"Buyers wanting to upgrade to a new home but who are concerned about the subsequent tax increase should consider renovating existing homes. These buyers can reduce their environmental footprint and gain substantial long-term tax savings. Sarasota is ripe with renovation opportunities.”

-Grant Castilow

MyGreenBuildings

Natural Awakenings | June, 2011

In the past five years, Steve Ellis, LEED AP and Grant Castilow, LEED AP have driven MyGreenBuildings to a regional leadership position in innovative, creative residential and commercial buildings. The company has earned national awards for their work, which includes a luxury beachfront home that is rated as LEED Platinum by the US Green Building Council. At first blush, one might think “green” and “luxury” an oxymoron. But Ellis’ crew has put that to rest. Their construction is designed to maximize natural elements of space, environment and efficiency. The lines are clean, crisp and beautiful, and the construction and execution is efficient.

But there’s more to the story. Ellis and Castilow are dedicated to corporate citizenship in Sarasota and surrounding communities. “I hope we can lead by example,” Ellis explained. “By delivering clients high-craftsmanship with a dose of environmental stewardship, we’re putting people to work on something that is meaningful and it gives them an extra dose of pride in their work product. We get the extra effort from our team that delivers a product that has terrific attention to detail, is healthier for them, and less expensive to maintain in the years to come. In my opinion, we are driving the local economy in a way that is sustainable. People are catching on to this nuance, and as our company grows, it gives us an opportunity to ‘pay it forward’.”

Although a small enterprise, the examples are numerous: providing philanthropic support to local nonprofits like the Southeastern Guide Dogs, Humane Society of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Conservation Foundation (a local land trust), and donating a living rooftop exhibit to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

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