Month: January 2021

Lakewood Ranch Engages Residents, Businesses Via Virtual Lifestyle Programming and Community Mobile App

 

Lakewood Ranch, the nation’s best-selling, multi-generational master-planned community, is enhancing the way it connects with and engages its 42,000 residents and 1,600 businesses through a variety of digital lifestyle programming and platforms. Among them: Lakewood Ranch’s namesake community-focused app, developed by residential experience platform Alosant.

 

Community pride and engagement have always been strong pillars of the Lakewood Ranch residential experience, with residents ranking community clubs, social events, parks and trails, shopping and dining among their most beloved amenities. Therefore, in the wake of COVID-19, community directors transitioned to virtual programming and communication tools via social media, the myLWR.com site, and the new Lakewood Ranch mobile app, which allows community members to easily connect and engage with their favorite features.

 

In March, Lakewood Ranch launched a digital version of its award-winning lifestyle programming, in which residents could enjoy virtual “Ranch Nites Live” events with performances by local and national musicians, fitness and wellness instructors, as well as dedicated family nights, happy hours, and more. When the app launched in November, users gained the ability to join in on the programming on the app, RSVP to events, personalize their profiles based on interest, and more.

 

“Our app and virtual programming streamline the way residents enjoy the numerous opportunities to remain active, entertained and connected within Lakewood Ranch, all while prioritizing their health and well-being,” said Monaca Onstad, director of community relations for Lakewood Ranch.

 

The app is also used to promote health and wellness, a pillar of the community lifestyle, by encouraging outdoor recreation. Included in the app is a listing of all Lakewood Ranch parks and a downloadable parks, trails, and bike map.

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is one of the five main sponsors of myLWR.com and the app. “Engaging in community events plays a vital role in mental and physical health, which is especially important during this time,” said Andy Guz, CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. “We are proud to be a part of Lakewood Ranch communities’ digital, virtual and outdoor activities – delivered in a socially distanced manner and with masks – to keep everyone safe and healthy.”

 

Additionally, the Lakewood Ranch app supports community businesses by engaging potential customers. The app will soon debut a new marketplace feature that includes a directory of all Lakewood Ranch businesses. Business owners can choose to upgrade for expanded profiles that highlight additional information such as their offerings, videos and photos, social channels, and more. Push notifications alert opt-in followers of important updates, hours of operation, discounts, promotions and more.

 

“Having an easy-to-access way to find and support fellow businesses here on The Ranch has been a great benefit of the new app,” said Lakewood Ranch resident and local CoWork business owner, Keith Pandeloglou. “The ease of registering for an event or activity makes this a must-download. Access to the community’s great virtual programming, is ever so needed during challenging times like these.”

 

Currently, the Lakewood Ranch app has more than 4,000 users, with the adoption rate expected to rise significantly in the coming months. It’s also drawing non-resident users, as many prospective home buyers and business owners seek more information about the community’s offerings.

 

The Lakewood Ranch app was developed by Alosant, which powers branded native apps for many of the nation’s most innovative and fastest-growing communities. April LaMon, CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant, said that apps have become essential for master-planned communities, especially during this socially distanced time.

 

“The app allows developers, residents and businesses to share resources, updates and information all in one place, and on the device no one can live without: their smart phone. I’m not surprised that in-app usage among our clients has tripled in recent months,” LaMon said.

 

Founded in 1994, Lakewood Ranch spans more than 33,000 acres and includes more than 42,000 residents in over 20 villages. The Ranch is consistently rated as one of the best-selling master-planned communities in the country by both RCLCO and John Burns Real Estate Consulting, two independent real estate consulting firms. In January, both firms designated Lakewood Ranch as the best-selling multi-gen community in the U.S. for the third year in a row.

 

For more information on Lakewood Ranch, please contact Monaca Onstad at 941-757-1544.

 

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About Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch is the 33,000+-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is already home to more than 42,000 residents and features A-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, its own Main Street with theaters, shopping and dining, and more than 4 million square feet of commercial property. For more information visit www.lakewoodranch.com.

 

About Alosant

Alosant is the residential experience platform that powers branded, mobile apps for the nation’s fastest growing single family, multifamily, mixed use, and member club communities working with developers such as Hillwood Communities, Johnson Development Corporation, Lakewood Ranch, Lone Mountain Land Company, Newland, Rancho Mission Viejo, Tavistock, Toll Brothers and more. Alosant’s community experience apps are utilized in 12 states and 40 communities across the nation.

LAKEWOOD RANCH BEST-SELLING MULTI-GEN COMMUNITY IN THE NATION

Lakewood Ranch has been recognized as the best-selling, master-planned multi-generational community in the country by John Burns and RCLCO (two independent real estate consulting firms) for the third year in a row.

 

Lakewood Ranch saw 2,149 new home sales in 2020, up from 1,648 in 2019 – a 30 percent increase year-over-year and the best sales year on record for The Ranch.

 

The pandemic-era desire for floorplans with independent offices, separate entertainment rooms, technology packages, and pools and increased outdoor living space helped drive sales, as did the demand for multi-generational floorplans to accommodate family members – both seniors and adult children. Low interest rates and a dwindling inventory of resale homes also helped spur sales.

 

Laura Cole, senior vice president of Lakewood Ranch, said that while COVID-19 has driven some buyers to act, there are longer term trends at play as well. “The pandemic caused an acceleration of purchase decisions for some buyers already in the market, especially young families seeking their first home and people nearing retirement,” Cole said. “A strong desire to upgrade one’s quality of life through home and place was a powerful motivator to purchase a home this year.

 

“Many buyers said that COVID-19 has created a need to reestablish roots in an environment that affords a more connected and active lifestyle, while offering ample open space and tranquility,” Cole continued. “Lakewood Ranch’s vast green space and amenities – including space for walking, hiking, and biking – were very attractive to those seeking to escape urban centers and increase their ability to socialize outside while observing social distancing requirements.”

 

Even with restrictions in place, buyers have been purchasing homes – in many cases, sight unseen – with the help of interactive chats and virtual community presentations from the Lakewood Ranch Information Center, an easily navigable Lakewood Ranch website with a 3D interactive map, and builders’ virtual tours.

The Ranch continues to be successful at market segmentation, filling multiple market niches with homes available with price points from the $200s to more than $1 million. There are more than 20 unique villages from which to choose, with more than 20 different builders, including four new villages that opened in 2020: Taylor Morrison’s Esplanade at Azario, Lennar’s Lorraine Lakes, Neal Communities’ Windward, and Pulte’s Sapphire Point.

 

Although sales at all price points have been strong, the luxury market continues to perform extremely well, Cole said. “The community was prepared to meet increased demand from the millennial buyer while still accommodating move-up families, empty-nesters, retirees, and seniors,” Cole said. “Our strength continues to come from the diversity of our neighborhoods and homes, abundance of shopping, dining, and services, job base, and exceptional lifestyle offerings.”

 

Lakewood Ranch’s award-winning lifestyle program transitioned from completely in-person events, to virtual offerings, and then to a hybrid of both formats. A new Lakewood Ranch app was launched to complement the myLWR.com community website, which is a one-stop-shop for “everything Lakewood Ranch,” including a community calendar, bike and trail map, business directory, and service requests, among other things.

Popular amongst residents – and prospective buyers – are miles of trails and paths, parks offering a disc golf course, watercraft launches, and dog parks for socially distanced, outdoor activity; and nationally recognized sports venues like the Premier Sports Campus and the Sarasota Polo Club. The Ranch is also home to A-rated schools, 10 institutions of higher learning, and the nationally recognized Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The Ranch has been recognized by ideal-LIVING magazine as a “best health and fitness” and “best wellness” community.

 

Waterside Place,  one of three town centers in Lakewood Ranch, has drawn widespread attention as it nears a second quarter of 2021 completion. Located on the southern edge of The Ranch in Sarasota County, it will be a blend of arts and entertainment, with diverse dining options, commercial, retail and office space, and an eight-acre park, which will be the eventual home of the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch.

 

Also attractive to buyers is Lakewood Ranch’s status as a major job center, with more than four million square feet of commercial real estate in place and entitlements for up to 14 million. There are more than 1,350 businesses in diverse sectors such as biomedical, technology, insurance, and education.

 

Not to be overlooked is Lakewood Ranch’s proximity to the beaches, and cultural and sports offerings that allow residents to experience a higher quality of life without sacrificing big-city conveniences.

 

Lakewood Ranch has been among the top-selling master-planned communities in the country for 10 out of the last 11 years, according to RCLCO.

 

RCLCO has been ranking master-planned communities since 1994; for more information, visit www.rclco.com. This is the 12^th year that John Burns Real Estate Consulting has ranked top-selling U.S. master-planned communities; for more information, visit www.realestateconsulting.com.

 

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Lakewood Ranch is the 33,000+-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is already home to more than 42,000 residents and features A-rated schools, a hospital, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, its own Main Street with theaters, shopping and dining, and more than four million square feet of commercial property. For more information visit www.lakewoodranch.com.