Top 7 New Communities in Southwest Florida Near the Beach [2025]

Introduction

Hey everyone — welcome back! In today’s post, I want to dive into something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately: the relationship between how close you are to the coast and where the new construction communities actually are across Southwest Florida.

What People Really Want:

Over the past few weeks, I’ve talked to a ton of people, and the sentiment is starting to shift. While most still want to be near the beach, the desire to be right on top of it has started to come with more hesitation. Why? Because the trade-offs — high fees, storm risk, older buildings, limited inventory — are becoming too much for many.

For most folks, that 1-3 mile range from the beach is filled with high-rise condos, older properties with constant assessments, or scarce single-family homes on barrier islands. Even if you have the budget, the value may not always be worth it.

Instead, I’m seeing more people target that 7–12 mile range, maybe stretching to 15 miles — a sweet spot just west or east of I-75. These areas give you:

• The best of the new construction suburbs
• More square footage and amenities
• Walkable town centers and commercial hubs
• And still, a manageable 18–35 minute drive to the beach

Key Areas to Watch:

Let’s break this down by key districts and communities that fall within that ideal coastal radius.

1. Waterside at Lakewood Ranch

Before you roll your eyes and say “Lakewood Ranch isn’t near the beach,” hear me out. Waterside is different.

It sits at the southwest edge of Lakewood Ranch, making it the closest section of this massive, top-ranked master-planned suburb to the Gulf. Most of the Waterside communities are 11–15 miles from the coast, especially spots like Lido Key or Siesta Key.

But here’s the big draw: it’s not just one neighborhood — it’s a whole ecosystem. If one builder or community doesn’t work for your needs, there’s a plan B, C, and D. You get variety, availability, and better timing. Plus, you get communal perks like Waterside Place (the downtown district), UTC Mall, and more.

Notable Waterside Communities:

• The Alcove at Waterside (Neal Signature): Semi-custom homes, 46 total lots, no big amenities but perfect for those wanting a beautiful home without frills
• Avanti (Pulte): Smaller homes, good for investment or partial residency
• Emerald Landing (David Weekly): Coastal-urban style homes — narrow, long homes with a unique vibe
• Nautique (MI Homes): Townhome-heavy with some single families
• Kingfisher Estates (John Cannon): Luxury niche, only about 13 homes
• Shoreview (Pulte): One of the originals in Waterside
• LakeHouse Cove (Homes by Towne and others): Lovely lakeside living, more established
• Windward (Neal): Often overlooked but super close to town
• Shellstone (Homes by Towne): The newest, sitting near Wild Blue’s freshwater lake — underrated villa product and beautiful larger homes

2. Wellen Park

This area has exploded in popularity and is one of the best examples of combining master-planned convenience with beach proximity. It's located in Venice, which has that charming “old Florida” feel — laid-back, slightly cheaper, and slower-paced than Sarasota.

From Wellen Park, you're looking at roughly 11 miles to Manasota Key Beach, and you’re also close to Venice Island, Venice Beach, Caspersen Beach, and Brohard (the county’s only dog beach).

Highlight Communities:

• Palmera: A newer, multi-builder community with big potential. You’ll find David Weekley, Homes by Towne, ICI, M/I Homes, Neal, and more — all in one spot.
• Wellen Park Golf & Country Club (Lennar): Golf optional, great amenities, affordability because of Lennar’s spec-style building

3. SkyE Ranch & Central Sarasota

If you’re stuck between Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park, Skye Ranch offers a middle-ground that keeps you closer to Siesta Key Beach. Located just off Bee Ridge, this puts you parallel to Siesta Key, with a direct route about 13 miles one way.

Sky Ranch (Taylor Morrison) includes:

• Esplanade at SkyE Ranch: Non-golf, amenity-rich, with access to models like Lazio and Blasio
• Cassia: More affordable, family-friendly
• Nearby Options: Grand Park, Artistry, Hi Hat Ranch (pending) offer similar suburban comforts

4. SeaFlower (Western Bradenton)

This is where it gets interesting. SeaFlower is a 1,200-acre master-planned community being built just 5 miles from Bradenton Beach — incredibly rare.

This western Bradenton area has always had inconsistent housing stock, but SeaFlower is flipping the script with a full lineup of respected builders:

• Cardel, David Weekly, ISSA, Pulte, M/I Homes
• Plans for a village center, lake, markets, and more
• First phase: 400+ acres, with strong long-term potential

If you’ve got vision and patience, SeaFlower feels like Wellen Park 4 years ago — and that means opportunity.

5. BeachWalk (Englewood)

One of the only golf-cart distance new construction communities to the beach in Southwest Florida.

• About 2.5 miles to Manasota Key Beach
• Resort-style community by DiVosta (a Pulte brand)
• Includes restaurant, strong floor plan options, and affordability compared to Wellen Park

A sister community to…

6. Talon Preserve (North of Venice Island)

Talon Preserve sits just 4.6 miles from Nokomis Beach, with access to Venice Island and even Siesta Key from the north.

This Pulte community is surprisingly central, putting you close to multiple beach options and offering:

• Restaurant
• Family-friendly amenities
• Access to Venice and Sarasota in a single package

7. Bonita Del Sol (Bonita Springs)

Let’s not forget about Bonita Springs, nestled between Naples and Fort Myers. Here, new construction west of I-75 is more doable than in Sarasota.

• 4.5 miles to Barefoot Beach
• Pulte’s Scenic, Distinctive, and Echelon home collections
• Mid $400Ks to over $1 million, depending on upgrades
• Great access to North Naples and FGCU lifestyle

Bonus: The Quay District (Downtown Sarasota Condos)

If you’re a condo person, downtown Sarasota’s Quay District is fascinating right now.

• 14-acre waterfront redevelopment
• Multiple Ritz-Carlton residences, high-end buildings like ONE Park and The Bayso
• Walkable to Marina Jack and Lido Key
• New projects like Cordelia (luxury rentals), and the redevelopment of the Hyatt and Golden Gate Point
• Restricted height keeps the skyline tasteful, and views are insane

Final Thoughts

If you're considering a move to Southwest Florida, understanding how far you're willing to be from the coast — and what you gain or lose in that trade-off — is absolutely crucial.

• Closer to the beach: limited options, older buildings, high prices
• 7–15 miles out: new construction, more space, more amenities
• Master-planned areas: built-in town centers, multiple builders, and consistent vibes
• 

If you need help navigating this — especially with real-time info, early builder releases, or comparing communities — feel free to reach out. My team specializes in this stuff and would love to help.

And don’t forget to sign up for the  monthly email manifesto — it’s one email every 30 days packed with insider info, updates, and no fluff whatsoever, as well as FREE Relocation Guides. Thanks for reading — see you in the next post!

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