Are you considering a move to one of Lakewood Ranch’s prestigious gated communities but feeling overwhelmed by the numerous options? You’re not alone. Lakewood Ranch has evolved from farmland and cattle ranches in the mid-1990s to become one of Florida’s most sought-after master-planned communities, offering a wide array of residential options to suit various lifestyles and budgets.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 10 exceptional gated communities in Lakewood Ranch where you can still purchase new construction homes. From ultra-luxury estates to more affordable family homes, these communities showcase the best of what Lakewood Ranch has to offer in terms of amenities, location, and lifestyle.
Understanding Lakewood Ranch’s Development
Lakewood Ranch has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past three decades. What was once primarily agricultural land has blossomed into a thriving, multi-faceted community that continues to expand and evolve. As Ryan Zachos, broker-owner of Zachos Realty & Design Group explains, “When I was growing up here, Lakewood Ranch was essentially farm or cattle ranches. There was really nothing out there, but starting in the mid-90s, they started developing Lakewood Ranch.”
This development has accelerated over time, with Lakewood Ranch now recognized as one of the nation’s premier master-planned communities. The area offers diverse housing options, extensive amenities, and a lifestyle that appeals to a wide range of residents from young families to retirees.
Luxury Gated Communities in Lakewood Ranch
The Lake Club and Monarch Acres
At the pinnacle of luxury living in Lakewood Ranch stand two exceptional communities: The Lake Club and Monarch Acres. These communities represent the highest price points and most luxurious offerings currently available with new construction options.
The Lake Club: Established Elegance with New Opportunities
The Lake Club is an established neighborhood that has long been synonymous with luxury in Lakewood Ranch. What makes it particularly relevant for today’s buyers is the new section developed by Stock Development in recent years.
From the moment you enter The Lake Club, the atmosphere is unmistakably upscale. The entrance evokes the feeling of an Italian vineyard, with cobblestone driveways and a blend of Venetian and Italian architectural influences. The community features stunning lakes and world-class amenities, including:
- An exquisite amenity center
- On-site restaurant
- 24-hour fitness facility
- Resort-style pools
- Meticulously landscaped common areas
The newer Genoa section of The Lake Club offers homes starting just over $1 million, providing an entry point into what is frequently considered the most prestigious community in all of Lakewood Ranch.
Monarch Acres: Exclusive Custom Luxury
For those seeking the ultimate in exclusivity, Monarch Acres presents a rare opportunity. This intimate eight-home community is built by John Cannon, one of the premier custom home builders in the Sarasota and Manatee County region.
John Cannon’s reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail is reflected throughout Monarch Acres. The homes in this exclusive enclave start at around $3 million, placing them at a premium price point even within the luxury category.
Both The Lake Club and Monarch Acres stand apart from other communities in Lakewood Ranch in terms of price point and luxury offerings. Their gated entrances provide an additional layer of privacy and security that many luxury homebuyers prioritize.
Premium Gated Communities by National Builders
Esplanade at Azario, The Isles, and Monterey
The next tier of gated communities in Lakewood Ranch offers excellent amenities and distinctive features while remaining at a somewhat more accessible price point than The Lake Club or Monarch Acres.
Esplanade at Azario: The Golf Course Advantage
Esplanade at Azario holds a unique distinction among Lakewood Ranch’s new construction communities: it’s currently the only gated golf course community where new homes are still available. Built by Taylor Morrison, this community continues the success of the established Esplanade Golf & Country Club concept that has thrived elsewhere in Lakewood Ranch.
Azario offers diverse housing options, including:
- Attached villas (starting in the $500,000s)
- Detached villas
- Single-family homes (ranging up to $2-3 million for larger golf course properties)
The amenities at Azario are truly resort-caliber, featuring:
- Full-service restaurant with formal and casual dining areas
- Poolside bar
- Resort-style swimming pool
- Comprehensive fitness center
- Championship golf course
For buyers specifically seeking a golf course lifestyle with new construction opportunities, Esplanade at Azario represents the premier choice in today’s Lakewood Ranch market.
The Isles and Monterey: The Toll Brothers Experience
The Isles and Monterey share a developer—Toll Brothers—and consequently offer similar aesthetics and community features. While Monterey is still in the early stages of development, The Isles provides a fully realized example of the Toll Brothers approach to community building.
The Isles features:
- Resort-style pool
- State-of-the-art fitness center
- Community lawn spaces for activities like cornhole and bocce
- Comprehensive amenity center
Homes in both communities typically start around $850,000 to $900,000, depending on the model and size. Toll Brothers’ reputation as a quality national builder with attention to detail makes these communities particularly attractive to those familiar with their work elsewhere in the country.
Monterey, while still developing, promises to deliver the same level of quality and amenities that have made The Isles successful. Both communities offer gated security and the reassurance of purchasing from an established, reputable builder.
Active Adult Living in Lakewood Ranch
Cresswind: The 55+ Option
For those seeking an active adult lifestyle in a gated community with new construction opportunities, Cresswind stands alone as Lakewood Ranch’s only 55+ community currently offering new homes.
Developed by Kolter Homes, Cresswind represents the company’s expansion from its established reputation as a luxury condominium builder into the single-family home market. This community offers:
- Age-restricted living for adults 55 and older
- Single-family homes ranging from the $600,000s to over $1 million
- Numerous model homes on site for touring
- Resort-style pool
- Comprehensive fitness center
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Walking trails
While Cresswind doesn’t feature an on-site restaurant like some of the other communities mentioned, it does provide essentially every other amenity that active adults typically desire. The age restriction ensures that residents share similar lifestyle priorities and creates a cohesive community atmosphere.
It’s worth noting that Lakewood Ranch does have another 55+ community—Del Webb—but it is fully built out with no new construction opportunities available.
Entry-Level Gated Communities in Lakewood Ranch
Lorraine Lakes and Star Farms
For buyers seeking more affordable entry points into Lakewood Ranch’s gated community lifestyle, Lorraine Lakes and Star Farms represent the most accessible options currently available with new construction.
Lorraine Lakes: Lennar’s Offering
Developed by Lennar, one of America’s largest homebuilders, Lorraine Lakes provides:
- Townhomes
- Smaller single-family homes
- Larger single-family home options
- Extensive community amenities
The community has garnered mixed reviews depending on whom you ask, which is common for large-scale developments aimed at providing more affordable price points. What’s undeniable is the value proposition—Lorraine Lakes offers the security of a gated community and comprehensive amenities at the lowest price points available in new construction Lakewood Ranch homes.
In terms of location, Lorraine Lakes enjoys a slightly more favorable position compared to Star Farms, being marginally closer to Sarasota, though the difference is minimal—just a couple of miles.
Star Farms: Diverse Housing Options
Star Farms, developed primarily by DR Horton, offers a unique mix of housing options spanning a wide price range. The community includes:
- Townhomes
- Small single-family homes
- Larger single-family residences
What sets Star Farms apart is the integration of some custom-built, multi-million-dollar estate homes within the same community as more affordable options. This creates an interesting dynamic that elevates the overall community profile while still maintaining accessibility for buyers at various price points.
Both Lorraine Lakes and Star Farms were designed with amenities as central features. These communities offer comprehensive recreational facilities, including:
- Resort-style pools
- Fitness centers
- Sports courts
- Social spaces
- Walking trails
For buyers prioritizing new construction, gated security, and extensive amenities while working within a more modest budget, these two communities merit serious consideration.
Mid-Range Gated Communities in Lakewood Ranch
Sapphire Point, Sweetwater, and Windward
Between the entry-level options and the luxury communities lie three excellent mid-range gated communities offering new construction in Lakewood Ranch. These neighborhoods typically start in the $600,000s and increase in price depending on home size and features.
Sapphire Point: Pulte’s Compact Community
Developed by Pulte Homes, Sapphire Point is a relatively smaller gated community situated conveniently off State Road 70. Despite its more compact footprint compared to some of the mega-communities in Lakewood Ranch, Sapphire Point doesn’t skimp on amenities, offering:
- A well-designed community pool
- Fitness center
- Social spaces
The more intimate scale of this community appeals to buyers seeking the security of a gated neighborhood without the sprawling nature of some larger developments.
Sweetwater: A Family-Friendly Option
Developed by M/I Homes, Sweetwater offers diverse housing options including:
- A gated villa section at the rear of the community (providing a more affordable entry point)
- Smaller single-family homes
- Larger estate-style residences
The amenities at Sweetwater are particularly impressive, featuring:
- A resort-style pool
- Comprehensive fitness center
- Unique BMX “bump track” designed with young families in mind
This combination of housing diversity and family-oriented amenities makes Sweetwater especially appealing to households with children.
Windward: Location Advantage
Developed by Neal Communities, a highly regarded local builder, Windward distinguishes itself primarily through its exceptional location. Situated on the Sarasota County side of Lakewood Ranch and accessible from Fruitville Road, Windward offers:
- Proximity to downtown Sarasota (just 10-15 minutes away)
- Significantly shorter drive times to Gulf beaches compared to communities on the eastern side of Lakewood Ranch
- Villa options starting in the $500,000-$600,000 range
- Single-family homes ranging up to well over $1 million (particularly when including custom pool packages)
- Resort-style pool
- Tennis courts
- Pickleball courts
- Fitness center
For buyers who prioritize convenience to Sarasota’s urban amenities and Gulf beaches while still wanting the Lakewood Ranch lifestyle, Windward offers a compelling geographical advantage over communities situated further east.
Comparing Amenities Across Communities
One consistent theme across all ten of these gated communities is the emphasis on lifestyle amenities. While specific offerings vary, most communities feature:
Water Features
- Resort-style pools are standard across all communities
- Some feature additional lap pools or water play areas for children
- Many incorporate decorative lakes and water features throughout the community
Fitness Options
- Dedicated fitness centers range from basic to comprehensive
- Tennis and pickleball courts are common in mid to high-end communities
- Walking trails appear in most developments
Social Spaces
- Clubhouses and gathering areas for community events
- Some higher-end communities include full-service restaurants
- Outdoor social spaces for activities and gatherings
Security Features
- All communities feature gated entrances as the premise of this guide
- Some have staffed entrance gates while others utilize electronic access systems
- Many incorporate additional security measures like perimeter fencing or surveillance
The level of amenities generally corresponds with the price point, with the luxury communities offering the most extensive and exclusive options. However, even the entry-level communities provide impressive amenity packages that would have been reserved for only premium developments in previous decades.
Making the Right Community Choice
When evaluating these ten gated communities in Lakewood Ranch, consider the following factors to determine which might be the best fit for your lifestyle and needs:
Budget Considerations
- Luxury tier: The Lake Club and Monarch Acres ($1 million to $3+ million)
- Premium tier: Azario, The Isles, and Monterey ($850,000 to $2+ million)
- 55+ option: Cresswind ($600,000s to $1+ million)
- Mid-range tier: Windward, Sweetwater, and Sapphire Point ($600,000s to $1+ million)
- Entry-level tier: Lorraine Lakes and Star Farms (starting at more accessible price points)
Lifestyle Priorities
- Golf enthusiasts will find Azario’s golf course community most appealing
- Active adults 55+ will appreciate Cresswind’s age-restricted environment
- Families with young children might gravitate toward communities like Sweetwater with family-oriented amenities
- Luxury buyers seeking exclusivity might prefer the limited homesites of Monarch Acres
- Those prioritizing convenience to downtown Sarasota should consider Windward’s favorable location
Builder Preferences
- John Cannon (Monarch Acres) represents custom luxury building
- Stock Development (Lake Club – Genoa section) offers semi-custom luxury
- Toll Brothers (The Isles and Monterey) provides premium production building
- Taylor Morrison (Azario) delivers established golf community expertise
- Kolter (Cresswind) specializes in 55+ lifestyle communities
- Neal (Windward), M/I (Sweetwater), and Pulte (Sapphire Point) represent quality mid-range options
- Lennar (Lorraine Lakes) and DR Horton (Star Farms) offer value-oriented production homes
Location Within Lakewood Ranch
- Western communities like Windward provide better access to Sarasota
- Eastern communities offer newer infrastructure and amenities
- Northern communities connect more easily to Bradenton
- Southern communities provide better access to Sarasota County schools
The Evolution of Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch’s transformation from agricultural land to premier master-planned community represents one of Florida’s most successful development stories. What began with limited residential areas and Lakewood Ranch High School’s first football games has evolved into a multifaceted community with diverse neighborhoods, commercial centers, medical facilities, and recreational options.
As development continues, buyers have the unusual opportunity to purchase new construction homes across various price points while still enjoying the established infrastructure and reputation that comes with a mature master-planned community. This combination of new home opportunities within a proven community concept makes Lakewood Ranch particularly attractive compared to entirely new developments elsewhere.
The ten gated communities highlighted in this guide represent the current state of new construction opportunities in Lakewood Ranch, but the area continues to evolve. Future phases and communities will likely emerge as existing neighborhoods reach completion, ensuring that Lakewood Ranch remains a vibrant, growing part of the Southwest Florida landscape for years to come.
Ready to Explore Lakewood Ranch’s Gated Communities?
If you’re considering relocating to Lakewood Ranch or anywhere else on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast, the Zachos Realty & Design Group is here to help. With over 40 years of local expertise and a unique combination of real estate knowledge and award-winning design vision, we can help you find the perfect property that matches your lifestyle needs.
Contact us today:
- Phone: 941-500-5457
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: 205 N Orange Ave Suite 202, Sarasota, Florida 34236
Visit our YouTube channel “Florida Relocation Experts” for more insider guides to Florida’s Gulf Coast communities.
