SRQ Magazine | April 2026: Homes by Westbay Brandstory

In the world of residential construction, the distinction between custom and production home building comes down to process, flexibility and scale.

LIVABLE LUXURY

A CUSTOM HOME IS TYPICALLY DESIGNED FROM THE GROUND UP: EVERY FLOOR PLAN, FINISH AND ARCHITECTURAL DETAIL IS SHAPED AROUND A SPECIFIC HOMESITE AND A HOMEOWNER’S VISION.

The experience is highly personalized, but often more timeintensive and complex. Production builders, by contrast, work from a curated portfolio of floor plans within planned communities, streamlining construction through established systems and preselected design options. This approach offers efficiency, predictable timelines and cohesive neighborhood aesthetics. For today’s buyers, the choice often hinges on priorities: complete creative control and one-of-a-kind design, or the structure, speed and value that comes with a refined, repeatable building process.

Homes by WestBay occupies a distinctive niche in the homebuilding space. Known for its focus on effortless luxury and its meticulous yet streamlined approach to design, Homes by WestBay provides a unique experience that offers a taste of custom living on the timeline of a production home.

“When we were founded in 2009, there was a missing market. Many custom and luxury builders had closed their doors,” says WestBay’s Vice President of Design, Dee Crescini, who also serves as the Division Manager for the company’s Sarasota/ Manatee Division.

Homes by WestBay was created to fill that void, offering personalized homes with an extensive array of floor plan options and an unparalleled design experience. Their process allowed new homeowners to create a personalized home that was ready far faster than a true custom home would be. This hybrid approach has served them well. In 17 years, Homes by WestBay has become Tampa Bay’s largest privately-owned new home builder and is now the 57th largest homebuilder in America. The company was formed in Tampa, but has now expanded into the Manatee and Sarasota area and is bringing new innovations along the way.

DESIGN PROCESS

In a custom home, interior design is deeply integrated into the architectural process. Homeowners typically work alongside an architect, builder and often an independent interior designer from the early planning stages. Finishes, millwork details, ceiling treatments, lighting plans and built-ins are often designed specifically for the home rather than selected from a preset menu. Selections are expansive and largely open-ended. Because everything is tailored, the process is collaborative and highly detailed, but it also requires more time, more meetings and a greater level of involvement from the homeowner.

In a production build, the interior design experience is more streamlined and structured. Buyers typically select from curated offerings chosen to align with the builder’s brand aesthetic and price point. Buyers choose finishes within established categories: cabinetry, countertops, flooring, fixtures and other investment options. This approach creates efficiency, cost predictability and cohesive community aesthetics, while providing a refined selection of design choices that simplify the process and deliver a consistently high-quality, harmonious outcome.

Once again, Homes by WestBay takes an individualized approach to design. They’ve created a state-of-the-art design studio to give buyers an experience that is comprehensive without being overwhelming. Once under contract, buyers have access to WestBay’s Wishlist homebuyer design portal. They’re able to browse the selections available for cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, finishes and other design investments that fit their individual lifestyle needs and design preferences within their investment range. Next, buyers come to the studio for a two-hour preview appointment. Finally, they return to the design studio for 2 six-hour design appointments where they’ll work with their personal design consultant to see how their selections interact together. This system allows homebuyers to personalize their spaces far more than the average production builder, and makes the process more accessible than the typical custom builder.

“One of the unique and enjoyable aspects of the design process is the ability for buyers to virtually make selections in Wishlist before their appointment. When buyers arrive at their preview appointment, their design consultant has thoughtfully curated their home’s colorboard that showcases all of their Wishlist selections, allowing them to see how the elements coordinate as a cohesive design.” Crescini says.

“THIS IS THE MOMENT WHEN THE HOME TRULY BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE-WHEN WALLS, FINISHES, AND DETAILS COME TOGETHER AND OUR BUYERS CAN VIVIDLY PICTURE THE LIFE THEY’LL LIVE WITHIN IT. IT’S WHERE IMAGINATION TURNS INTO SOMETHING TANGIBLE, AND THEY BEGIN TO SEE THEIR COMPLETED HOME COME TO LIFE.”

MASTERPIECE SERIES

Homes by WestBay has seen much success with their Innovation and Artisan Series of homes. The company is in the midst of launching their most refined collection yet with the new Masterpiece Series. This collection of homes was developed for buyers seeking elevated design, spacious layouts and premium features with larger floor plans and an emphasis on refined architectural detail.

“When we designed the Masterpiece Series, it was intentional,” Crescini explains. “Every elevation, every floor plan, all the materials we selected were curated to deliver a sense of arrival when you enter the home. They’re not just larger, they’re refined. They reflect what today’s luxury homebuyers want.”

The Masterpiece Series features seven distinct base floor plans, each thoughtfully designed to accommodate a variety of lifestyles. Every plan offers a second-story option, and select plans also include expanded versions-resulting in a total of 18 unique floor plan configurations to meet diverse needs and preferences. The Masterpiece Series is exclusively available at Star Farms, which was just named the number one community in Lakewood Ranch. “We intentionally designed the process for this series to mirror our proven approach, while thoughtfully enhancing it,” Crescini says. “Masterpiece buyers follow the same structured journey through our design studio, allowing them to explore the full range of selections available across all WestBay homes. Additionally, they have access to a dedicated design studio featuring exclusive products not offered in our Artisan and Innovation Series, creating a more elevated and personalized experience.”

“Most of our lots are 50, 60 and 75 feet wide,” says Crescini. “The Masterpiece series lots in Star Farms are an impressive 90 feet wide by 150 feet deep, a size not commonly found in master-planned communities.”

CAMPANIA GRANDE II AT STAR FARMS

The Campania at Star Farms is a great example of the flexibility that Homes by WestBay offers. This home is available in 4 versions — Campania I, a 1-story plan, Campania II, its 2-story companion. Plus an expanded Grande version in both a 1 and 2-story home. There are three Coastal and one Modern elevation to choose from. The Campania Grande II with the Modern elevation is the model home in Star Farms.

“Architecturally, the Campania Grande II makes a striking first impression, with grand 14-foot ceilings and a clerestory foyer that opens to the second floor,” says Crescini. “What truly sets it apart, however, is the sense of balance it creates. The home feels expansive yet intimate-voluminous in scale, but thoughtfully designed to evoke a feeling of calm and comfort. The layout flows effortlessly, creating a luxurious experience without ever feeling overwhelming.”

The Campania Grande II was designed for Southwest Florida living, which places a huge emphasis on easy transition between indoors and outdoors. The great room, which anchors the home, features expansive 10-foot sliding glass doors that open onto a spacious lanai. The model home features every amenity a future homebuyer might want to consider. On the screened-in lanai, you’ll find an outdoor kitchen with an adjacent dining area and an outdoor seating area. Buyers who add a pool will have a separate meeting with the pool company to design that to their specifications.

To schedule a private tour: homesbywestbay.com onlinesales@westbaytampa.com 813.438.3838

Inside, there is an open kitchen built for entertaining guests, with Monogram appliances, a wine tower and an adjacent pantry. Branching off from the great room/kitchen area, you’ll find several distinct room groupings. Off the kitchen, there’s a cozy bonus room leading to a guest room and separate bathroom. On the other side of the kitchen, you’ll find a half-bath, laundry room, and two more guest rooms with en suites. At the opposite end of the house there’s an owner’s retreat with a bedroom and an en suite with a shower, soaking tub, vanity, dual sinks and walk-in closets. While there is ample room for guests, the layout offers a surprising amount of privacy.

The Campania Grande II floor plan has a second story, which offers a club room (essentially a massive bonus room and an additional bedroom and bathroom upstairs. In the model home, the club room has been styled more as a man cave with a pool table, poker table, bar and sectional sofa with TVs. Crescini points out that this space could also be used as a game room or media room for kids. It all comes down to the buyers’ needs and preferences.

”Lakewood Ranch has traditionally attracted empty-nesters and seasonal residents, but it has evolved into a vibrant, family-oriented community,” she says. “Today, it is truly multi-generational. We’re seeing buyers who value the flexibility to work from home, access to strong schools, and the lifestyle amenities that communities like Star Farms provide-including thoughtfully designed spaces where children can play and families and friends can gather.”

THE FUTURE OF HOMES BY WESTBAY

Homes by WestBay, rooted in Tampa Bay, has experienced continued success as it expands throughout Southwest Florida. In Parrish, the company is building in Longmeadow at North River Ranch, Crosswind Ranch, and the newly opened Oakfield Trails. In addition to introducing the Masterpiece Series at Star Farms, Homes by WestBay will also offer its Artisan and Innovation Series homes in the new Saddlestone phase of Star Farms. The builder is also featured in the exclusive Everly neighborhood in Wellen Park and will soon expand into Sarasota. “Excitingly, we are opening two new model homes in Sarasota County at Grand Park, located just off Clark Road,” Crescini says. “This intimate enclave will feature 185 homesites nestled within a beautifully gated section of Grand Park, complete with its own private amenities for residents. We are thrilled to introduce our product to the Sarasota market and look forward to establishing our presence in this highly desirable area for the first time.”