Builder expands into hotly competitive region

An arm of Naples-based Stock Development, one of the largest locally owned homebuilders in the region, has officially expanded into a new territory: Lakewood Ranch in east Manatee County.

The division, Stock Signature Homes, showcased new furnished models in Collingtree at Country Club East late last month, according to a statement. In addition to Country Club East, Stock plans to build homes in the Lake Club and Esplanade Golf and Country Club at Lakewood Ranch. All those communities have been some of the top selling areas of Lakewood Ranch.

Stock Signature Homes will offer more than 40 floor plans, 12 models and 19 move-in ready homes in the area. Stock Signature is also offering a free Gold Membership to the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club with the purchase of every newly built home, the statement adds.

Stock Development CEO Brian Stock first talked about the company's move up the Gulf Coast last fall, when it also announced it was going to build in tony Wellington, in Palm Beach County. The move into the region comes a few years after a competing prolific locally owned homebuilding firm, Lakewood Ranch-based Neal Communities, began to build in Stock's home base, in Lee and Collier counties.

Stock Development had $527 million in revenues in 2015. The company made Builder magazine's top 100 list in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and Brian Stock was the Business Observer's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013.