After land buys in Polk and Pasco, Hillsborough homebuilder preps for growth
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jan 10, 2024

A Hillsborough County homebuilder has reorganized to expand in Central and West Florida after spending nearly $100 million on land in the last four months.

Casa Fresca Homes, a subsidiary of Riverview-based Homes by WestBay, on Tuesday said it has reorganized in pursuit of growth in Polk and Pasco counties. Between the third quarter of 2023 and the early first quarter of 2024, the builder said it has spent $95.8 million on land acquisitions in those counties.

The reorganization has created two operating divisions: the West Florida division, which will oversee growth in Sarasota, Charlotte, Marion, Hernando and Citrus counties, and the Central Florida division, which includes Polk and Lake counties. The Central Florida division will have a particular focus on several communities in Haines City, including Bradbury Creek, Hammock Reserve, Lawson Dunes and Scenic Terrace, as well as Forest Lake in Davenport and Harmony at Lake Eloise.

Casa Fresca said its current operations include Hawkstone in Lithia, Bell Creek in Riverview, Pasadena Point in Wesley Chapel and Crosswind Point in Parrish. The builder said it closed more than 550 home sales in 2023, an 83% year-over-year increase from 2022.

“We are committed to driving consistent, substantial and reliable growth,” Mark Metheny, president of Casa Fresca Homes and Homes by West Bay development services, said in a statement. “Further, this reorganization is a testament to our commitment to providing a reliable investment, vibrant communities and a seamless homebuying experience.”

The new divisions will be led by longtime Casa Fresca employees. Richard Thompson will lead West Florida and Dominque Hernandez will lead Central Florida.

The restructuring is a similar move to one that Casa Fresca parent company Homes by Westbay announced in October.