Builders and Developer Are On Track at The Forest at Hi Hat Ranch

Jan. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- Development is on track at The Forest at Hi Hat Ranch, a singular community in Sarasota County that offers luxurious estate living without straying too far from city limits.

Perhaps the greatest attraction for this tucked-away enclave of custom homes is its retreat-like quality and beautiful natural setting. With a gated entrance and a lush canopy of 100-year-old trees and native plants, The Forest offers the type of peaceful privacy with three to six acre grand estate-sized lots that have become all too rare in Florida.

Located on the Southwest Corner of the Hi Hat Ranch, off Clark Road, just five miles east of Interstate 75 and a short drive to major retail centers, The Forest is remarkable for its seemingly untouched beauty. Like its near neighbor, the Myakka State Park, The Forest is home to pristine wetlands, mature trees and an abundance of wildlife. Great care has been taken to design an upscale rural community that can exist in harmony within this remarkable natural setting.  



The Land

The land is the main attraction at The Forest. Located close to golf courses, health clubs, schools, parks, churches and set in the middle of nature. The property is home to an abundance of native wildlife, including osprey and egrets, wild turkeys and deer. Grand oaks and majestic pines canopy much of the land, and care has been taken when configuring roadways to preserve as many mature trees as possible. Although The Forest encompasses some 270 acres, the neighborhood offers just 54 generously sized home sites, most ranging from three to six acres. This kind of low-density living allows for plenty of privacy for residents, large yards for families to enjoy, and creates a peaceful retreat that seems far-removed from the hustle and bustle of daily living.

The Homes

Builders carefully design and position each home to take full advantage of beautiful views and bring a sense of nature indoors through the use of key design elements such as large windows, organic materials and great screened in areas. In keeping with a “no repeat” rule, The Forest has been designed using a variety of architectural styles and elevations so every home has its own singular character and no two homes are the same.

The Builders

Three of Sarasota’s most renowned builders are the mainstays of The Forest, including Anchor Builders, Gibraltar Homes and John Cannon Homes. Each is known for creating beautiful, luxurious homes with the highest standards of quality construction, superior craftsmanship, award-winning interior designs, and unparalleled devotion to customer satisfaction.  Bringing a combined history of more than 65 years of unique custom home building, custom buyers will find an abundance of knowledge, features and selections from around the world and local owners to work side by side through the completion of these masterpieces.  

Anchor Builders - Since 1988, Anchor Builders has been crafting custom residences that are the ultimate expressions of its clients’ personal tastes and lifestyles. Anchor Builders has achieved a renowned reputation for incorporating distinctive design features, innovative technology, and uncompromising quality in each home.

Gibraltar Homes – For two decades, Gibraltar Homes has been known as a premier, luxury home builder in Florida’s Gulf Coast.  Gibraltar Homes has a reputation for building homes with superior architectural designs, exceptional workmanship, energy conservation, environmental sensitivity, attentive customer service, structures and investment value to last a lifetime.

John Cannon Homes – For over 22 years, John Cannon Homes, Inc. has been making dreams come true for local homeowners.  Creating award-winning custom homes as unique as the homeowners themselves, and are designed with the exquisite craftsmanship and commitment to customer satisfaction that John Cannon Homes has always embraced.

The History

Hi Hat Ranch is a remarkable expanse of natural wilderness, unlike any other in Florida. Today, the 9,700-acre ranch is a diversified operation, including cattle citrus, timber and produce farming.  The property was purchased by Herman Turner in 1945. For over six decades and through three generations, the Turner family has served as careful stewards of the land, with the majority of the property remaining in its natural state and the balance in improved pastures and pine flatwoods.  Today the 9,700-acre ranch is a diversified working operation, including cattle, citrus, timber and produce.

The Developer

The Forest is being developed by Sugarbowl Development Company which is comprised of Turner Family members.  Tom Dabney, a member of the Turner family serves as its president. Tom is a licensed real estate broker who has completed numerous successful commercial and residential developments in the region since 1980.    

For more information about The Forest at Hi Hat Ranch, call Brian Wood, Signature Sotheby’s International Realty 941-364-4000 or visit: www.TheForestatHiHatRanch.com