St. Joseph, MO-KS (1888PressRelease)
September 28, 2007 - Builder magazine recently released its annual list of the fastest growing builders in the country. What may be a surprise for some, many of the builders on the list are young builders. Established in 2003, Highland Homes, #8 on the list, attributes its growth to building affordable, urban-friendly GREEN homes to meet changing market demands.
Cofounders Bob Shallenberger and John Cavanagh have established the company as a leader for residential GREEN building in St. Louis. Highland’s new projects include the use of recycled materials, renewable building materials, and energy efficient windows, lighting and appliances, among many others. Highland Homes follows the National Association of Home Builders’ Green Building Guidelines.
“Highland Homes has brought a new vision to St. Louis through GREEN, affordable and urban-friendly residences,” Shallenberger said. “This has allowed for our fast growth, and we’re excited we’ve been able to create jobs and development in the St. Louis area.”
Builder reports the average three-year compound annual growth rate for builders on the list was 36 percent – Highland’s was 79 percent. The company was also recently named #293 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 500 fastest growing companies in the country. Highland was the #1 fastest growing company in St. Louis in 2005, according to the St. Louis Business Journal, and is the 20th largest homebuilder in St. Louis.
Another factor in the company’s growth has been its “true urban” philosophy, which focuses on architecturally blending new residences into existing neighborhoods, appealing to city-loving homebuyers. This philosophy has also been expanded to suburban areas in St. Charles County.
Highland’s owners are finding a strong demand for affordable GREEN residences, selling more than 40 percent of the first phase before they broke ground in one GREEN development. The builder expects new developments to help the company continue its growth pattern.
Established in 2003 by John Cavanagh and Bob Shallenberger, Highland Homes has rapidly become a $16 million company, as well as the #1 fastest-growing private company in St. Louis in 2005 and a member of the 2007 Inc. 500 list. As St. Louis’ 20th largest homebuilder, Highland Homes quickly found its niche building new homes that complement existing communities in the general St. Louis Central Corridor as well as in St. Charles County. Highland Homes is a green builder that develops environmentally-responsible homes which appeal to customers’ lifestyles with “urban friendly” floor plans and extensive options. For more information, visit www.highlandhomesinc.com. For more information on the Builder list, visit http://www.builderonline.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=27&articleID=568522.
