January 20, 2018 By Andrea Stetson Koogler Homes takes the cover spot in 2018 Builders' Showcase of Homes Koogler Homes is grabbing the top spot with its newest custom house in Cape Coral. It s the cover model of the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association (CCCIA) Builders' Showcase of Homes and the platinum cover sponsor of the Lee Building Industry Association s 2018 Parade of Homes. But this house in Cape Harbor is more than a cover model; it is a model of top architecture, materials and ease of living. "This is us," said Don Koogler, president of Koogler Homes Inc. "We think we are very different." Some of it is simple, such as the washer and dryer in the master closet for a convenient place to do laundry. There is also a door from the master closet leading to one of the garages, since the family travels a lot and that makes packing and unpacking the car quick. The walk-in closet is just one of three places to do laundry. There s a large laundry room with space for a refrigerator and butler s pantry near the kitchen and another laundry room upstairs. There are vacuum hoses that pull from the wall around the home for easy cleanups. -1-
The three 85-inch televisions make it convenient to watch sporting events and favorite shows from the lanai, family room or loft. There s also the eight deluxe seat movie theater with its 135-inch screen and counter area with a popcorn machine, refrigerator and microwave that allows the theater experience without leaving home. A hidden spot under the staircase gives residents lots of room for storage. The ease of living even extends to the master bathroom. The smart toilet opens the lid when you walk in, has a heated seat and flushes when you wave your hand. The house also features numerous upscale design touches. In the half-bathroom by the pool, threedimensional artwork of fish is embedded in two walls. A third wall looks like the water with its turquoise stone. "We put stone in all our bathrooms. We don t use tile," Koogler said. He also uses marble for the outside counters. "It s for longevity," Koogler said. "I don t want you to have to come down and have to work on your home when you are on vacation." The upscale look continues with the shiny black Boston piano just inside the entrance. Its backdrop is a series of picture windows with silver-gray curtains draped from giant silver hooks that frame the view of the pool and canal. There s also a 500-bottle wine room with its alligator skin ceiling. "People are always coming by to see what I am doing next," Koogler described. His design features include the simple things such as electrical sockets hidden under cabinets and motion sensor lights on the stairs. -2-
Koogler puts an emphasis on looking up in his homes. "Ceilings are our big thing," Koogler said. "We do decorative ceilings throughout the house." The maple wood panel inlaid ceiling decorates the family room. A similar style cypress wood ceiling prevails on the lanai. A floating ceiling over the dining room table has lights hidden behind it. Architecture is another thing Koogler touts as special in the Cape Harbor home. "We design the outside first, and with what space is left, we design the home because we believe this is the most important, Koogler said. There is a 140-foot stretch of outdoor living area along the water. The lanai features a pool and spa, fire features, a waterfall, outdoor kitchen, and a dining and sitting area. Just beyond is a dock with boatlift and then another personal watercraft lift and a chickee hut. There s also an outdoor deck on the second story and a third-story outdoor patio area. The top deck gives sweeping views of the canal and the natural preserve on the other side of the water. -3-
"We saw a panther and wild hogs from up here," Koogler said. Downstairs the family room, dining area, kitchen and U-shaped bar area all meld together in a large open space. The master bedroom features a king-size bed, a fireplace and a sitting area. French doors lead to the lanai. The master bathroom has an unusual slipper shaped bathtub perched on a pedestal. There is also a very large steam shower. Nearby, the den has two walls of windows overlooking the lanai and a third wall that a padded piece with hidden lights that juts from the main wall. Upstairs, the spacious sitting area has doors that lead to the balcony. Besides the seating and an extremely large television, there is also a table and mini-kitchen with a sink and refrigerator. The three upstairs bedrooms have king size beds and tray ceilings. The four-bedroom plus den home has five full bathrooms and two half baths and a three-car garage. This home spans about 7,000 square feet under air and more than 11,000 square feet of total living space. It is price at approximately $4.7 million. -4-
Even with all this space, Koogler said $123 was the highest electric bill in the summer due to good insulation. Bill Johnson Jr., executive director and CEO of the CCCIA, said the Koogler home is perfect for the cover model of the 22nd Annual Builders Showcase of Homes. "I think it is just a great representation of what a custom home can be," Johnson said. "It is a gorgeous house. When you get into that level of custom homes it is all the details that truly make the difference." IF YOU GO WHAT: 2018 Builders' Showcase of Homes by the CCCIA (Cape Coral Construction Industry Association) INFO: www.cccia.org WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 21, noon - 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, noon - 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, noon - 5 p.m. (https://www.news-press.com/story/marketplace/real-estate/2018/01/20/koogler-homestakes-cover-spot-2018-builders-showcase-homes/1037962001/)