Picture Perfect

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Whether you’re a prospective homebuyer or just want to check out trends in the new home market, now is your chance to view some of the new homes in Lakewood Ranch.

The 13th Annual Lakewood Ranch Tour of Homes kicked off Nov. 5 and will run through Nov. 21. Nearly 30 luxury model homes are being featured in this year’s event, spanning in size and price from the 1,162-square-foot, $137,990 Valor 2 model in Central Park to the 5,537-square foot custom-home Avena model at The Lake Club.

“(This year’s tour is) exciting for us because the number of models and the number of models being built is unprecedented for us and (in the state of Florida),” said Candice McElyea, director of marketing and public relations for Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. “There are 11 new models in this year’s tour, and 18 (are being built) for next year. We haven’t seen this type of activity from a construction perspective since 2005.”

During the tour, model homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and from noon to 5 p.m., Sundays.

LWR Communities President Milt Flinn said the housing market in Lakewood Ranch, in particular, has seen a huge upswing in the last 30 days. For example, in the latter part of October, 20 lots in The Country Club East and The Lake Club sold in just 23 days. About 60 lots in Neal Communities’ Central Park development, located just north of State Road 70 off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, have sold since sales there started in July.

“We probably have 100 homes under construction right now,” Flinn said. “It’s a dramatic turnaround from 12 months ago. We’re really hopeful about the tour and what the upcoming season is going to offer. Our builders are really excited, too.”

As part of the Tour of Homes, Lakewood Ranch Community Ambassadors will be leading bus tours for those who are interested in understanding the layout of the residential, corporate and retail areas of the Ranch, as well as hearing about the community’s history. Tours will be offered three times a day on select dates now through Nov. 18. Reservations are required.

Additionally, several new events will be offered in conjunction with this year’s tour, including the Lakewood Ranch Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic. The tennis tournament will be Nov. 12-14 at the Lakewood Ranch Athletic Center and will feature teams such as the University of Florida, Notre Dame, the University of Arizona and more.

Other festivities include the Paws for the Pink Cause event from 9-11 a.m., Nov. 13, in Central Park. Festivities include dog-related activities, pet photos and more. A suggested $10 donation will benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

The Lakewood Ranch Main Street Farmer’s Market will kick off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 13 — the same day the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch will be hosting its annual Suncoast Food & Wine Fest fundraiser. A Chili Cook-off on Lakewood Ranch Main Street will follow from 2-7 p.m., Nov. 14, as well.

For more details about the tour or to view a schedule of events, visit www.lakewoodranch.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

MODELS ON THE TOUR
Download a map of all the model homes here.

Central Park
The Blue Sky 2 — 12149 Forest Park Circle
The Eventide 11719 Gramercy Park Ave.
The Freedom 2 — 11637 Piedmont Park Crossing
The Freshwater 2 — 12149 Forest Park Circle
The Liberty 2 — 11633 Piedmont Park Crossing
The Matanzas Bay —12129 Forest Park Circle
The Morning Light 2 — 12153 Forest Park Circle
The Tidewater — 12133 Forest Park Circle
The Valor 2 — 11641 Piedmont Park Crossing
The Endless Summer — 11803 Gramercy Park Ave.

The Country Club
The Beauvais — 7491 Edenmore St.
The Calais — 7490 Edenmore St.
The Charleton II — 12326 Thornhill Court
The New Grange — 12330 Thornhill Court
The Sarantino — 7613 Silverwood Court
The Westover II — 7527 Greystone St.

The Lake Club
The Avena — 7917 Waterton Lane
The Emilia — 7979 Matera Court

The Country Club East
The Barbados — 7829 Valderrama Way
The Blue Sky — 7821 Valderrama Way
The Cancun — 15312 Helmsdale Place
The Keystone — 15607 Leven Links Place
The Mira Vista II — 7833 Valderrama Way
The Monaco — 7817 Valderrama Way
The Sevilla — 15108 Camargo Place
The St. Charles — 15308 Helmsdale Place
The St. James — 14925 Leopard Creek Place
The St. Vincent — 15617 Linn Park Terrace
The Tauri — 15105 Camargo Place

HAPPENINGS DURING THE TOUR
Ranch Tours — Nov. 11, 14, 16 and 18. Tours depart from the Lakewood Ranch Information Center, 6220 University Parkway, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Bus tours are free but require reservations. 907-6000.

Lakewood Ranch Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic — Nov. 12-14. Collegiate tennis players will compete in men’s and women’s singles and doubles for this tournament at The Athletic Center at Lakewood Ranch, 8488 Legacy Blvd. No charge for admission. For more info, call 907-2255.

Main Street Farmer’s Market — Nov. 13. The farmer’s market will hold its season kickoff from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 13. Taste gourmet foods, produce, cheeses, fresh bakery products and more. Event will continue every Saturday through April.

Suncoast Food & Wine Fest — Nov. 13. This event, held from 1-4 p.m., will feature more than 300 American and international wines, food from area restaurants, live music and more. Cost is $60 and tickets must be purchased in advance. For more info, visit www.suncoastwinefestival.com.

Chili Cook-off — Nov. 14. From 2-7 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Manatee County fire departments will battle for bragging rights on who makes the best chili.

Diana Ross at the Van Wezel — Nov. 17. Lakewood Ranch Communities is sponsoring this special night at the Van Wezel. Performance starts at 8 p.m. For tickets, go to www.vanwezel.org or call 953-3368.

Asolo LWR Night — Nov. 18. Guests can purchase discounted tickets to see this 8 p.m., performance of “Bonnie & Clyde” at the Asolo Repertory Theatre at the Summerfield Information Center, 6310 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. With the purchase of two tickets, you will receive one $20 gift certificate to a participating restaurant on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Free bus transportation is available to the theater, but reservations are required. Call 753-1469 for more details.

Thunder Fun Day — Nov. 20. This school fair at the Out-of-Door Academy, 5950 Deer Drive, will feature games, inflatable activities, tournaments, refreshments, crafts and other activities for children of all ages.