Pulte Homes Purchases 332 Acres from Pasco County’s DePue Ranch

(Wesley Chapel, Florida) – Pulte Homes has purchased more than 332 acres of land from one of Pasco County’s oldest families. The parcel is part of 1,800-acres of land that has been owned by the DePue family since the late 1800s and is one of the largest undeveloped tracts of land in Pasco County.

The land is currently home to the family-run cattle and ranch operation. Pulte Homes has acquired the northeast corner of the ranch for more than 700 homes for its first phase of construction.

The new-construction, single-family home community will be known as Vida’s Way, paying homage to late family matriarch, Vida Claire Barnes DePue. Born in 1922, Mrs. DePue was instrumental in managing the ranch through the 1900s and transitioning it into the cattle operation it is today. Mrs. DePue was revered in the Wesley Chapel area for her grit, hard work, and tenacity. She passed away in 2010 at age 88.

The DePue Ranch has long been an acquisition target of multiple builders and developers. Pulte Group’s West Florida Division began speaking with the family in early 2020 after the family expressed interest in selling a portion of the ranch.

“Many developers have reached out to us over the years, but we were impressed with the extensive time and effort the Pulte team took to learn about and understand our rich family history,” said Michael Nutt, grandson of Vida DePue. “We believe Vida’s Way will be a lasting tribute to her life. We hope this community provides many years of memories for the families who live there.”

“Over the last three years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the Nutt family and visiting their ranch” said Sean Strickler, West Florida Division President. “The result has been a highly collaborative working relationship and the development of a community that not only honors their decades of hard work, but also looks to the future with additional residential and commercial development. We are incredibly honored and excited to bring Vida’s Way to the market.”

A Community At Home on the Ranch
Vida’s Way will honor the traditions of the ranch before it with its distinct look and feel. Pulte Homes engaged Walker Brands to develop the overall concept for the entire 1,800-acre tract of land, with branding that will be incorporated into the initial housing community and position the area with a comprehensive theme for future residential and commercial development. Members of the Nutt family were involved throughout the process and have responded enthusiastically.
Residents at Vida’s Way will enjoy a unique collection of homesites and amenities. Residents and guests will feel at home on the ranch from the moment they drive through the entrance with its 50-foot tall rustic windmill featuring the community’s signature logo – an iron cattle brand-inspired intertwined “V” and “W.” Weathered, corten steel will be used on fixtures and architecture throughout the community. The heartbeat of the community will be its farmhouse-inspired, Stewards Park, a 6,895 square-foot clubhouse with screened-in game and recreation room, fitness center and extensive outdoor event areas. Residents will enjoy a resort-style community pool with a splash water feature to keep young residents entertained for hours. Kids will also delight in playing in the ranch-inspired playground and tot lot. For four-legged family members, Fudge & Rusty’s Park, named after the family’s dogs, will offer separate play areas for both large and small breeds. Other amenities include a wood fire pit, corn hole lawn games, pickleball courts and Vida’s Bloom, a community garden where residents will be able to plant their own fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the pristine land will be the backdrop for more than a mile of walking trails with extra-wide paths and natural trails through thoughtfully created open spaces.

Conveniently located in Wesley Chapel, Vida’s Way is less than 5 miles from State Road 54 and State Road 56 with close proximity to Interstate-75. The recently completed Overpass Road exit off I-75 will improve commutes to nearby job centers. Residents at Vida’s Way will also have access to an abundance of shopping, dining, entertainment opportunities and medical facilities. The Shops at Wiregrass, Tampa Premium Outlets, and The Grove at Wesley Chapel are all nearby.

Vida’s Way will be zoned for Watergrass Elementary School, Weightman Middle School, and Wesley Chapel High School in the Pasco County School District.

Floor plans for Vida’s Way are coming soon. For more information or to add your name to the VIP list visit www.pulte.com/vidasway to receive community updates and learn about grand opening events.

About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in more than 40 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, and American West, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide homebuyers with innovative solutions and consumer-inspired homes and communities to make lives better. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com; www.divosta.com; www.jwhomes.com; and www.americanwesthomes.com. Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on Twitter: @PulteGroupNews.

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