PENNY FLETCHER PHOTOS
Scott Shinham, construction supervisor for Homes by WestBay, examines ongoing work at the 86-home development of Forest Glen in Riverview.
The entrance to Forest Glen is on McMullen Road one mile south of Boyette in Riverview, almost across from the existing Shadow Run development, and is set well back off the road with a winding path leading in. Penny Fletcher Photo
New Development on McMullen Road one mile south of Boyette
After building new homes alongside other builders in MiraBay and Waterset in Apollo Beach, and FishHawk in Lithia, the developers of Homes by WestBay have decided to try their hand at being the sole home builder in its latest project, located in Riverview.
Forest Glen, an 86-home gated community, all with customized options in the $280,000 to $360,000 price range, is located on McMullen Road one mile south of Boyette Road. It is currently under construction with two of three models completed and is in the early pre-selling phase.
“This is a first for Homes by WestBay,” said Marketing Manager Janice Snow. “MI Homes did it at The Estuary but this the first time our developers have been the only builder in a community.”
All other communities in the area have had at least two builders.
WestBay’s President Willy Nunn said he is sure it is the right place and the right time for such a venture.
“Forest Glen marks a very special beginning for our company,” Nunn said. “We have been enjoying tremendous growth throughout the Tampa-Bay area since our beginning in early 2010 so a project such as this is the natural next step for us.”
“This is the first in-house development for us,” Nunn continued.
Homes by WestBay was founded by Nunn and Roger Gatewood, and offers many different floor plans, all of which can be added to or customized for individual owners, said Snow.
“The company is experienced in homes from the mid $100,000s to homes in the $700,000 range,” she added.
Both a natural and a man-made lake are on the property, and a creek runs through a portion of it. It has natural wetlands and conservation areas on its 36.66 acres.
Model home hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and Sunday noon-6 p.m. said Genean Pearson, who was showing homes the day the photographs for this news story were taken.
“People may stop in or call us and arrange to meet someone for a tour,” Pearson said. “One very good thing is that we have no CDD fees.”
Penny Fletcher Photo
The forest-like surroundings are also a plus, she added.
The CDD, or Community Development District fees, were created by Hillsborough County as a tool to plan, finance, construct and maintain community infrastructure and services. They are operative in many developments in the county depending upon where they are located and other factors explained on line. They do affect homeowner costs.
WestBay’s Construction Supervisor Scott Shinham started building the models at Forest Glen after finishing his portion of the homes at FishHawk.
“We will be offering basic six floor plans (at Forest Glen) with varied elevations and buyers can choose to add landscaping packages, pools and fire pits,” Shinham said.
Stone work will make the homes stronger as well as give them a classic look, he added.
The site work began in May of 2012 and the first model was finished and decorated Jan. 17, Shinham said.
For more information about Forest Glen, visit www.westbaytampa.com or call (813) 677-4549.
