Homebuilding exec joins new company

WEST VILLAGES — Area developer Paul Erhardt has been named president of the West Villages development team.

Erhardt will direct all aspects of development at the West Villages, a 15,500-acre multi-builder, master-planned community in south Sarasota County, according to a statement. Erhardt has more than 13 years experience in both homebuilding and community development in the region. He was most recently senior vice president of homebuilding and development for WCI Communities, and he led WCI operations in Southwest Florida, the release adds. He was with WCI since 2004.

“I am excited to be a part of this dynamic and capable West Villages Florida team,” Erhardt says in the statement. “I am honored to have the opportunity to plan and develop an entirely new town which reflects the trends in the way people live today and try to anticipate the future.”

Erhardt has been in the homebuilding and development industry since 2001. Martin Black remains with the project, as chairman of the West Villages Improvement District. He will focus on entitlements and planning.

West Villages, the fourth fastest selling community nationwide, is made up of seven contiguous neighborhoods: Sarasota National, Grand Palm, Gran Paradiso, Island Walk, Renaissance and the upcoming Preserve and Oasis. Plans are in the works for a new downtown within the heart of the community, as well the spring training baseball facility for the Atlanta Braves.