Brooksville is getting another very large master-planned community, and this one has moved beyond the proposal stage. Metro Development Group broke ground on Sunrise Hills on October 14, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The plan covers about 1,100 acres along Cortez Boulevard, near Sherman Hills Golf Course and the Withlacoochee State Trail.
How big is Sunrise Hills?
The headline number is roughly 4,000 homes, but the project's entitlements are more detailed. Reporting on the groundbreaking describes permission for up to 4,200 single-family homes, 600 multifamily units, 325,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, 50,000 square feet of office space, 75 motel units and 40,000 square feet of storage. Entitlements describe what may be developed; they are not a promise that every piece will be built.
Three national builders have been identified for the community: DRB Homes, D.R. Horton and Lennar. Metro has said it expects to deliver finished lots to builders by the end of 2026. That is a target, not a confirmed date for home sales or move-ins.
Yes, there's a lagoon
The plans call for a 2.5-acre man-made lagoon and miles of walking trails, with an emphasis on outdoor recreation and wellness. Florida YIMBY also reported that the neighborhood is expected to use design features reflecting Brooksville's history, including a silo-inspired entrance feature. Proposed smart-home technology is another element mentioned in early project materials.
This is a different type of offering from a small subdivision with a pool and clubhouse. A community this size can take years to build out, and early residents may live alongside ongoing construction for quite a while. The exact mix of amenities and the timing of their completion are worth verifying before buying.
Why the location matters
Cortez Boulevard is a major east-west corridor, and proximity to the Withlacoochee State Trail may be a selling point for people who like biking and outdoor activities. At the same time, thousands of additional homes raise reasonable questions about road capacity, utilities, schools and emergency services. Those are matters to follow through county planning documents and the project's future construction phases.
Metro has another big Hernando project
Sunrise Hills is not Metro's only major Hernando County plan. The developer is also behind Sandal Key, an approximately 872-acre community planned for more than 3,000 homes. The company has discussed a lagoon with a lazy-river component there and a December construction start target. Together, Sunrise Hills and Sandal Key represent plans for more than 7,200 homes at full buildout, according to the Business Journal.
If you're shopping for a new home in Brooksville, ask for the current site plan, builder pricing, lot premiums, HOA information, estimated taxes and the schedule for amenities. And if you already live nearby, watch the road and infrastructure plans as closely as the home-count headlines.
Sources: Tampa Bay Business Journal October 14 report; Florida YIMBY project coverage.
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