SARASOTA, FLORIDA, February 2nd 2017 – The growing popularity of Lakewood Ranch (LWR) as a hub of community activities bodes well for maintaining its ranking amongst the top master-planned communities in the U.S. In 2016, new LWR homes sold rose 45 percent to 775 units, from 535 in 2015, enabling the master development to retain its place amongst the top five best-selling master-planned communities in the country.
LWR’s rise as a venue for special events was seen this January as organizers of the Thunder by the Bay moved their three-day motorcycle festival to the Lakewood Ranch Premier Sports Complex. Previously based in downtown Sarasota, it shifted venue because of concerns about rules on special events in the city.
Thunder by the Bay is more than a free motorcycle rally and music festival. It is also a fundraiser for the Suncoast Charities for Children, and over the year, it reportedly raised over $1.5 million.
Much of the gains from the marketing value of special events are being generated at LWR’s Main Street where more than 120 community events have been reported as planned for 2017. Such activities are expected to intensify towards this year’s third quarter when the nearby Nathan Benderson Park hosts the 2017 World Rowing Championships.
LWR Main Street events, which have increased since its 2005 opening, are wide-ranging and are typically family-oriented. These include parades, car shows and bike races. Lakewood Ranch residents as well as visitors look forward to annual events at Main Street. Some of the favorites are the Memorial Day Parade, BooFest, the Jingle 5K for the Arthritis Foundation and Holidays Around the Ranch.
Each first Friday of the month, Lakewood Ranch hosts the “Music on Main” concert series which started in 2006. Since then, it became a popular local attraction with its free admission musical entertainment and family activities. Along with other events, it has likewise served as a fund-raising source for select charities.
Notably, LWR’s Main Street helped over 60 area non-profits raise some $800,000 in 2016 alone. In the past five years, its special events generated about $3.5 million for charities, thereby helping strengthen the sense of community in the master development.
Events at Main Street are being organized not only to provide visibility to its merchants but also to the entire Lakewood Ranch community. Significantly, two new residential property developments have a ringside seat to all these activities at the LWR downtown.
One of these is the Waterfront at Main Street, which is planned for 76 condo units in three separate buildings overlooking LWR’s 160-acre Lake Uihlein. Lakewood Ranch condos for sale here are designed with floor areas ranging from 1,337 to 2,827 square feet, and priced from the high $300s up to the $400s. A gated enclave, this condominium provides a clubhouse with a catering kitchen, fire pit and grills, a fitness center, a pool and hot tub amongst its amenities.
The other new Main Street development is Lakeshore, a boutique condominium of coastal contemporary architecture with 44 residential units. These Lakewood Ranch condos for sale have three-bedroom plans within floor areas of between 1,887 and 3,346 square feet. Their pricing starts in the $600s and tops at about $1.3 million.
Designed with private outdoor terraces, each residence allows views of Lake Uihlein. For amenities, it offers a private pool, sundeck, fitness center, club room, on-site concierge plus convenient access to LWR’s Main Street and its exciting stream of special events.
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