Lakewood Ranch is one of the largest master-planned communities in the country, spanning parts of both Sarasota and Manatee Counties. It's built as a collection of distinct villages rather than a single neighborhood, each with its own character, amenities, and price point, which is part of why it draws such a wide range of buyers: young families, retirees, and everyone building a custom home in between.
Just over twenty-five years ago, a construction manager who was starting to build in Lakewood Ranch described to me what the big picture was going to look like. At the time, I could not wrap my brain around it. It just seemed like such a huge project. But 25 years later it is the top selling master planned community in the nation.
The community includes established villages like Country Club, Lakewood National, and River Club, along with newer sections: Waterside, Shellstone, Wild blue still in active development. Residents have access to an extensive trail system, top-rated schools, Main Street's shops and restaurants, and recreational infrastructure like Premier Sports Campus, a regional hub for athletics and community events. Lakewood Ranch also continues to see new construction across several of its villages, giving buyers the option to build rather than buy resale. If new construction is your interest, you need Susan L. Phelps as your guide.
Lakewood Ranch is a 33,000+ acre master-planned area spanning Sarasota and Manatee Counties, roughly bounded by I-75 to the west, SR 64 to the north, Fruitville Road to the south, and an expanding line to the east (it's grown past its original footprint multiple times, most recently with the 2023 Manatee County vote adding acreage near Taylor Ranch).The scale of the community means it changes shape often — new sections open, new amenities come online, and local projects (large and small) move through county approval processes that can affect nearby property values and daily life. For buyers considering a luxury or custom home in Lakewood Ranch, understanding not just the amenities but the pace of development and the local decision-making process is part of making an informed choice.
Susan L. Phelps has followed Lakewood Ranch's growth since its earliest days and works with buyers across its many villages. Read more about her background.
