Passion for Presidio

One little enclave in Lakewood Ranch is filling up fast. The Presidio at the Country Club, exclusively developed by Neal Communities, tallied six new home sales in its first week of sales, says Avril-Lynne Neilon, new home specialist for Neal Communities.

"The homes we offer in Presidio are smaller, attractively priced homes that are just filled to the brim with elegant appointments," says Neilon. "Driving by, you can see the intricate architectural details and charming gated entries, and you know these homes are special."

Presidio, Neal's seventh new neighborhood at Lakewood Ranch, offers 50 homes and four floor plans, each with two elevation options, priced from the $250,000s. Barrel tile roofs, stonework medallions and decorative columns adorn each Presidio home, as well as flowering landscapes and a walkway set behind a gated front entry wall.

Floor plan designs range from 1,558 to 2,160 square feet, with flexible options that allow buyers to convert rooms into whatever space suits their individual lifestyle needs. Residents will also have access to a private gathering area that includes an air-conditioned meeting room, pool and spa, and outdoor social area.

University Park spiffs up golf course

Good news for golfers: University Park Country Club Golf Course has wrapped up the second phase of a project to renourish and upgrade all 27 holes of its championship golf course. University Park has now completed 18 of the 27 holes, just in time for the return of seasonal members and guests.

The revitalization project, which began in early 2003, included laser leveling and enlarging many of the tees, reshaping and contouring the greens, and re-grassing them with premium TifEagle Ultradwarf hybrid grass. The project was segmented into three phases to allow for a full 18 holes of play at all times, with only one nine-hole section closed off in the summer for the work.

"It is a great source of satisfaction to be able to consistently offer homes that capture incredible golf course vistas and the first-class golfing lifestyle that complements them," says Pat Neal, president of Neal Communities and co-developer of University Park.

University Place thrives

Just down the street, University Place, also co-developed by Neal, can boast that in less than three years after opening, all the available land earmarked for residential development has been sold. As of February, the community has had 170 home sales. The key to the community's success, says Neal, is careful planning.

"There are the elements that people see immediately, like beautiful, colorful landscaping and attractive architecture," says Neal. "And then there are the more subtle things that are equally important to making a community worthy of its surrounding landscape: positioning of homes, streetscapes, and common areas. Creating appealing amenities, and enhancing, not destroying, natural sensitive lands are what really make buyers feel good about calling a community home."

In addition to Neal Communities, Bruce Williams Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, and Inland Homes are building at University Place, which comprises six neighborhoods with more than 400 homes and a host of amenities that include a nature walk, canoe livery and two fully appointed recreation centers.

The master-planned community also includes commercial development that fronts University Parkway. Benderson Development is managing the commercial parcel, which includes Home Depot, Staples, Eckerd Drugs, Wendy's, Carrabbas, Atlanta Bread Company, Stonewood Grill, banks and a hotel.

South County Views

And further south, an invitation-only preview for Beleza on Venice Beach garnered 10 pre-reservations. The eight-story tower boasts Gulf views from all 26 units. There are four penthouses. Prices average more than $1.1 million.

"Beleza on Venice Beach will offer residents the best of both worlds-an exceptional beachfront home in a community that's down to earth and rich in civic pride," says Frank Cirillo, Beleza project manager for Taylor Woodrow.

Residents have a choice of three floorplans ranging from 2,200 square feet to 2,500 square feet, with access-controlled covered ground-level parking, terraces facing sunrise and sunset and private elevator lobbies.

Demolition of the existing Best Western Hotel on the site is scheduled for June and construction could start as early as July.