Wellen Park, Babcock Ranch grow rapidly

WELLEN PARK — Three Southwest Florida communities made the Top 12 of the fastest-selling master-planned communities in the country.

Wellen Park in North Port; Babcock Ranch in Charlotte and Lee counties; and Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota and Manatee counties are all on the latest hot list, according to national real estate consultants RCLCO and John Burns.

Lakewood Ranch is second on the list; Wellen Park is sixth and Babcock Ranch is at No. 12.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, a total of 573 Wellen Park homes were sold, a 33% increase over the same time frame in 2023.

In January 2024, Wellen Park ranked ninth, while other local masterplanned communities Babcock Ranch and Lakewood Ranch also placed in the Top 10.

Lakewood Ranch had 1,238 sales during that time period.

Lakewood Ranch, straddling Sarasota and Manatee counties, is ranked second, just behind The Villages.

Babcock Ranch fell five places, placing 12th. According to the study, 446 home sales were made by the solar powered community.

Wellen Park President Rick Severance said he was happy with his community’s growth.

“This year continues to be another successful year of home sales,” Severance stated in a news release. “We’re delighted by the number of new homebuyers who are discovering our special community and have decided to call this their forever home.”

He said he thinks the growth is partly due to Wellen Park’s offerings.

Those, he said, include quick access to health care facilities, education opportunities, and a number of commercial businesses in close proximity.

Wellen Park is now home to approximately 10,000 people.

At full buildout, 50,000 residents and 22,500 homes are expected.

People and houses will be divvied up into Wellen Park’s three districts: West Villages, Downtown Wellen and Playmore.

The community is home to a number of shops and restaurants. Some are large scale franchises like Publix, while others are locally owned, such as the Banyan House.

Banyan House founder David Valentino said the population boom of the community has been amazing to witness, and great for him as a business owner in Wellen Park.

“The growth in Wellen Park has been nothing short of astounding,” Valentino said.

The “Main Street environment” of the area gives it a distinct personality.

“As a local hospitality group, we were thrilled to have an opportunity of this scale right on our doorstop. Consequently, we did not hesitate to jump in with both feet, as it were,” Valentino said.

He believes local restaurants are a large part of what gives any area its identity.

“And, if you’ll forgive the pun, it’s flavor,” he said.

Valentino said his eateries in the community each offer something different.

They provide three “distinct experiences” in Downtown Wellen Park.

He said Claw & Co Lobster truck has a casual picnic feel. Acqua Pazza Coastal Italian has an intimate feeling perfect for a date night, and The Banyan House offers casual yet elegant fine dining.

He also owns restaurants across the entire area in the likes of Venice, North Port and Port Charlotte.

But the growth of Wellen Park, in particular, has been incredible, according to Valentino.

“The community is welcoming new residents on what feels like a daily basis,” Valentino said.