About Us
Meet Anthony & Tia
Family-owned and operated since 1979, PGI Homes was founded with a vision toward excellence. Since its inception, it's been the recipient of more than 380 industry awards, including two Grand Aurora awards in 2015, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the Southeastern United States.
Award-Winning History
We Build Trophy Homes
We have had the privilege of building more than 3,000 custom homes across Southwest Florida since our company’s modest beginnings in Punta Gorda, Florida. Our award-winning team of architects, designers and construction professionals apply decades of experience to building you the home of your dreams.
In 2017, we were honored with 6 prestigious Aurora Awards. The Auroras are presented to outstanding builders, developers, architects, and design professionals throughout the Southeastern United States and Eastern Caribbean.
1950 Planning
Al Johns, Bud Cole, Sam Burchers, and Bob Barbee meet with James Buchanan from the Board of General Development Corporation & set plans to develop Charlotte Harbor/Punta Gorda.
1957 Land
In 1957, the four men buy 550 acres from Gerald Moody and George Sanders.
1959 Binoculars
In 1959 Al Johns opens his first office overlooking Charlotte Harbor and begins to sell undeveloped lots-using binoculars for prospective customers to view Punta Gorda Isles across the harbor.
1960 Money Increase
PGI Corp. opens a yacht club and beach club.
1960 Annexed
In 1960, PGI Corp. requests the city of Punta Gorda to annex PGI.
1960 Golfing
Punta Gorda Isles, Inc. announces plans to build a golf course, purchases the land from the city to have land annexed.
1962 Activities
In July 1962, the Punta Gorda Civic Association forms to create different activities for residents.
1978 Millions
By 1978 PGI had sold $100 million in properties.
1979 Birth
PGI Homes was originally started in September 1979 and registered by Paula McQueen and Deborah Llewellyn, who were the secretaries for PGI Homes and Bud Coles, Al Johns, and Sam Burchers.
1979 Homebuilding
In 1979, PGI decided to open a homebuilding division to build homes on the thousands of lots they successfully developed.
1979 Making a Deal
Paula McQueen and Rocky Farhat negotiate a deal for the Farhats to take over the PGI Homes brand.
1980 Interest Growth
Interest rates top 20% in 1980.
1980 Grand Opening
In the early 1980's, PGI Homes opens its first model home center in Palmetto Pointe in Fort Myers.
1986 Stepping Up
In 1986, Tim Farhat (Rocky’s eldest son) starts full-time with his father, ultimately working his way up to managing construction operations for a variety of projects on behalf of his father’s companies.
1987 Barge
In 1987, Rocky Farhat completes his first barrier island project on Palm Island. All the materials for this beachfront multi-family project were transported by barge. The project was named Savannah House and merchandised by the award-winning designer Mary DeWalt of Austin, Texas.
1989 Plans
In 1989, Rocky Farhat unveils plans for Peppertree Development, one of the first gated communities in Charlotte County.
1990 Breaking Ground
In 1990, Rocky Farhat breaks ground on Stonegate, a gated development in Port Charlotte.
1990 Growth
PGI Homes begins to specialize in custom-built single-family homes.
1995 New Model
In 1995, PGI Homes opens the Signature Model on Shreve Street in Punta Gorda.
1996 Honors
In 1996, Money Magazine names Punta Gorda “Second Best Place to Live in America” & “Number One Small Place to Live in America.” Additional honors to follow.
1997 Anthony Farhat
In 1997, after years of spending summers working in SW Florida for his father, Anthony Farhat (youngest son) starts full-time in the field at PGI Homes, eventually working his way up to project manager.
1998 Exclusive
In 1998, PGI Homes is invited by Realmark Development Group to be the exclusive builder of an estate home enclave at Linkside at Burnt Store Marina.
2000 New Millennium
In 2000, PGI Homes opens the Pelican 198 model center in Burnt Store Marina. After a successful venture with Realmark Group in Burnt Store Marina, Will Stout negotiates to purchase Cape Harbour in Cape Coral and invites PGI Homes to be in the Medallion Builder program at the community. PGI Homes is named the preferred estate home builder at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in Sarasota County.
2000 Medallion Builder
Early 2000s, Will Stout, president of Realmark Group, acquires another community, Cape Royal. Realmark yet again names PGI Homes to its “Medallion Builder” program for their newest neighborhood, making PGI Homes the only builder in SW Florida to be selected in every Realmark community.
2001 100 Best
In 2001, National publication ranks Heron Creek a Top 100 Best Master Planned Communities.
2002 Largest Estate
In 2002, PGI Homes is commissioned to build the largest estate home in Charlotte County at the gated community of Grassy Point. The home is constructed on a single site peninsula lot surrounded by water on three sides.
2002 North Port
In 2002, PGI Homes opens the Royale Model Home Center in the estate enclave of Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port. The home went on to be named Home of the Year in the Sarasota Building Industry Parade of Homes.
2002 Entrepreneur
In 2002, Anthony Farhat is named Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
2002 Punta Gorda
In 2002, PGI Homes opens the Royale Model Home Center in the estate enclave of Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port. The home went on to be named Home of the Year in the Sarasota Building Industry Parade of Homes.
2003 New Models
In 2003, PGI Homes builds the Biltmore model at Cape Harbour Preserve & sells it for a record $2.8 million. The home was awarded the Grand Aurora Award in the over $1.5 million price category. This essentially set the stage for what was to become a new generation of multimillion-dollar estate homes in Cape Coral. PGI Homes also opens the signature model home in Cape Royal, the home went on to win several local industry awards including Best Home on the Block.
2004 Breaking More Ground
In 2004, PGI Homes breaks ground on its new executive line of homes. The center consisted of two fully furnished model homes and complete design center on Cape Coral Parkway offering on-your-lot homes from the $300,000s. These two homes went on to receive more than 25 local industry awards for floor plan design, style, outdoor living, kitchen, baths, and more.
Early 2000 Relationships
PGI Homes has established long-term relationships with their sub-contractors – some for as long as 20 years.
2005 Building Contracts
In 2005, PGI Homes contract a higher number of homes than ever before.
2005 Finalist
Also, in 2005, PGI Homes ranks second for Large Business of the Year at the Excellence in Business Awards.
2005 Tia Farhat
Tia Farhat is brought on to manage the new model home center on Cape Coral Parkway. She was recognized as a finalist for Employee of the Year at the Excellence in Business Awards.
2006 Paving the Way
During 2005-2006, Rocky begins to phase himself out of day-to-day operations, paving the way for the next generation.
2006 Record Sales
In 2006, PGI Homes sets a new annual sales record with $48 million dollars in completed construction.
2008 40 under 40
In 2008, Anthony Farhat is named to Gulf Coast Business Review’s "40-Under-40" list of younger businesspeople and other leaders whose entrepreneurial spirit is filled with ambition and courage.
2012 By the Water
In 2012, after one of the most challenging cycles in the residential construction industry, PGI Homes is invited to be the exclusive building partner in Tarpon Estates in Tarpon Point Marina, home of the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral. Tarpon Estates is the last double gate yachting community in Southwest Florida.
2012 Succession
Anthony becomes a licensed real estate broker and takes over PGI Homes.
2013 Cape Coral
In 2013, PGI Homes opens the Casa Elegante Model Home Center at Tarpon Estates. The home goes on to receive more than 20 industry awards from the Lee Building Association and Cape Coral Construction Industry Association.
2014 More Models
In 2014, PGI Homes opens its newest model home on Colonial Point Boulevard in Punta Gorda Isles. In 2014, PGI Homes also acquires its first property on Sanibel Island to construct the Sand Castle model.
2014 Tarpon Point
In 2014, PGI Homes breaks record of highest sales price per square foot with the Casa Vidro Model in Tarpon Estates.
2015 Aurora Awards
In 2015 PGI Homes is honored with seven Aurora Awards.
2015 Tarpon Again
In 2015, PGI Homes breaks their previous record sales price per square foot with the Casa de Nautica Model in Tarpon Estates.
2016 Punta Gorda
PGI Homes opens their newest model, The Yachtsman, at 1870 Marion Avenue.
2016 Charlotte County
In the 2016 Charlotte County Parade of Homes, PGI Homes was honored with more awards than any other builder in the County.
President
Anthony Farhat
Now President of PGI Homes LLC, Anthony started over 17 years ago sweeping jobs sites and moving material, learning every aspect of what it takes to build a unique and personalized bespoke home. Anthony now leads one of Southwest Florida’s most awarded company building breathtaking custom homes throughout Lee and Charlotte Counties. Anthony personally meets with every customer and oversees every job taking not only an active but personal role from design through construction of his client’s home. For many years PGI Homes has incorporated strong family values and work ethic that has separated itself as an elite custom homebuilder earning the respect of their clients and the community they actively support.
Those values and ethics have also been demonstrated as Anthony and PGI Homes have been strong supporters of organizations and events such as the Quality of Life Center, a dynamic effort to make a strong positive impact on the youth of Southwest Florida. They have also materialized with Anthony being presented many awards such as “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and being named in the “Top 40 Under 40” business leaders in Southwest Florida by the Gulfcoast Business Review. Anthony hold a Florida License SL3155404. Away from PGI Homes, he is a dedicated husband and father of two dynamic sons.
Design Director
Tia Farhat
A Florida native born in Naples, Tia Farhat has a Visual Merchandising BA from Florida Gulf Coast University (GO EAGLES!!!).Tia now has 10 years experience working with clients to create their customized home. Tia guides each customer through the color and material selection process prior to building their dream home, helping to create a truly bespoke home palette. Tia helped lead PGI Homes to the 2012, 2013, & 2015: Superior Home of the Year. Tia holds Florida License SL32143467. Away from PGI, Tia is passionately raising her two sons to be future gentlemen.
2017 Aurora Awards
- Best Single Family Detached Home 2500-2999 sqft – Yachtsman model home in Punta Gorda Isles
- Best Single Family Detached Home 3500-3999 sqft – Case de Nautica showcase home in Tarpon Estates
- Best Kitchen $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 – Casa de Nautica showcase home in Tarpon Estates
- Best Bath $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 – Case de Antigua
- Best Kitchen $500,000 to $1,000,000 – Sand Castle showcase home on Sanibel Island
“I am so proud of our team,” said Anthony Farhat, president of the family-owned and operated company, building since 1979. “We enjoy designing and building creative projects, and are honored to be recognized with these Auroras.”
