Builders break ground on Arbor Reserve

EAST COUNTY — Two local homebuilders have joined forces to welcome a new community to the East County.

Taylor Morrison and Ryland Homes broke ground Oct. 22, on their new 95-home development, Arbor Reserve.

The private, gated, single-family home project sits on nearly 40 acres, at the northeast corner of Lockwood Ridge and 59th Avenue East. The site, formerly home to Turner Tree & Landscaping, is located immediately north of the Silver Lakes community and across the street from Barrington Ridge.

“With the size of Arbor Reserve, having 38 acres and 95 single-family homes, this neighborhood will become one of our more highly sought-out properties,” said Steve Kempton, president of Taylor Morrison’s West Florida Division. “Its (location is in) close proximity to I-75 and (being located) close to the downtown areas of Bradenton and Sarasota will make this an easy lifestyle for the buyers.”

Amenities will include a pool, cabana, gazebo, playground and sports court.

“Amenities are very important to our buyers, and we create play spaces within all our communities,” Kempton said.

Bulldozers began moving earth earlier this month and now are working to shape the community’s three lakes. Model homes for both Taylor Morrison and Ryland are expected to open in the first quarter of 2013, and both companies will have sales staff onsite.

Taylor Morrison will be building larger estate-style homes, while Ryland will be constructing smaller cottage-style homes, said Cammie Longenecker, vice president of sales and marketing for Taylor Morrison’s West Florida Division.

Taylor Morrison officials said they are pleased to join forces with Ryland Homes for the project’s development and construction.

“We both saw an opportunity for a strategic partnership to bring Arbor Reserve to the market at this time,” Longenecker said.

No opening date has yet been set for the community.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].