Thanks C. The building materials were designed to hold up well in Florida. The exterior is called Ocala Block it's a special concrete block that's meant to look good in it's natural state without needing to be painted. The floors are Terazzo, concrete sprinkled with marble chips that's polished smooth, again lasts forever no upkeep and the concrete keeps the house 10 degrees cooler.
But most people want to tear down and build big gaudy Spanish-style homes:pukerigh: that are out of proportion for the site.