One of Florida Home Builders Association’s most revered members – Arthur Rutenberg of Clearwater – suddenly passed away March 29, 2017 at the age of 89.
Originally from Chicago, Rutenberg moved to Florida in 1953 and began building homes. An astute businessman and innovative builder, he’s since pioneered home building franchises and designed revolutionary custom homes for contemporary lifestyles. He’s been recognized as the dean of Florida Home design being the first to offer the split-bedroom floor plan, widening hallways and doors and positioning the kitchen in the heart of the house to offer views of the pool and lanai.
“We all learned so much from his creativity, business sense and hard work ethic”, says Rita Williams, Chair of FHBA’s Hall of Fame Board of Governors. “He was visionary home builder and Rutenberg’s name will forever be synonymous with building the American Dream. “
Arthur Rutenberg is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jane; Daughters: Sharon Rosenberg, Jan Morse, and Julie Rutenberg; Sons: Barry Rutenberg and Steven Rutenberg. Please click here to sign a guest book in his honor.
Other tid-bits:
- In 1986 “Professional Builder” magazine named Arthur Rutenberg National Builder of the Year.
- In 1993 Builder magazine named Rutenberg a Legend of Residential Marketing.
- In 1996 he was inducted into FHBA’s Florida Housing Hall of Fame.
- In 2008, he was quoted as an expert about the housing industry slump in the Saint Petersburg Times, the Herald Tribune, and the Orlando Sentinel. Both the Orlando Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Home Seeker have called Rutenberg a “legendary builder.”
- In 2013, the Tampa Bay Business Journal recognized Arthur Rutenberg Homes as one of the year’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Florida.