Philosophy

An excerpt from New Jersey Lifestyle, Home & Design 2007

The son of a builder, Andrew had been around the industry all of his life. He needed a house and it only seemed natural that he should construct it. Little did he know that he'd begun a vital step in what would be his legacy to South Jersey.

Andrew would eventually sell that first home, building another even larger residence. Again and again, over the years, he'd build and sell his homes, further refining his tastes and his skills. And as time went on, an interesting phenomenon began to occur. Andrew didn't have to advertise his homes. People started approaching him and asking to buy them.

"The homes kept getting bigger and more extravagant," said Andrew. "More and more people became interested in my homes. And they asked why I wasn't building. Now I've been a businessman all of my life, since I was 21. But it's hard for me to sit in an office. I prefer to be out, working with my hands, creating something. Building homes combined business and creativity. It seemed natural to start the business."

Andrew formally started Casa Eleganze in 1999. He is designer, developer and builder. He'll build anywhere but has a soft spot for Galloway, his home for 19 years.

"I do all my own designs," he said. "I go to an architect to draw up the plans. I've been working with Harry Harper in Absecon long before I started my company, probably 18 years or more. We've continued that relationship with Casa Eleganze."

Andrew specializes in upscale luxury residences. His homes generally start at about 5,000 sq. ft. but it's not unusual for him to build a 9,000 sq. ft. home. They include all of the upscale touches from granite and hardwood to 20 ft. foyer ceilings, curved staircases and marble showers.

"Everybody who has bought one of my homes has fallen in love with another of my homes," he said. "I'll take them through a house and they'll ask for the same house, with perhaps a few small changes here and there. Everyone gets their own custom tweaks and I do them cheerfully. The most important thing to me is that my client is happy. Profit is byproduct. If I come to a situation and it's going to cost more than I thought, I'll go for it. I really want my homes to have a 'wow' effect."

Andrew's newest effort, designed for that 'wow," is Irongate at Galloway, eight luxury estates behind iron gates and down a private 250 ft. drive. He has also started a sister company to Casa Eleganze - Luxuria LLC - to be able to build under another name.

"I take great pride in my homes," he said. "It's my legacy. There's nothing better than driving past a beautiful home you've created, and knowing that your clients love it."

-Andrew Klose, 2007 Builder, Designer, Developer