Plans submitted for new Manatee County Publix

Developers have submitted plans for a new Publix in west Bradenton. The supermarket will be in SeaFlower Village Center, a future development that will be connected to the soon-to-be-built SeaFlower residential community.

The Publix will be 50,000 square feet and will include a separate Publix Liquors store, according to a statement from the developers of SeaFlower.

Designed to evoke the ambience of a Main Street, the SeaFlower Village Center will include retail, dining and entertainment options linked to the residential portion of SeaFlower via a 2.5-mile multi-modal trail ideal for pedestrians, cyclists and golf carts.

SeaFlower is a mixed-use community that will be built on 1,175 acres previously used as a flower farm for more than 80 years. It was named SeaFlower in tribute to the land’s history as well as its location near the bay. 

The first phase of development, where the shopping center will be located, is west of 75th Street West and south of Cortez Road on 400 acres. It will include 1,063 residential units, 600 apartments, 250 hotel rooms and 350,000 square feet of office and retail space.

“Introducing a Publix to the SeaFlower community exemplifies the thoughtfully designed, connected neighborhood we've been envisioning in collaboration with Manatee County for over a decade,” says Edward Hill of Lake Flores Land Co. in a statement. The land company is working with investment partner LAMB Properties to develop the project. 

“SeaFlower residents will enjoy convenient access to shopping and public spaces, all within their own community, as additional stores and amenities come to life in the SeaFlower Village Center," Hill says.

Publix marks the first tenant unveiled at the SeaFlower Village Center, and an opening date has not yet been determined, officials say in a statement. CASTO and Redstone Investments will be developing and managing the leasing for SeaFlower Village Center, according to the statement.

A welcome center and model homes at SeaFlower will open in spring 2025, according to a statement from developers, with the first resident move-ins to follow in summer 2025. At full buildout, the community will include 4,000 residential units.