Inside a Just-Completed Modern Beach House Near Island Ford Lake — Custom Home Building in Keystone, FL

Near Island Ford Lake in Keystone, FL, the oak canopy thickens. The lots open up. The pace slows down.

It's the kind of setting that makes you stop and ask: what would it look like to build here?

For one family, that question now has an answer. Parasol Properties recently completed a 4,186-square-foot modern beach house just minutes from Island Ford Lake in Keystone, FL. It's a clear example of what's possible when thoughtful design meets the right piece of land.

Why Keystone, FL Attracts Custom Home Buyers

The Keystone area sits along the Pasco/Hillsborough county line. It's often referenced as the Keystone area of Odessa, FL. A loosely defined but well-loved stretch of unincorporated Florida.

Buyers come here for space. Lots tend to be larger. Many offer lake frontage, wooded acreage, or both. Homes for sale near Island Ford Lake in Keystone appeal to buyers who want water views without giving up easy access to the rest of Tampa Bay.

The Suncoast Parkway (SR-589) makes commuting manageable. Tampa's urban core is roughly 30 to 40 minutes away. Odessa, Palm Harbor, and Clearwater are all within reach for shopping, dining, and everyday errands.

For buyers who want to build rather than buy an existing home, this area is increasingly rare. Buildable lots are available. Room to design from scratch still exists. That's not something you can say about most of the Tampa Bay market right now.

A Closer Look at Havana

Design Philosophy: Modern Coastal Meets Florida Living

Havana follows a Coastal Contemporary aesthetic. Clean lines. Open volumes. A clear connection between interior spaces and the outdoors.

The style fits the setting well. It draws on the relaxed character of coastal architecture while holding to the refined finishes you'd expect from luxury homes near Tampa Bay.

The home totals 5,520 square feet across two floors. Conditioned living space comes in at 4,186 square feet. It's sized for a family that entertains, but also values quiet and privacy.

The Layout: Built for How People Actually Live

The main floor is designed around the way families actually move through a home. A gourmet kitchen anchors the space. A large walk-in pantry sits just off to the side. The kitchen flows into open gathering areas that connect directly to the outdoor lanais.

A separate owner's entry keeps daily comings and goings from cutting through the main living areas. A mudroom adds practical storage. A dedicated study gives the home a quieter corner for work or reading.

The owner's suite is a true retreat. His-and-hers walk-in closets offer generous storage. The spa-inspired bathroom adds a resort-like touch to everyday routines. A pool bath and powder room add function to the main floor without cluttering the layout.

Upstairs, a loft and a second-floor great room offer flexible living options. Media room. Secondary lounge. Play space. The configuration works for many different needs. Three guest suites complete the upper floor. The full home includes 4 bedrooms and 4.2 bathrooms.

Click here to see the floor plan.

More of Havana at Keystone, FL.

Outdoor Living as a Core Feature

In Keystone, the outdoors isn't optional. It's part of the point.

This home treats outdoor living as a core part of the design, not an add-on. Dual lanais connect the interior to a poolside environment. Usable space extends well beyond the interior walls. A front porch adds warmth and presence from the street.

That kind of indoor-outdoor flow is a priority for new construction in the Keystone area. It's something Parasol Properties intentionally designs for every project.

The Case for Building Custom in Keystone, FL

You're Not Just Buying a Home, You're Designing a Life

Building custom means every decision is yours. Floor plan orientation. Kitchen finish level. Room placement. It all reflects your priorities, not someone else's.

That matters in a market like Keystone. Acreage homes here sit on distinctive lots. Topography varies. Lake adjacency changes what's possible. A custom build lets you respond to what the land offers. An existing home makes you work around what a previous owner decided.

This is especially true for lakefront property in Keystone, FL. Capturing water views, orienting toward natural light, creating privacy from neighboring parcels. These are design decisions. They happen at the architectural stage. Not after the foundation is poured.

Pasco County's Regulatory Environment

Residential development in Pasco County, FL involves a permitting and zoning process. It's manageable, but it helps to work with a builder who knows it well.

A few key areas matter most for custom home projects in the Keystone area:

Building Permits. All new residential construction requires a permit through Pasco County's Building Construction Services department. Applications are submitted online through the county's PascoGateway permitting portal or in person at one of three Central Permitting offices. Permit costs vary based on project size, scope, and number of trades involved.

Setback Requirements. Setbacks depend on your property's zoning classification, whether it's a corner lot, and whether it sits within a platted subdivision. The county's Development Code Review Division handles setback questions on a parcel-by-parcel basis. Getting clarity on this early in the design process avoids costly plan revisions later.

Tree Preservation Ordinance. Pasco County enforces an active tree preservation policy under Section 802 of the Land Development Code. Removing protected trees during construction requires permits and may trigger mitigation fees. Currently $75 per inch of trunk diameter, and $150 per inch for designated Heritage Trees (live oaks 34 inches or larger in diameter). On wooded Keystone lots, this is one of the details that catches first-time custom home clients off guard.

Zoning & Site Development. Zoning applications are handled separately through the county's Zoning & Site Development division. If your lot requires rezoning, a conditional use permit, or a preliminary site plan review, this is the starting point.

First-time custom home clients often underestimate how much these layers affect a project timeline and budget. An experienced builder navigates them without putting that burden on the client.

Parasol Properties handles the process end-to-end. Design development. Permitting. Construction. Final inspections. Clients stay informed throughout without having to manage it themselves.

How Parasol Properties Approaches Custom Home Building

Parasol Properties is a design-driven custom home builder serving Keystone, FL and the broader Tampa Bay area. The company works across a range of project types from build-on-your-lot in Odessa and Keystone to ground-up development on raw acreage in Pasco County.

Every project starts with a site evaluation and design consultation. Parasol's team works to understand the client's goals, the lot's opportunities and constraints, and a realistic budget. Architectural design and engineering then move forward together. So the home is both well-designed and buildable under local code.

The firm has worked in several architectural styles that fit the Keystone and Tampa Bay market. Modern Mediterranean. Coastal Contemporary. Transitional designs that blend traditional warmth with cleaner, more contemporary detailing. Havana leans distinctly modern. The broader portfolio shows more range.

Clients receive regular updates throughout construction. Scheduling. Material selections. Budget status. The goal is a process that's collaborative and clear. One where homeowners stay in the loop without feeling overwhelmed.

Who Should Be Watching the Keystone, FL Real Estate Market

Several types of buyers are drawn to Keystone right now.

Families relocating to Tampa Bay come for the schools, the natural setting, and the access to Odessa, Palm Harbor, and Clearwater. Remote workers come for the space and privacy that acreage homes in Keystone, FL provide. Buyers looking for lakefront property, for lifestyle reasons or long-term value, find Island Ford Lake and the surrounding area worth serious attention.

Realtors working the new construction side of the market will find Pasco County custom homes a strong segment. Pairing clients with an experienced builder matters for timeline, quality, and managing expectations through the process.

Considering a Custom Build in Keystone?

Havana shows what's achievable in this part of Florida. But every project is different. Every lot presents its own set of possibilities.

If you're exploring build-on-your-lot options in Odessa or Keystone, thinking about a lakefront build near Island Ford Lake, or just curious what custom construction looks like in this market, Parasol Properties is a good place to start.

The team is available to talk through your project, explain their process, and give you a realistic picture of what's possible for your site and budget.

No pressure. Just a conversation.

This article was last updated on Feb 27, 2026