Back to Company News
	Contact: Jackie Slatkow or Kelly Husak (561) 278-0850

A benefit for the American Cancer Society--
SAN MICHELE PLANS MODEL GRAND OPENING THIS WEEKEND

PALM BEACH GARDENS – The area’s most opulent professionally-designed model homes will take center stage this weekend when San Michele holds its official grand opening celebration as a special tribute to the “Relay for Life” event of the Amercian Cancer Society.

Developed by Gordon Homes and Sterling Communities, San Michele will host an Italian festival to spotlight three magnificent new models, including the one-story Bianca, a five-bedroom design, the two-story Cortona, a five-bedroom home with library, and the Valdarna, a six bedroom home with library.

At the grand opening, Rob Gordon, chief operating officer at Gordon Homes and Paul Asfahl, president of Sterling Communities, will present a donation for “Relay for Life” to Sandy Rigabar, Susan Cirasuola and Joyce Bartlett, all staff at San Michele who are long-time volunteers and supporters of the American Cancer Society, who are spearheading the Relay event. Also at the San Michele grand opening, the public can sign up for the 2003 Relay for Life, which funds research, advocacy, community programs and programs for youth, including R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to Cancer Kids), R.O.C.K. Camp Family Weekend, and college scholarships for former R.O.C.K. campers.

“We are proud to be a continuing supporter of these extraordinary programs of the American Cancer Society as we celebrate the official grand opening of San Michele,” noted Gordon. “These luxury models have been designed to showcase the standard of luxury residents will enjoy at San Michele, and we predict that they will be the talk of the town.

Inspired by the romantic villages of Italy, San Michele will be transformed into an Italian festival from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, with trolley rides, entertainment, refreshments and even Maserati cars from Shelton Ferrari Maserati in Fort Lauderdale delivered especially for the celebration. In addition, Lamborghinis from Florida Electric Vehicles in Palm City will be on-hand for on-site transportation.

The refreshments for the celebration are being prepared by Morelli’s Restaurant and Master Chef Paolo Natalucci, 80-years-young, who was named one of the “three best chefs” in America by New York Times food critic Craig Claiborne. Chef Natalucci, who has owned restaurants in Manhattan as well as South Florida, has served such famous diners as President John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, and Joe DiMaggio.

A guard-gated neighborhood of 90 exclusive, luxury estate residences featuring four-, five- and six-bedroom floorplans, San Michele is priced from the $600,000s to $2 million.

“We’ve planned this celebration for months,” added Paul Asfahl, president of Sterling Communities, which unveiled its distinctive model homes at Sorrento Village at San Michele earlier this summer. “

In addition to the three new models by Gordon Homes, guests will be able to see our new fitness center with state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength training equipment, a social room and tropically landscaped swimming pool, as well as two lighted Har-Tru tennis courts.

Based on Sterling Communities’ and Gordon Homes’ highly successful runs in other communities in Palm Beach County, San Michele has been designed as a private club without the country club expense. The sophisticated community reflects the two builders’ signature niche for intimate neighborhoods, centered around a social, fitness and clubhouse gathering place.

The community’s entry will be manned 24-hours a day, and is adjacent to the new campus of The Benjamin School. Within minutes of San Michele are private and public schools, The Gardens Mall, restaurants and beaches.

“After diligent research, we know that today’s buyers are looking for the extensive luxury home features found in new homes, but they do not want the atmosphere or expense of a country club community,” added Asfahl.

“Today’s new home buyers want a private, gated community, a long list of luxury home features, and a great sense of exclusivity. What they don’t want is to live in a huge, impersonal community where they are required to pay for golf courses, dining rooms and other features they do not find appealing.”
All homes at Tuscany Village, the Gordon Homes’ neighborhood at San Michele, include today’s finest luxuries, such as granite countertops, Saturnia marble flooring, crown molding, a pool and spa package package, three- and four-car garages, and more.

To visit San Michele, take I-95 to PGA Boulevard west, go one mile to Central Boulevard, turn right. San Michele is two miles ahead on the left at the northwest corner of Central Boulevard and Hood Road. The new Information Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, please call (561) 691-9100 or visit www.sanmichelerealty.com.