Ranch Construction at The Essex Ranch
Welcome to the Ranch Construction gallery, where we document the step-by-step transformation of The Essex Ranch from open land to a fully realized homestead. Through a series of curated photos, you’ll witness the journey of building our dream, capturing the progression from foundation work to the final touches. Explore the dedication and craftsmanship that are shaping the future of The Essex Ranch.
Arriving at The Essex Ranch for the first time, this winter scene captures the road leading through the gate. The bare trees stand as quiet witnesses to the early moments of our journey, taken before we even called this land our own.
On the first day we came to explore the ranch, Shon walks down the winding road beneath the winter trees and the blue skies. The quiet beauty of the landscape surrounds him, marking the start of a journey we were only just beginning to envision.
A special moment captured on the day we officially closed on The Essex Ranch. Shon and I stand together, filled with excitement and anticipation for the future as we begin this new chapter of turning our vision into reality
A snapshot of Shon standing on the logs, looking out over the newly purchased ranch. In this quiet moment, I can only imagine what he must be thinking—the endless possibilities, the hard work ahead, and the vision he holds for what The Essex Ranch will become
Our very first site meeting with the builder, engineer, and architect—one of many to come. This moment marks the beginning of transforming our dreams for The Essex Ranch into a tangible reality, laying the foundation for the future ahead.
A snapshot of Shon at another site meeting with the excavators and builder. You can see the beginnings of progress as they’ve started to stake out the house, outlining the future home’s footprint on the land.
A moment captured beneath the shade of a tree, where Shon and the excavators discuss the excavation plans and the future pad site for our new home at The Essex Ranch. This scene represents an important step in our journey, as we lay the groundwork for the dreams we have for this beautiful property.
A beautiful day at The Essex Ranch with blue skies and pillow-like clouds overhead. The site has been graded, the forms are set, and the electrical and plumbing are being installed in the background. Shon inspecting the progress, as the foundation of our future home begins to take shape.
On a beautiful spring day, with the land lush and green, Shon and April are deep in conversation about storage units, ‘big boy toys,’ water wells, and all the details that come with building our dream ranch. The vibrant landscape around us reflects the growth and excitement of what’s to come.
An aerial view of the site captures the progress as the foundation for both the main house and guest house has been fully prepped. The trenches for the electrical and plumbing have been completed and covered with plastic sheeting, the final step before the foundation is poured. The garage area remains unfinished, but the anticipation of the next phase is palpable as the groundwork for The Essex Ranch takes shape.
Another aerial view from a different angle shows the progress of the foundation work for both the main house and guest house. The trenches for the utilities are visible, covered with plastic, signaling the final preparations before the foundation is poured. The untouched garage area adds contrast as the rest of the site nears a significant milestone in construction.
An aerial view of The Essex Ranch shows the foundation for the main house, guest house, garage, and storm shelter—visible as a wooden box above ground in the garage area. In the background, the lush green trees and the sparkling lake, all under clear blue skies. The progress is palpable as the foundation sets the stage for the future home.
A close-up shot of the storm shelter, now fully framed and ready for the concrete walls to be poured. This sturdy structure, located within the garage, is a key element of safety for our future home, marking another important milestone in the construction process at The Essex Ranch.
A photo capturing the early stages of our new lake being excavated at The Essex Ranch. The earth is being carefully dug out, shaping what will soon be another peaceful body of water, surrounded by the natural beauty of the ranch. This marks the beginning of yet another exciting feature coming to life on the land.
A wider view of the new lake being excavated at The Essex Ranch. The expansive area shows the full scope of the project as the land is carved out to form the lake. In the distance, the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape is visible, with trees and open skies framing this exciting new addition to the ranch
A dusk photo of the new lake at The Essex Ranch, still in the excavation phase. The depth and borders of the lake are now more defined, revealing the contours and scale of what’s to come. The soft hues of the dusk sky in the background add a peaceful contrast to the raw, freshly dug earth, marking the continued progress of this project.
A different angle of the new lake at The Essex Ranch, still without water as excavation continues. This perspective showcases the depth and shape of the lake more clearly, with the surrounding land framing its borders. The expansive view highlights the careful work being done, while the untouched sky and landscape in the background emphasize the natural beauty of the ranch.
Another angle of the new lake at The Essex Ranch, still without water as excavation continues. This perspective showcases the depth and shape of the lake more clearly, with the surrounding land framing its borders. The expansive view highlights the careful work being done, while the untouched sky and landscape in the background emphasize the natural beauty of the ranch.
A candid moment of Joseph and Shon deep in conversation, thoughtfully discussing the expansion plans for Essex Ranch. Their focus and engagement capture the significance of this next phase in the ranch’s development, as new ideas and visions are shared for the future of the land.
An early view of the framing at The Essex Ranch, captured from the back corner as the structure begins to take shape. This moment marks the exciting start of bringing our dream home to life, with the first beams standing tall against the open sky.
Another early view of the framing at The Essex Ranch, captured from the back corner as the structure begins to take shape. This moment marks the exciting start of bringing our dream home to life, with the first beams standing tall against the open sky.
A breathtaking view from inside the house, looking up toward the towering framework of the entrance and peak where the glazing will soon be installed. The grand structure rises impressively, showcasing the vast height and openness that will define this stunning entryway
An inside view from a different angle of the house, capturing the intricate framework as it takes shape. The exposed beams and open space offer a glimpse of the future rooms, highlighting the craftsmanship and scale of the structure in progress.
An inside view of the framing in the kitchen, looking out through a framed window at the partially cloudy sky. The sun peeks through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the space, offering a beautiful preview of the future kitchen’s connection to the expansive outdoor views.
A view of the entire framework of the house from the front yard, with the shadow of a nearby tree stretching across the scene. The rising structure stands proudly against the open landscape, while the tree’s shadow adds a touch of nature to the moment, hinting at the harmony between the house and its surroundings.
A distant view of the future Essex Ranch home, standing across the wide, open pasture. The framework of the house rises from the landscape, blending with the vast greenery and hinting at the future where the home will be surrounded by nature’s beauty.
An aerial view of The Essex Ranch during the framing stage shows the intricate design coming to life. The house’s layout, with its spacious structures and picturesque surroundings, highlights the thoughtful planning behind this dream home.
The progression continues as the roof installation starts to protect the beautiful framing work beneath. This step is another significant milestone, bringing the Essex Ranch home closer to completion and ready for the next phases of construction.
After heavy rains, the new lake at Essex Ranch fills up, blending perfectly into the natural landscape. This serene addition not only enhances the property’s beauty but also promises a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.
The central entryway of The Essex Ranch main house takes shape, with its towering gables hinting at the grandeur to come. This view captures the growing harmony between the building’s design and the surrounding landscape.
A bird’s-eye view of The Essex Ranch construction site, showcasing the framed structures of the guest house, garage, and main house. The crisp lines of progress against the backdrop of open fields reflect the ranch’s promising future.
An elevated perspective showcases the intricate roofline of The Essex Ranch’s design. The walkway between the main house and additional structures is set to become a glass corridor, blending architectural elegance with the surrounding natural landscape.
A close-up look at the Essex Ranch main house construction highlights the intricate work on the connecting corridors. The clear skies and natural light beautifully complement the evolving architecture.
The connection between the guest house and the main house is taking shape, soon to be transformed into a stunning glass corridor. This corridor will seamlessly link the two spaces while allowing uninterrupted views of the ranch’s natural beauty.
The framing of the great room at The Essex Ranch reveals a breathtaking view of the open fields and distant tree line. This picture window, a future centerpiece of the home, perfectly frames the serenity of the ranch’s landscape.
From across the hayfield, The Essex Ranch homestead stands proudly in its early stages. The framed structures are perfectly nestled in the scenic countryside, with the nearby lake adding to the picturesque charm.