Lee Wetherington Homes
Hit Parade
Celebrate the best new home ideas at this year's Parade of Homes.
Anyone thinking of buying or building a new home will want to be there when the Home Builders Associations of Sarasota and Manatee counties throw open the doors of their shiniest showcase models in neighborhoods from North Port to Ellenton during the annual Parade of Homes.
This year's Parade runs from Feb. 24 through March 11 and features 120 entries-everything from compact condominiums to sprawling estate homes. The variety is impressive: Square footage ranges from 1,200 to 12,000, and prices start in the $200,000s and spiral straight up to more than $5 million (for Todd Johnston Homes'? Villa Carina model in The Founders Club).?
The Parade also attracts homeowners considering remodeling their existing homes, those seeking interior design inspiration and others who are simply curious to see what is behind those elaborately carved mahogany front doors.
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"The Parade of Homes has always been a huge success, but this year we have had an unusually high number of people calling from up North to find out the dates of the event so they can plan their vacations and seasonal stays around it," says Leslie Weed, special events manager of the Home Builders Association of Sarasota County.
"People shop for new homes during the Parade. They compare builders, get a feel for different neighborhoods, walk through dozens of floor plans and experience the latest and greatest trends in homes right now," Weed explains. "The builders are very excited because this is show time. They want the public to see what they can do, and their new designs represent the best and brightest ideas in the industry. And because our Parade is a judged event with a panel of 100 judges from all over the United States, there is an extra level of excitement that comes with competition."
Beverly Smock, events coordinator for the Home Builders Association of Sarasota" target="_blank">Manatee County, says the 2007 Parade takes the competition to a new level, with judges squired about by professional drivers in donated automobiles, new categories of competition for subcontractors, and special awards for interior design, landscape, swimming pools, water conservation and green building.? More than 650 construction industry officials will attend the Awards Gala, where winners are announced and celebrated.
Since the Parade is so encompassing, visitors are urged to plan ahead by utilizing the official magazine, with its comprehensive pull-out map, or the Parade of Homes Web site, www.paradeofhomesinfo.com. The magazine can be picked up at the HBA offices or at any of the model homes during the event. Both list all of the Parade entries, give driving directions and categorize every residence by neighborhood, builder, square footage, price, development, developers, layout, elevation and more.?
"If you know you want to work with a particular builder, you can select only models by that builder," explains Smock. "Or maybe you have focused on a particular neighborhood and want to see every model in that location. If you already have a budget in mind, you're able to limit your search and range of choice within that dollar amount. Our exhaustive categorization allows people to use their time for maximum efficiency."
One huge draw for Parade-goers is access to the area's new neighborhoods, some of which are usually off-limits to sightseers. The Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch's newest and most exclusive gated village, is one of them. Ten Parade homes are located here.
John Cannon Homes' Camira model, which is on the Parade route even though it has already been purchased for $3.5 million, is one of the most talked-about models in The Lake Club. "We created an authentic Mediterranean look with simple, low roof lines, deep-set windows, stone accents and embellishments that are not too heavy," says Cannon. "We crafted this home with a very high level of architectural detail, including stone floors, stairs with wood treads and tile risers and beautiful woodworking. The effect is a gorgeous home that looks as though it has been around for years. This is the real deal."
?
Another new neighborhood creating a buzz is The Forest at Hi Hat Ranch, with 54 three- to six-acre home sites set amidst the unspoiled natural beauty of Florida's wetlands and woodlands. "The emphasis is nature, conservation and building in a manner that is friendly to the environment," says publicist Caprill Sherwood. "There are strict limitations on which trees can be touched and how deep to dig into the earth. Our builders are focused on preserving acreage and blending home and home site into the surroundings."
One of the most interesting homes on the Parade is the Sorrento model by Arthur Rutenberg/M. Pete McNabb. The 6,743-square-foot, Craftsman-style residence has a comfortable lodge effect, with dark wood timber beams, oak scraped floors, natural stone and vaulted ceilings.
?
The living room has a massive fieldstone fireplace and beams that extend beyond the soaring ceiling to the outdoor living areas. Fine contemporary artwork and illuminated art glass enhance the clean sweep of interior space. Special features include mother-of-pearl mosaic tile in the master bath, soapstone counters in the professional-grade kitchen, state-of the-art theater with 1940s retro finishes, an outdoor entertaining center with plasma television, fire pit, full kitchen with wet bar and a guest suite with luxurious Carrera marble bath and a? morning bar. A flagstone path from the house to the lake and Adirondack chairs on the back lawn complete the picture of luxurious Florida living.
This year's Parade runs from Feb. 24 through March 11 and features 120 entries-everything from compact condominiums to sprawling estate homes. The variety is impressive: Square footage ranges from 1,200 to 12,000, and prices start in the $200,000s and spiral straight up to more than $5 million (for Todd Johnston Homes'? Villa Carina model in The Founders Club).?
The Parade also attracts homeowners considering remodeling their existing homes, those seeking interior design inspiration and others who are simply curious to see what is behind those elaborately carved mahogany front doors.
?
"The Parade of Homes has always been a huge success, but this year we have had an unusually high number of people calling from up North to find out the dates of the event so they can plan their vacations and seasonal stays around it," says Leslie Weed, special events manager of the Home Builders Association of Sarasota County.
"People shop for new homes during the Parade. They compare builders, get a feel for different neighborhoods, walk through dozens of floor plans and experience the latest and greatest trends in homes right now," Weed explains. "The builders are very excited because this is show time. They want the public to see what they can do, and their new designs represent the best and brightest ideas in the industry. And because our Parade is a judged event with a panel of 100 judges from all over the United States, there is an extra level of excitement that comes with competition."
Beverly Smock, events coordinator for the Home Builders Association of Sarasota" target="_blank">Manatee County, says the 2007 Parade takes the competition to a new level, with judges squired about by professional drivers in donated automobiles, new categories of competition for subcontractors, and special awards for interior design, landscape, swimming pools, water conservation and green building.? More than 650 construction industry officials will attend the Awards Gala, where winners are announced and celebrated.
Since the Parade is so encompassing, visitors are urged to plan ahead by utilizing the official magazine, with its comprehensive pull-out map, or the Parade of Homes Web site, www.paradeofhomesinfo.com. The magazine can be picked up at the HBA offices or at any of the model homes during the event. Both list all of the Parade entries, give driving directions and categorize every residence by neighborhood, builder, square footage, price, development, developers, layout, elevation and more.?
"If you know you want to work with a particular builder, you can select only models by that builder," explains Smock. "Or maybe you have focused on a particular neighborhood and want to see every model in that location. If you already have a budget in mind, you're able to limit your search and range of choice within that dollar amount. Our exhaustive categorization allows people to use their time for maximum efficiency."
One huge draw for Parade-goers is access to the area's new neighborhoods, some of which are usually off-limits to sightseers. The Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch's newest and most exclusive gated village, is one of them. Ten Parade homes are located here.
John Cannon Homes' Camira model, which is on the Parade route even though it has already been purchased for $3.5 million, is one of the most talked-about models in The Lake Club. "We created an authentic Mediterranean look with simple, low roof lines, deep-set windows, stone accents and embellishments that are not too heavy," says Cannon. "We crafted this home with a very high level of architectural detail, including stone floors, stairs with wood treads and tile risers and beautiful woodworking. The effect is a gorgeous home that looks as though it has been around for years. This is the real deal."
?
Another new neighborhood creating a buzz is The Forest at Hi Hat Ranch, with 54 three- to six-acre home sites set amidst the unspoiled natural beauty of Florida's wetlands and woodlands. "The emphasis is nature, conservation and building in a manner that is friendly to the environment," says publicist Caprill Sherwood. "There are strict limitations on which trees can be touched and how deep to dig into the earth. Our builders are focused on preserving acreage and blending home and home site into the surroundings."
One of the most interesting homes on the Parade is the Sorrento model by Arthur Rutenberg/M. Pete McNabb. The 6,743-square-foot, Craftsman-style residence has a comfortable lodge effect, with dark wood timber beams, oak scraped floors, natural stone and vaulted ceilings.
?
The living room has a massive fieldstone fireplace and beams that extend beyond the soaring ceiling to the outdoor living areas. Fine contemporary artwork and illuminated art glass enhance the clean sweep of interior space. Special features include mother-of-pearl mosaic tile in the master bath, soapstone counters in the professional-grade kitchen, state-of the-art theater with 1940s retro finishes, an outdoor entertaining center with plasma television, fire pit, full kitchen with wet bar and a guest suite with luxurious Carrera marble bath and a? morning bar. A flagstone path from the house to the lake and Adirondack chairs on the back lawn complete the picture of luxurious Florida living.