Custom at the core: How Glenn Layton Homes builds beyond expectations
Striving to deliver a seamless, stress-free building experience from beginning to end, Glenn Layton Homes is a custom home builder specializing in coastal homes across Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, and St Augustine. As a local, full-service design and build firm, Glenn Layton Homes has been effectively combining laid back coastal lifestyles with trustworthy construction and impeccable design for more than a decade.
The company was founded by Glenn Layton in 2009, with a commitment to offering innovative architecture, reliable construction, and trustworthy service. It has since become one of the most sought-after names in custom home construction in Northeast Florida.
Current CEO and Jacksonville native, Patrick Barker, boasts a hands-on approach to client relationships, working with customers to ensure their home perfectly matches their lifestyle. Passionate about creating customized features, Patrick collaborates with vendors to utilize modern materials and techniques that result in truly unique details and designs.
HGTV Dream Home
The ‘Glenn Layton Homes process’ strives to deliver homes in the most collaborative and positive manner possible. It begins with an evaluation of site conditions and a discussion about how the home will sit on the lot before the client meets the architect to communicate their design preferences and decide on a floorplan. Whether the client wants a bonus room like a home gym or playroom, functional storage, or even an in-law suite, the team works together to create a functional floorplan.
From classic coastal cottages to modern farmhouse designs, the firm offers architectural styles for all preferences. Each style is, of course, customizable, and is thoughtfully crafted to maximize the local surroundings. Throughout construction, clients are kept up to date with the schedule via a co-construction communication system, meaning they are aware of what’s happening without having to visit the job site. Upon completion, clients are walked through their new home by the team before being handed the keys to their new dream home.
Glenn Layton Homes experienced a significant milestone and achievement in 2024: the construction of HGTV’s Dream Home 2024, built on Anastatia Island in St Augustine, Florida. Working with renowned architect Michael Stauffer and interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn, the team’s vision was to capture the laid-back essence of the area and create a comfortable, yet chic home. A masterpiece of design and craftsmanship, the home spans 3300 square feet and comprises three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and stunning views from every window.
Personalized approach 
Several design features make the HGTV home one of a kind. The front elevation leverages both modern and coastal materials to create a cozy, luxurious exterior anchored by a central tower and a canopy of trees. The rear boasts ample living space, a summer kitchen, and a splash pool, designed to maximize the benefits of a Florida lifestyle. Inside, the first floor’s open concept prioritizes life on the water, with expansive views, natural light, vaulted kitchen ceilings, and large sliding glass doors to blend indoor and outdoor living. The living space upstairs features two balconies, a sunrise porch and a sunset deck overlooking the water, and there’s even a kitchenette to entertain guests.
Exemplifying the company’s commitment to introducing unique concepts to its homes, the HGTV Dream Home 2024 features a focal fireplace in the main living area. The team wanted the material to live up to the challenge of being the main attention point, and settled on using coquina, a centuries old material that can be found on old buildings in St Augustina. Coquina has several varieties, but it is typically a type of sedimentary rock composed of masonry concrete and crushed shells from local beaches.
While a landmark project for the company, the HGTV Dream Home 2024 is just one example of Glenn Layton Homes’ impressive projects. The portfolio of completed projects includes everything from luxury waterfront residences to family-friendly retreats, and the company also offers renovations.
From its roots as a local builder founded on integrity and innovation to its current role in crafting nationally recognized showcase homes, Glenn Layton Homes clearly demonstrates the evolution of modern coastal homes in Northeast Florida. The company’s personalized approach to both design and construction is key to delivering unique homes designed for the coastal lifestyle.