National builder begins construction in master-planned community

LAKEWOOD RANCH — National homebuilder Toll Bros. has started construction on The Isles at Lakewood Ranch. 

The gated development is the company's first Lakewood Ranch community. Lakewood Ranch is a master-planned community in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The Isles at Lakewood Ranch is off University Parkway, just west of Lorraine Road. 

It will have about 450 single-family homes and a clubhouse as well as parks, including a dog park, boardwalk and walking trails. 

According to a press release, site development is underway and construction for the sales center and three model homes began recently. The community is expected to open this fall.

“It’s exciting to watch The Isles at Lakewood Ranch take shape with significant progress being made each week,” says Toll Bros. West Florida Division Vice President Rodney Tucker in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming Lakewood Ranch residents and prospective home buyers to the community this fall.”

Toll Bros. is also building the Palazzo at Naples community and the Azure at Hacienda Lakes community in Naples. The company operates in 20 states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.