Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Parade of Homes to focus on design, technology

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Tuesday, June 8, 1999

Parade of Homes to focus on design, technology
Flowing floor plans, wiring for sound, security will be highlighted in 15 homes
By Andrea Jares

   The annual Corpus Christi Parade of Homes moves in later this month, this time with enough ideas to fill 15 homes.
   Local builders will show off their best home work in a group of houses in a wide variety of price ranges and sizes, said Dickson Clements, executive director of sponsor Builders Association Corpus Christi Area. The homes are throughout the city, as far apart as Calallen and Padre Island.
   "For the builders entered in the Parade, it's an opportunity for them to display their homes in an organized effort," Clements said.
   The models in the parade will be open between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends between June 19 and 27.
   The homes will feature the latest in technology and design. The homes this year have an emphasis on floor plans that flow well for family living, on prewiring for sound and security systems, as well as new looks in houses, Clements said.
   Visitors can talk directly with the builders and take note of the company's style. They can also look at floor plans or other work done by builders.
   Maps and descriptions of the homes will be available for free at all area Coastal Maverick Markets beginning June 17. The Caller-Times will also print a map and description of the homes in the June 18 edition.
   More information about each of the builders is provided in the homes in the Parade. As an added incentive to visit all 15 homes, tickets with stamps from all of the homes will be entered into a drawing for a trip for two to Cancun, Mexico.
   A group of investors is planning to open a 62-room Microtel Inn and Suites hotel near the heart of Five Points shopping in Calallen. Construction should start within a month, after a contractor is selected, said Bhanukant Patel, a Calallen businessman who is coordinating the project for Falcon Hospitality Inc., but is not one of the investors.
   The hotel includes single and double rooms for budget-minded travelers.
   Patel said the growth in the Five Points area is one of the reasons that makes a new hotel an attractive investment. The prospect of a county fairgrounds in the area makes it even better, he said.
   Total Design Four of Corpus Christi is the architect. Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems Inc. owns the Microtel name.
   Sandcastle Apartments is reroofing apartments and improving the landscaping. The renovations to all of the building roofs are part of an effort to improve the look of the apartments, said property manager Cheryl Lundholm, Sandcastle property manager.
   Penny Holloway, assistant manager at Harbour Landing, also has plans to reroof its buildings. She said the hot weather makes it a good time to roof the apartments.



On Real Estate is published every other Tuesday in the business section. Business reporter Andrea Jares can be reached at 886-3678 or by email at jaresa@caller.com