North River Ranch By Neal Land & Neighborhoods Takes Shape
Construction underway on new, master-planned community in north Manatee County; models opening Spring 2020
PARRISH, Fla. – (Feb. 28, 2020) – Neal Land & Neighborhoods today introduced North River Ranch, a 2,600-acre, mixed-use master-planned community that will redefine north Manatee County. Located just off Moccasin Wallow Road and U.S. 301 between Tampa, Sarasota and St. Petersburg with easy access to I-75, the 20-year project will offer more than 6,000 single-family homes, townhomes and apartments when complete.
As one of the few master-planned communities in the county, the development will bring an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, anchored by an expansive, walkable and bikeable trail network designed by Avid Trails that will be embedded into a central Greenway eco-corridor running throughout the community. From a challenge course and multiple active and passive fitness stations to pocket and picnic parks and other open spaces, everything will be designed to appeal to those seeking an active lifestyle. An event lawn and multi-purpose sports field enhance the reasons to go – and stay – outdoors.
New schools within walking distance, intimate gathering spaces, a planned Village Center for shopping, conveniences and office space, and modern-day services and amenities were all thoughtfully planned to create connections and a true sense of neighborhood for a multi-generational audience.
“We have been very purposeful to design a modern community with an element of discovery. Our vision is to create a place with a foundation for traditional neighborhood values,” said John Neal, President of Neal Land & Neighborhoods. “This will provide the sense of community that people crave and where residents will benefit from an unrivaled trail system that organically integrates neighborhoods and linear parks, farmers markets and entertainment, restaurants and boutique shops, businesses and service amenities.”
The community will be especially appealing to those seeking a dynamic, uncomplicated lifestyle with the benefits of a new home and a new community, an incredible value, and an easily accessible location to Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota’s larger metropolitan areas.
Phase 1 Underway
The first phase, currently under construction, sits on 270 acres with plans for 769 single-family homes and townhomes across two neighborhoods. Homes range from $200,000 – $400,000, with square footage between 1,445-3,550 square feet.
The Brightwood neighborhood, sitting just north of Moccasin Wallow Road, will feature two- and five-bedroom homes with den and bonus room options by Centex Homes, KB Homes, Park Square Homes and Homes by WestBay. It will also be home to the Brightwood Pavilion, the community’s 4,100-square-foot clubhouse with game room, resort-style swimming pool, playground, firepit gathering area, and sports field.
On the opposite side of Moccasin Wallow Road is the Riverfield neighborhood, with three- and four-bedroom single-family homes and townhomes by David Weekley Homes and Neal Communities, complemented by Riverfield Verandah pool amenity area. A grocery-anchored retail center is also planned to include restaurants and a daycare.
Model Homes
The first Centex model homes will open in early 2020, with the remaining builders set for completion Summer 2020.
Improved Infrastructure
Getting here and getting around will also be easy for residents, thanks to roadway and infrastructure improvements the Neal Land team is making to meet demand from the expected influx of new residents to Manatee County.
Through a public-private partnership with Manatee County, Neal Land & Neighborhoods is building three new segments of Fort Hamer Road from U.S. 301 north to connect to Moccasin Wallow Road. Segment B is scheduled to open by the end of 2019, with Sections A and C to follow in 2020. Neal Land & Neighborhoods also funded a school access road for North River’s Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School, directly across the street from North River Ranch.
Neal Land & Neighborhoods is a Manatee and Sarasota, Florida-based community and master land planning and development organization led by John A. Neal. The company incorporates smart master-planning and public infrastructure solutions to create the next level of elite community planning in Southwest Florida. By working with carefully selected new home builders, Neal Land & Neighborhoods aims to establish thriving, sustainable, livable and ecologically sensitive communities throughout Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties. Neal Land & Neighborhoods currently owns or controls several thousand acres of land entitled for more than 9,000 future residential homes and the supporting mixed-use commercial and retail.