Highlight Homes’ Principal Tony Pourhassan Loves to Get His Hands Dirty

Our Fearless Leader Picks Up A Shovel to Break Ground on Multi-Million Dollar Development Project in Birmingham, Alabama

Our favorite Renaissance Man – Tony Pourhassan – is the creative mind and talented craftsman behind Highlight Homes, LLC and sister company Vesmont, Inc. It’s not unusual for Tony to be involved in every aspect of a project his companies oversee – from initial consultation with the client, to design of the site plan, custom home or renovation, to getting right in there with his team to swing a hammer or turn a screw. He’s a highly esteemed entrepreneur who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, and on Saturday, February 19 – Tony found an entirely new reason to fall in LOVE with the prospect of getting his hands dirty.

On that clear, cool morning in Birmingham, Alabama – Tony Pourhassan stood alongside bishops, pastors and congregation members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) to break ground on an innovative concept. In addition to his role as Principal of Highlight Homes and Vesmont, Inc., Tony Pourhassan is President of TyCam Development – the company at the forefront of the site management and construction of a $24 million project in North Birmingham on land that has been in the church’s hands for decades. To the sound of applause before a crowd numbering in the hundreds, Tony and representatives of AMEC turned over the earth at the long-dormant former site of Daniel Payne College in a symbolic first step toward transforming the 153-acre property into an exciting faith-based mixed-use development called Daniel Payne Legacy Village.

Already touting the credo “Built on a foundation of faith, hope and prayer” Daniel Payne Legacy Village will include a community comprised of a beautiful church retreat complete with lodging and conference facilities at the development’s core. Recreational space, more than 50 acres of green space providing beautiful park-like surroundings, and a bungalow residential neighborhood of nearly 120+ single-family homes will encircle the retreat. Handsomely constructed office space and a retail center will serve as the face of the Village along Daniel Payne Road, making this a truly revolutionary “Live, Work, Play, Pray” community.

“This is one of the most awe-inspiring projects I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a part of,” says Tony. “Having designed and constructed award-winning family-centered developments in the past, it is truly inspirational when you consider the impact a development like Daniel Payne Legacy Village could have on the entire North Birmingham community.  While it, too, will be family-centered – by blending a mixed-use concept with an entirely new faith-based model, it brings new meaning to the word ‘ground-breaking.’ Bishop James Levert Davis and the AME Church are leading the way to a better and brighter future for the notion of a neighborhood.”

It was apparent that the feeling of community was already alive and well at the building site on the morning of the ground-breaking ceremony. Aside from elders and members of the church, other prominent community members in attendance included Alabama Senator Linda F. Coleman, Administrative Assistant to Mayor William A. Bell – Charles Long, Birmingham City Council Members Roderick Royal and Steven T. Hoyt, and Neighborhood Association President Ellen Spencer. Along with proponents for the $24 million project, Tony looks forward to beginning construction of Daniel Payne Legacy Village in Spring 2011.