Illustration of Sobel Co's design for the new Barefoot Beach Villas in Pompano Beach.

National Real Estate developer, Sobel Company, has rejoined the Florida real estate market in its recent committal to a 34-unit townhome project in Pompano Beach. Construction of the new residences, called the Barefoot Beach Villas, is intended to begin in the next few weeks.

Twenty signed contracts were confirmed at the groundbreaking ceremony last week.  The villas are billed as a project 700 feet from the ocean along State Road A1A, and with prices in the $300,000 range.

Jack Halkowich, a broker for Baker Real Estate, the firm handling the project’s sales and marketing, said that the groundbreaking ceremony is an important milestone that shows potential residents that, in this difficult environment for construction, development is on its way.

Halkowich also said that the community’s first residents are due to move in as early as spring. “There won’t be that fear that it’s not going to be done,” he said. “Things couldn’t be better.”

The two-story villas will overlook a landscaped courtyard with a heated pool, cabanas and gathering area. Buyers will also be able to select their own interior finishes.

“South Florida remains one of the most desirable lifestyle destinations on the planet, the market is stabilizing and prices – for land, construction and housing — are back to earth,” said Chairman of Sobel Co., Sam Sobel. “These prices, just steps to the beach, for a new home, represent the kind of value the market has been waiting for.”