Major League Football Coming to Lakewood Ranch

  A new professional football league will soon call Lakewood Ranch and Manatee County home according the press materials passed out in advance of press conference today. Major League Football (MLFB) is expected to announce that it will locate its new headquarters and training facilities in Lakewood Ranch. MLFB expects to have 10 teams with each team bringing 80 players to our area each training season.

  MLFB looked at Arizona, Texas and Orlando in addition to Lakewood Ranch. But with the Manatee Commission approval this week of a $200,000-plus incentive package, the deal has been settled. The new football league reportedly selected the Lakewood Ranch location for several reasons but clearly one of those reasons is the availability of the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.

  Frank Murtha, senior executive vice president for Major League Football said that the league has talked to Premier Sports Campus about using its fields for the league's spring training camp, which will be held each year in February and March.

  "The first thing that got us to look at the Lakewood Ranch location is the Premier Sports Campus and the fields located there, which would obviously have the capacity to have all 10 teams training and practicing in one location. That and the geographic proximity to air transportation were certainly factors,” Murtha said. He also commented that “even beyond all that, though, the sports mentality of Manatee and Sarasota counties, the whole area, is what attracted us."

  Murtha said that the league has taken some giant steps and is hoping to finalize a few remaining matters in the very near future including the availability of office and local hotel space."

  The move of Major League Football to Lakewood Ranch is yet another step in the transformation of the Sarasota - Manatee County into a major U.S. sporting venue. This announcement follows the announcement a few months ago of the transformation of Nathan Benderson Park into the Number 1 competitive rowing facility in North America and the site of the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

  Golf, polo, spring training baseball, tennis and all sorts of water sports and powerboat racing are already well established in this area. Bringing Major League Football and world class rowing competition will further enhance the reputation of this area as a top-notch sporting mecca.

  If participating in or just enjoying watching top notch sporting events is something you enjoy, you’ll find this area very attractive. Contact Me on my Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch real estate website or call me at 941.228.2321 for more information.

15th Annual ArtCenter Manatee “Art at the Ranch” a Big Success

  8,000 fans of fine crafts, jewelry, painting, photography and sculpture came to Lakewood Ranch Main Street last weekend for the 15th annual “Art At The Ranch” festival to view, and some to buy, the creations of 61 craft artists. The wide variety of pieces on display ranged from glass teapots and pottery to and photographs on canvas. The festival was sponsored by ArtCenter Manatee and LWR Communities, Inc..

  Artists participating in the festival submitted pieces for prizes in the several categories including painting and drawing, sculpture, fine crafts, photography, jewelry and pottery. The 2015 “Art at the Ranch” Best of Show ribbon went to sculpture artist Brian Weissinger, who works in wood, stone and metal. His prize-winning work at this show, Category 5, used mahogany and metals in an impressive display of sculpting artistry.

  Tampa artist Tony Moore, whose medium is pencil illustrations, also created great buzz at the show. His booth at the festival was filled with pencil portraits of jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong and John Coltrane along with portraits of bluesman B.B. King's hands playing Lucille, his guitar. He also offered pencil sketches of Jimi Hendrix and baseball giant Jackie Robinson.

  Some artists, including Joe Kanoza, well-known for his vibrant portraits and golf landscapes, also hosted painting demonstrations for onlookers.

  If you might be interested in exploring your inner artist, offers day, evening and weekend art classes in painting, drawing, painting, drawing, pastels, pottery, jewelry design, photography and other disciplines for both adults and children at its location at 209 Ninth Street. ArtCenter Manatee also displays art on a continuous basis in 3 galleries at its location along with five classrooms, a gift shop and an extensive art library. Call the ArtCenter at 941-746-2862 for more information.

  This festival, along with so many others, including WinterFest and the family-friendly music festival, Ranch Jam 2015, keep residents of Lakewood Ranch entertained and busy throughout the year.

  If a home or condo in Lakewood Ranch here on the Florida Sun Coast just a hop, skip and a jump from the finest beaches in America including world-famous Siesta Key Beach sounds appealing to you, give me a call at 941-228-2321. Or, you may want to visit my Sarasota Florida real estate website. I’d be delighted to hear from you and answer your questions about why investing in a home or condo here would be such a great investment.

Elegant Home For Sale in The Lake Club

  Here is a beautiful home awaiting its new owner. This custom home at 16304 Baycross Drive sits on a breathtaking lakeside lot in The Lake Club in the master-planned community of Lakewood Ranch in Florida. Lakewood Ranch is consistently ranked among the top 10 master-planned communities in the United States.

  As you arrive at this stunning four bedroom, 3 1/2 bath estate home, your first views are of lush landscaping, stone trim & Juliette balconies giving this home incredible curb appeal. The designer front doors with iron details open into a formal living room with disappearing sliders and a separate dining room with elegant architectural details, ceiling treatments and crown moldings.

  The kitchen features the latest design features with a large center island, quality wood cabinets, granite counter tops, stone backsplash, stainless appliances and a large walk-in pantry. The family room with a 14 foot ceiling opens to the pavered lanai with an outdoor kitchen and a spectacular salt water pool, spa and inviting fire pit that's perfect for entertaining or relaxing while enjoying views of the tranquil lake setting.

  The spacious master suite boasts a comfortable sitting area with bay windows, his and her walk-in closets and the luxurious en suite master bath has separate vanities with beautiful wood cabinetry, marble counter tops, a sunken tub and walk-in shower.

  On the first floor, there's an additional guest bedroom, full bath, a half-bath and an office with wood floor. The second level features two more bedrooms with four walk-in closets, a full bath, a bonus room with decorative ceiling treatments and a balcony with delightful lakeside views.

  Other features of this inviting home include impact-glass windows and an over sized 3 car garage.

  In addition to all it's own features, this home is located in The Lake Club, a distinctly upscale Tuscan-inspired community with a plethora of amenities including a 20,000 square foot elegant clubhouse exclusively available to owners of homes within Lake Club. The club's facilities include two resort-style swimming pools, a day spa, fitness center, an elegant high-ceiling ballroom and full concierge services. The community is also highlighted with beautiful bridges and lush tropical landscaping throughout. If you are a golfer, The Lake Club is within just minutes of five 5 premier golf courses. For families with school age children, one of the most inviting features of Lakewood Ranch is its top-rated schools

  Priced attractively at $1,475,000 this elegant home built in 2013 is available for viewing now. Call me to arrange a tour of both this home and The Lake Club community at 941-228-2321 and please mention MLS Listing A4110595. I would be delighted to be of service to you and your family.

Intro to the Central Park "village" in Lakewood Ranch

  The Central Park "village" in Lakewood Ranch is comprised of 7 distinct neighborhoods centered around a 10-acre Central Park, its main attraction for families of all ages. Children of all ages enjoy the playground, the splash park and the baseball field as well as playing with their four-legged friends in the dog park. There are also 2 tennis courts and meandering sidewalks for relaxing strolls or bike rides.

  To reach Central Park, from University Parkway east of I-75, turn onto Lakewood Ranch Blvd and then turn right at Malachite Drive into Central Park. The builders in Central Park include well-known names like Cardell Homes, Neal Communities, Bruce Williams and Lee Wetherington all with many years of building homes in this part of Florida.

  The neighborhoods of Piedmont Park, Forest Park, Brickell Park and Gramercy Park include homes generally priced from the mid $100's. Claremont Park and Longview Lake Park have larger homes up to 3,000 square feet priced from the $200's to over $500,000. Homes in Central Park are attractive to retirees as well as young families. There is a strong sense of community in this community and it stems from that wonderful park where neighbors meet and greet and get to know one another. And, there's another plus. Families with children appreciate the top-rated schools in Lakewood Ranch.

  Homes in Central Park, like all homes in Lakewood Ranch, are built to meet or exceed Florida's Green Building Coalition standards for energy efficiency, clean indoor air, sustainability and drought resistant landscaping using plantings native to Florida.

  Another reason why so many people are flocking to one of the ten "villages" in Lakewood Ranch is the attractive area known as "Main Street" where you'll find retail shops, office space, gourmet and family-friendly restaurants and entertainment spots.

  There is a comfortable and affordable home awaiting you in the Central Park section of Lakewood Ranch and my goal as a Realtor who specializes in Lakewood Ranch real estate is to help you select the perfect home or condo in the right neighborhood in the price range with which you're most comfortable.

  If you'd like to review homes for sale in Central park or in in all of Lakewood Ranch, use the Lakewood Ranch Real Estate section of my website. Or, if you prefer, call me now at 941-228-2321. I'd be happy to answer all your questions.