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
Stonebridge has won numerous industry awards for design excellence, with homes typically featuring open floorplans, outdoor living rooms with summer kitchens and fireplaces, grand entrances, sweeping staircases and plenty of stone. This is the Bonavento in Golden Oak.
CUSTOM BUILDER PROFILE
BUILDING WITH
FEELING
At Stonebridge Homes, pure instinct sometimes dictates design decisions. By MIKE CANDEL ARIA
V
alery Tucker lets out a hearty laugh as she describes ultracompetitive market for custom-home builders — the true a typical walk through one of her homes under constart-from-scratch custom-home builders for buyers who insist struction. She talks about painstaking attention to deupon one-of-a-kind homes. tail plus almost a sixth sense for design. Formed in 1996, Stonebridge Homes has built Tucker simply calls it “a feeling.” in Winter Park, Maitland, Orlando and Winder“The house kind of transforms itself as it mere. Today, much of its activity is at Golden Oak goes along. To me, a house has a certain feeling (near the Walt Disney World Resort), Isleworth, about it,” says Tucker, co-owner of Stonebridge Keene’s Point and Lake Nona. A contract hasn’t Homes, a Windermere-based custom-home been signed for less than $1.8 million — excluding builder. “And until you get some of the walls land — in the past two years, Tucker notes. and the drywall up, and it starts becoming a Valery Tucker runs Stonebridge Homes, along home and feels a certain way, you can move with husband Gary Tucker and business partner that way in design.” Todd South. Each is a licensed contractor, with Even if it means some last-minute changes. Gary also holding a Class A General Contractor’s Like maybe removing all the crown moulding license. Valery Tucker, co-owner of because “without” emerges as a better option He mostly handles the field supervision of Stonebridge Homes. for a more modern look: construction work, while South, also an attorney, “If you can do without changes, you don’t need concentrates on the details of operation, includto make them. But when you walk around and you’re feeling ing real estate acquisitions and financing. them, you just know you want to be able to make it as perfect as That leaves Valery, who was a teacher until 1989, to make ceryou can.” tain homes pass her scrutiny. She’s also the client liaison, guiding For good measure, Tucker adds: “Nothing is cookie cutter.” them through each phase of construction and making certain that Such precision, often instinctive, is one of the reasons the company’s foundational principles of “integrity, personal atStonebridge Homes has steadily ascended in Central Florida’s tention, communication and organization” are more than words. WINTER 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
This stately Stonebridge Homes custom home in Keene’s Point in Windermere exemplifies the company’s painstaking attention to detail. Stonebridge builds just three or four homes annually, so every project gets the undivided attention of the company’s owners. WINTER 2019
15
The cozy family room in a custom home by Stonebridge Homes is an ideal place to quietly relax or enjoy intimate gatherings with family or friends. The home is in the Bellaria community in Windermere.
With the company building just three or four homes annually, the principals can be omnipresent. That way, Valery says, decisions can be made on the spot and buyers can freely communicate with the people in charge. “We really love what we do, and we like to be involved,” she explains. Then comes another laugh. With her eye for detail, Valery likes to draw. “Somewhere in my ancestry somebody could draw,” she speculates, pointing out that she’s able to visualize descriptions from buyers and sketch them on paper. “They’re not fabulous sketches, but they’re enough to communicate,” she says. “I’ve actually framed them and given them as gifts. I say, ‘Remember when your bathroom or your family room looked like this? And now look where we are.’” In all, Stonebridge uses a team approach that includes an architect or home designer, a full-service interior designer, a
1 6 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
landscape architect, and lighting and structural wiring experts, among others. The results? Stonebridge has won numerous industry awards for design excellence, with homes typically featuring open floorplans, outdoor living rooms with summer kitchens and fireplaces, grand entrances, sweeping staircases and plenty of stone. Other highlights of most Stonebridge creations are custom cabinetry and granite countertops, disappearing corner sliding doors, interior architectural ceilings, sports lounges and theaters. Not coincidentally, Stonebridge Homes is a member of the highly selective Master Custom Builder Council, with South serving as a member of the organization’s steering committee for the past two decades.
The outdoor living area of Stonebridge Homes’ Bonavento is highlighted by a soaring tower overlooking the swimming pool. Every home the company builds is one of a kind. WINTER 2019
 
17
The Bonavento also boasts an elaborate master bathroom (above) and a sports room with a wet bar (right). Stonebridge uses the most upscale fixtures and finishes, and has won numerous industry awards for excellence.
Participation with others in the industry is a must, according to Valery, who notes: “It’s a constant learning process that we need to do and understand. And it’s just giving back to the community.” Lately, just giving back hasn’t been too difficult. The market has been strong, and as 2018 drew to a close Valery expected Stonebridge Homes to “flow nicely into 2019.” “I don’t expect too many changes,” she says. Of course, there will be changes — but likely she’ll be the one making them during her walks through construction sites. For more information call 407-879-8198 or visit stonebridgecustomhomes.com. ■
1 8 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