THONOTOSASSA, FLA. – Seven custom-home-building companies from Hillsborough and Polk counties have been added to the exclusive list of approved builders at Stonelake Ranch, the private 685-acre community of executive and estate residences bordering Lake Thonotosassa in Eastern Hillsborough County.

According to John Powell, the community’s director of sales, these approved Florida builders include: Built by Waters of Winter Haven; Hulbert Homes, Lakeland; Homes by John C. Fowke, Tampa; and Homes of Distinction, Lutz. Also selected were Laroyce Keene Builders, Plant City; Marc Maconi Homes, Palm Harbor; and Olivera Construction, Lakeland.

Just 160 executive and estate homes on homesites ranging in size from 1.5 to nearly 19 acres will be built at Stonelake Ranch. And all homes are being designed to retain the natural character of this former Florida ranch.

More than a third of Stonelake Ranch’s homesites border the shoreline of 900-acre Lake Thonotosassa, Hillsborough County’s largest. The community’s 10,000 feet of lakefront provide sweeping water views as well as an island bird sanctuary.

Residences must contain at least 3,500 square feet of living space if built on the water. Homes off the water can provide no less than 3,000 square feet of living space. Residential pricing runs from about $500,000 to more than $5 million including homesite.

Stonelake Ranch allows home owners to build private residential compounds – not just homes – with main houses, guest cottages, gazebos and much more ... all on one homesite. Moreover, they can build horse stables and enjoy the community’s 40-foot-wide riding trails and 120 acres of undisturbed meadows.

The rolling hills in Stonelake Ranch include several of Hillsborough County’s highest points ... some rising 80 feet above sea level. This, of course, provides expansive, unobstructed views of surrounding countryside, a rarity in this part of Florida.

Stonelake Ranch is being developed by Charles Funk and Jeff Meehan, who also created the highly successful community of Arbor Greene in the New Tampa area of Hillsborough County.

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. 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 or visit www.stonelakeranch.com.