‘America’s Best Builder’ will move into Hoyt-designed, contemporary building on Fruitville Road in the fourth quarter of 2020

Sarasota, FL—Lee Wetherington Homes has broken ground for a stunning new headquarters building at 7498 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, according to Gregg Carlson, CEO. The company will construct the contemporary two-story building, using the practices and talent that have earned it Builder Magazine’s designation of “America’s Best Builder.” Gary Hoyt and Chris Gallagher of Hoyt Architects have designed the building. “We’ve worked successfully with Gary for years,” said Lee Wetherington, founder and president. “One of our most rewarding experiences with his firm was building the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, a project dear to my heart.”

Teamwork between the two multi-award-winning firms has resulted in the design of a contemporary, 15,000-square-foot building accented by large glass panels and featuring a two-story lobby. “The signature design makes an impressive statement,” Carlson said. “Our new home reflects our commitment to, and our confidence in, the expected growth of the Sarasota/Manatee area,” he added.

“Gary has included everything we requested and more,” Carlson said. “Our company will occupy the entire second floor, approximately 7,500 square feet, with entry through a ground floor vestibule leading to an elevator and stairs. We’ll situate our Lee Wetherington Design Center, LeeSure Water Pools, and administrative staff upstairs. In addition we’ll build a ground-floor storage space on the back of the building for the occasional material deliveries for our homes or pools. We plan to lease the balance of the first floor–approximately 6,000 square feet—to carefully selected tenants.” The staff is scheduled to move into the new offices in the fourth quarter of 2020.

A highlight of the interior décor will be a showcase of the company’s hundreds of honors for home-building and philanthropic activities, including more than 300 awards from Parade of Homes competitions over the years. The company has long been recognized for high quality and innovative design in the luxury home market, with over 4,000 homes to its credit.

Founded in 1974, Lee Wetherington Homes had moved from its former headquarters on Holiday Drive in Sarasota in 2001 to become the first builder with headquarters in Lakewood Ranch. Now, after 19 years in that location, the seven shareholders of Lee Wetherington Homes decided that it makes sense to tailor a new building to its specific needs, using a site it already owns on Fruitville Road, just 1.5 miles east of I75. The shareholders are Lee Wetherington, founder and president; Gregg Carlson, chief executive officer; Cecelia Davie, chief financial officer; Jae Cho, vice president, purchasing and estimating; Todd Hubbard, vice president, operations; Jack Williams, vice president, construction; and Jocelyn Thompson, administrative supervisor.

Lee Wetherington Homes is currently building luxury homes in prestigious communities and also on private homesites in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. In Sarasota, the builder offers homes in the Founders Club while five communities in Manatee County boast homes by this builder: The Islands on the Manatee River, Cypress Glen at River Wilderness—where it is the exclusive builder—and the Lakewood Ranch communities of LakeHouse Cove at Waterside, Country Club East, and The Lake Club. Each of these communities offers unique amenities to homebuyers, often including a country club lifestyle with golf, a clubhouse, tennis, swimming, and other options.

For more information about Lee Wetherington Homes, visit LWHomes.com, call 941.922.3480 or email info@LWHomes.com.

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