Author: SparkDev
LAKEWOOD RANCH RECEIVES “TOP 100 PLANNED COMMUNITIES” RECOGNITION
LAKEWOOD RANCH RECEIVES “TOP 100 PLANNED COMMUNITIES” RECOGNITION
Ideal-LIVING, a Southern living and real estate magazine, recently named Lakewood Ranch one of “The Top 100 Planned Communities.” The honorees were named in the publication’s summer issue, “Best Places to Live.”
“Each year we survey our readers to determine the most popular destinations and amenities,” said Kelly Godbey, editor of ideal-LIVING. “Most of our readers are looking to escape high taxes and find a better climate and quality of life. The destinations featured in this special issue are representative of those desires.”
Among the top reasons cited for living in a master planned community were the people, a social network, and a sense of community. Others mentioned were walkability, healthy lifestyle, proximity to health care, social clubs, well-maintained homes, and green spaces and landscaping. Philanthropy was also important: readers wanted a “chance to give back” – community organizations that offered an environment to volunteer their resources, be it time, talent, or financial.
“We are thrilled to again be named as one of the Top 100 Planned Communities by ideal-LIVING,” said Sandy Shahinian, vice president of LWR Communities. “Lakewood Ranch offers an award-winning lifestyle that includes more than 60 clubs, a parks and rec program, and sports leagues. The Ranch provides unparalleled access to the outdoors with 150 miles of trails and nine community parks, and walkable town centers including our recently opened Waterside Place. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, a full-service hospital, has won many awards, and there are myriad medical services available to residents. There are also numerous philanthropic organizations in the area, including the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund. The Ranch has all the qualities and conveniences of an established town with the added benefit of countless amenities and activities.”
This is not Lakewood Ranch’s first mention by ideal-Living: last year, The Ranch was also recognized as a Top 100 community. In 2020, it was named to the “Best Health & Fitness Community” category for its wellness-centered master planning, extensive recreational amenities, and health-conscious lifestyle program. In 2019, The Ranch received recognition in the “Best Wellness Community” category.
The Top 100 Planned Communities are posted on ideal-LIVING.com/bestplaces.
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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 57,000 residents and features top-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, three town centers, and countless shopping and dining experience. For more information visit www.lakewoodranch.com.
ideal-LIVING Magazine Announces its “The Best Places to Live”
DATE: June 10, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ideal-LIVING Magazine Announces its “The Best Places to Live”
Wilmington, NC – ideal-LIVING magazine is pleased to announce the Best Places to Live issue that features the Top 100 Planned Communities. The honorees are also revealed on www.ideal-LIVING.com/bestplaces.
Ideal-LIVING researched communities from our readers’ most-desired areas based on survey results. Each year we survey our readers to determine the most popular destinations and amenities. The destinations featured in this special issue are representative of those desires.
Most of our readers are looking to escape high taxes and find a better climate and quality of life. Whether you would like to move to the mountains or the coast or even internationally, the communities in this issue should help give you ideas of where you might like to live.
For more than 25 years, ideal-LIVING magazine has been a leading national publication for readers who are nearing retirement age or who are interested in the benefits of relocating their families or businesses. From its headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina, each edition of the quarterly publication is currently delivered to more than 80,000 homes. The magazine’s parent company, RPI Media, also distributes other publications like the comprehensive ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide and sponsors the company’s signature ideal-LIVING Real Estate Shows each year. For more information, go to the website at www.ideal-LIVING.com.
Lakewood Ranch accounts for a quarter of all new home construction in Sarasota-Manatee
Lakewood Ranch accounts for a quarter of all new home construction in Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Lakewood Ranch has never had construction start on more homes in a 12-month period than the year ending this spring, with the developer of the master-planned community reporting 2,638 housing starts through March.
That was a 55% increase over the comparable period a year earlier and represented one-fourth of all housing starts in Sarasota and Manatee counties, Lakewood Ranch said in a news release.
Laura Cole, senior vice president at Lakewood Ranch, said that before COVID-19 the Sarasota-Manatee area was overlooked and undervalued as a primary home location.
“The pandemic blew the doors off that notion and accelerated relocations to our area from across the U.S,” she said.
Data from Zonda, a national housing research firm, shows North Port-Sarasota-Manatee statistical metropolitan area had 6,982 home starts in 2020. That increased to 10,622 in 2021.
Quarterly data from Zonda for more than 40 metropolitan areas in the U.S. shows the Sarasota-Bradenton area tops in housing starts growth year-over-year, “and now ranks in the top 20 markets nationally in terms of total annual housing starts,” the news release from LWR Communities LLC stated.
So far this year, home starts are up 46% for the metro area as a residential building boom continues throughout the area, said Kristine Smale, a senior vice president at Zonda.
Smale said Lakewood Ranch had positioned itself well to capitalize on the drastic swing in migration seen over the past two years by providing a wide range of homes attractive to retirees as well as people starting families.
“The Sarasota region’s desirable quality of life coupled with highly-ranked schools and a growing job market combine to offer a compelling location for households in all life stages, including young professionals, growing families, empty nesters and retirees,” Smale said.
Lakewood Ranch’s housing starts were “more than triple the new home production volume of runner-up Wellen Park” in North Port, the news release stated.
The master-planned community that stretches across southern Manatee County into northern Sarasota has been named the best selling master-planned community for all ages several years in a row.
Last year, it was the second fastest selling master-planned community in the country behind the age-restricted The Villages in Central Florida.
Lakewood Ranch said 16 builders are operating in the development.
“People are chasing a better quality of life in Florida and looking for a community that delivers a cohesive living experience today,” Cole said. “We are constantly working on how best to accommodate our current and future residents’ interests, needs, and lifestyles.”
Lakewood Ranch’s Dick Vitale to receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance
Lakewood Ranch’s Dick Vitale to receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance
Over the last seven months, the 82-year-old has been successfully treated for melanoma, lymphoma, and underwent vocal cord surgery
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
LAKEWOOD RANCH — Lakewood Ranch resident and ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at The 2022 ESPYS, to be broadcast live on July 20 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
The award, named after the late Jimmy Valvanvo, is given to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination. Over the last seven months, the 82-year-old has been successfully treated for melanoma, lymphoma, and underwent vocal cord surgery.
“When I received the call from Jimmy Pitaro (ESPN president) about receiving this award, I was absolutely blown away,” Vitale said. “I remember that day almost 30 years ago, when I stood on the stage at the first ESPYS, introduced Jimmy V and witnessed him give that incredible speech we all remember. I reflected on his speech many times during my seven-month battle — ‘don’t give up, don’t ever give up’ — and I remembered my mother and father, who taught me never to believe in ‘can’t.’
“Jimmy V was special and his legacy lives on. I am so grateful to receive this tremendous award in his honor.”
The Jimmy V Award was first handed out at the 2007 ESPYS. The show brings attention to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, named for Valvano, who appeared on the first ESPYS in 1993 and died less than two months later of cancer at age 47.
The 17th Annual Dick Vitale Gala raised a record $11.1 million for pediatric cancer research. It brought the total raised over the 17 galas to nearly $55 million.
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch Fills Last Anchor Restaurant Spot, Announces Three Additional Tenants
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House, Monkee’s at Waterside, Florida Provisions Co., and Tim’s Wine Market join growing roster of businesses
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FLA. (MAY 26, 2022) – Lakewood Ranch, the nation’s best-selling master-planned community for all ages, recently announced four new tenants for its newest town center, the 36-acre Waterside Place. The retail, dining, and entertainment destination will add Monkee’s at Waterside, Florida Provisions Co., Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House, and Tim’s Wine Market.
- Leasing the final anchor location in Waterside Place, Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House will be an upscale casual dining experience offering dishes that celebrate fresh seafood – including Gulf caught hog fish, black grouper, snapper, oysters, and a “Big Chill Seafood Tower” – as well as signature cocktails and an expansive wine list. The restaurant will feature both indoor and outdoor bars, a patio with lake views, and spacious dining rooms designed with rich, lagoon blue colors, metal carved artwork, and captivating images of Florida landscape and wildlife. The restaurant is set to open in 2023.
- Monkee’s at Waterside is an upscale women’s boutique specializing in shoes, clothing, and accessories. A beloved store in 12 states, this will be the first Monkee’s boutique in Lakewood Ranch and nearby Sarasota, offering customers a personal, private, and multi-shopping experience.
- Boaters Republic of Saint Petersburg, Fla. is launching Florida Provisions Co., a new retail and bar concept set to debut this fall. Reflecting the coastal Florida lifestyle, Florida Provisions, Co. will carry clothing, flip flops, sunglasses, and fishing gear, as well as local and coastal foods, and hot sauces.
- Tim’s Wine Market is a family-owned business with one goal: to sell wines they believe in, made by people who put their heart and soul into every bottle. With an extensive collection of handcrafted, small production wines that elevate every experience, Tim’s Wine Market will help customers select a wine that exceeds expectations for quality and price. Since its inception, the company has grown into five distinctive wine clubs with over a thousand members. The Tim’s Wine Market at Waterside Place will be the brand’s first location in west Florida.
The new businesses will follow the recently opened Kore, a new Asian restaurant concept featuring Korean barbeque and an upscale cocktail lounge, as well as Good Liquid Brewing company, 3Form Fitness, Kilwins, Paint Nail Bar, Body Bar Pilates, Lakewood Ranch Medical Group, Smith Law, and M/I Homes, all of which are open for business.
Previously announced tenants include Marmalade Waterside Boutique, John Cannon Homes, Integrity Sound, Capstan Financial, Mexican-American restaurant and tequileria Agave Bandido, Italian restaurant Osteria 500, Shore Rejuvenation Day Spa, Modish Salon, O&A Coffee Supply, CROP Juice, The Yoga Shack, Man Cave for Men, Bay Area Aesthetics, Duck Donuts, Forked at Waterside, and Good Liquid Distillery.
Recently named the “Best Lifestyle Program in the U.S.” by the National Association of Homebuilders, the vibrant lifestyle and suburban location at Waterside Place is an ideal location for many brands.
“We’re thrilled to expand Waterside Place’s diverse culinary offerings with the opening of Korê Steakhouse and the signing of Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House,” said Kirk Boylston, president of Lakewood Ranch Commercial. “Waterside Place’s large restaurant spaces are fully leased – a testament to the town center’s waterfront appeal and an exciting preview of its transition into a retail, dining, wellness, and entertainment hub.”
As its businesses continue to open, Waterside Place will embody the essence of Lakewood Ranch. The town center is already activated with festivals, music, and sporting activities, and is home to the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch, further connecting local farmers and artisans with area residents and their guests.
For more information about Waterside Place, visit the recently improved and expanded website, WatersidePlace.com. For more information on Lakewood Ranch, please contact Lisa Barnott at 941-757-1542.
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About Waterside Place
Waterside Place serves as the heart of Waterside – Lakewood Ranch’s first Sarasota village – and offers an elevated community experience that extends beyond that of a traditional town center. Situated on a 36-acre peninsula overlooking the mile-long Kingfisher Lake, the development will blend arts and entertainment with 115,000 square feet of unique in-line and freestanding commercial, retail and office space; diverse dining options; an eight-acre park; miles of nature trails; communal “pop-up” spaces, a water splash park, and more.
Waterside will feature more than 5,000 for-sale and rental homes in a variety of neighborhoods ranging from $400k to over $2M. All neighborhoods are connected to Waterside Place via trails and many homes will benefit from water taxis to the town center. To date, over 1,300 homes have been sold or leased in Waterside’s Shoreview, Lakehouse Cove, The Adley, Botanic, and Grande Living neighborhoods.
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 57,000 residents and features top-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, three town centers, and countless shopping and dining experiences, For more information visit lakewoodranch.com.
LWR Life – Summer 2022
Sarasota makes top 10 list of best places to live in U.S.
For its desirability, quality of life and cost of living, Sarasota was named one of the best places to live in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
The annual rankings, released this week by the media company, put Sarasota at No. 9 on a list of the 150 best places to live in the country, making it the only Florida city to land in the top 10.
U.S. News & World Report describes Sarasota as having “a distinct vibe that’s different from Florida’s relative coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere, and burgeoning food culture.”
“This metro area of just over 800,000 people has a renowned opera house, a number of rooftop bars and the popular beach of Siesta Key,” the magazine wrote. “What makes the region special is its duality – downtown Sarasota boasts resorts and fine dining, but strolling Siesta Key Village or St. Armands Circle offers a more intimate, seaside ambience.”
The rankings are determined based on several factors developed by the media company – quality of life; job market; desirability, which asks if people want to move to a place; net migration, which determines if people are actually already moving somewhere and value, which includes cost of living.
Home affordability and quality of life were also more important than ever this year in the rankings because of the voracity of the national housing market, according to U.S. News.
That did have some impact on the ratings overall, moving Huntsville, Alabama, from No. 3 to No. 1 on the list, despite it having a lower desirability ranking on the lower side of the 150 places ranked.
Despite Sarasota’s skyrocketing housing costs, it stayed in the same spot – ninth place – as last year.
Other Florida cities on the list included Naples (No. 12), Melbourne (No. 20), Jacksonville (No. 24), Tampa (No. 39), Pensacola (No. 44), Daytona Beach (No. 68), Port St. Lucie (No. 78), Ocala (No. 91), Fort Myers (No. 100), Tallahassee (No. 110), Lakeland (No. 113), Orlando (No. 118) and Miami (No. 137).
Just last month, Sarasota was also ranked by the magazine as the No. 1 place to retire in the U.S. for the second year in a row. It’s also the third fastest-growing place in the country, according to the magazine.
Laura Finaldi
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
