Milwaukee business magnate John Schroeder originally purchased the 8,500-acres that comprise Lakewood Ranch in the early 1900’s. Two decades later, the Uihlein family, founders of the Schlitz Brewing Company, acquired the property and continued to expand the agricultural operations still active today: cattle ranching, vegetable, citrus, timber, and turf farming as well as shell mining. In 1994, development of Lakewood Ranch began, and since 2005 every village built has used products and techniques that result in more energy efficient and environmentally responsible homes. Today, Lakewood Ranch is the largest green master planned community in the United States, a tribute to its founders to be good stewards of the land.

The epicenter of Lakewood Ranch is The Country Club, an impressive members only golf and country club, surrounded by an exquisite collection of neighborhoods, connected by miles of sidewalks and trails. Each of the seven different neighborhoods offers a variety of floor plans and price ranges to elegantly suit any lifestyle. Prices start as low as the 200’s for well-appointed townhomes to luxurious custom homes valued well over $1 million dollars, complete with sweeping golf course views.

The private Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club offers three courses that challenge at every level of play. Royal Lakes and Cypress Links were masterfully crafted by the Palmer Course Design Company with golfers of differing abilities in mind. The third architectural masterpiece, King’s Dunes, is the creation of Rick Robbins, an outstanding golf course designer who ensured a challenging 18-hole play for the seasoned golfer. As a member, you have the privilege to play all 54 holes. Complementary golf support facilities, such as a driving range, a putting green, a practice area for chipping, golf pro shop, spacious locker rooms, and golf cart storage are also included.

In addition to these upscale amenities, the clubhouse, occupying 44,000 square feet of floor space, is equipped with a sophisticated lounge, a grille, an elegant dining room for formal social functions, and numerous private dining rooms for club members and guests. The Athletic Center’s fitness center not only offers state-of-the-art equipment, but a junior-size Olympic swimming pool, 18-lighted tennis courts, steam room, sauna, whirlpool and court-side deli. Alternatively, for members who wish to experience laid-back country club living, a number of lounges as well as card rooms are at their disposal.

Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club successfully combines the best of modern conveniences and world-class amenities with a feeling of community rarely seen today. The result is an impressive country club lifestyle with family and friends enjoying recreational activities in a casual, elegant Floridian paradise.

Nearby Attractions

Music on Main Street
It might be swing, it might be country, or it might just be a little bit of rock and roll. But it’s always free and its always the first Friday of every month on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch
Since 1991, the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch has been providing exhilarating polo matches every Sunday during winter season. With 130 acres of perfectly manicured grounds, the Sarasota Polo Club boasts nine world-class polo fields and a regulation size arena.

Saturday Farmers Market
Buy local and shop with area farmers every Saturday from 8am to 1pm on Main Street November through May.

Sarasota’s largest master-planned community, Palmer Ranch consists of 10,000 acres of beautifully developed land. The community presents residents with a wide range of lifestyle choices, from maintenance-free villas and condominiums to beautiful single family homes. All located just minutes from the county’s renowned beaches, cultural, business and civic centers.

The Palmer Ranch area was original purchased in 1910 by the late Bertha Honore Palmer, a wealthy socialite businesswoman from Chicago.  Mrs. Palmer was one of Sarasota’s most influential founders. She invited many of her Chicago friends to visit her in her newly found paradise including John Ringling. A great supporter of the Arts, Bertha and her friends are largely responsible for the thriving arts community we enjoy today. They of course needed entertainment during their winter holidays so, they founded many of the arts organizations we still enjoy today. 

Palmer Ranch real estate includes three golf country clubs, the TPC Prestancia and the Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club, and on the very edge of Palmer Ranch is The Oaks Club, the original location of Bertha Palmer’s home.  These fine golf course communities are gated neighborhoods and have a variety of homes from large estate homes to maintenance free villas to condos.  All of the neighborhoods are gated communities in Palmer Ranch with the exception of Stonebridge and The Isles on Palmer Ranch.  

The Legacy Bike Trail is a 12 mile section of old railroad track that has been taken up and paved to make a 12 foot wide bike path.  This paved bike path runs from McIntosh Road through Palmer Ranch just west of the neighborhood of Turtle Rock and continues south into Venice, FL.  Residents and visitors to Sarasota enjoy walking, rollerblading, and biking on this safe and easy to use bike trail.  Along with being a great area with many amenities the Palmer Ranch neighborhoods are about a 15-20 minute drive to the world famous Siesta Key Beach. 

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