JPK DEVELOPMENT
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INTERVIEW: JPK DEVELOPMENT
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Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Jay Knoepfel, Founder and Managing Director at JPK Development, about developing high-end homes, the advantages of solar power, and staying in business at a challenging time for the global economy. By Marcus Bonnano JPK Development is a general contractor and real estate developer in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Based on the island of Saint Thomas, JPK has been operating since 2002, and has developed more than 20 high-end villas to date, as well as working on several high-profile commercial projects. JPK Development began modeling and developing high-end villas in 2006. “That year, the booming economy meant a lot of companies and corporations were coming to the Virgin Islands looking to receive special tax benefits,” says Jay Knoepfel, Founder and Managing Director at JPK Developments. “It just so happened that we were really good at building the type of high-end real estate that they needed. At the time we had a group of partners that would buy up properties so that we could build them out before selling the buildings on. JPK Development was a small company then, very handson, and it was a creative process to develop the villas.” GREEN ISLAND Over time, JPK Development evolved into a general construction company. “A lot of people in the Virgin Islands build their own homes by hiring a contractor and separate architect,” explains Mr. Knoepfel. “So people would hire us as the contractor,
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INTERVIEW: JPK DEVELOPMENT
to do their projects for them. We did that for some time before branching out even further, into commercial work.” One such commercial project was on the private island of Lovango Cay. “We built two homes there on the island in addition to an array of general infrastructural work on other properties,” says Mr. Knoepfel. “Lovango is a 100% green island which creates all of its own electricity using solar panels and wind turbines. This was a vision of the previous owners. We built two of the largest and most beautiful villas out there. The island itself is gorgeous and home to some of the largest docks in the Virgin Islands. JPK Development is proud to have helped the owners realize this initial vision.” SELF-SUSTAINING EDUCATION JPK also worked with the Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy to develop a large, self-sustaining complex. “The original school had a fire in 2009 and needed buildings restored quickly so they approached us,” says Mr. Knoepfel. “The most important thing was the school library, which they wanted reopened quickly so that student could access education mate4 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE
rials. We were able to deliver this, so they discussed further work with us. The school wanted 6000 square feet of new classrooms built with concrete and powered by a large solar awning that would provide enough electricity to take the entire school off-grid. That was one of our first commercial projects, and it was a very rewarding experience.” Solar panels for the project were provided by local solar company VI Solar Technologies. “The Montessori School actually generates so much solar energy that it bought its own fleet of electric cars and rents them out to the public,” says Mr. Knoepfel. “The school decided it needed to create a use for all of its excess energy so they’re charging these eco-friendly cars. We think this is amazing, and we’re very proud to have been involved in this project.” RESILIENT DEVELOPMENTS “We’re about to develop some properties at a place called Cabrita Point, located near the island’s Ritz-Carlton hotel,” says Mr. Knoepfel. “They are going to be homes that we build then sell, and we’re crafting them to suit people’s future needs. They will be 100% solar-powered and include battery banks to
“IF WE CAN SELL SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AT GOOD PRICE POINTS WITH GOOD VALUE FOR CUSTOMERS, WE’RE HAPPY, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS DURING COVID IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO EMPLOY OUR WORKFORCE RIGHT NOW.”
store generated electricity. Right now, we’re just starting the planning process with the local building permit office. We hope to have this project finished by 2021.” has embraced renewable energy as a way to provide reliable, inexpensive electricity for clients. “We would absolutely recommend solar panels for a better build,” says Mr. Knoepfel. “Although you have to come
up with the money up front, the savings on electricity mean you’ll recover all of that in the short-term. There is a lot of sunshine here in the Virgin Islands so why not make use of it? Solar panels aren’t the only way we’re offering sustainable buildings. What we’re trying to do is join modern tech with solid, traditional techniques that make buildings resilient against the climate, both short-term
such as in hurricanes and long-term with the shifting climate. With this in mind, it’s also important to note that we work with more than just high-end clients. For example, following hurricanes Irma and Maria we started working with FEMA to help restore homes on the island.” “If we can sell sustainable buildings at good price points with good value for customers, we’re happy,” says Mr. Knoepfel. “One of the important things during COVID is that we continue to employ our workforce right now. There are 30 to 50 people working for JPK, and we’re committed to keeping them working, making sure there is bread on their table as much as there is bread on mine. We’re fortunate that there is work on the Virgin Islands right now. We work as a team to create good products so we can continue long into the future.” c SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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Cabrita Point, St. Thomas VI 00802 1-340-643-3245 1-340-514-4748 will@jpkvi.com www.jpkvi.com
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