Despite a sluggish real estate market, ​​Wellen Park has broken ground on Oakbend, its newest residential neighborhood. The gated enclave will add 181 single-family homes to the growing master-planned development in south Sarasota County. Home sales are expected to begin this fall, with pricing starting in the high $600,000s.

The community, located north of Playmore Road between West Villages Parkway and Preto Boulevard, sits within the municipal boundaries of North Port, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. It ranked third overall on LendingTree’s "America’s Biggest Boomtowns" list, bolstered by an 11.8 percent gain in GDP, a 5.9 percent rise in population, an 18.9 percent influx of new residents from elsewhere, and a 6.5 percent increase in housing units between 2021 and 2023. Among U.S. metros, North Port ranked seventh in population growth (5.9 percent) and 11th in housing‑unit growth (6.5 percent).

Indeed, in March, HCA Florida Wellen Park Emergency opened on South Tamiami Trail, offering around-the-clock emergency care in an 11,300-square-foot facility. Construction also began in April on a 40-bed rehabilitation hospital operated by Exalt Health, part of a $30 million project that includes other Florida locations; the Wellen Park facility is expected to open by mid‑2026. A 75,000-square-foot medical office building, developed by CASTO Healthcare Real Estate, is nearing completion with outpatient suites for physicians and specialists. And on the retail front, a new Costco warehouse is under development just east of West Villages Parkway along U.S. 41. It will be the second in Sarasota County and include a gas station and automotive service center, bringing hundreds of jobs. Plus, Downtown Wellen is adding 44,000 square feet of mixed-use space, including ground-floor retail and dining, upper-level offices, a boutique hotel and expanded parking, with a tentative opening set for early 2026.

At Oakbend, national builders Toll Brothers and ICI Homes are offering a mix of one- and two-story homes ranging from approximately 2,100 square feet to more than 3,800 square feet. While ICI is building the majority of homes, both companies bring distinct styles.

“We complement each other,” says Brian O’Hara, division president of Toll Brothers in Tampa and Sarasota. “We both bring a different style, and it gives buyers some choice.” A model home is already under construction, and site work began in mid-May.

And with 181 homes, “Oakbend is a smaller community, since some buyers want a more intimate experience,” says Rick Severance, president of the master-planned community. Some Wellen Park neighborhoods have almost 2,000 homes. Completion is expected within five years, with both move-in-ready and custom homes available. 

In addition to its housing stock, Oakbend will include a private clubhouse, zero-entry pool, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, dog park and playground. A food truck area is planned within the amenity center. “What’s unique is the size,” O’Hara says. “It’s a much smaller community than the others. It’s gated, and having the proximity to Downtown Wellen and our clubhouse—that makes it different.”

The neighborhood borders Wellen Park’s trail network and the Greenway, providing access to CoolToday Park and shops and restaurants in Downtown Wellen. It’s not age-restricted, and Severance expects it to appeal to a wide demographic. “I think Oakbend will be multigenerational,” he says. “Not just boomers and retirees—because of its proximity to downtown and the schools. I still think it will attract families.” Wellen Park High School is scheduled to open nearby in August next year. Designed to accommodate roughly 2,100 students, the school will include more than 300,000 square feet of academic and recreational space.

O’Hara says that buyers are increasingly selective and looking for streamlined, connected lifestyles. “They want low maintenance and community connection, so they’re being discerning. That’s why we’re investing in high-quality shared spaces and simplifying the lifestyle.” While demand has cooled from pandemic-era highs, Wellen Park is growing, even while O’Hara admits, “To expect it to be as robust would be foolish,” referring to the current pace of sales.

Wellen Park had roughly 16,000 residents as of mid-2025 and is projected to eventually include more than 22,000 homes and over 50,000 residents. The development spans three districts—West Villages, Downtown Wellen and Playmore—and includes for-sale and rental housing, extensive trails, and a growing retail and commercial core. Phase two of Downtown Wellen is scheduled to break ground in early 2026 and will add 45,000 square feet of mixed-use space.

“We still have a lot of unincorporated Sarasota County acreage left,” Severance said. “If the market continues like now, I would say [buildout will take] 20 to 30 years.”

While Florida as a whole has seen a slowdown in net migration compared to pandemic peaks, cities like North Port continue to draw interest due to their affordability, business climate and quality of life. According to LendingTree, North Port also ranks among the top U.S. metros for business growth, based on GDP gains and increases in new business applications.

It has also consistently been ranked one of the top-selling master-planned communities in the U.S., landing sixth nationally in the RCLCO mid-2024 rankings. Despite a 15 percent year-over-year dip in sales, Severance says he remains confident in the community’s long-term outlook. “In a master-planned community, I’m cautiously optimistic about the market and more confident about Wellen Park as a destination.”