A LITTLE ST. ARMANDS, A LITTLE NYC
Could housing really become hip, as in Greenwich Village hip, in the single-family world of Lakewood Ranch?
It might be possible on Main Street, where condos above the new shopping district could have a style and uniqueness akin to other chic urban neighborhoods.
The new Main Street is "a little St. Armands Circle, a little New York City," says Milt Flinn, president of Lakewood Ranch Realty.
Across from the hospital on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, the district is budding with restaurants and shops and, most notably, above-storefront housing. The concept of this mixed-use development was finalized three years ago, and as soon as the residential prospects hit the market, buyers scooped them up.
First, there were the Lofts on Main, which took about 15 months to build, and all sold last year within three weeks. The 20 units, ranging from 1,100 to 1,600 square feet, feature views of the three downtown blocks below as well as posterior parking. The one- and two-bedroom apartments, complete with granite countertops and geometric accents, were priced between $449,000 and $669,000.
"Many of these units are very unique because the façade on Main Street is so different," Flinn said. "One has an octagon window like you'd find in an apartment in New York City."
Then there are the newly released adjacent Lakeshore Condos by Realco Florida, located behind the Michael Saunders & Co. building. These 44 waterfront units display even higher quality, sitting on the 160-acre Lake Uihlein surrounding Main Street. Two five-story structures house the 1,860- to 3,940-square-foot upscale apartments, as well as a swimming pool, spa, meeting room and exercise facility. The coveted dwellings are going for $798,000 to $1,899,000 for a penthouse. One of these premiere suits has already sold, and Flinn anticipates the remainder of the properties will go within weeks.
"We're getting more activity all the time. The tenants so far tend to be people who like the cosmopolitan type of lifestyle," Flinn said. "You can park your car and walk around. You can shop at Morton's, all without a vehicle. When you want to go, you can lock and leave."
Buyers have been predominantly in their mid-30s to early 60s, with a median age of about 45 to 50, Flinn said. These urban-minded folks enjoy the pleasures of seven restaurants, including five with bars inside, and plenty of shopping options. Many of the stores still have yet to open.
"It really has the St. Armands kind of feel. It also gives you that looking-out-from-a-New-York-storefront effect," Flinn said.
Another project called the Waterfront, a 56-condominium concept, is also in its very early stages. It is to be set behind the upcoming Lakewood Ranch Cinemas at the point of Main Street's peninsula.
"We're still noodling with the design," said Mike Mervis, a spokesman for Towne Realty, which is responsible for the Waterfront. "We're in the final design phase, and once we complete that we'll have final design, pricing, and expect to go to market in the next 12 to 18 months. We're very excited about being in that area."
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Abby Weingarten
Correspondent
Herald Tribune
Article published Jul 6, 2006
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