Category: Press Releases
LAKEWOOD RANCH RANKS NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Lakewood Ranch was recognized as the best-selling, master-planned multi-generational community in the country for the fifth year in a row by RCLCO and John Burns, two independent real estate consulting firms.
The Ranch saw 1,846 new home sales in 2022. Although sales were down from a record-breaking 2021, Lakewood Ranch exceeded 2019 sales, the last year there was a balanced real estate market.
Lakewood Ranch benefitted from being in the nation’s fastest growing state as well as the Sarasota/Bradenton area which increasingly appears in national and international rankings for its high quality of life. While the Florida real estate market fared better than most, in the second quarter of 2022 buyers became more cautious, narrowing their search to well-established communities with a proven track record.
“For nearly three decades, Lakewood Ranch has fostered a sense of place, community, and belonging. Our diversity of experiences, access to nature and services, and top-quality schools and healthcare are all here to be enjoyed TODAY. That is reassuring for home buyers in this more uncertain market,” said Laura Cole, senior vice president of LWR Communities, LLC.
Cole also attributes Lakewood Ranch’s sales success to the variety of neighborhoods, home styles, and price points offered to buying segments, including multi-gen, entry-level, family move-up, retiree and active adult, and luxury/custom buyers.
“In this market, communities that create the most certainty for the buyer will outpace the others. Lakewood Ranch performed, and is well-positioned to continue to do so,” Cole said. “Our multigenerational appeal remains our largest differentiator; we are opening seven new neighborhoods this year priced from the $300s to $1 million+. We are also opening a number of new apartment and build-for-rent communities.”
Rentals have become a major source of new home buyers. “Many people moved to Lakewood Ranch in the past few years but couldn’t buy a home due to limited supply, so they rented and are now ready to buy,” Cole said.
Tourism has been another sales driver. “Hurricane Ian has drawn buyers and tourists from the affected areas and other coastal markets to our area, and more specifically to Lakewood Ranch,” Cole said. “Also, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport’s exponential growth has opened many new markets via the addition of numerous direct flights.”
Cole also pointed to lifestyle shifts that occurred during the pandemic as benefitting sales, including suburban preferences, multi-generational moves, and increased outdoor recreation.
One of Lakewood Ranch’s best sales’ resources continues to be Ranch residents themselves, Cole said. “Friends and family who visit and enjoy activities, such as Music on Main or the Farmers’ Market at Waterside,” she said. “They’re able to experience the lifestyle, the camaraderie, and the diversity of amenities for themselves. Many end up coming back to rent or purchase their own home. We have many families who have three generations living in the same village or the greater Lakewood Ranch community!
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 60,000 residents and features A-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, and three town centers that include theaters, shopping and dining. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com.
LAKEWOOD RANCH COMMUNITY FUND PARTNERS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HURRICANE IAN VICTIMS
The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, in collaboration with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the developers of Lakewood Ranch, partnered to raise money on Lakewood Main Street during Music on Main in October for a special Hurricane Ian Relief Fund. The monies raised went to nonprofits that were directly affected, including their clients, by Hurricane Ian.
Also, on Oct. 28, BooFest was held on Lakewood Main Street, and hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, which donated the proceeds from beer sales paid by credit card to the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund.
With the total amount raised of nearly $9,700, the next step was for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund to gather questionnaires from nonprofits to determine the need for funding. The Fund’s grant allocation committee met in a special session to review the applications, determined the need, and then allocated the monies to four nonprofits affected by Hurricane Ian.
The four nonprofits included:
- Big Brother Big Sisters of the Suncoast with a grant for $4,000
- Manatee Children’s Services, Inc. with a grant for $2,500
- Farmhouse Sanctuary with a grant for $1,600
- Mayors Feed the Hungry with a grant for $1,600
Checks will be cut and distributed this week.
The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund enhances the quality of life in and near our community by promoting philanthropy, responding to community needs, and granting funds. The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is its own 501 (c) 3 and its sole purpose is to support and fund the nonprofits that are doing impactful work in Lakewood Ranch and surrounding easter counties of Manatee and Sarasota. The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund has granted over $60,000 this year to nonprofits during its regular grant cycle. Over the last 20 years, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, under the direction of Manatee Community Foundation, granted a total of $1.4 million dollars to local nonprofits. The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is YOUR community fund.
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch Announces Three New Tenants; More Business Openings
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch Announces Three New Tenants; More Business Openings
Cileone Jewelers, Platinum Palm Properties, and Williams Parker Law Firm join growing roster of businesses
Lakewood Ranch, the nation’s best-selling master-planned community for all ages, recently announced three new tenants for its newest town center, the 36-acre Waterside Place. The retail, services, dining, and entertainment destination will add Cileone Jewelers, Platinum Palm Properties, and Williams Parker Law Firm.
- Cileone Jewelers, formerly of Philadelphia, will make Waterside Place its new home. Specializing in estate and antique jewelry, they will also feature modern pieces, as well as bridal and custom. Additionally, they will offer pre-owned high-end watches, such as Rolex and Patek, and some luxury brands, such as Tiffany, Yurman, and Cartier. They hope to open by the beginning of 2023.
- Platinum Palm Properties will open its first official office as a brokerage in January of 2023. Currently a team under Keller Williams (since 2017), the team of more than 30 agents will operate their own independent location in Waterside Place, which they chose for its culture and architecture.
- Williams Parker, Sarasota’s largest and oldest law firm, will open its new office in Waterside Place in spring of 2023. The firm’s new, expanded office will enable its lawyers and professionals to better serve the needs of clients located in Lakewood Ranch, along the I-75 business corridor, and further east.
The new businesses will join the recently opened O&A Coffee Supply, CROP Juice, and Bay Area Aesthetics. Also open and welcoming customers are Korê Steakhouse and cocktail lounge, Good Liquid Brewing company, 3Form Fitness, Kilwins, Paint Nail Bar, Body Bar Pilates, Lakewood Ranch Medical Group, and Smith Law.
Previously announced tenants include Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House, Florida Provisions Co., a retail and bar concept; Monkee’s, an upscale women’s boutique; Tim’s Wine Market, M/I Homes, Marmalade Waterside Boutique, John Cannon Homes Design Center, Integrity Sound, Capstan Financial, Mexican-American restaurant and tequileria Agave Bandido, Italian restaurant Osteria 500, Shore Rejuvenation Day Spa, Modish Salon, The Yoga Shack, Man Cave for Men, Duck Donuts, Forked at Waterside, and Good Liquid Distillery.
“Waterside Place has the good fortune of being able to attract the types and diversity of tenants that were targeted from the inception of the project,” said Kirk Boylston, president of Lakewood Ranch Commercial. “We wanted local and regional, non-national tenants with the quality, look, feel, and personal touches of an owner who is actively involved with their business. It is just a different atmosphere at Waterside Place, it truly seems like a community of individuals who love to introduce their restaurants, shops, and services to their customers with a great sense of pride. Our office tenants are of similar quality, every one of them are among the best in the service sector they represent.”
Recently named the “Best Lifestyle Program in the U.S.” by the National Association of Homebuilders, Waterside Place is already active with festivals, music, and sporting activities. It is home to the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch, with more than 90 vendors offering organic produce, baked goods, pet products, and prepared food, etc. Ranch Nite Wednesdays, “your favorite weeknight hangout,” will start back from its summer hiatus on Oct. 5, and will run every Wednesday through May 31. The event, held from 6-9 p.m., features food trucks, live music from local artists, a weekly night market with rotating vendors, a vintage mobile bar hosted by Cornerstone and Co., and the second largest recreational cornhole league in the nation, hosted by MVP Sports & Social.
For more information about Waterside Place, visit www.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 blends 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 Village 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 1,400 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 www.lakewoodranch.com.
LAKEWOOD RANCH CELEBRATES 5TH YEAR AS BEST-SELLING ALL-AGES COMMUNITY IN U.S.
LAKEWOOD RANCH CELEBRATES 5TH YEAR AS BEST-SELLING ALL-AGES COMMUNITY IN U.S.
Lakewood Ranch is once again the top-selling multi-generational community in the nation with 1,026 sales so far this year, according to RCLCO’s semiannual Top 50 Master-Planned Communities report. The Villages active-adult community in Central Florida was first place overall with an estimated 1,500 sales year to date and Silverado in Dallas came in a distant third place with 599 sales. Florida leads the nation in MPC performance, representing 36% of all sales among ranked communities; Texas was close behind with 34%.
Lakewood Ranch has been a perennial top performer because it embodies the principles of a strong community. “With each new phase we continue to integrate our hallmark features including parks, trails, schools, shopping, dining, job centers, healthcare, and day-to-day conveniences,” said Laura Cole, Senior Vice President of Lakewood Ranch. “Our multigenerational appeal and lifestyle offerings continue to be a strong draw and we anticipate that buyers who have been sidelined in the inventory crunch will reemerge as conditions stabilize a bit and as supply-chain pressures on builders ease,” she added.
The Ranch’s location and regional attractions are also a major driver of sales. The Sarasota-Bradenton area has continued to rank at the top of “where to live” lists due to the extremely high quality of life, a dynamic downtown, vast arts offerings, excellent beaches, winning sports teams, top-rated schools, and top-notch health care offerings. “Southwest Florida is one of the most desirable relocation markets in the country,” remarked Cole, “and Lakewood Ranch offers newcomers an incredible lifestyle and strong sense of community within it.”
RCLCO has been ranking master-planned communities since 1994; for more information, visit www.rclco.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 57,000 residents and features A-rated schools, a hospital, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, its own Main Street, a new lakefront Town Center (Waterside Place) with shopping and dining. The Ranch also is a job center with more than four million square feet of commercial property. For more information visit www.lakewoodranch.com.
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.
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.
Lakewood Ranch Announces New Waterside Place Tenants Opening This Year
Shore Rejuvenation Day Spa, Modish Salon, Marmalade Waterside Boutique, John Cannon Homes and more join growing roster of businesses
Lakewood Ranch, the nation’s best-selling master-planned community for all ages, has announced numerous new tenants for its 36-acre retail, dining and entertainment destination, Waterside Place.
Shore Rejuvenation Day Spa and Modish Salon will offer Waterside Place visitors the opportunity to relax and feel refreshed with luxury spa treatments and on-trend hairstyles.
Shore Rejuvenation Day Spa strives to treat guests’ minds, bodies, and spirits through a wide range of spa options, including luxury organic couples’ treatments, spa packages, massage therapy, facials and results driven skin care treatments such as microblading, lip blushing, permanent makeup, injectables such as Botox Cosmetic, Restylane and Juvéderm. Services are performed by knowledgeable, highly trained staff who use the finest cosmeceutical skin care from Environ, as well as organic luxury skin and body care from VOYA.
Modish Salon is a creative space where independent hair stylists unite over their passions for hair cutting, coloring, extensions and styling. Modish stylists are known for fine-tuning their skills by traveling to top conventions and classes and returning with the latest trends in hair care. Since opening in early 2020 in Sarasota, the salon has been recognized as the “#1 salon for invisible bead extensions” world-wide. Waterside Place will be their second location.
Set to open this summer, Marmalade Waterside Boutique, John Cannon Homes, Integrity Sound, and Capstan Financial will add to the area’s diverse offerings:
Marmalade Waterside Boutique will offer residents and visitors a space where beauty and fashion mix with laughter, inspiration, and imagination to promote a happy lifestyle. Marmalade’s new boutique at Waterside Place is the third – and largest – location, following its flagship storefront in Sarasota and beachside location on Siesta Key. The boutique will feature a curated lifestyle collection of cool home decor and furnishings, free-spirited women’s apparel, bohemian bling, and unique gifts.
With more than 350 industry honors for homes built in over 100 prestigious communities, John Cannon Homes has set the standard for quality in luxury custom home building in Southwest Florida. In anticipation of the Kingfisher Estates opening at Lakewood Ranch, John Cannon Homes will be displaying room vignettes with custom high-end finishes in its retail space at Waterside Place. The transitional-style room designs will showcase cabinetry, countertops, ceiling details, flooring, tile and fireplace options for kitchen, living room, dining room, office, master bathroom and outdoor kitchen (cabana/bar) spaces.
Integrity Sound offers expert technology and electrical solutions for homes and businesses in Southwest Florida and beyond. The company specializes in electrical, home automation, audio video, networks, lighting, motorized window treatment and security integration, priding itself on seeing projects through to completion and providing long term service and support. The 1,550 square-foot store will feature a unique design concept featuring realistic home and office settings.
Capstan Financial was founded to provide comprehensive financial services and the highest degree of personal attention to individual and institutional clients. The firm uses a team-focused approach to ensure professional guidance, preparation and responsiveness through all stages of life, regardless of market conditions. The company’s new, 3,500 square-foot location at Waterside Place will be its first satellite office expansion, featuring plenty of natural light, lake views, two outdoor covered balconies, and fully functional technology to host world-class meetings.
Additional tenants set to open in Waterside Place by the end of the year include O&A Coffee Supply, CROP Juice, The Yoga Shack, Body Bar Pilates, Man Cave for Men, Bay Area Aesthetics, Duck Donuts, authentic Italian restaurant Osteria 500, Mexican-American restaurant and tequileria Agave Bandido, and Korê, a new Asian restaurant concept featuring Korean barbeque and an upscale cocktail lounge.
Later this year, Forked at Waterside and Good Liquid Distillery are also expected to open locations.
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 Waterside Place is officially open and visitors can finally experience our curated, eclectic mix of tenants,” said Kirk Boylston, president of Lakewood Ranch Commercial. “The businesses, restaurants and retail shops we’ve brought to the area are among the best and will provide plenty of opportunities for entertainment, relaxation, home improvement and more.”
As it continues to welcome additional businesses, Waterside Place will embody the essence of Lakewood Ranch, serving as a retail, dining, wellness and entertainment hub with waterfront charm. Whether guests are looking to enjoy a morning coffee and jog along the nature trails or opt for an evening “Ranch Nite Wednesday” lakeside concert followed by dinner and craft beers with friends, Waterside Place will appeal to a variety of lifestyles and interests.
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. Additionally, Lakewood Ranch is working with Waterside Place tenants to create custom programming tailored to their consumers.
Founded in 1994, Lakewood Ranch spans over 20 villages and 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 July of 2021, Lakewood Ranch was named the best-selling, master-planned community in the country according to RCLCO’s mid-year rankings. In January, both firms designated Lakewood Ranch as the best-selling master-planned community in the U.S. for the second year in a row.
For more information about Waterside Place, visit the recently improved and expanded website, www.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 destinations 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 $280k to over $2M. All neighborhoods are connected to Waterside Place via trails and many homes will benefit from a future water taxi to the town center. To date, more than a thousand 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 55,000 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 5.7 million square feet of commercial property. For more information visit www.lakewoodranch.com.
RANCH RECEIVES NATIONAL GOLD AWARD FOR LIFESTYLE
RANCH RECEIVES NATIONAL GOLD AWARD FOR LIFESTYLE
Lakewood Ranch was recognized with a gold award for best lifestyle program by the National Association of Home Builders’ National Sales and Marketing Council at its recent annual 2022 awards ceremony.
Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place was awarded the top honor for community lifestyle program of the year. Waterside Place is home to the popular Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market, which draws more than 5,000 visitors each week, and Ranch Nite Wednesdays, which hosts a food truck rally and the largest amateur cornhole league in the state, as well as a night market on the second Wednesday of each month. The lakeside town center has quickly become a beloved destination for the community since opening at the end of 2021.
The Waterside Place program is part of Lakewood Ranch’s overall emphasis on lifestyle, which includes two other town centers, a sports campus, nine community parks, 150 miles of sidewalks and trails, more than 60 clubs, and a parks and recreation program. Activities include both virtual and in-person options, and range in age from toddlers to Boomers. There are also annual festivals and celebrations like the Irish Celtic Fest, Tribute to Heroes Parade, Boo Fest, and Holidays Around the Ranch.
“Lifestyle is one of the primary drivers when prospective buyers are choosing where to live,” said Laura Cole, senior vice president of LWR Communities. “People select the community first, then the home. There has been a growing emphasis on creating and nurturing a multi-faceted lifestyle experience within Lakewood Ranch, including markets, sports leagues, holiday celebrations, clubs, and classes. This focus is a prime contributor to the fact that Lakewood Ranch was named the best-selling master-planned community for all ages in the country for 2021.”
The awards, known as “The Nationals,” honor the best in the building industry for “their determination, integrity, creativity and resilience.” Started in 1982 as the Institute of Residential Marketing Awards, The Nationals recognizes honorees across various disciplines of the new home industry by individuals and sales teams. During a four-day judging process, a panel of 13 industry professionals from across the country determined the award winners from a field of over 1200 entries.
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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 55,000 residents and features A-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, three town centers that include theaters, shopping and dining, and more than 5.5 million square feet of commercial property. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com.
About Waterside Place
Located in the village of Waterside, Waterside Place is Lakewood Ranch’s newest town center, and the only waterfront retail and lifestyle destination in Sarasota. Waterside Place features a curated mix of food and drink, beauty and wellness, and arts and entertainment on the water’s edge of Kingfisher Lake. For more information on businesses and events visit watersideplace.com.
