Sincerely, Mark.
A Signature Home from one of Lakeland’s Most Beloved Builders
PHOTOS BY JORDAN RANDALL | DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HULBERT HOMES
More than 30 years ago, Mark Hulbert bought a piece of land off of Ewell Road for $10,000 and in his spare time on nights and weekends he constructed a modest $55,000 home with his brother Billy’s help.
Today, the President/Visionary of Hulbert Homes can drive his truck through the entrance of Delphi Hills in South Lakeland and be greeted by a showcase piece of architecture painted light olive green with an eye-catching unique roof pitch and symmetry set against a backdrop of rolling hills and panoramic horizon line.
There’s nothing modest about the latest Hulbert build, and it stands as a testament that after constructing more than 1,800 homes since 1997, Hulbert and his seasoned team can design and build just about anything someone could ever imagine.
“It needed to be a signature home, it needed to be something iconic and something that said, ‘Welcome to Delphi Hills,’” the 59-year-old said. “We’ve all seen in that community nice moderns, traditionals and Mediterraneans…but this stands out in a way that is unique and special and it has a design that pretty much stands out on its own.”
Hulbert isn’t one to follow trends simply because they sell, and he jokes that even he’s surprised at the staying power of the farm chic movement popularized by the likes of Chip and Joanna Gaines. In his mind, especially when he’s constructing homes that are selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and often more than $1 million, his goal is to craft something that will stand the test of time, both structurally and stylistically.
“I’m always thinking timeless. I want [people] to know it’s a brand new house, but 10 years from now I want them to say it looks like a brand new house, and 20 years from now I want them to say. ‘Wow, that looks like a house that somebody really thought about and it didn’t go out of style.’”
The five bedroom, four bedroom pool home spans more than 4,400 square feet. Step foot inside the residence that is currently listed for $2.15 million and you are immediately welcomed by a feeling of grandeur in a living room that has included a dramatic suspended staircase and an exquisite custom fireplace mantle and shelves that were built from salvaged cypress beams from an old home that used to be located on the lot.
Venture into the master bath and you will find a lot of Hulbert’s functional artistry present, including a glass partition that sets an elegant bath tub inside an oversized shower area that includes luxury shower heads in the ceiling and the wall.
“It’s pretty unique in that it works for ‘clean freaks’ because it’s easy to clean up…and it’s brilliant for people who are always telling their kids to quit splashing water out of the tub (because it goes directly onto the floor tile that has the shower drain embedded in it),” Hulbert said about the design which he says he has utilized in about a half dozen home builds.
The home is memorable in part because almost every corner has an intentional purpose to go with its stellar design. The pantry includes a window and countertop with electrical outlets above it, making it easy to keep kitchen counters clear while heating up food for a family gathering. Upstairs includes an opulent lounging space complete with comfortable chairs, a big-screen TV and a wetbar—and just down the hallway is a cozy window nook to curl up and read or take a moment to escape.
One of the most striking spots inside the home may be hidden in plain sight at first.
Tucked beneath the stairs is a bonus space that is closed off by a private door, but is also partially open to the living room via the floating stairway. It is a tranquil space for praying, a restful nap or even to work.
The sprawling enclosed porch includes another inviting communal space and an outdoor kitchen, but the centerpiece is the resort-style pool that includes a unique “island” of sorts in the center, complete with sand, a hammock and even real coconuts. The pool, built by Caribbean Pools, satisfied Mark’s dream of putting palm trees and a hammock in the middle of a pool—although he had to rely on the expert guidance of a trusted local vendor to recommend fake palm trees instead of real ones for the showstopping piece. Who wants tree debris in their hammock?
The resort style pool, constructed by Caribbean Pools, includes four jets to create a lazy-river like experience, swim up bar stool and an island, complete with hammock and palm trees.
It’s just one example of the trust Hulbert has in his team of professionals and longtime partners to ultimately bring his company’s mission to life. For decades that mission, to make a positive impact on people, has been simple, yet required diligent commitment to live up to.
“We’re just cleverly disguised as home builders,” he says with a chuckle. “Sure, we’re a business and we make money…but when people are thrilled with their product that we give them, it’s amazing.
Hulbert used to be hands-on with almost every aspect of every home build, but now he’s happy to relinquish duties to his project managers who he calls a ‘team of scheduling geniuses,’ a gifted interior decorator, and staff who fit the culture well not just because of what they do, but because of who they are.
When asked to reflect on where he started compared to where he has come—including building this home that won numerous awards at the 2025 Fall Parade of Homes hosted by the Polk County Builders Association—he is humbled and honored.
“If you would’ve asked me 20 years ago or even 10 years ago, ‘Do you think you’ll ever build a $2 million home that you don’t have a buyer for?’ I’d say you’re nuts,” Hulbert joked. “No, ‘Where are you going to get the money? How’s that going to work?’ So I’m blown away…for our team and for Lakeland it’s just amazing and it’s been a great journey.”