Douglas Miller, Division President, Taylor Morrison

Invest: spoke with Douglas Miller, division president of Taylor Morrison, to discuss the company’s significant developments in the Tampa Bay region, its strategic growth initiatives, and the trends shaping the real estate market.

What were some of Taylor Morrison’s most significant projects in the Tampa Bay region in the last year?

First and foremost, our Artisan Lakes community has been one of our most impactful developments in the Tampa Bay area. It’s located in northern Manatee County, in Palmetto, and we’re actually closing it out this year. I’ve been with Taylor Morrison for 17 years, and this community existed when I joined the company. So, it has been a long-standing and significant project for us.

When Taylor Morrison first purchased the land, there wasn’t much activity in the northern Manatee area. Since then, that market has grown substantially, and Artisan Lakes played a leading role in driving that growth. It’s exciting to have been a part of it for so long in various capacities, but it’s also bittersweet to see something so successful come to an end. We expect the community to be fully sold out by mid-2025. However, the good news is we’re moving forward with a new development just up the road called Coasterra.

The great thing about our business is that while one community reaches completion, we typically have new opportunities in the pipeline. We’re thrilled to continue building and contributing to the Manatee area.

How is growth in the Tampa Bay region shaping the real estate market, and where do you see untapped opportunities for growth?

It’s certainly a competitive market, and it gets more competitive each year as new builders — both national and smaller private companies — enter the region. Tampa Bay has proven to be a thriving area for development, and with that comes increased infrastructure investment.

Even though we build homes and communities, we also work closely with municipalities to expand infrastructure, including schools, roads, and public amenities. Collaboration with local governments has been essential in helping the area accommodate its growth.

As for untapped markets, one exciting shift for Taylor Morrison in 2025 is our focus on entering towns and cities where we’ve never built before. For instance, we’re opening Timber Ridge in Plant City, our first project there, and other new communities like Indigo Creek in Apollo Beach and Palm Wind in Hudson. These areas offer great opportunities to expand beyond our existing footprint while still benefiting from Tampa’s overall market growth.

What are you noticing about homebuyer demand across your developments, and how is Taylor Morrison responding to these trends?

One of the most significant trends is the growing importance of work-from-home spaces. Coming out of the pandemic, we’ve adjusted many of our floor plans to meet this demand. Our architectural and design teams constantly evaluate market trends and develop plans that reflect buyers’ needs.

For instance, we’ve incorporated flexible spaces that can serve as home offices or homeschooling areas. Buyers appreciate having the option to customize these spaces based on their individual needs rather than being locked into a single-purpose design.

Are there other ways you’re adapting to changing buyer habits, especially in terms of how people live, work, and shop?

Flexibility is certainly a priority for us. In addition to incorporating home offices and multi-use spaces, we also design communities with amenities that align with evolving lifestyles. For example, our Esplanade communities emphasize resort-style amenities like walking trails, fitness centers, and social spaces, with both age-restricted communities as well as communities open to all ages.

We’ve also been focusing on affordability by offering more options for first-time buyers, such as townhomes and smaller single-family homes. These initiatives allow us to serve a wider demographic while addressing the affordability challenges many buyers face in Florida.

Can you elaborate on how Taylor Morrison is working with municipalities to create affordable housing?

Affordability is a challenge we take seriously. We work closely with local governments during the planning and zoning phases of our developments. This collaboration helps us align with the needs of the community while ensuring we incorporate essential elements like parks, open spaces, and appropriate lot sizes.

By coordinating with county leadership, we’re able to create plans that balance affordability with quality, ensuring that our communities remain accessible while still offering value to buyers.

Could you share a recent example of how your team has helped buyers navigate a challenging market scenario?

We’re incredibly proud to have earned the title of America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder for the 10th consecutive year. Trust is integral to everything we do, especially following recent years of market uncertainty, and we strive to offer a seamless homebuying journey with reliable expertise and unmatched customer care.

Our sales teams work closely with buyers to guide them through the entire process — choosing a community, selecting a floor plan, and customizing their future home. Purchasing a home is a significant decision, and we prioritize creating a comfortable, transparent experience to help buyers feel confident every step of the way.

What is the key to fostering trust and building strong communities?

It starts with our company culture. At Taylor Morrison, we value and care for each other as team members, and that same sense of care extends to our customers. Our goal is to create communities where homeowners can thrive, and we encourage them to be active participants in shaping the culture of their neighborhoods.

Through initiatives like homeowners’ associations and community events, we help foster a sense of belonging that ultimately strengthens the communities we build.

How has Taylor Morrison incorporated innovation into its operations?

While homebuilding as an industry has been slower in adopting certain technologies, we’re making significant strides. For example, all Taylor Morrison homes now come equipped with Ring cameras, providing buyers with added security and convenience. We also offer options for pre-wiring homes for smart networks, security systems, and other modern conveniences through our design studios. In addition, Taylor Morrison also offers the industry’s first online reservation system that gives shoppers the ability to shop for and build a new home entirely online and see it come to life via an interactive visualizer, while an estimated purchase price and monthly mortgage payment populates with every selection. 

What are Taylor Morrison’s top priorities in Tampa Bay over the next few years?

Growth is a top priority. In 2024, we had another record-breaking year in terms of closings, and 2025 is already on track to continue that trend. We’re focused on expanding into new areas, such as Polk County and Hernando County while continuing to grow within Tampa Bay.

With Florida’s ongoing population growth and the undersupply of housing, we see tremendous opportunity to further contribute to the region’s development.

How do you expect these initiatives to impact your growth over the next 10 years?

We see 2025 as a springboard for the next decade. The new communities we’re launching and the recent land acquisitions we’ve completed will define Taylor Morrison’s presence in Tampa Bay for years to come. As the 4th largest builder in the region, we aim to remain a key player in shaping Tampa’s development while meeting the housing needs of its growing population.