About Us

Peter is a licensed general contractor with over 20 years of experience in the design and construction field. In 2010, Peter founded Blake Building AR, LLC, where he oversees all aspects of planning, development and administration. He recognized Tampa Bay’s need for a builder who focused on creating a custom home and focused his team on fulfilling this key community need.

Following his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida in architecture, Peter received a graduate degree in architecture from Florida A&M University. He has been actively involved in several charitable organizations throughout his time in the Tampa Bay area, including the American Cancer Society, Suncoast Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Children’s Cancer Center and Circle of Friends Foundation. Peter is also a member of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, The American Institution of Architects and the Florida Green Building Coalition.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the design and construction industries, Luis Cotes brings a wealth of experience to the Blake Building AR, LLC team. Following his time at the University of Tennessee and Florida A&M University, Luis began working at architectural firms designing and drafting plans for residential projects.

He brings that same keen eye to his role as Site Superintendent. Luis oversees the construction of each home from permitting and managing the onsite team, to coordinating inspections and completing detailed walk-throughs. He takes pride in constantly honing and improving the building process to ensure that each construction project meets the highest standards.

With strong design skills, a keen eye for detail and more than 15 years of industry experience, Olivia assists clients with finish selections and oversees purchasing for both residential and commercial projects. She is a key link between the office and the construction site, ensuring that each selection is secured in a timely manner and installed onsite. Previously, Olivia worked for Samter Homes and Carol Schwartz Funk Interior Design.

A graduate of the University of Florida, Rick launched his career in the mortgage industry to help others achieve their dream of home ownership. He later transitioned into the construction industry where he accumulated more than 12 years of commercial and residential experience. At Blake Building AR, LLC, Rick oversees all aspects of the construction process, including managing superintendents and field personnel, serving as liaison between staff and clients, and collaborating with the project manager to ensure timely completion of construction tasks.

A trusted and hard-working family man with decades of experience in business, real estate, and custom home building, Keith helps clients turn their dream home vision into a reality. Over the years, he has discovered the importance of listening to our clients’ interests and goals at every stage of the process to ensure that they feel comfortable and confident with their home building decisions. Keith has built an outstanding professional reputation based on uncompromising integrity and dependability, while encompassing a positive attitude and collaborative entrepreneurial spirit.

In addition to our incredible custom homes, Blake Building AR, LLC maintains an ongoing contract with an in-house real estate management company to build and maintain several multifamily properties in the area. Duane manages each of these properties, ensuring that they continuously meet our stringent brand standards. He brings a long history of residential and relocation experience and helps to ensure that all property needs are addressed quickly and seamlessly.

Elsie uses strong organizational and management skills to keep the daily office tasks moving effectively and efficiently. Her background is in administration management and supervision. In the past, Elsie worked for Tech Data, Lease Service Associates and Leasing Technologies.