LAKE THONOTOSASSA, FLA. – Sure, the housing market is mired in a severe downturn.  One of the worst in memory.  But that hasn’t stopped the gated, lakefront community of Stonelake Ranch in eastern Hillsborough County from announcing the opening of a $3.4 million estate model home despite the glum news.

Why?  Because multi-million-dollar homes are being built here (seven right now) and even more will be started in the next few months.  So why not open a model home?

According to John Powell, sales director for this 685-acre community, the lakefront 7,073-square-foot Carramar model ... built by John Cannon Homes ... is a two-story design with seven bedrooms, seven baths and a four-car garage, all situated on a 2.7-acre homesite.

After passing the column-accented covered porch, guests enter the home via double front doors and into a wide foyer flanked by a formal dining room and library.  Ahead is the 19-by-20-foot living room warmed by a large stone fireplace; marble flooring; recessed ceiling; and a two-story curved wall of glass overlooking the 10-by-30-foot tiled lanai and pool.

To one side of the living room is a double-door entrance to the master suite, which comprises an entire wing of the home.  It features outer and inner vestibules with the master bedroom to one side, and an interior hall leading to the bath on the other.  Providing a glass-walled circular shower protruding into a walled private courtyard, the bath also boasts a free-standing Roman-style tub and separate dressing areas with his-and-her compartmentalized toilets.  The suite also has a pair of large walk-in closets.

The bedroom has a recessed angular ceiling and a glass-walled hexagonal sitting area overlooking the pool and lanai, which are accessible via the bedroom’s french doors.

Across the lanai from the master wing is a second covered lanai that wraps around the entire rear of the home and leads to the 23-by-24-foot family room with wood-detailed ceiling.  The family room is open to a 12-by-14-foot breakfast area and the home’s island gourmet kitchen with wine storage and access to a butler’s pantry servicing the dining room.

Just beyond this area are three bedrooms and two baths.

Upstairs are three bedroom suites ... each with a walk-in closet and private bath ... as well as a 24-by-33-foot  bonus room – surrounded by the home’s upper lanai – that features a balcony overlooking the living room below.  There also is a 14-by-20-foot media room.

Located on 900-acre Lake Thonotosassa, Stonelake Ranch is designed for just 160 executive and estate homes.  Ranging in size from 1.5 to nearly 19 acres, homesites were created to retain the natural character of this former Florida ranch.

To reach Stonelake Ranch from Tampa, take Interstate 4 east and travel past Interstate 75 to the McIntosh Road exit.  Turn left (north) on McIntosh, and drive two miles to Thonotosassa Road.  Turn left and go about one mile to the community entrance on the right.  Once inside, follow signs to the welcome center.  If coming from I-75, exit at I-4 and drive east to the McIntosh Road exit.

The Stonelake Ranch welcome center is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and  noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.  For more information about the community call (813) 986-0062