55places Builder of the Year Award

8 minute read

Del Webb adds another notable achievement to its ever-growing list of awards! This popular homebuilder won the coveted 55places Builder of the Year Award for 2023. Known for its top-notch communities with world-class amenities and high-quality homes, it’s no wonder Del Webb nabbed this award.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s winner of the Builder of the Year award:

Del Webb Is the 2023 Builder of the Year!

Delbert E. Webb founded Del Webb in 1928 after taking up carpentry as a hobby when he was young. He worked on many impressive projects, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Madison Square Garden, and the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel. Webb eventually realized he wanted to design affordable developments for 55+ homebuyers and began building the Del Webb brand of active adult communities.

In 1960, Sun City in Phoenix, Arizona became the first 55+ community in the country. From there, Del Webb expanded into many other states, including:

• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia

Over the years, the company’s high standards and attention to detail made them a favorite among active adults. Del Webb is also one of the largest active adult community builders in the U.S. The builder has earned many awards, including several Best of 55+ Housing Awards sponsored by The National Association of Homebuilders.

Innovative Features and Designs

Del Webb focuses on providing retirees with exceptional homes, and the company is always incorporating the newest features and designs into its plans.

Energy-Efficient Features

Currently, Del Webb offers homeowners several energy-efficient features such as ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances designed to reduce waste and monthly costs. These energy-efficient appliances include smart thermostats that can be programmed to suit your household’s needs, LED lighting that lasts up to five times longer than conventional bulbs, and motion switches that will automatically turn on lights when movement is detected.

Smart Home Features

There are also several intuitive smart home features available, ranging from doorbell cameras that help provide an extra layer of security and Schlage® smart door locks, which give homeowners the ability to lock their homes from their tablets or smartphones. The smart home technology doesn’t stop there. Del Webb can also install electric car charging outlets as well as smart garage doors. You’ll never have to worry about forgetting to put your garage door down again.

An Inviting Community Atmosphere

Del Webb also puts a great deal of effort into creating an open and inviting community atmosphere. To help create these inclusive communities, Del Webb incorporates designated community spaces into their neighborhoods. These popular community spaces range from generously sized clubhouses full of amenities to outdoor athletic courts where residents can challenge each other to a little friendly competition.

Many communities also include a network of walking and biking trails where neighbors can enjoy a stroll together. Additionally, there are state-of-the-art fitness and wellness centers where residents can take advantage of weightlifting and cardio equipment or even join a workout class to stay fit and active. Several communities even have full-time lifestyle directors dedicated to planning community classes, outings, and activities throughout the year.

The Future of Del Webb

As a premier provider of 55+ homes, the future looks bright for Del Webb. The builder plans to continue to grow established communities, while also building several new active adult developments across the country.

GenYou Floor Plans™

Del Webb is always looking for ways to make retired life even easier for homeowners. The builder recently introduced an entirely new lineup of floor plans with more convenient and comfortable layouts. The new GenYou Floor Plans™ offer features like zero-entry showers, point-of-use storage, widened hallways, and open spaces that are easy to navigate.

New 55+ Communities in the Midwest

The Midwest, despite not being a conventional retirement choice, is gaining popularity among active adults, according to a survey by Del Webb. The region’s four seasons, abundant natural resources, and vibrant cities are seen as attractive features. Also, factors like lifestyle, affordability, and quality health care contribute to the appeal. Staying connected with friends and enjoying time with family, especially grandchildren, are highlighted as key considerations for retirees in the Midwest.

“For more than six decades, Del Webb has been a pioneer in the active adult community space because of its focus on consumer feedback, continuously adapting to meet the needs of how today’s consumers want to live and experience their homes and communities.There is a growing desire among Northerners and Midwesterners for the vibrant lifestyle and variety of amenities offered at a Del Webb community, without having to move away from family members and the familiarity of home.”

Matt Koart, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of PulteGroup

New TV Commercial

Del Webb is also adapting how they reach 55+ homebuyers. The homebuilder introduced a new campaign called “Decisions” to help active adults better understand the homebuying journey during retirement. The new TV commercial features a couple exploring different housing options before discovering that a Del Webb community meets all their criteria for the perfect place to settle into.

“This commercial leans into the emotional hook of what life will be like when you’ve found a community that fits what you want in your next stage of life. It’s for consumers who are active, involved, and are focusing on a vibrant life full of activities.”

Manish Shrivastava, Chief Marketing Officer of PulteGroup

Noteworthy Del Webb Communities

No matter your budget, lifestyle, or desired location, Del Webb offers many notable neighborhoods for 55+ homebuyers to consider.

Here are just a few Del Webb retirement communities to consider:

Sun City Texas

Low $300ks – Low $1Ms

Sun City Texas is a large 55+ community in Georgetown, Texas home. With almost 10,000 residences, the development offers plenty of options when it comes to both attached and single-family homes. The community also offers a seemingly endless list of floor plans to choose from.

Beyond the development’s wide variety of housing options, Sun City Texas also boasts a broad range of price points. Homeowners have access to an array of amenities, including several activity centers, hobby studios, a computer lab, a grand ballroom, and three 18-hole championship golf courses.

Sun City Hilton Head

Mid $300ks – Mid $1Ms

Located in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Sun City Hilton Head is one of Del Webb’s most popular 55+ communities. The gated neighborhood boasts over 10,000 homes with a combination of attached and single-family properties.

There’s also a 45-acre Village Center that emulates a Southern town square and features an 18,000-square-foot social hall. At the social hall, homeowners can take advantage of a fitness center, a ballroom, and a crafts center. Outdoors, residents will find even more amenities, which include a 20-acre fishing lake, three golf courses, countless athletic courts, and elevated boardwalks for leisurely walks.

Del Webb Ponte Vedra

High $300ks – Mid $800ks

Del Webb Ponte Vedra is another Del Webb community to consider—especially if you want to retire in the Sunshine State. Located just minutes from the ocean, Del Webb Ponte Vedra offers potential buyers more than just a desirable location. The gated, age-restricted community also has a variety of housing options that range from single-family and attached homes to condos that are perfect for retirees looking to downsize.

Notable amenities within the development include a generously sized clubhouse, an arts and crafts studio, a cafe, a library, and a grand ballroom. Outside, residents will also find a resort-style pool and sun deck, a whirlpool spa, and a barbecue pavilion.

Stone Creek

High $200ks – Mid $500ks

Also located in Florida, Stone Creek is situated in Ocala, only 30 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. The neighborhood offers single-family and attached homes with both new construction and resale homes on the market. There are a variety of floor plans available that range from 1,133 to 2,634 square feet.

Stone Creek homeowners also have access to a long list of amenities that includes a clubhouse and restaurant, an indoor pool, an aerobics and dance studio, a library, and an arts and crafts studio. The community’s list of outdoor amenities is just as impressive with fishing lakes and scenic ponds, pickleball courts, horseshoe pits, a pool, a golf course, and a putting green.

Sun City West

Mid $200ks – High $900ks

Built in 1978, Sun City West is a Phoenix-area community with over 16,900 single-family and attached homes. There are dozens of floor plans for potential buyers to consider and a wide variety of price points.

This established community also has a lengthy list of sought-after amenities, which includes four recreation centers—one of which spans 48 acres—seven golf courses, nine onsite restaurants, several indoor and outdoor pools, and a theater. Along with its amenities, Sun City also boasts more than 100 organized clubs and interest groups.

55places Can Help You Find the Right Del Webb Community

Renowned for its variety of thoughtfully designed developments, high-quality homes, innovative features, and desirable amenities, Del Webb has a wide variety of popular developments in some of the country’s most coveted locations. Interested in finding the right community for you? Contact 55places today to learn more about Del Webb’s 55+ communities!