Sustainable Agriculture Meets Lavish Design
Inside Bee Lovely Farms, Lee Wetherington’s ambitious personal project
Lee Wetherington is the president and founder of Lee Wetherington Homes, a luxury, custom homebuilder serving in Sarasota, Fla. He began his career in construction, operating a drywall business in the 1970s. In 1981, he found his calling in homebuilding, marking the beginning of a 45-year-long legacy.
Wetherington recalls meeting with clients at local restaurants, drawing their dream home on a napkin during their consultations before bringing it to life. What began as a drawing on a napkin turned into one of Southwest Florida’s most recognized, award-winning, private luxury homebuilding companies.
In 2021, David Hunihan stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer, with Wetherington continuing his role as president. Today, the custom builder has completed more than 4,000 homes.
Through Wetherington’s passion for building homes, along with the support of a dedicated team, Lee Wetherington Homes received 10 awards for two of its model homes during the 2026 Parade of Homes Gala in Sarasota.
He applied that very same passion when he built his own home, Bee Lovely Farms, a certified, organic and regenerative farm. The residence was a passion project birthed from his wife Caroline’s lifelong philosophy on stewardship.
A Passion Project
Bee Lovely Farms is Wetherington’s private residence, complete with an on-site barndominium and an operating farm.
The project is the result of a long-term vision centered around regenerative agriculture, wellness and a desire for stewardship of the land. Caroline works on every aspect of the farm: feeding and caring for the farm animals, hand selecting and planting the vegetables in the garden and harvesting honey from the on-site apiary.
Located on more than 30 acres in East Sarasota County, the property was intentionally selected because it offered pastureland free of chemical pesticides and herbicides, which made it the perfect location for regenerative, organic farming and livestock. 
Wetherington gave careful consideration not only to structures of the home and barndominium, but to how the land would function as a living, breathing ecosystem. While the primary goal was to support organic food production and livestock, the couple also wanted their property to serve as an opportunity for nearby students and youth organizations to learn about farming, healthy food systems and nature.
Such meticulous planning paid off; Bee Lovely Farms is USDA certified; a testament to their dedication to produce clean, organic food free from synthetic pesticides, antibiotics or genetic modification.
Farmstyle Meets Luxury
Creating a property that functions simultaneously as a personal residence, working farm, educational environment and hospitality destination was as challenging as it was rewarding. Wetherington oversaw every element to ensure that each property felt cohesive and purposeful.
“Balancing modern luxury with regenerative agriculture required thoughtful planning around land use, sustainability, materials and how structures would integrate naturally within the environment,” said Hunihan. “The goal was simply to build on the property, but to create something that respected the land while enhancing how people experienced it.”
Wetherington designed the primary residence to create a continuous flow between indoor and outdoor living. Large, sliding doors feed into a patio covered by a glass enclosure, with both an infinity jacuzzi and firepit, allowing for a seamless blend between luxury indoor living and outdoor tranquility.
Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to shape the inside environment, while intentionally framing the property’s orchards and pasture.
Not only are these elements beautiful and induce a luxurious atmosphere, they are impact-resistant for both hurricane protection and energy efficiency.
Bee Lovely Farms’ design balances modern architecture with warmth and functionality. Carefully selected materials and finishes reinforce durability, a theme that exists throughout the home. Wooden beams cradle the living room’s ceiling, adding a strong, rustic contrast.
“The home was designed around the philosophy that wellness, environment and daily living should feel interconnected,” said Hunihan.
Rural and Sustainable
The integration of the separate two-bedroom, two-bath barndominium blends rustic character with the elevated design of the main home. While each of the two structures are meant to support a nature-loving lifestyle, the barndominium adds an extra layer to blending luxury with farm life.
This is complemented by ENERGY STAR appliances, smart home technology, tankless water heaters, a programmable thermostat, LED lighting and solar panels. The project achieved a silver certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition.
“Every element was designed to support slower living, wellness and a meaningful connection to nature,” said Hunihan.
Bee Lovely Farms ultimately reflects the same philosophy that has guided the builder for decades: building environments intentionally, with long-term thinking, craftsmanship and an emphasis on real, organic living.
Photos courtesy of Lucie Oberg and Lee Wetherington Homes.
By Taylor Moore. She is the Assistant Editor at Green Home Builder and can be reached at taylor@builder.media.
This story is featured in our September/October issue of Green Home Builder. Read the print version here.
