SARASOTA, FL—West Palm-based Kolter Homes, which specializes in the development of 55-plus active adult lifestyle communities, intends to stay active in the Southeast, especially in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. Kolter vice president John Manrique tells GlobeSt.com the company will continue to focus about 65 to 70% of its efforts on its Cresswind Communities.

One of Kolter Homes' latest Cresswind projects is Cresswind Lakewood Ranch in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Kolter recently announced the start of sales. This will be Kolter Homes' eighth Cresswind 55+ new home community, and its second new home community in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

The company says the region is ideal for the Cresswind concept since it regularly ranks as a top destination to live and retire due to its robust arts and culture scene, quiet seaside ambiance and vibrant Downtown district. Known as "The Ranch," this 31,000-acre master-planned community is celebrating its 25th year and features a wide variety of shopping, dining, entertainment, a hospital, golf, the Sarasota Polo Club, golf, a 75-acre Premier Sports Campus and its own Main Street.

Onsite, Cresswind Lakewood Ranch is designed specifically for active adults with a clubhouse that serves as the social, fitness and fun center for the community. The Cresswind Club will be overseen by a full-time lifestyle director, and will feature a fitness center, yoga studio, art studio with ceramics, multi-purpose event room, billiards, and various social clubs. Outdoor amenities include pickleball & tennis courts, wide walkways, resort-style pool and spa, event plaza with food truck court, bocce, and outdoor social areas.

"Back in the day, the concept of a retirement community was a massive development and a lot of homes side by side with one big mega clubhouse," Manrique says. "For us, working with today's generation, and I don't use the R word, because no one is ever really retired, we are looking at where we can innovate in this space to create an environment that is comfortable, properly scaled and as engaging as it can be, offering fitness, nutrition and relationships, which are our three pillars for living better and longer." Manrique says 2020 will be an active year for Kolter, with the opening of Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes, near Hoschton, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. Also opening will be Cresswind Palm Beach in western Palm Beach County, Florida. Two more communities are on the drawing board—one in Charlotte, N.C., and the other in Central Florida.

Instant Insights /

Kolter Homes to Push Cresswind Communities Across Southeast

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