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Carla Luigs

Visit Asturia’s New Models In Its Final Phase 

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There’s a lot happening this spring at Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa that is beginning its third phase of home construction.

Award-winning builders David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes are building new models that will be open for tour later this spring. In February, Ryan Homes launched its elegant townhome community and sold 11 homes during its opening month. And, Ashton Woods has just a few single-family homes remaining, with buyers moving fast to own one of these beautiful inventory homes.

Asturia has a trail network that connects neighborhoods within the planned community.

Developed by the international real estate firm Hines, Asturia is a signature, master-planned development on State Road 54, just 1.5 miles west of the Suncoast Parkway. In addition to homes ranging from the low $200s to over $500s, Asturia also has commercial areas that will be built at its entrance.

Designed with sustainability in mind, Asturia has abundant green spaces, a trail network, playgrounds, a dog park and an impressive Amenity Center with a luxurious swimming pool and fully equipped fitness center.

Residents enjoy living on the rich soil of the former Behnke Ranch, and appreciate the community’s great location and easy access to major transportation corridors. Families with school-aged children especially like Asturia because of the nearby A-rated schools residents are zoned to attend.

Since it opened three years ago, Asturia has received several prestigious awards, including Best Mixed-Use Community from the Florida Home Builders Association.

“Families of all sizes choose Asturia because we are a friendly, walkable community that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Lane Gardner, managing director for Hines. “Asturia feels more like a neighborhood than a sprawling community.”

With only 550 homes slated for the whole community, Asturia is uniquely intimate, especially when compared to nearby master-planned communities, which have thousands of homes planned.

David Weekley Homes is offering special “Team-Member Rates” until March 31. Buyers can build from the ground up, or select one of its quick-move in homes. The Cecily model is ready now and has 3,503 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 3-car garage. The builder’s new Village model in Phase III will be decorated the first week in April.

ICI Homes’ Costa Mesa model is 2,565 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 3-car garage. This new model home will be finished in late April or May.

ICI Homes has a few move-in ready homes, including the 2,217-square-foot Serena, featuring plenty of premium living space, along with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 2-car garage. A centrally located gathering room, a spacious gourmet kitchen and dining area are perfect for entertaining guests or spending quality time with the family.

Ryan Homes’ Chopin and Haydn models give homebuyers an idea of what maintenance-free, townhome living is all about. They feature open floor plans, designer options and rear-load, 2-car garages that give plenty of space to store sports equipment and your car.

Be sure to visit these model homes — you will be inspired when you view these lovely model homes nestled on beautiful lots.

To celebrate its third phase, Asturia is inviting the public to its annual Oyster Roast on April 11 at 5:30 p.m.  Realtors, bring your favorite customers to give them a sense of living in this beautiful, intimately scaled neighborhood.

For more information, call Carla Luigs at (904) 599-9015. To learn more about Asturia and its builders, please visit AsturiaFlorida.com.

Published March 27, 2019

Families and Pets Enjoy Dog Day Afternoon At Asturia

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Ziggy, an Italian greyhound, and Bella, a Chihuahua, stopped by at the David Weekley Homes booth looking for treats and water.

In between rays of sun and on-and-off misting of rain, Dog Day Afternoon was a “barkful” of fun last Saturday in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa on State Road 54.

It was an afternoon of curious dogs, creative activities for youngsters, and treats of all kinds for canines and their human friends. About a dozen pet-friendly companies exhibited and helped raise money for Vets4Pets, an organization that provides high-quality, low-cost veterinary care to low-income households.

Butterball with owner Brian, who works at David Weekley Homes.

Dozens of dog owners sat, stayed and played with their pets as they chatted with exhibitors. Children enjoyed a massive bounce house and slide, squealed as they had their faces painted and patiently waited as a balloon artist constructed their favorite shape.

“There’s always something fun to do in Asturia, and Dog Day Afternoon was especially fun,” said Carla Luigs, marketing coordinator for Hines, the developer of Asturia. “Events like this bring our residents together to have fun and get to know each other, and also invites new people to Asturia so they can experience all that Asturia has to offer.”

Braxton is a beautiful black lab owned by Lacy Quick of Lace Ventura Pet Sitting Service.

Most events are held inside or on the lawn of Asturia’s award-winning Amenity Center, which is located at the community’s entrance. In addition to a magnificent resort-style pool and impressive fitness center, Asturia also has pocket parks and playgrounds, and miles of paved trails that meander through wetlands as they connect individual neighborhoods.

Asturia’s builders — Ashton Woods, David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes — offer a variety of home sizes and prices, designed for families looking to buy their first home, homes for growing families with school-age children, and seasonal residents and empty-nesters looking for the latest in technological upgrades.

Learn more about Asturia by visiting its models, registering at the community’s website, AsturiaFlorida.com, or by calling (813) 227-4148.

Published May 23, 2018

Princess and her people, Bill and Emily.
Cory and her beagle, Maddie.
A marmoset monkey added to the fun at Dog Day Afternoon

Always Something Fun To Do At Asturia

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Asturia homeowners love their community almost as much as they love their new home.

There’s always something fun to do in Asturia, from enjoying the resort-style pool and fitness center, to walking and bicycling to pocket parks and exploring miles of trails, to meeting up with neighbors at community events sponsored by Asturia’s builders and developer.

A new event for pet lovers is happening in May for residents, future homeowners and people from neighboring communities. On Saturday, May 19, Asturia is hosting its first-ever Dog Day Afternoon from noon to 5 p.m. Folks are invited to gather with their four-legged friends on the grassy lawn next to the Amenity Center.

While dog owners sit, stay and play with their pets, youngsters will enjoy a bounce house and slide, face painting and a balloon artist. Everyone in the family will appreciate door prizes and live music, and food trucks will offer “ap-pet-izers.”

More than a dozen pet-friendly exhibitors will be at Dog Day Afternoon, including local veterinarians, pet stores and groomers. Exhibit space is still available, with the $50 exhibiting cost donated to Vets4Pets. For more information, please call Carla Luigs at (904) 810-0500 or David Weekley Homes at (813) 422-6166.

Vets4Pets provides high-quality, low-cost veterinary care to qualifying, low-income households, and educates families on how to be a responsible pet owner. The nonprofit is owned and operated by the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation and 30-member veterinarian clinics.

“Asturia sponsors special events to bring our residents together so they get to know each other, said Carla Luigs, marketing coordinator for Hines. “Plus it’s a great way to invite people to Asturia so they can see all that is happening here.”

A regular event is Front Porch Friday, which is hosted by David Weekley Homes.

“Many relationships and friendships have been formed during Front Porch Fridays. It has been one of the best avenues of bringing “community” to Asturia,” said Diane Walker of David Weekley Homes.

This Friday, April 27, is the next Front Porch Friday at the Eclipse model home at 14796 Trails Edge Blvd.

Other recent events at Asturia were an Oyster Roast and bluegrass band on March 9, and an Easter Egg hunt on March 31. A Movie Night with free pizza and popcorn was held early in April, and more than 150 residents attended — the biggest crowd ever.

Just 550 Homes
Asturia stands out among other new home developments along State Road 54 because of its uniquely smaller size. While nearby master-planned communities have between 3,000 to more than 5,000 homes planned over several years of construction, Asturia is building just 550 homes over the next few years.

“Asturia feels more like a neighborhood than a sprawling community, said Lane Gardner, managing director for Hines, Asturia’s developer.

“Our nature trails, pocket parks, first-class amenities and community events encourage residents to get to know their neighbors. Families choose Asturia because we are a friendly, walkable community that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle,” he adds.

Because Asturia’s builders offer a variety of home sizes and prices, it is ideal for families looking to buy their first home, and for growing families with school-age children needing larger homes. The community also attracts seasonal residents and empty nesters who want all the latest technological upgrades in a smaller home.

Asturia’s Phase Two, which opened in December, offers 157 large home sites, most with conservation and water views, and all providing privacy and peaceful, quiet surroundings.

Ashton Woods Homes, David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes, some of the best builders in the country, are Asturia’s exclusive builders.

“Our buyers are fortunate that they can choose from such premier builders to build the home of their dreams in Asturia,” said Managing Director Lane.

Award Winning Amenity Center
Asturia’s distinctive, 5,800-square-foot Amenity Center and Clubhouse earned the prestigious Silver Aurora Award for the Best Recreational Facility at the 2017 Southeast Building Conference, as well as Best Mixed-Use Community of the Year.

This contemporary-design Amenity Center includes a fully equipped, modern clubhouse; covered outdoor dining areas; a luxurious, beach-entry, resort-style swimming pool; and an expansive event lawn for outdoor games. For kids, there is a Kompan dome, swings, slide and spinners in the playground area.

Asturia has wide, meadow-like spaces, peaceful ponds, thick stands of cypress and hardwood trees, and large tracts of scenic wetlands. It is an exceptionally kid-friendly and family oriented community surrounded by miles of trails interspersed with playgrounds, dog parks and pocket parks.

Make Asturia your new home by visiting its models, registering at the community’s website, AsturiaFlorida.com, or by calling (813) 227-4148.

Published April 25, 2018

Asturia Receives Prestigious Awards for Design and Marketing

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Walter O’Shea, Carla Luigs and Lane Gardner of Hines accept awards for its Asturia community at the recent Aurora Awards dinner at the Southeast Building Conference in Orlando.

Asturia, a master-planned Hines community located on State Road 54 in Odessa, recently earned two prestigious awards at the 2017 Southeast Building Conference in Orlando.

Asturia was honored with the Excel Award for Best Mixed-Use Community of the Year for sales and marketing excellence in the building industry. The community was also honored with a Silver Aurora for Best Recreational Facility for its architectural and interior design.

Established in 1979, the Aurora Awards are presented annually to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, interior merchandisers and other housing-related professionals.

This year’s competition drew over 400 entries in 58 categories from residential and commercial construction professionals actively involved in projects throughout the Southeast. The awards encompass all facets of the residential, commercial and remodeling industries.

The entries were judged by a panel of four building industry leaders selected from among the most creative and successful individuals within the homebuilding industry.

Judge Sarah Breen said this year’s competition was exceptionally diverse coming from across the Southeast. “Creative ideas in design do not know boundaries,” she said. “We found the variety and level of excellence to be particularly heartening this year.”

About Asturia

Asturia is a mixed-use, master-planned community located in the high-demand State Road 54 corridor in Pasco County. It incorporates retail, office, multifamily and a variety of single-family residential offerings.

The community’s central location offers close proximity to U.S. 41, U.S. 19 and I-75, and is just five minutes from the Suncoast Parkway, and its direct link to Tampa International Airport and the Westshore business district.

Asturia offers residents a kid-friendly, family oriented lifestyle surrounded by community-wide multi-use trails, interspersed with a dog park and pocket parks. Kids especially love the Kompan equipped playground, and everyone enjoys the beautiful amenity center, with its expansive lawn areas, resort-style pool and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Second Phase Opens

It’s been just two years since Asturia began selling homes, and already the award-winning development has moved into its second phase.

 “This is a great time for Asturia right now,” said Lane Gardner, Hines managing director. “Home sales are very strong, and we are thrilled to be releasing a new phase of incredible lots to our builders.”

Asturia’s first phase of 248 home sites has been completed, with beautiful single-family homes built by David Weekley Homes and Ashton Woods. Hines recently announced that ICI Homes has been selected as its third homebuilder.

“It’s a perfect time to add another great builder to the lineup and provide even more home offerings for homebuyers at Asturia,” said Gardner.

Many families have been waiting for Asturia to open its second phase because they offer some of the best woodland conservation views in the entire area.

“The second phase of Asturia features some of the most beautiful lots in all of Pasco County,” said Kevin Jund, the community’s project manager. “It’s really an enclave surrounded by 360-degrees of protected preserves of mature cypress and lush native vegetation. There’s nothing quite like these lots anywhere along the State Road 54 corridor.”

There are a total of 157 large lots in Phase II, with a majority backing up to conservation areas. All lots provide homeowners privacy and a peaceful, quiet surrounding.

A boardwalk connects the two smaller neighborhoods within Phase II, which will tie into the community’s multi-use pathway that meanders for miles through residential areas, parks, playgrounds and the Amenity Center.

When Asturia’s development is complete in a few years, it will likely have less than 550 single-family homes.

“What makes Asturia stand out from other new home developments in the area is our smaller size,” said Jund. “Other communities are looking at 3,000 to over 5,000 homes, and many years of construction. Many families prefer the intimate neighborhood experience that comes with our modest size.”

More information can be obtained by visiting and registering at the community website, AsturiaFlorida.com, or by calling (813) 227-4148.

Hines, a privately owned, global real estate investment, development and management firm that was founded in 1957, is developing Asturia. It is one of the largest and most respected real estate organizations in the world.

Published August 23, 2017