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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Suncoast Trailside Bicycles

ICI Homes’ Most Popular Floor Plan Ready Now In Bexley

November 27, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

One of the most beautiful and functional move-in ready homes in Bexley, Land O’ Lakes’ top-selling community, is now available from ICI Homes.

The four-bedroom, three-bath Costa Mesa is on a 70-foot corner homesite in Bexley’s most prestigious neighborhood, located close to the clubhouse and pools. The semi-custom home includes luxury finishes, an expansive lanai, mud room with built-in bench off the garage, huge walk-in pantry, and tandem garage ideal for a compact car, golf cart or storage.

The Costa Mesa open floor plan is 2,565 square feet with four bedrooms and three baths.

The Costa Mesa’s open floor plan flows with 2,565 square feet of living area designed perfectly for the active lifestyle Bexley extols.

“This home is an entertainer’s dream. Its gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room are one expansive space highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light,” said Ron Ferguson, division president for ICI Homes. “People absolutely love the huge kitchen and its extra-large island, which is a standard feature and one of the largest islands offered by any builder.”

Families interested in this home also will be drawn to its location in Bexley, a Newland community located off State Road 54, just east of the Suncoast Parkway. Bexley was recently named the top-selling master-planned community in Tampa Bay, with home sales up more than 45 percent, compared to a year ago.

“ICI Homes has partnered with Newland for several years in both Bexley and FishHawk Ranch in south Hillsborough County,” said Ferguson. “Pasco families looking to move up to a prestigious new home don’t have to travel far to experience Florida’s best privately held builder and master-planned community, right here in their backyard.”

Buying an ICI Homes in Bexley is a wise financial investment for families, and also one that offers an outdoor lifestyle attractive to families of all kinds.

Bexley is designed so residents can enjoy the great outdoors. The community is home to miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails, ideal for walking, biking, jogging and strollers. Several community parks dot the landscape, and sports lovers of all ages use the Mud, Sweat and Gears Park for impromptu soccer or football games, while younger kids spend hours playing on custom-built playgrounds.

At the heart of this award-winning community is The Bexley Club, where people enjoy scenic lakefront views at the Twisted Sprocket Café. Next door to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, gear and clothing, and offers repairs and rentals. Two additional buildings make up The Bexley Club: a cardio-focused fitness center, and a screened-in game room with air hockey, foosball and a pool table. There are also two resort-style pools, an outdoor fire pit and an event lawn.

The schools zoned for Bexley residents are some of the best in Pasco County — Bexley Elementary, Rushe Middle School and Sunlake High School. Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes, a highly regarded charter school, is just minutes from Bexley.

This is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in Bexley. ICI Homes is building its final three homes in Bexley, which includes the Costa Mesa that is ready now, and the slightly smaller Egret VII, which will soon be under construction.

Since ICI Homes was established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

The sales center for Bexley is in Asturia, another ICI Homes community just a mile away in Odessa, at 2112 Secret Cove, (727) 432-3069. Stop by or call today to tour the Costa Mesa home in Bexley between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday.

Published November 27, 2019

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Bexley, Bexley Elementary, FishHawk Ranch, ICI Homes, Imagine School of Land O' Lakes, Land O' Lakes, Ron Ferguson, Rushe Middle School, State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Sunlake High School, The Bexley Club, Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Bexley Is Top-Selling Community In Tampa Bay

August 28, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Prospective homebuyers don’t have to travel far to experience one of the country’s best master-planned communities. Real estate advising group, RCLCO, has named Bexley by Newland the top-selling master-planned community in Tampa Bay, and one of the top 50 in the United States, in its annual survey.

At Bexley, home sales are up more than 45 percent at the mid-year mark this year, compared to the same time last year. That is in comparison to a national average increase of 3%, according to the survey.

“It’s always rewarding to see our community plans come to life,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland. “Becoming the best-selling community in Tampa Bay is part strategic planning, part providing home designs for a range of buyers, and part incredible word-of-mouth from our Bexley families who are constantly sharing their pride in this great community.”

Bexley offers a variety of floor plans from low-maintenance townhomes, to one- and two-story single-family starting in the mid $200,000s, as well as luxury homes, from some of the best-known builders in the country.

Homebuyers can tour 11 models at Bexley, built by Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes, Lennar, Homes by West Bay and Arthur Rutenberg Homes. Pulte will soon join the community’s list of builders, with the opening of its model home later this year. Del Webb Bexley, a 55-plus community, also offers an additional six model homes to tour.

Located in Land O’ Lakes along the in-demand State Road 54 corridor, Bexley provides a prime location convenient to many of the area’s diverse attractions.

At the heart of the award-winning community is The Bexley Club, where people enjoy scenic lakefront views at the Twisted Sprocket Café. The restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and happy hour, and offers an outstanding menu of breakfast items, gourmet lunches, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks.

Next door to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, gear and clothing, and offers repairs and rentals. If you’re looking to cycle around the community or hit the Bexley BMX pump track, you’ll find everything you need at this one-stop shop.

Two additional buildings make up The Bexley Club: a cardio-focused fitness center and a screened-in game room with air hockey, foosball and a pool table. There are also two resort-style pools, an outdoor fire pit and an event lawn.

Bexley was designed so that residents can enjoy the great outdoors. The community is home to miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails, ideal for walking, biking, jogging and strollers. Along the way, residents can utilize several Fit Stations, which add fun and variety to workouts.

Several community parks dot the landscape at Bexley. Sports lovers of all ages use Mud, Sweat and Gears Park for impromptu soccer or football games, and younger kids spend hours on the custom-built wonderland designed by Asheville Playgrounds. Dogs and their owners enjoy the BarkYard, a park to call their own with separate spaces for big and small dogs.

Best of all, Bexley offers an exclusive Resident for a Day program, which gives potential residents a chance to experience the amenities, trails and café first-hand. To learn more, visit BexleyFlorida.com, or call (813) 425-7555.

Published August 28, 2019

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Arthur Rutenberg Homes, Bexley by Newland, Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes, Del Webb Bexley, Homes by West Bay, Land O' Lakes, Lennar Homes, Pam Parisi, Pulte, RCLCO, State Road 54, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Bexley Wins Big at Parade of Homes

April 24, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Bexley and four of its outstanding builders were big winners at last month’s 2019 Parade of Homes. The annual event is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

In all, builders at Bexley earned three Grand Awards and three Silver Awards for model homes, along with two Best in Class Awards. The community’s model homes were the winningest of any other community competing in this year’s Parade.

Model homes throughout Bexley were judged by a panel of industry experts. Bexley also had the honor of being the Parade’s featured Showcase Community.

Parade of Homes award winners at Bexley include the elegant Savannah model by Cardel Homes and the Bayshore II model from Homes by WestBay, with its beautiful outdoor living area shown here.

Pulte Homes’ Summerwood in the Del Webb at Bexley 55-plus community earned a Grand Award in the $350,000 – $399,000 price range category. In the $600,000 – $649,000 price range, the Bayshore II model from Homes by WestBay also earned Grand Award honors.

Cardel Homes’ Savannah and Henley took home both the Grand Award and Silver Award in the $750,000 – $799,000 price category.

Homes by WestBay’s Cypress Model received a Silver Award in the $400,000 – $449,000 price category while David Weekley’s Tangelo also earned a Silver Award in the $550,000 – $599,000 category.

Best in Class honors went to Cardel Homes for its Master Suite and Bath in the Savannah model. The single-story floor plan features four bedrooms, three baths, a three-car garage and more than 3,300 square-feet of living space in a single-story design.

Homes by WestBay also earned a Best in Class Award in Outdoor Living for its Bayshore II model.

“We’re honored to have several of our outstanding builders recognized,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland. “This year’s Parade of Homes also recognized Bexley as its Showcase Community. It was wonderful to host so many prospective homebuyers during the event because it offered them the chance to experience Bexley’s unique and vibrant community first-hand.”

Bexley is one of the top-selling communities in the Tampa area, with a variety of home styles ranging from low-maintenance townhomes to single-family and luxury homes.

Nestled among cypress domes, oak hammocks and pine flatwoods, Bexley features significant conservation areas and a myriad of opportunities for recreation, exercise and social entertainment and connection.

The Bexley Club, a lakeside clubhouse is the centerpiece of the community and home to The Twisted Sprocket Café. This popular meeting spot is open to the public and serves breakfast items, gourmet lunches, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks. Next to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, gear and clothing, and offers repairs. If you’re looking to cycle around the community or hit the Bexley BMX pump track, you’ll find everything you need at this one-stop shop.

Bexley residents also enjoy miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails with Fit Stations to add fun and variety to workouts, whether walking, biking or jogging. And don’t forget about the custom-built playgrounds, two dog parks and sports fields.

At Bexley, prospective homebuyers can tour a variety of home options all in one visit. Best of all, the community offers an exclusive Resident for a Day program, which gives potential residents a chance to experience what Bexley has to offer. To learn more, visit www.BexleyFlorida.com or call (813) 425-7555.

Published April 24, 2019

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Bexley, Cardel Homes, Del Webb at Bexley, Homes by WestBay, Newland Communities, Pam Parisi, Parade of Homes, Pulte Homes, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Tampa Bay Builders Association, The Bexley Club, The Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Bexley Trail Blazers Club Enjoys Outdoor Camaraderie

March 27, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Living in Tampa Bay means enjoying outstanding weather year-round and ample outdoor activities. For residents in Bexley by Newland, one of Pasco County’s premier master-planned communities, the Bexley lifestyle also means having a wide range of activities and amenities just minutes from your doorstep.

The Bexley Trail Blazers is a group of residents, nearby neighbors and friends who enjoy monthly walks through the community’s trails. Pictured L-R: Robert Krahn, Stephanie Krahn (and their dog Nala), Daniela Pavlik, Bryan Cooper, Denise Semeniuk, Nick Grimaudo, Jay Michlin, Jean Grimaudo, Jodie Johnson, Scott Waite, Larry Oliver and Jessica Robinson.

Nestled among 1,825 acres of pastoral ranch lands, mature woodlands and cypress wetlands, Bexley offers exceptional trails to walk, bike and run. The newly formed Bexley Trail Blazers, whose members are residents and guests, gather each month to explore one of the community trails, which vary in length between a quarter mile to nearly two miles.

The group usually meets on the second Friday of the month, not only for exercise, but also camaraderie. All are welcome to join. A schedule of Trail Blazers events is available at BexleyFlorida.com, or on the Bexley by Newland Facebook Page.

“We help members discover places within their community they might not have known about,” said Jessica Robinson, marketing manager for Bexley. “Our residents enjoy getting to know each other in a fun, casual setting. Not only have residents been exploring the trails together, they’ve been sharing them with their friends from other nearby communities and inviting them to join the group.”

Along their walks, Trail Blazers get a chance to enjoy the canopy of cypress trees, listen to the variety of bird songs and even catch a glimpse of an alligator or two.

The Allure of Amenities
Bexley’s dual-surface trails were designed by outdoor-living pioneer Avid Trails. Several of them include Fit Stations to keep workouts interesting and fresh. The community also offers open space for sports fields, a BMX bicycle pump park, and custom-made playgrounds, as well as two dog parks, one for large breeds and the other for small.  

Suncoast Trailside Bicycles is also located right within the community. The business offers sales, repairs and rentals six days a week at the lakefront Bexley Club, which is also home to the Twisted Sprocket Café. The public cafe offers a menu of breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, coffee, wine and beer.

Two additional buildings make up The Bexley Club: a cardio-focused fitness center and a screened-in game room with air hockey, foosball, and a pool table. There are also two resort-style pools, an outdoor fire pit and an event lawn for community events and gatherings.

Residents Connect
The Trail Blazers club isn’t the only way for residents to meet and connect. From October through May, Bexley hosts a monthly Saturday Morning Market, which features an array of unique vendors and goods. The next Morning Market is April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community’s Spring Garage Sale is being held in conjunction with the April market, and invites residents to host individual sales, all on the same day.

On the third Friday of each month, residents and guests gather for Happy Hour at the Twisted Sprocket Café from 5 to 8 p.m. with drinks, café specials and complimentary snacks.

Located in Land O’Lakes in central Pasco County, north of State Road 54 and just east of the Suncoast Parkway, Bexley provides a prime location that’s just 26 miles from downtown Tampa and convenient to many of the area’s diverse attractions.

Not only do residents rave about all there is to do at Bexley, the community has garnered numerous awards, including a Best in American Living Award for best single-family community from the National Association of Home Builders. It also was recognized as the best master-planned community and best recreational facility from the Southeast Building Conference.

Want to know more? Bexley allows families searching for a new home to test out all of the trails and amenities through its exclusive Resident for a Day program. To learn more, visit BexleyFlorida.com.

Published March 27, 2019

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Bexley by Newland, Bexley Trail Blazers, Jessica Robinson, Land O' Lakes, National Association of Home Builders, Southeast Building Conference, State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Bexley Is Showcase Community At This Weekend’s Parade of Homes

February 27, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

It is estimated that homebuyers visit 10 homes before they find “The One.” Potential buyers will have a chance to walk through dozens of model homes at the annual Tampa Bay Parade of Homes, which is being held the first two weekends in March.

This year, Bexley by Newland Communities will play a prominent role as the featured Showcase Community. Seven models representing three of Bexley’s award-winning builders will be on display during this popular two-weekend event.

“We’re honored to be this year’s Showcase Community, and to have the opportunity to show potential homebuyers what the Bexley lifestyle has to offer,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities, developer of Bexley.

The Bexley Club is a popular meeting place for residents and the surrounding community.

The Parade of Homes is an exceptional time to see the floor plans, interior designs and architecture of model homes, which are also judged by a panel of industry experts.

Featured homes in Bexley will include models from popular builders Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes and Homes by WestBay.

Parade visitors can tour Cardel Homes’ Henley and Savannah models. The two-story, four-bedroom Henley provides more than 3,900 square-feet of living space, while the four-bedroom Savannah floor plan features three baths and more than 3,300 square feet of living space in a single-story design. Both models have three-car garages and have been newly decorated.

David Weekley’s Stonebrook model is a two-story home with four bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a rear entry two-car garage. This popular builder’s newly designed Tangelo floor plan features four bedrooms and 3.5 baths in a single-story home with just over 3,000 square feet.

The Sandpiper and Cypress models from Homes by WestBay offer stately four-bedroom and two to 2.5-bathroom floor plans. The one-story Sandpiper provides just over 2,000 square feet and a two-car garage, while the Cypress is a two-story floor plan with more than 2,700 square feet.

As one of Pasco County’s premier master-planned communities, homeowners at Bexley have access to a wide range of amenities and activities.

The central hub of the community is The Bexley Club. This lakeside clubhouse is a popular meeting place for residents and the surrounding community. Many come in to enjoy great food at the Twisted Sprocket Café, which serves breakfast, gourmet lunches, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks.

Next door to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, including mountain and electric bikes, gear and clothing. The shop also offers repairs. If you’re looking to cycle around the community or hit the Bexley BMX pump track, you’ll find everything you need at this one-stop shop.

In addition to two resort-style pools and a fitness center, residents also enjoy miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails, ideal for walking, biking, jogging and strollers. Fit Stations located along the trails add fun and variety to workouts.

Want to know what it’s like to live at Bexley? Sign up for the “Resident for a Day” program, which lets prospective homebuyers utilize many of the community’s amenities to get a true feel for what it’s like to live there.

“We love giving people an opportunity to experience life in Bexley firsthand. The Resident for a Day program gives prospective buyers an opportunity to enjoy the amenities, talk with residents, and see for themselves why so many families have chosen to make Bexley their home,” said Parisi.

Bexley’s Parade of Home models are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Sunday. A guide to the models is available onsite at The Bexley Club, or download a copy at TampaBayParadeOfHomes.com.

For more information, visit BexleyFlorida.com, or call (813) 425-7555.

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Bexley by Newland Communities, Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes, Homes by WestBay, Pam Parisi, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Tampa Bay Parade of Homes, The Bexley Club, Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Bexley Offers Homebuyers Luxury Custom Options

October 24, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Building a home is part of the American dream. It’s exciting to select a lot and choose a floor plan that fits your needs. You watch expectantly as builders construct your home. And since you’re the very first person to live in a newly constructed home, many builders allow you to put your very own stamp on it by selecting the finishes, cabinets and flooring that you want.

Bexley by Newland Communities, one of Pasco County’s newest and most popular master-planned communities, is adding more luxury options with new floor plans from Cardel Homes and the introduction of Arthur Rutenberg to the community.  Both offer new homebuyers ample ways to turn their house into a dream home.

Bexley Cardel Homes, Savannah Living Room

Cardel Homes
With two new floor plans featuring four bedrooms and three baths to choose from, Cardel Homes places a premium on design. Homebuyers have access to the Cardel Design Center where they can build their home according to their lifestyle, as well as select upgrades such as a Whirlpool appliance package, more than 20 different styles and colors of tile, travertine windowsills and much more.

“As a family-owned builder, we pride ourselves in offering quality workmanship and outstanding customer service,” said Brian Phillips, Cardel Homes’ vice president of sales and marketing. “Our design team works with homebuyers so that we can customize floor plans and offer a variety of structural options with those floor plans. This way, families are able to build their home according to their lifestyle.”

Cardel Homes’ two new model homes at Bexley – The Henley and The Savannah – are now open for prospective homebuyers to explore the 3,308 – 3,939-square-foot floor plans. Cardel Homes has a variety of floorplans within the community which range from approximately $400,000 – $600,000.

Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Custom Craft Homes
It’s one thing to select the finishes and colors that you want in your home. It’s another to create the exact floor plan you want with an architect. That’s what custom builder Arthur Rutenberg Homes offers its customers.

“Being in Bexley was just the natural thing to do,” said Ernie Lashlee, building company president for Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Custom Craft Homes. “We have been building custom homes in Newland’s FishHawk Ranch community for more than a decade. Being in Bexley gives us the presence we wanted in the northern part of Pasco County.”

Arthur Rutenberg/Custom Craft Homes, Avalon Model

Arthur Rutenberg has just 14 custom home sites on their exclusive cul de sac.

Lashlee, a certified architect, notes that he can assist homebuyers by making changes to existing floor plans. That may mean increasing the size of a master bedroom, or changing the elevation of a home so that it stands out from others in the neighborhood.

“Most of our buyers are looking for something different from the person next door,” Lashlee added. “They want something unique and we’re able to offer them the expertise and flexibility to bring their vision to life.”

A model home for Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Custom Craft Homes is expected to open in Spring of 2019 and pre-sales will begin soon. Homes will start in the high $500,000 – $800,000.

Whatever your home style or budget, Bexley has something for you including single family and luxury homes and townhomes priced from the low $200s to over $600,000.   Located north of State Road 54, Bexley’s 1,825-acre community offers a wide range of activities and amenities just minutes from your doorstep, including resort style pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, miles of dual-surface trails and a BMX pump track, plus the Twisted Sprocket Café, and Suncoast Trailside Bicycles which are both open to the public.

For more information, visit www.bexleyflorida.com or call (813) 425-7555.

Filed Under: Home Section, Sponsored Content Tagged With: Arthur Rutenberg, Bexley by Newland Communities, Brian Phillips, Cardel Homes, Ernie Lashlee, FishHawk Ranch, State Road 54, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Amenities, Lifestyle Set Bexley Apart

April 25, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Choosing the right home and community are two of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Not only do you want to find a home that meets your family’s needs, you also want to be sure that the community offers plenty of ways to enjoy Tampa’s spectacular year-round weather and fosters a connection with neighbors.

Moving to Bexley by Newland Communities, one of Pasco County’s premier master-planned communities, means having a wide range of activities and amenities minutes from your doorstep.

Located in Land O’ Lakes in central Pasco County, north of State Road 54 and just east of the Suncoast Parkway, Bexley is in a prime location that is convenient to many areas of Tampa Bay.

The community’s 1,825 acres of pastoral ranch lands, mature woodlands and cypress wetlands have earned it numerous awards, including best master-planned community and best recreational facility from the Southeast Building Conference, and a Best in American Living Award for best single-family community from the National Association of Home Builders.

“The amenities at Bexley truly set our community apart,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities. “We designed Bexley so that residents can be as physically and socially active as they want. Or, they can just relax at The Bexley Club and enjoy the lakefront view.”

The Bexley Club
At the heart of the community is The Bexley Club, where residents and community members enjoy great food and scenic lakefront views at the Twisted Sprocket Café. The restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and happy hour, and offers an outstanding menu of breakfast items, gourmet lunches, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks.     

Next door to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles will open soon, offering bike sales, rentals and repairs.

Two additional buildings make up The Bexley Club: a cardio-focused fitness center and a screened-in game room with air hockey, foosball and pool table. There are also two resort-style pools, an outdoor fire pit, and an event lawn for community festivals and gatherings.

Get Fit
Bexley was designed so that residents could enjoy the great outdoors. The community is home to miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails, ideal for walking, biking, jogging and strollers. Along the way, check out the Fit Stations, which add fun and variety to workouts.

Custom Adventures
Some of the most unique community parks in Tampa Bay are located at Bexley. Kids spend hours on the custom-built Wonderland designed by Asheville Playgrounds. And, sports lovers of all ages use Mud, Sweat and Gears Park for impromptu soccer or football games. Bexley’s bicycle pump track is for daredevils who want to try out some new tricks. And, of course, four-legged residents have the BarkYard, a park to call their own with separate spaces for big and small dogs.

Best of all, Bexley allows families searching for a new home to test out all of the amenities through its exclusive Resident for a Day program. To learn more about all that Bexley has to offer, visit BexleyFlorida.com.

Published April 25, 2018

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Asheville Playgrounds, Bexley by Newland Communities, Land O' Lakes, National Association of Home Builders, Pam Parisi, Southeast Building Conference, State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, The Bexley Club, Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Suncoast Trailside Bicycles To Open Shop In Bexley

March 28, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County is a well-known destination for cyclists, so it’s no surprise that Bexley, one of the county’s most popular housing communities, is attracting bike lovers from all over the region.

The master-planned community by Newland Communities is located in Land O’ Lakes, just east of the Suncoast Parkway on State Road 54. It has earned numerous awards, including Best Master-Planned Community and Best Recreational Facility by the Southeast Building Conference, and Best in American Living Award for the Best Single-Family Community by the National Association of Home Builders.

In addition to its many awards, what sets Bexley apart from other communities is its miles of trails for cycling, walking and jogging (which may one day link to the 42-mile Suncoast Trail), its BMX pump track and soon, an on-site bike shop.

This spring, Odessa-based Suncoast Trailside Bicycles will add a new location within the Bexley community. The full-service shop, which will be open seven days a week, will offer tune-ups, sales and rentals, for residents and visitors.

“From the very beginning, we wanted Bexley to be a community that encouraged an active lifestyle where residents enjoy the beautiful scenery and acres of nature preserves,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities. “Having a bike shop within the community is a natural fit, and we couldn’t have found a better partner than Geoff Lanier and Suncoast Trailside Bicycles.”

“Once I saw the plans for Bexley and learned what the community was about, I was all in,” said Suncoast Trailside owner Geoff Lanier. “We can’t wait to open.”

Lanier is excited to be offering bike rentals for adults and children. “We’ve always had requests for rentals, but we never had enough space at our Odessa location. Now in Bexley, we can offer this service.”

In addition to renting traditional bicycles, the Bexley Suncoast Trailside store will offer battery-powered e-bikes, which Lanier said have become very popular over the past few years. Users can turn off the battery and pedal, or turn it on when they need some extra assistance.

Lanier is also looking forward to offering cycling and BMX clinics at Bexley for bikers of all skill levels. And, he’s already teamed up with Chef Ashley Davis, who runs Bexley’s Twisted Sprocket Café, for Bike and Brew events within the community. The café, which is open to the public, serves breakfast, lunch, desserts, smoothies, wine, craft beer and coffee drinks.

The bike shop will be located right next door to The Bexley Club, the community’s lakefront amenity center with its two resort-style pools and screened-in game room. Residents also enjoy other amenities in Bexley, including several open spaces for sports fields, a large event lawn for community events and festivals, custom-built playgrounds, and two dog parks.

Bexley’s prime location in central Pasco County provides direct access to the Suncoast Parkway and is convenient to many areas of Tampa Bay. The community consists of 1,825 acres of pastoral ranch lands, mature woodlands and cypress wetlands, with Newland dedicating 1,200 acres to remain in its pristine natural state.

In the 18 months since Bexley opened, it has distinguished itself as one of Tampa Bay’s top-selling properties with over 300 new homes sold. Homes begin in the low $200,000s and include single-family, luxury, and low-maintenance townhomes, courtyards and villas.

“Bexley is a vibrant community for people at all stages of life, especially those who are looking for an active lifestyle, and greater connections with each other and the outdoors. It’s just a wonderful community to live in, whether you’re a family with kids, just starting out, or looking to downsize,” Parisi adds.

Bexley is the fourth master-planned community for Newland in the Tampa Bay area, joining FishHawk Ranch, MiraBay and Waterset in south Hillsborough County. For information, visit BexleyFlorida.com.

Published March 28, 2018

Filed Under: Home Section Tagged With: Ashley Davis, Bexley, FishHawk Ranch, Geoff Lanier, MiraBay, Newland Communities, Pam Parisi, State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, The Bexley Club, Twisted Sprocket Cafe, Waterset

Bexley buzz isn’t just marketing hype

November 30, 2016 By Tom Jackson

LAND O’ LAKES — Late on a recent Saturday afternoon, as the sun’s slanting rays cast their golden autumnal glow, Tommy Brown and his young sons mounted their bikes and set off in search of adventure.

Luckily, they didn’t have far to go, and their destination was known. In fact, from their side yard near the northeast corner of Ballantrae, they’d had their eyes on it for weeks: the BMX (bicycle motocross) park in the neighboring, emerging community of Bexley.

All they needed was for the construction zone barriers to come down. That Saturday morning, in conjunction with Bexley’s grand opening weekend, they did.

A family enjoys the playground during Bexley’s opening festivities. (Courtesy of Brian Swartzwelder)
A family enjoys the playground during Bexley’s opening festivities.
(Courtesy of Brian Swartzwelder)

Now as the lads on their tyke-bikes jounced over the moguls, careened through the twists and catapulted across the banked turns, they hooted with laughter.

“This is fun!” whooped Alec Brown, 5, fairly hopping astride his bike while, nearby, Oscar, 9, clattered triumphantly over the wooden plank extension that rises like a dinosaur’s frill above the signature banked curve.

Their dad, meanwhile, was discovering the limitations of a mountain bike on a layout designed for tiny wheels. Never mind all that. Bathed in the patina of a fading fall afternoon, the 42-year-old computer programmer and his boys were making memories that would last into all their golden years.

Now, Pam Parisi, regional marketing director for developer Newland Communities, will tell you Bexley is selling a lot of things — houses (ranging from $215,000 townhouses to single-family houses in the mid-$500,000s), desirable amenities, nature-friendly design, abundant get-outside activities and a killer location (no one is closer to the Suncoast Parkway) — but, if you suggested, ultimately, the whole place is about filling your life with moments you’ll cherish, she wouldn’t disagree.

“Bexley is all about being families again,” she says. “It’s all about getting outdoors again. It’s not about having kids sitting on the couch ‘playing together’ with other friends on other couches.”

About that. Bexley comes front-loaded with “boot camp” fitness trails, miles of bicycle paths — one of which ultimately will link to the 42-mile Suncoast Trail — and a variety of parks. Some for kids. Some for dogs. Some for every recreational taste.

The playgrounds, in particular, hold your attention with slides laid into manmade hills and high-rise wooden play structures that, engaging the imagination while challenging young muscles, could be anything from a frontier fort in the Wild West to a magical abbey in Nepal.

No doubt some readers will consider this attention to a single master-planned community overwrought. In fact, the region embracing the Hillsborough-Pasco border from Trinity almost to U.S. 301 teems with similar villages, and many are splendid in their own right.

It bears noting, however, Newland has a history of reshaping how people regard things. Twenty-odd years ago, when it began carving out a mini-town at the end of a two-lane road near a sleepy incorporated settlement in southeast Hillsborough County, skeptics wondered whether the hotshot developers had lost their minds.

Now, as Parisi correctly notes, the area formerly known as “Lithia” is a reference reserved for mapmakers. For everyone else, it’s Fishhawk Ranch.

This is not to suggest the keepers of the Land O’ Lakes flame should prepare to take to the barricades. For openers, at 1,200 acres, Bexley is somewhat less than half Fishhawk’s sprawling 3,000 acres.

Instead, it’s merely to acknowledge the buzz about Bexley is warranted. Parisi describes the new community as Fishhawk Ranch improved by 20 years of experience and evolutionary thinking.

She points out the amenities are front-loaded, and not dependent on hitting a certain number of committed homeowners before artist’s renderings begin to transform into facts on the ground.

From Day One, residents will have access to the niceties mentioned above, plus a cafe (The Twisted Sprocket) and clubhouse worthy of a country club, plus a full-service bicycle shop, the first offshoot of the venerable, nearby Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, run by the energetic Geoff Lanier.

Next door, a cafe — open to the public — serves Bexley burgers (cheeseburgers topped with an onion ring) and beers crafted by Odessa-and-Clearwater based Big Storm Brewing Co.

Figuring out what’s going to erupt from the commercial frontage along State Road 54 is another matter. The first hint broke a couple of weeks ago with the announcement of a 110-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott, the first of its kind in Pasco County. Stay tuned.

And, as we have seen, even before the first families take up housekeeping, Bexley is fulfilling its mission: Getting people out and about. Getting them moving. With fresh memories to savor, the Browns of neighboring Ballantrae are happy it’s here.

Tom Jackson, a resident of New Tampa, is interested in your ideas. To reach him, email .

Published November 30, 2016

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Ballantrae, Bexley, Big Storm Brewing Co., FishHawk Ranch, Land O' Lakes, Newland Communities, Pam Parisi, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, Suncoast Trail, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Tommy Brown, U.S. 301

Cyclists gear up to Spin the Suncoast in inaugural ride

September 11, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Cyclists looking for a new challenge may enjoy an event that’s debuting on Sept. 21 on the Suncoast Trail.

Spin the Suncoast is presented by DRC Sports and sponsored by Suncoast Trailside Bicycles, Pasco County Parks and Recreation and Southwest Florida Watershed Management District. It aims to appeal to all sorts of cyclists, said Chris Moling, the ride director.

A look at some cyclists involved in another ride organized by DRC Sports, the organizers of the inaugural Spin the Suncoast Ride, set for Sept. 21.
A look at some cyclists involved in another ride organized by DRC Sports, the organizers of the inaugural Spin the Suncoast Ride, set for Sept. 21.

Riders will be able to choose four distance options: nine miles, 28 miles, 50 miles and a Century Challenge of 100 miles.

The start, finish and registration take place at Suncoast Trailside Bicycles at 16216 State Road 54, in the Target Shopping Center, Moling said. The ride begins at the State Road 54 trailhead, with cyclists starting between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies will be on hand to make sure riders make it safely across State Road 54 to get to the Suncoast Trail trailhead on State Road 54, Moling said.

Emergency crews will be on standby, in case any medical emergencies arise during the event, and there will be support and gear stops for riders along the route.

The event will take place rain or shine.

The paved state trail winds through Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. The nine-mile ride will head north from the trailhead, take the shortest loop and enjoy a scenic ride to the trail entrance to the Starkey Wilderness Preserve.

The 28-mile ride includes a fully supported stop at Crews Lake Park, with food and beverages, as well as music and restrooms.

The 50-mile ride includes a support stop at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex with snacks and beverages.

The 100-mile ride, which attracts more serious riders, involves riding the trail to its north end, plus a ride toward the Starkey Wilderness Preserve, and then back. There are limited road crossings, giving riders plenty of space to spin their wheels.

Cyclists from as far away as Miami and Tallahassee already have signed up to join the ride, Moling said. More than 100 have registered as of last week, and organizers believe the number could climb to around 600.

The race was organized at the request of cycling enthusiasts, Moling said. They said, “Hey, there’s nothing really happening on the Suncoast, so to speak,” he added.

If there’s enough interest, the ride could become an annual event, Moling said.

Besides the support provided by ride organizers, cyclists also will get a T-shirt, a continental breakfast, and barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs after their ride, Moling said.

Trail support for riders will end at 3 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds will be used to help fund some cross-country scholarships in Hernando County.

If you go …
WHAT:
Spin the Suncoast Century Challenge Bike Ride, an event aimed to attract all types of cyclists.
WHERE: Registration and check-in at Suncoast Trailside Bicycles at 16216 State Road 54, near the Suncoast Trail on State Road 54
WHEN: Cyclists can start their ride any time between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.
COST: Early registration through Sept. 17 is $40. Registration on race day is $45.
INFO: Call (352) 637-2475, or email

Published September 10, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Anderson Snow Sports Complex, Chris Moling, DRC Sports, Pasco County Parks and Recreation, Southwest Florida Watershed Management District, Starkey Wilderness Preserve, State Road 54, Suncoast Trail, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual craft at home for adults on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn to make fireworks in a jar. To view the video, visit Facebook.com/cplib. … [Read More...] about 01/23/2021 – Adult craft

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