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Dreaming About A Life Of Luxury

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By GEOFF FOX, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 5, 2007

TRINITY - You aren't likely to find cars on cinder blocks in front yards along the Greater Tampa Bay Luxury Home Tour route.

In front of these million-dollar homes, you can, however, expect to see Porsches, Cadillacs and Hummers.

If the vehicles out front aren't proof you would need a mountain of money to purchase one of these homes, take a look inside.

Stepping into the foyer of the San Marino II model in The Champions' Club community in Trinity could make an average-sized adult feel small.

Could Shaquille O'Neal touch the top of the foyer's 13-foot ceiling without a running start?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

'It's nice and spacious,' said John Rubish of Lakeland. 'I really like the high ceilings, and the view is beautiful.'

Situated in the Mirasol neighborhood, the roughly 4,600-square-foot Arthur Rutenberg home, expanded by Rutenberg franchise Catenac Custom Homes, affords a view of a lake with a golf course on the other side. The community is south of State Road 54.
Rubish and his wife, Diane, said they were interested in a home closer to their grandchildren, who live in Palm Harbor.

They said they were interested in the San Marino II model, which features four bedrooms, a bonus room, four and a half bathrooms, a pool with elevated spa and a three-car garage, among other amenities.

The home is listed at $1.4 million.

The San Marino II is one of several models built by several companies that will be on display for the Luxury Home Tour, which started last week. The other dates are today through Sunday and Oct. 12-14. The 15-home tour includes palatial structures in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The Tampa Tribune is a media partner for the event.

Among the other Pasco homes is the Bellemead 39 Grand, a roughly 4,300-square-foot home in the Connerton community off U.S. 41 in Land O' Lakes.

Built by Costanza Homes, the model features five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, an octagonal study and a kitchen with granite countertops, a center island, two sinks a wine rack and wine cooler, among other amenities.

A wide-screen television is built into the wall of the living room, where surround-sound speakers are built into the ceiling about 11 feet above an indoor-outdoor fireplace.

Off the master bedroom is a sitting area surrounded by an 8-foot privacy wall. Here, water dribbles down a stone waterfall into a pond stocked with orange koi. Adjacent to the pond is an outdoor shower.

There is a Venetian bronze faucet in the tub in the master bathroom.

On the second level is a bonus room overlooking the lanai-covered pool and patio area, where there is an outdoor kitchen.

There are two bedrooms down the hall from the bonus room, which has a bar.

Nestled along the grassy banks of a large pond, the home in the Rose Point neighborhood is listed at around $1.2 million.

Brian Salm, vice president of sales with Costanza Homes, said buyers of homes on the Luxury Home Tour usually are successful business people, doctors and lawyers.

A professional athlete probably would be comfortable in such a stately residence, as well.

Somebody like Shaquille O'Neal.

He might not be able to touch the ceilings without a ladder, but he could probably buy a San Marino II model and a Bellemead 39 Grand in the same weekend.

IF YOU GO

WHEN: Today through Sunday and Oct. 12 through 14

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $20 the day of the event or $15 in advance when purchased at Robb & Stuckey at International Plaza in Tampa and Washington Mutual branches, or at www.tampabay

hometour.net.

INFORMATION: Visit www.tampabayhometour

.net.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 948-4217 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

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