The 47th Aurora Awards—the Oscars of Southeastern homebuilding—once again rolled out its golden carpet for the year’s most inspired architecture, interiors, and community spaces. Established in 1979 by the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA), the Auroras recognize excellence in the building industry across the Southeast in categories spanning commercial and retail projects, custom homes, renovations, kitchen and bath design, specialty detailing, and sales and marketing.

They’re presented each year during the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC), the region's largest building industry trade show. Hosted by FHBA, the SEBC draws professionals nationwide for two days of seminars, networking events and an industry expo. And this year’s spotlight shined on a long list of winners who proved that the Suncoast builds and designs with style.

This year, the Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Manatee County talent pool made a clean sweep in multiple categories, proving our area produces more than just good sunsets. These are projects that blend coastal ease with world-class craftsmanship, the kind that make design judges swoon and homeowners never want to leave.

Golden Aurora (Best in Show)

Watersound, Sarasota County (Nautilus Homes)

This 5,700-square-foot custom residence claimed four Aurora Awards: Golden Aurora (Best in Show); Best Custom Home 5,000–10,000 Square Feet (Grand); Best Kitchen Design for a One-of-a-Kind Home; and Best Interior Detailing for a Home Priced Over $1 Million. Watersound was built by Nautilus Homes and designed by Cooper Johnson Smith Architects & Town Planners, with interiors by Ellen Hanson Designs and landscaping by Hazeltine Nurseries.

Best Recreation Facility or Amenity (Silver)

Esplanade at Azario Culinary Center in Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County (Fieldstone Architecture & Engineering)

The Culinary Center at Esplanade at Azario in Lakewood Ranch serves as both a social hub and a showcase for the community’s resort-style living. Designed with a barrel-tile roof, stone accents and hardwood plank porcelain tile floors, the building houses five dining and event spaces: a wine tasting room, a teaching kitchen, the Barrel House Bistro & Tap Room, a backyard patio and grill, and the Café Coffee House. Its grand ballroom seats more than 400 guests.

Best Recreation Facility or Amenity (Grand)

The Hub at Skye Ranch, Sarasota County (Fieldstone Architecture & Engineering) 

The Hub at Skye Ranch is the centerpiece of the community—a sprawling 25,000-square-foot amenity hub that includes a fitness center, full-sized basketball court, lap pool and kids' splash zone, dedicated rock climbing wall, café, locker rooms, reception and office areas, and lounge space. Waltbillig & Hood General Contractors handled construction.

Best Interior Design of a Custom/Spec Home Over $1 Million (Grand)

Sapphire at Wild Blue Sarasota County (Builders Design) 

The kitchen at Sapphire at Wild Blue pairs warm wood cabinetry with a waterfall-edge island in veined stone. A brass-toned range hood and matching light fixtures add contrast, while herringbone wood floors run throughout, lending continuity to the open-plan design. 

Best Renovated or Restored Single House (Silver)

Brisa Del Lago, Lakewood Ranch (Trinity Custom Homes)

Brisa Del Lago combines a Mediterranean Revival exterior with updated interiors. The stone and stucco façade is framed by mature palms; inside, arched passageways connect living areas finished with neutral tones and custom woodwork. Features include a brick-ceiling butler’s pantry, cedar-lined sauna and a backyard with a pool and covered lanai. This home also earned the Best Kitchen Design for a Custom/Spec/One-of-a-Kind Home (Silver).

Best Renovated or Restored Single House (Silver)

The Manor at Lakewood Ranch, Lakewood Ranch (Christner Brothers Inc.)

This wine cellar is Old World elegance refreshed for today, with custom detailing that feels timeless. This home also earned the Best Interior Detailing for a Home Over $1 Million (Grand).

Best Custom Home, 2,500–4,999 Square Feet (Grand)

Lido Rose, Sarasota County (Trinity Custom Homes)

Designed by CMSA Architects with interiors by Blank Canvas Design Group, this 4,300-square-foot coastal contemporary home draws on West Indies–inspired architecture. A palette of blues, whites, natural stone and warm wood tones is used throughout, with custom cabinetry and detailed millwork. A pool set within a garden lot provides a private outdoor space. This home also won awards for Best Bath Design for a Custom/Spec/One-of-a-Kind Home (Silver) and Best Interior Detailing for a Home Over $1 million (Silver).

Best Custom Home, 2,500–4,999 Square Feet (Silver) 

Sand Dollar at Shellstone at Waterside, Sarasota County – Lee Wetherington Homes

This single-story plan includes three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a bonus room, and a three-car garage, with about 3,289 square feet of living space and 4,755 square feet under roof. The design incorporates a modern coastal exterior with stone accents and is part of a community with lake and preserve views. This home also earned the Best Kitchen Design of a Model Home (Grand).

Best Interior Design of a Custom/Spec Home Over $1 Million (Grand)

Lakewood Ranch Modern Farmhouse, Sarasota County (Clive Daniel Home)

The living space has white-painted exposed trusses, a floor-to-ceiling textured fireplace wall with a built-in linear gas fireplace, and glass-enclosed wine storage. Neutral furnishings are paired with patterned textiles, natural wood accents, and large-scale artwork, creating an open, light-filled setting that blends contemporary detailing with organic elements.

Best Single Family Detached Model Home, 2,500–5,000 Square Feet (Silver)

Isle Royal at Sunstone, Wellen Park, Venice (Mattamy Homes) 

The design is a single-story layout with open living spaces, multiple bedrooms and baths, and an emphasis on natural light. Located in the Sunstone neighborhood, the home is part of a master-planned setting with access to shared parks, trails, and other community amenities.

Best Mixed-Use Project (Grand)

Aster & Links, Sarasota County (Humphreys & Partners Architects, L.P.)

This project also won Best Multifamily Housing Community (Grand). Aster & Links, a mixed-use development in downtown Sarasota, consists of two 10-story residential towers with roughly 420 rental units and about 50,000 to 60,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, including an anchor grocery store. Built on a 5.13-acre site, the project has more than 900 parking spaces and includes amenities such as heated saltwater courtyard pools, rooftop lounges, clubrooms, fitness facilities, and co-working spaces. A 15-foot stainless steel sculpture titled Touch by artist Zachary Oxman is installed at the entrance.