MANOR
T H E G U I D E T O C E N T R A L F L O R I D A’ S L U X U R Y B U I L D E R S A N D C O M M U N I T I E S
With a focus on providing “timeless architecture, carefully planned interiors and personal attention,� Woodruff Construction & Development commits to building only three or four custom homes a year.
CUSTOM BUILDER PROFILE
BREATHING THE
GOLDEN RULE Richard Woodruff Builds Relationships, Just a Few Gorgeous Homes at a Time. By MIKE CANDEL ARIA
S
ure looks like Richard Wood“This decision [to enter the resiruff read the tea leaves just dential rental market] helped our firm right. Woodruff had founded successfully weather the challenging Richard Woodruff Homes in economy,” Woodruff explains. “And, to 1992, with services that includthis day, these properties have been an ed development and design/build incredible conduit for bringing us new along with interior remodeling, addiclients who choose to try out the area tions and renovations. prior to putting down more permanent And he is recognized as being roots and building custom homes.” among Central Florida’s top custom Select custom homes, and only a builders in communities such as scant few at a time. Alaqua Lakes, Heathrow Woods, Lake With a focus on providing “timeless Colony, Antigua Point, Tuscany Island architecture, carefully planned interiin Lake Mary, Winter Park, Mount Dora ors and personal attention,” Woodruff and Maitland. Construction & Development commits Yet by 2007, Woodruff, a 1989 graduto building only three or four custom ate of UCF’s School of Business Adminhomes a year to “keep these goals in istration, foresaw a deteriorating marcheck and have a passion for taking a ketplace. So, he made a strategic move. raw piece of dirt and creating a plan.” Wanting the option to also build and Most recently, the company comdevelop commercial projects, he diversipleted a “one-of-a-kind Colorado Confied and changed the company name to temporary” in Winter Park, measuring Richard Woodruff, president of Woodruff Woodruff Construction & Development. 5,400 square feet under air, with four Construction & Development. Additionally, he began acquiring bedrooms, three full bathrooms and and renovating investment properties two half-bathrooms. and building new custom homes. For rent. Ultimately, while The home includes an elevator, full gym and, among other positioning itself to do commercial building, the company features, the “most incredible floating staircase we’ve ever discovered a completely different niche that still today keeps built.” The staircase is Amish-built with LED lighting under business thriving. each step and all-glass railing. SUMMER 2019
13
1 4   H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N
Woodruff Construction & Development’s custom homes are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside, as the welcoming kitchen (facing page) demonstrates. Outdoor living areas and swimming pools highlight each home. Lately Woodruff has concentrated on Winter Park.
A few other highlights: a cabana with a pool and a full summer kitchen that offers views of meandering rose gardens. There are 22-foot stained cypress ceilings, while folding walls of 10-foot glass allow the living/dining rooms and outside patio to interact seamlessly. There’s also a two-story wood/stone fireplace. Such details are meant to provide a design sense that complements a company philosophy of, as Woodruff calls it, “breathing the Golden Rule.” “We always try to treat every client and every subcontractor the way we would like to be treated,” he said. “When conflicts or gray areas arise, we attempt to extend a little grace and make it a win-win for both parties.” He continues: “I think corporate principles should be a mirror image of personal values. We strive to treat everyone fairly and run a business with integrity. We also treat every new home as
if it were being designed and built for ourselves — which keeps our priorities and project goals in focus for each client.” Not coincidentally, since 1996 Woodruff has been a member and officer of the Master Custom Builder Council, an organization whose members “compete with each other on a daily basis, but are dedicated to the collective success of the custom-building profession and giving back to the communities we build in.” He continues to watch the industry, too, which has him squarely in Winter Park. The company, according to Woodruff, has purchased three of the most desirable half-acre lots in the city and is in the process of conceiving designs for them. Woodruff believes it’s the right place, and the right time. And he’s had some pretty good fortune with those tea leaves in the past. ■ SUMMER 2019
15