Long before Hayes Luxe Homes was established, Burt and Penelope Hayes built impressive careers that led them to this dynamic partnership today. Burt’s journey into construction began at just 12 years old in Charlotte, North Carolina, working for a neighbor’s construction company where he learned the fundamentals of craftsmanship, discipline, and building both homes and commercial spaces with integrity. As a teenager and young adult, he further refined his skills working alongside his uncle throughout Boone and Blowing Rock constructing ultra-luxury log homes and mountain chalets inspired by the timeless architecture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These extraordinary residences featured soaring timber beams, hand-laid stone fireplaces, artisan woodwork, expansive porches, and layered natural materials — the kind of elevated mountain homes admired throughout the luxury markets of Blue Ridge, Georgia and the Carolina Highlands. It was during these formative years that Burt developed his deep appreciation for homes that feel both architecturally striking and naturally rooted in their surroundings.

A graduate of The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, Burt combined his disciplined leadership background with years of hands-on building experience as he launched his own construction and development business in Charlotte, North Carolina. There, he successfully developed, built, and sold a subdivision of luxury speculative homes averaging more than 5,500 square feet, serving as developer, builder, and visionary behind each residence. His ability to unite craftsmanship, architectural presence, and market insight quickly distinguished his work in the luxury home sector.

After Burt met his wife Penelope, the couple relocated to Charleston — a city that already felt like home to Burt through his years at college and his longstanding connection to the Lowcountry. There, Burt founded Charleston Street Building & Restoration, a renovation and restoration company known for elevating Southern charm to pristine elegance. Specializing in multimillion-dollar historic and luxury properties, the company became recognized for restoring homes with extraordinary attention to detail, preserving historic character while introducing refined modern sophistication. Burt’s reputation for quality craftsmanship and leadership later led to his recruitment as a project manager at the iconic luxury community of Alys Beach, Florida. In 2018, Burt Hayes was honored as the sole recipient of “The Alys Award” — a prestigious recognition awarded to just one individual each year across the entire Alys Beach community, including the construction division, hospitality teams, restaurants, resort operations, housekeeping, maintenance, and hotel staff — for exemplifying the community’s core values of Accountability, Commitment, Integrity, Passion, Respect, and Unity.

Following his time on the Emerald Coast, Burt relocated to Naples, Florida, where he further established himself within one of the country’s most competitive luxury home markets. Prior to founding Hayes Luxe Homes, he served as a Project Executive for premier high-end custom home builders, overseeing the construction of extraordinary waterfront and estate residences valued up to $30 million. Through years of experience in Naples, Burt developed an in-depth understanding of the region’s luxury clientele, architectural preferences, coastal construction standards, and elevated design expectations — expertise that now forms the foundation of Hayes Luxe Homes.

Penelope Hayes brings a uniquely creative and multifaceted background to Hayes Luxe Homes. Her early career included work in interior design for builders in Canada, where she developed a sophisticated understanding of luxury finishes, spatial flow, and the emotional experience of a home. She later built a highly successful career in publicity and branding, representing numerous stars from ABC’s The Bachelor franchise and other public figures while helping shape public image, media presence, and luxury lifestyle branding. Her expertise in visual presentation, storytelling, and aspirational branding naturally evolved into an on-camera television career, where she worked as a host and popular culture analyst. Through years immersed in luxury aesthetics, media, and design-forward branding, Penelope cultivated an exceptional eye for atmosphere, refinement, and the details that transform a house into an experience.

Today, Penelope serves as the Design Lead for Hayes Luxe Homes, blending her background in interior design, branding, and luxury lifestyle aesthetics with Burt’s decades of construction expertise. Together, they bring an uncommon depth of experience across multiple architectural styles, luxury materials, and elevated design aesthetics. From timeless coastal elegance to modern organic warmth and mountain-inspired craftsmanship, Burt and Penelope share a rare ability to envision not only what a home is — but what it wants to become.