VENICE, FL – The master-planned community in Sarasota County, FL, West Villages, has launched under a new name and brand. Developer, Mattamy Homes' entire land holdings, encompassing West Villages and the adjacent 7,000 acres of undeveloped land, is now branded as Wellen Park.

West Villages, the fourth fastest-selling, master-planned community in the country, will now be classified as a district within the Wellen Park master-planned community, along with the new Playmore district and Downtown Wellen district.

"We initiated this branding process so that we can plan for a strategic, long-term representation for our master-planned community, which includes 7,000 acres of undeveloped land," said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. "By transitioning West Villages into a district or locale within Wellen Park, we're able to appropriately scale all that is included within the community. From a business standpoint, Wellen Park enables us to manage the brand that represents our development plan."

At full build-out, Wellen Park will host more than 60,000 residents and 22,000 homes. Selling an average of 1,300 homes each year, Wellen Park currently houses 7,500 residents.

"As future development plans for our master-planned community solidified and the demand from additional homebuilders grew, the need for a master or new brand became clear," said Severance. "We're extremely proud to introduce Wellen Park. This is a neighborly and sincere community of families and friends who enjoy an active lifestyle that cultivates physical and emotional wellbeing."

The next-generation, wellness-focused community is designed to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for residents.

Offering outdoor recreation and exercise options, the new master-planned community will feature extensive nature and fitness trails; adding 25 miles of trails to its existing 18-mile trail network, which includes a 2.7 mile path surrounding Downtown Wellen's 80-acre lake, which is currently under excavation.

In addition to new medical facilities, healthcare services and a new fire and rescue station, Wellen Park residents will have access to numerous education options, such as a planned, K-12 school through the Sarasota County Schools district. The community already hosts a collegiate school for high school diplomas and Associate of Arts degrees, and the State College of Florida, a 100-acre campus with various educational opportunities such as associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees and personal enrichment courses.

Throughout nine neighborhoods in the West Villages district, Wellen Park currently offers single-family and attached homes, from homebuilders including D.R. Horton, DiVosta, Lennar, Mattamy Homes, M/I Homes, Neal Communities, Sam Rodgers and WCI. The single-family homes range from 1,350-square-foot floorplans to 4,000-square-foot floorplans.

Several national homebuilders are currently under contract to construct 2,000 homesites among six new neighborhoods in the Playmore district. The home options will span single-family, villas, townhomes and coach homes.

Additionally located in the Playmore district is the Atlanta Braves' spring training stadium. The year-round Major League Baseball training complex hosts public events throughout the year, such as games, car shows, craft fairs, movie nights, farmers markets and a monthly concert series. Mattamy Homes is currently exploring hotel options within the area to serve the stadium's events.

The Downtown Wellen district, a $60 million, mixed-use development, will feature a mix of shopping, dining and entertainment options with waterfront and public community spaces. Encompassing nearly 175 acres, Downtown Wellen's long-term plans include an apartment complex, an assisted living community and hotel space.

Currently under construction, phase one of Downtown Wellen consists of a town hall, a kids' playground and splash pond, a food truck kiosk area, retail shops, waterfront dining and an outfitter equipped with e-bikes, paddle boards and kayaks. Phase one of the district development is expected to open early 2022.

Opening later this year, Wellen Park's Welcome Center will offer residents and visitors a space to learn about the community, its neighborhoods and its amenities. Attached to the Welcome Center will be a new café, Barrel and Bean, with coffee, craft beer and wine service.

The Welcome Center is located adjacent to the 105,000-square-foot shopping plaza, West Villages Marketplace. The retail center, anchored by Publix, features an array of national, regional and local service providers and restaurants.

Instant Insights /

In-Demand, Master-Planned Community Expands and Rebrands

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