates that residents tend to purchase and settle long-term.

Among the significant developments, two estates in the community have already sold for over $6 million this year alone. The new lots are conveniently located north of the KPMG Lakeside campus and near the USTA National Training Campus. This likely attracts potential buyers connected to the USTA or those working in the nearby areas.

CUSTOM HOMes in cromwell projected to be ready in 2025

Issa Homes is currently constructing a two-story, 5-bedroom, 5½-bath house on a quarter-acre lot in Cromwell. They expect to complete the first set of custom homes by early 2025.
This home offers 4,625 square feet of living space and costs $3.875 million. The design and amenities meet the needs of a diverse buyer demographic, contributing to Lake Nona’s vibrant community spirit.

For more information on buying a home in Lake Nona click here.

by Brian Libby

Issa Homes in Disney’s Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort is a unique experience. When Disney began selecting builders for its resort community, Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort, experience and quality were paramount. It was no surprise, therefore, when Issa Homes was one of the companies chosen. Issa Homes has enjoyed four decades of experience building luxury homes in Florida, dating back to its founding by Francis Issa in 1972, and particularly flourishing when the company joined forces with Arvida, a large Florida developer. Issa has built-in communities such as Arvida’s Weston, Baldwin Park, and Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, including homes for local celebrities and former professional athletes like Cortez Kennedy and Bernie Kosar.

Issa Homes: From Celebration to Golden Oak – A Journey in Luxury Living and Disney Collaboration

Issa Homes also spent ten years working in the Disney-developed town of Celebration, which sits several miles outside Disney World. Golden Oak represents the culmination of Issa’s experience in the luxury market and working with Disney. The company even relocated from its South Florida headquarters to Orlando to take advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s almost like we’ve gone full circle,” says Don Hempel, partner at Issa. “At Disney, they’re huge on customer care. That’s obvious to anyone who has visited their theme parks or stayed in a Disney Resort. We gave them an unabridged list of 400 homeowners and they called every single one of them they could reach.” Obviously, the testimonials were decidedly in Issa’s favor.

Issa Homes is one of the builders in Kimball Trace, the Tuscan Village neighborhood within Golden Oak that also is home to Summerhouse, the community clubhouse. “These are some of the smaller homes and tighter lots, but plenty luxurious,” he says. “Disney was looking for true Tuscan architecture, and developed guidelines that builders followed to ensure the massing and detailing of the homes were architecturally correct. The level of architectural detail is extremely important in Golden Oak. We are utilizing all-natural materials, such as natural stone and true clay tile roofs. You are not in Tuscany living here, but that sense of romanticism is as present as the Florida sunshine.”

Ever dreamed what it would be like to have Cinderella as your neighbor? Issa Homes is proud to be one of the homebuilders selected by Disney to design and construct in the gated community of Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, A Mouse in the House, Golden Oak was explained as the only place in the world where you can own a home within Disney-resort boundaries. There are as many as 450 homes on the Lake Buena Vista site, a few within eyesight of the famous Cinderella Castle fireworks.

Homeownership in the development starts at $1.7 million, and homes have sold for more than $7 million. Extras include property taxes and annual fees which include park passes, door-to-park transportation, extended hours for visiting attractions such as the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and a 17,000-square-foot clubhouse with a restaurant and concierge. Residents also will have access to some of the amenities, including the spa and dining rooms at the $370 million, 444-room Four Seasons resort expected to open in Golden Oak next summer.

Most buyers are self-described Disneyphiles, and they come from around the globe.

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Issa Homes Gulf Coast News: First Gulf Coast Home Sold, SeaFlower Bradenton Progress, and New Harbour Isle Developments