If you’ve looked around to build a new custom house in Brevard County within the last sixty years, chances are you may have stumbled across DiPrima Construction or DiPrima Custom Homes. While many folks in both the building and real estate world may know about DiPrima’s reputation, few know the story of how it all started. So, let’s dive into the history of our company in the area.
The Journey of Joseph DiPrima, Founder of Our Company
Joseph DiPrima, our founder and owner of the company, was born and raised in Brooklyn. In 1951, and at age seventeen, Joe and his family moved to Miami so that Joe’s father could pursue the development and management of a motel. Joe went on to attend the University of Miami and earned a master’s degree in accounting and finance. After graduating, Joe worked for an accounting firm for a year, before being convinced to switch careers to become the partial owner of an insulation and fireproofing company. The struggles of subcontracting became frustrating, and Joe was looking to change course. His father and a close family friend persuaded Joe to earn his general contractor’s license and build houses. The three men pooled their money together and bought a lot in Indian Harbour Beach, over three hours north of Miami.
DiPrima’s Role in Brevard County’s Growth and Development
Brevard County has a long history with national defense and consequently, space exploration. The Naval Expansion Act of 1938 led to the creation of Naval Air Station Banana River in 1940. The base was used throughout World War II, before being transferred to the Air Force in 1948. The facilities became the Air Force’s Long Range Proving Grounds, first used to test missiles. Cape Canaveral, due to its position relative to the Atlantic and the equator, was a primary location for early missile and rocket launches. With the foundation of NASA in 1958, Cape Canaveral and Brevard County saw an influx of money and residents as the country sought to counter the Soviet Union.
Thus, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, and other towns on the barrier island saw rapid growth and development. DiPrima bought its first lot on Mayaca Drive in Indian Harbour Beach and built its first house. From there, the company bought additional lots and continued to construct more housing. DiPrima was largely building custom houses beachside, from Satellite Beach through Indialantic, and Joe became a major player in the development of the area. If you were to drive around some of our beachside communities, you may notice the large volume of DiPrima homes, particularly in areas like DeSoto Parkway.
DiPrima’s Legacy in Residential and Commercial Construction Across Brevard County
As lots became more scarce on the barrier island, DiPrima expanded, both in locations and markets. DiPrima built numerous homes in various parts of the county through the years. Stretching from Titusville to Grant, the company still spans a large swath of the county. Furthermore, in the mid 1970s, DiPrima started winning commercial work. DiPrima built schools, police stations, apartments, boardwalks, office buildings, banks, and more. We’ve moved as far south as Fort Pierce, and as west as Lake Winona.
In more recent years, DiPrima has focused primarily on residential construction. From heavy involvement in the development of communities like Lansing Island, to the construction of more modest 2,000 square foot custom houses, the company’s capabilities span a variety of projects. Within the last fifteen years, the majority of DiPrima’s efforts have been in Melbourne, in communities like Summer Lakes, Veranda Place, the Enclave at Lake Washington, and St. Andrew’s Manor, building countless homes.
Currently, DiPrima is building in Casa Bella and Laguna Village, both in Melbourne. We were one of the first builders in Casa Bella when the project started about twenty years ago, and we will be closing out the neighborhood as the last builder with available lots. In Laguna Village, DiPrima is the sole developer and we’ve completed sixty-six of the seventy-five houses to be built. With eight houses currently under construction, we expect to complete the neighborhood relatively soon.
Conclusion
As the company celebrates its sixty-fourth anniversary next year, we plan to be building custom houses in other areas of Brevard County, like the Shores at Tranquility in Titusville. We appreciate and value the support of our clients throughout the years, and continue to prioritize the importance of a satisfied customer.