Lakewood Ranch
Ten years ago, an expanse of pasture east of Interstate 75 in Manatee County showed the beginnings of what is now Lakewood Ranch, an award-winning master planned community. It was originally settled by John Schroeder in the early 1900s and later purchased by the Uihlein family, founders of the Schlitz Brewing Company, as a way to expand its agricultural operations.

In 1994, after years of planning and seeking permits with Manatee County, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch received permission to begin a residential development on a portion of the land east of I-75, and Lakewood Ranch began its baby steps toward the future. Under the motto, Live, Work and Play on the Ranch, Lakewood Ranch strives to provide an all-inclusive, small-town feel for its residents.
Live - Lakewood Ranch's design is based on the village concept. Each village has its own distinct personality, from the family-friendly Greenbook Village to the upscale Country Club. Currently, there are five villages in Lakewood Ranch - Summerfield, Riverwalk, Edgewater, Greenbrook and the Country Club. Edgewater and the Country Club are the only two that are gated. The newest village in the works is The Lake Club, designed to conjure visions of the Italian countryside. Homes in Lakewood Ranch can range in price from the $200,000s for a townhome or condo to upwards of over $1 million in the Country Club.

The explosive growth of Manatee and Sarasota counties has fueled continuing interest in Lakewood Ranch. As a master planned community, Lakewood Ranch has been able to provide amenities to its residents so that anything they need is never more than a walk or short drive away.
Lakewood Ranch is proud to offer local schools for children living in the Ranch. There are two highly ranked public elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school currently on the Ranch with several more on the drawing board. Many students are within walking or biking distances of these schools. The Out of Door Academy, a private middle and high school, also calls Lakewood Ranch home. Secondary education isn't forgotten either. Keiser College has its campus here as well as the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Residents needn't leave the Ranch to find medical care. The recent completion of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center enables residents to live within a few minutes drive of their health-care providers. LRMC is a 120-bed acute care facility with over 300 physicians on staff. The adjacent 60,000-square-foot medical office complex is home to primary and specialty care physicians, providing a wide range of medical services for not only the residents of Lakewood Ranch, but also the surrounding community.

Work - Lakewood Ranch not only strives to provide the best in community living, but also strives to provide the extra bonus of a place to work. With its Corporate Park-the largest in Sarasota County-and Class A office space, working on the Ranch is attractive to employers as well as employees. Office space is available in multiple campus-like settings.
Play - A main goal of Schroeder Manatee Ranch (SMR) has been the preservation of as much green space as possible. In fact, over half of the land that Lakewood Ranch occupies is set aside for recreation. In addition to the parks and trails, there are two championship caliber golf courses offering up to 54 holes of golf. The Sarasota Polo Club is located on the Ranch and provides a relaxing afternoon. The Lakewood Ranch Fitness and Aquatic Center is home to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, two pools and a tennis center. The nearby DVA Arena is currently under construction. The arena will also be available as a concert venue. Also planned for the area surrounding the arena is a bowling alley and more facilities.
A strong sense of community is evident when you realize that there are over 80 clubs in which to join. With everything from Active Women Seniors Club to Youth Roller Hockey, there is a group that will suit just about any interest.
Shop - Shopping is the newest attraction at Lakewood Ranch. Currently, one can find small boutiques, local restaurants and a national chain restaurant on the Ranch, as well as the Main Street shopping district, which began its phased opening in December 2005. Main Street offers upscale shopping and dining with the addition of a six-screen movie theater in summer of 2006.
The Future - Sondra Guffey, media and communications director, says that 2006 will be an exciting time on the Ranch. "In the first quarter of 2006, we are looking forward to the completion and official grand opening of Main Street. We are excited about the opening of The Lake Club. We have been able to bring in outstanding luxury builders. The Lake Club is designed to evoke an 'old vineyard' feel. It's really going to be beautiful."
For more information, visit www.lakewoodranch.com or visit their information center located at 6220 University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida, or phone 1-800-30RANCH. -