Proudly rooted in St. Petersburg, Canopy Builders designs and builds homes that reflect the character and charm of the neighborhoods we serve. Whether building a home with us or choosing from our collection of new homes for sale, we’re committed to craftsmanship that honors the city’s architectural legacy while creating spaces for modern living.
Integrity, honesty, and attention to detail define our approach — because we believe every home should contribute to the beauty and longevity of our community.
Canopy Builders was founded in 2013 by Ben and Lauren Gelston with a shared passion for timeless architecture and thoughtfully designed homes. Inspired by the charm of the Low Country in Lauren’s native South Carolina, they set out to bring that same sense of warmth and detail to St. Petersburg. With Ben’s years of experience in real estate development and construction, and Lauren’s design background with some of Tampa Bay’s leading builders, Canopy quickly became known for homes that blend beauty, quality, and livability.
In 2022, Canopy Builders welcomed Katie and Tony Mullersman — founders of Brick Street Homes — as Managing Partners. Their addition strengthened Canopy’s commitment to exceptional design and craftsmanship, creating a united team dedicated to building homes that enhance the fabric of St. Petersburg’s historic neighborhoods.
Today, Canopy is an in-house team of 25, spanning architecture, design, construction, project management, sales, client services, and warranty. Together, we build about 75 homes each year.
We build exclusively within the City of St. Petersburg, and that focus is by choice. Working in one city means we know its neighborhoods, architecture, and permitting inside and out. It also keeps our team close to every home we build, from the first client meeting through warranty.
Design remains at the core of everything we do, from where a home sits on its lot to its architecture, floor plan, interior selections, and finishes.
As Canopy grows, that hasn’t changed.
