Lutz is one of the most desirable communities in Hillsborough County, with its beautiful pastoral lands, many spring-fed lakes, outstanding schools and close proximity to downtown Tampa, the University of South Florida, and Wesley Chapel’s shopping and dining destinations.
It is also one of the most protected, low-growth areas of Tampa Bay, limiting lot sizes to a minimum of 1 acre to retain Lutz’s semi-rural residential character.
The Lutz Community Plan has successfully maintained Lutz’s rural heritage that dates back to the early 1900s, and restricts large master-planned communities like those found in neighboring Pasco County.
And, it’s this conservative land use planning that makes the Meritage Homes new Lutz community, Lake Hanna Preserve, all the more unique and desirable.
“Our community is a hidden gem for families wanting a pristine, waterfront community with private, estate-style homes on very large lots with mature trees and natural surroundings,” said Chris Ryan, division president of Meritage Homes for Tampa.
Ryan and his team recently hosted the groundbreaking of Lake Hanna Preserve with civic leaders and chambers of commerce members at the 148-acre site. The community is tucked away off Hanna Road, south of Sunset Lane between U.S. 41 and Livingston Avenue.
“Lake Hanna Preserve is all about location,” said Ryan. “Just when one thinks there is no remaining land available in Lutz, we’re proud to be developing this beautiful new home community for 48 very lucky families.”
The gated community will have 48 homes built on 1-acre or larger lots that average 120 feet in width and are up to 200 feet in depth.
Eighteen homesites are waterfront, backing up to 42-acre, spring-fed Lake Hanna. All homes in the community will have access to 115-acre Lake Stemper, one of Lutz’s largest lakes, via an elevated boardwalk leading to a community dock and kayak launch.
Before Meritage Homes acquired the land for Lake Hanna Preserve, the property was a palm tree farm and nursery for native and non-native plants. Its agricultural setting allowed hardwoods to mature, and many large oaks remain on the property.
“Before we subdivided the land into lots, we hired an arborist to identify and inspect every tree on the property, to make sure lot lines protected all healthy trees,” said Ryan. “We’ve taken great care to preserve this beautiful landscape full of palm trees, pines and oaks for its future owners.”
This summer, Lake Hanna Preserve will open its Kerrville III model. Families can choose from seven unique floor plans ranging from 2,516 to 5,168 square feet. Homes will be one and two stories, four to five bedrooms, two to four baths and all feature three-car garages.
“There is nothing like Lake Hanna Preserve in the market,” said Ryan. “We are very excited about the strong interest in the community for our future homeowners, and look forward to opening our model home in just a few months.”
Meritage Homes, which has designed and built over 100,000 homes in its 32-year history, is the industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding and has received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained-Excellence Award for the sixth consecutive year.
Meritage Homes is also committed to giving back to the communities where it builds, helping to serve those in need. In Tampa, it supports the Angel Tree Program.
For more information about Lake Hanna Preserve, please visit MeritageHomes.com/tampa, or call (855) 679-9942.
About Lake Hanna Preserve
Rural Lutz location
Gated community
Lots 1 acre or more
48 home sites; 18 on Lake Hanna
Private access to Lake Stemper
7 unique floor plans
2,516 to 5,168 square feet
3-car garages
Boardwalk, dock and canoe launch on Lake Stemper
Published April 25, 2018
