PUBLISHER'S PICK: BUILDER
There are only a handful of locally owned homebuilding companies in Central Florida. And of that handful, very few could be considered major players in the industry. Royal Oak Homes, however, is an exception on both counts.
While Royal Oak Homes is a relatively new company, it boasts a three-generation legacy that started in Royal Oak, Mich., a small town outside of Detroit. There, in the early 1900s, William Orosz Sr. entered the real estate business.
Buoyed by an entrepreneurial spirit and bolstered by an influx of newcomers attracted by Detroit’s booming auto industry, Orosz Sr. enjoyed a successful career. And he passed his passion for housing on to his only son, William Orosz Jr.
Orosz Jr. moved to Central Florida in 1980 to lead Catalina Homes, which became one of the region’s leading homebuilding companies. He later founded Cambridge Homes, which was among the region’s largest privately owned homebuilding companies when he sold it in 2005.
With more than 14,000 homes to his credit, Orosz Jr. then launched a real estate investment and development company, Hanover Capital Partners, that by 2011 had grown to encompass Royal Oak Homes, a venture started by his equally entreprenurial sons.
Brothers Matthew and Stephen Orosz are co-presidents of Royal Oak Homes, while Colby Franks, also a third-generation builder and a Winter Park native, is vice president for construction.
Although this rapidly growing company may trace its name to Michigan, it is in every other respect a Florida operation. The team turned to local architects and interior designers to help them create homes that truly reflect the Central Florida lifestyle.
Expansive kitchens that flow seamlessly into inviting family rooms as well as elaborate outdoor living areas have become signature features of Royal Oak Homes’ offerings.
But building homes isn’t the only legacy that Royal Oak Homes and its partners have embraced. The company is also committed to making Central Florida a better and more compassionate place for people in need.
Because they believe that any company doing business in Central Florida has an obligation to give back, members of the Royal Oak Homes family have built homes for underprivileged families and contributed more than $4 million to charitable organizations.
ROYAL OAK HOMES COMMUNITES
Royal Oak Homes is building in 10 highly desirable Central Florida communities. Here’s where you can find the company’s offerings:
ORANGE COUNTY
• AVALON RESERVE. Located in Winter Garden, the hub of prestigious Southwest Orlando. Prices had not been announced at presstime.
• BRECKINRIDGE. Located in Apopka, named one of the Friendliest Towns in the U.S. by Forbes.com. From $202,999 to $274,999.
• COLLEGE PARK. Just three value-packed infill homesites in one of Central Florida’s most popular established neighborhoods. Call for available models and prices.
LAKE COUNTY
• BARRINGTON ESTATES. Located in Clermont, pre-sale prices in this gated community are being offered for a limited time. From $153,999 to $201,999.
• BLUE LAKE ESTATES. Located minutes from downtown Eustis and Mt. Dora, this community offers nearby shopping and recreational amenities. Prices had not been set at presstime.
• HAMMOCK RESERVE. Located in Clermont, this community has just one inventory home left for sale. From $218,999 to $287,999.
• SPRING RIDGE ESTATES. Located in Eustis, this community is just minutes from shopping, dining and championship golf courses. Prices had not been announced at presstime
• VISTA GRANDE. Located in Clermont, this community features grand views from oversized homesites. From $207,999 to $284,999.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
• HAMMOCK TRAILS. Located in Kissimmee, this community is packed with recreational amenities. From $156,999 to $201,999.
POLK COUNTY
• ASHEBROOK. Located in Davenport, this community is just two miles from I-4 and seven miles from the attractions. From $169,999 to $216,999.