Laurel Park homesites sell for $1 million

New construction continues to pour into Laurel Park, as David Weekley Homes has closed on the $1 million sale of vacant lots at the intersection of Osprey Avenue and Laurel Road. The firm plans to build four new homes in the middle of a neighborhood with at least four other residential projects in the works.

"Laurel Park is a unique area with deep historical roots,” said David Weekley Homes Sarasota Division President Joe Fontana in an email. "It’s also a desirable area due to its proximity to downtown and walking distance to restaurants, shopping and local amenities.”

The homebuilder bought the two properties, which will be split into four lots following city approval, from George Wald, who last purchased the larger parcel for $775,000 in 2004, and the smaller lot for $300,000 the following year.

"We hope to break ground in early 2016 and will have broken ground on all four homes within a year,” Fontana said."We’ve been very proactive in working closely with the neighborhood association for architectural input and we’re planning on using architectural styles that currently exist within the historical neighborhood, such as Craftsman."

The site sits across the street from Gulfside Homes' 8-unit Cottage Walk, which is currently under construction, and two blocks from as many as 20 townhomes Oaktree Development has proposed on Laurel.

Nearby, Jebco Ventures is finishing up the more than $8 million luxury townhouse project within the Laurel Park Overlay District, while Canadian developer Vandyk is working through plans for a 24-unit mixed-use development along Orange Avenue and Alderman Street.