Basements are rare in Florida. A 6,200-square-foot basement with 18 underground garages that reach the elevator of a cleverly disguised car? Well…it’s a shortpper.
This bold touch of design is why the National Association of Home Builders chose the 15,176 square feet of property currently under construction at Lake Osceola in Winter Park as the showcase home for the 2026 International Builders Show.
Alair Homes Orlando is building the 43rd edition of the association’s centerpiece The New American Home and the final edition in Orlando. The annual builder show will relocate permanently to Las Vegas in 2027.
The outdoor entertainment space features multiple fire elements, lined with pools, summer kitchens and sinking living rooms with fire holes. The owner will rebuild the small accessory building as a private, independent office in the backyard. (Rendering by Mills Design Group) Provided by CNW Group/Alair Enterprises Ltd
The sloping lot presented challenges to the design team as the retention wall and infinity pool cannot exceed 5 feet above grade. (Rendering by Mills Design Group)
The infinity pool overlooks the deep gardens and docks of Lake Osceola. (Rendering by Mills Design Group)
The summer kitchen features grills, smokers and a covered dining area. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
Another three garages with two-storey apartments will be placed in front of the narrow, .7 acre lot of main house. The building is decorated with living walls and accented with sculptures. (Rendering by Mills Design Group)
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The outdoor entertainment space features multiple fire elements, lined with pools, summer kitchens and sinking living rooms with fire holes. The owner will rebuild the small accessory building as a private, independent office in the backyard. (Rendering by Mills Design Group) Provided by CNW Group/Alair Enterprises Ltd
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These homes are usually built to specifications by local high-end home builders and sold after a convention. However, this year’s new American home is being built for private owners with a specific mission.
Jason Eichenholz, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist and CEO of Relativity Networks, purchased a 3/4-acre lot from Sylvan Drive through Family Trust in 2021 for $2.8 million.
Known for supporting individuals with autism – an effort inspired by his son Jonathan – Eichenholtz has partially used the home to support Jonathan’s Landing Foundation, seeking 500 and 5,000 jobs to support adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Eichenholz aligns the value of any contributions to the home from manufacturers and suppliers with his own contribution to the foundation.
“This home is more than just a showcase for the future of home building, it’s a symbol of what can be done when passion, philanthropy and innovation come together,” Eichenholtz said.
The stunning rooms offer views from the entrance to Lake Osceola. The cantilever bridge links the second-floor living spaces on both wings of the building. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
The main kitchen is refined, with walnut cabinets and a central island. There is another catering kitchen with a dedicated entrance for the event. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
The Galley-style catering kitchen features commercial grade appliances, including an 8 burner range and multiple ovens, caters to crowds of all sizes. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
Located just off the kitchen, the bar is ideal for entertaining your home. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
A glass library and meeting rooms are located just off the Forya. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
The main bedroom features a giant slider opens on a private roof terrace with a tongue-filled ceiling, a huge fireplace and a second spa. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
Designer LED lighting is used throughout the home, including the owner’s dressing room. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
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The stunning rooms offer views from the entrance to Lake Osceola. The cantilever bridge links the second-floor living spaces on both wings of the building. (Rendering courtesy of Alair Homes Orlando)
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Alair’s partner Daniel Kennerly said that charity intent sealed the contract for the project, which would be chosen as the new American home. “His goal in designing his home is not to design a house that he really enjoys, it would be fun to live in. “He actually wanted to design a house that could be used in the future for fundraising, so he designed the entire house with fundraising ideas in mind.”
The basement doubles as a meeting space that can accommodate up to 100 people. The library, just off the foyer, functions as an executive room. The home also has a catering kitchen with its own entrance and a bar for large events.
“Jason’s desire is that it will be used once a month or every month by other nonprofits, and instead of paying him to use the space, they’ll make a donation to Jonathan’s landing,” Kennerley said.
For private homes, the following will be found:
There are entertainment areas with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, a vast second-floor master suite and balcony spa with wellness and exercise suites, a basement with a wine cellar, entertainment area, game rooms and theatre, including a private entrance to accommodate catering vans and staff during the event.
Alair’s partner Jim Krantz also has personal connections with the project. “As a father to a son with autism, this project means everything,” he said. “My sons, Luke and Jonathan, are friends and have been classmates for over a decade. Knowing that Jonathan’s landing provides a place to thrive with dignity brings hope to me.”
Kennerly said the final design was a collaboration between client, architect Michael Wenrich and Builder. Car elevator inspiration came from the brainstorming session. They were looking for a way to access the basement that was not accompanied by a lamp. This is because we were unable to design the bottom of the sports car on a slope that didn’t rub against it.
“And we were talking about 100 things that day and someone said, ‘Can I do this?’ so I don’t know if you remember who was thinking that,” Kennerley said. “We had to find a solution to get 18 cars into a basement with no driveways, and the car elevator was born.”
Kennerley sourced equipment from a California vendor. A California vendor disguised the lifting mechanism as a grass parking space in front of the house. He consulted with builders in Michigan and Wisconsin to get tips on underground construction and how to waterproof the space.
“We don’t actually build a basement basement in Florida, so there’s not much code written for that,” he explained.
Construction began nine months ago. Kennerly said framing is ongoing and roof trusses will be installed this week.
The development team will document the construction process for the next 10 months on the NAHB website and will be announced next year at the International Builder Show (IBS) from 17-19 February 2026.
Any tips on developing Central Florida? Please contact me at lkinsler@growthspotter.com or (407) 420-6261. Follow GrowthSpotter on Facebook and LinkedIn.
