Since 2006
ROSS BUILT THROUGH THE YEARS
Twenty years of custom homes on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and the family behind them.
Our Story
It Started on Anna Maria Island
Greg Ross grew up on Anna Maria Island, and he and Lee always knew they would come back. First they built corporate careers around the country, at Fortune 100 companies and others. All the while they were buying, fixing up and selling houses together, which they had done since they met. They loved construction, and they loved a project.
In 2002 they came home so their sons, Jake and Andrew, could grow up in the same close community Greg did.
Greg never set out to be a home builder. He was a developer working on his own projects when a neighbor asked him to take on a job. Then people he knew started asking him to build their homes. He said yes, and he fell in love with it. Ross Built was founded in 2006. That first neighbor came back years later to build a new home with us.
Lee brought her eye for design and her understanding of construction to every project. Jake and Andrew grew up in the business and work in it today. Twenty years on, Ross Built is still the same family, building on the same islands.
In Honor of Our Founder
Greg Ross | 1965-2025
Greg started Ross Built in 2006 with a business plan that fit on one page. It said the company would lead by “providing superior customer service through integrity, commitment and honesty.” He never changed that part.
Greg wanted Ross Built to be the best-in-class builder in our market. He told the team to do what is right, not what is easiest, and that a job is a house, not a construction site.
“We’re a customer service company. Our #1 goal and best marketing is exceeding customer expectations. If accomplished, everything else follows.”
Greg Ross, to the Ross Built team, 2024
Greg led the company for nineteen years, until his passing in February 2025. Today Ross Built is led by Lee and their sons, Jake and Andrew. It is still family owned and family run, and the standard he set is still the one we build to.
2006 to 2026
Twenty Years, Year by Year
2002
Home to the Island
Greg and Lee Ross move back to Anna Maria Island, where Greg grew up, with their sons Jake and Andrew.
2006
Ross Built Is Founded
Greg and Lee start Ross Built, taking on custom homes, remodels and small commercial work. The first office is one small room on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. Many of the subcontractors at the first appreciation party there still work with us today.
2007
The First Business Plan
Greg’s first business plan fits on one page. It opens with one sentence of strategy, and the to-do list under it calls for a logo, job site signs and signs for the trucks. The logo that comes out of it is brown and tan and reads Ross Built Building Contractor. The targets for the year are two custom homes and four remodels.
2008
Year Two
The second plan doubles the goal to four custom homes, with at least one project each in Key Royale, Anna Maria and Longboat Key. It also sets a new aim: working relationships with architects, engineers and interior designers.
2009
Working With an Architect
Ross Built finishes its first new homes designed by an architect: two houses on the island, both by Emily Anne Smith.
Photo: the second Marina Drive office
2010
Around the Corner
The office moves around the corner to a larger unit in the same building, with a foyer, a few offices and a meeting room. A black and white logo replaces the original. It reads Ross Built Construction Co.
2010
On the Beach
Ross Built builds its first new beachfront home on Anna Maria Island.
2011
Station 1
Ross Built remodels Station 1 for West Manatee Fire Rescue in Holmes Beach. The job site sign gets a new look the same year: the palm in color, and the words Building Contractor.
2012
Pine Avenue
The company moves again, this time to a larger office on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. There is more room and there are more offices, and it is outgrown quickly. The logo changes again, to brushed steel.
2013
Off the Island
A client whose home Ross Built finished on the island in 2009 gives the company a chance at his commercial work: a full renovation and expansion of the Bernie Little Distributors center in Lakeland.
2014
A Fire Station
Ross Built builds Station 2 for West Manatee Fire Rescue.
2016
305 67th Street West
Ross Built buys its first office, a mid-century modern building on 67th Street West in Bradenton that had been a school. Every office before it was rented. The renovation was finished that same year, and it is still home base.
2016
A Historic Restoration
Ross Built restores a historic home in Anna Maria.
2016
Ten Years
Ross Built turns ten and marks it the way it started: with a party to thank the subcontractors and trade partners who build every home.
2017
Two Island Homes
Ross Built completes a new home in Anna Maria and a beachfront home in Holmes Beach.
2017
On Palma Sola Bay
Ross Built completes a home on Palma Sola Bay designed by Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors.
2018
A Lasting Partnership
Ross Built completes its first home with the architects at Cooper Johnson Smith. Many more have followed since.
2019
The First Aurora
Greg accepts Ross Built’s first Aurora Award, with Lee and Andrew beside him on stage.
Palma Sola Modern, Bradenton
2020
Palma Sola Modern
A modern home on Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton, minutes from the office.
2021
Full Circle
The neighbor who gave Ross Built its first job comes back to build a new home with us. It is their second project with Ross Built, and their first new house.
2022
The Rebrand
Ross Built rebrands as Ross Built Custom Homes. The stacked logo is the one the company leads with today. The palm in a circle, there since the first logo in 2007, carries on as the seal. The front of the 67th Street office has since been updated.
Modern River House, Bradenton
2022
Modern River House
A riverfront home on the Manatee River, designed around the view.
2022
Bimini Bay House
Ross Built completes Bimini Bay House, a bayfront home in Anna Maria.
Van Wezel Estate, Lido Key
2023
Van Wezel Estate
A historic Lido Key home, restored. The project earned a national award for historic preservation.
Jewfish Key Residence
2024
Jewfish Key Residence
A home on a private island with no bridge. Every material and every crew member arrived by boat.
Custom Builder Program
Member of the Year
2025
2025
Southern Living Member of the Year
Southern Living names Ross Built its Custom Builder Program Member of the Year. The announcement runs in the magazine’s August issue.
Photo: Greg with the family or on a job site
2025
Carrying It Forward
Greg passes away in February. Lee, Jake and Andrew take the company forward together.
Read the Anna Maria Island Sun’s story of the celebration of his life.
Jake, Lee and Andrew Ross
2026
Twenty Years
November marks twenty years of Ross Built, and the company is celebrating. Lee leads it as Principal, with Jake as Director of Construction and Andrew as Director of Pre-Construction. The same family name is still on every home.