Venue appearance, location concerns neighbors

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Just one week after opening the office doors to the luxury apartment complex, The Venue at Lakewood Ranch is already 15% leased and demand for the luxury apartments is high, according to leasing officials.

But not all of the neighbors are receptive to the latest residential offering in Lakewood Ranch.

Comments received in emails from Lakewood Ranch residents to District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and other elected officials reveal there’s concern about The Venue’s proximity to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, its color scheme and its perceived inability to blend in with the rest of the master-planned community.

Comments about the apartment complex began to appear in emails sent to commissioners in September about the application by Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to make changes to its University Lakes Development of Regional Impact, which would raise construction of a Lakewood Ranch Main Street residential parcel from five stories to seven stories.

While discussing why they oppose that revised application, which will be reviewed by the Manatee County Commission Oct. 2, several residents used The Venue as an example of construction they don’t want to see in Lakewood Ranch again.

In an opposition email sent to Baugh, Watercrest resident Lewis Berman said “while the Manatee Board approved it, I doubt that they realized how its (The Venue’s) appearance would lessen the appeal of the Village.

“Not only do the colors cheapen its appearance, but it would seem to be the first buildings in the area, both in and out of the country club, without some sort of distinctive slate roofs,” Berman wrote. “The inexpensive asphalt black shingles with metal covering certain roof lines enhance the cheapness…though it does complement the chintzy multi-colored buildings. The thought of even larger residences will lower the overall mental representation and the dollar value of the entire Lakewood Ranch community.”

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty real estate agent Beth Pheney, in a Sept. 10 email to Baugh, said The Venue “looks to be rather inferior construction compared to most other buildings here and the colors leave a lot to be desired as well.”

In a Sept. 9 email to Baugh, Lakewood Ranch resident Ian Bacon called The Venue “the first hint of urban development.”

“How can the Manatee County planning board allow buildings so close to the street/sidewalk?” Bacon wrote.

Jen Wetter, assistant manager at The Venue, said she has not heard of the negative comments about the apartments, noting the apartments, its color scheme and its buffering from the road was approved by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and county commissioners.

The project didn’t receive any variances and its footprint met county codes and the master-planned community’s requirements.

“We have given 150 tours already,” Wetter said. “We gave 72 tours last week and interest is high.”

The 237-unit apartment complex is still under construction through the end of the year as leasing agreements are signed for building one, which is already complete (see sidebar). Five apartments are already occupied in the building.

Baugh said she’s heard a lot of negative comments about The Venue’s appearance.

“The bottom line is a lot of residents are upset about the height there and it being so close to the road,” Baugh said. “But I think the buildings turned out beautiful and, as time goes by and we get acclimated to seeing them, I think the neighborhood will agree they are an asset.”

Baugh noted there’s a need for luxury apartments in the area.

“We’re a master-planned community and there will always be a need for apartments for those who don’t wish to own,” Baugh said. “These are luxury, upscale apartments and when all is said and done, they are a wonderful addition to the Ranch.”

The Venue at Lakewood Ranch
The apartment complex of 237 units at 8240 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 661 square feet to 1,400 square feet.

Rental prices in the community range from $1,009 per month to close to $3,000 per month.

For more information, contact The Venue’s office at 893-5817.