Wellen Park named best overall development in Sarasota and Manatee counties

VENICE, Fla. (April 1, 2026) – Wellen Park was named the best overall development in Sarasota and Manatee counties during the 2026 Suncoast Builders Association Parade of Homes. The annual event, which celebrates innovation and beautiful home design across the region, also recognized multiple neighborhoods and builders within Wellen Park. Brightmore, the 55+ neighborhood within Wellen Park was named best overall community, and 11 model homes earned best overall honors in their price ranges.

“The Parade of Homes highlights the quality and variety of homes offered across Wellen Park,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “This recognition reflects the strength of our builders and our continued focus on creating a community where thoughtful design, amenities and everyday livability come together in a meaningful way.”

In all, the Parade of Homes awards recognized 11 model homes in Wellen Park and 10 builders for design excellence in an array of categories including best architectural detailing, curb appeal, floor plan, kitchen, master suite and pool design. The homes also showcase the latest trends in energy efficiency, sustainability and everyday living.

National homebuilder Lennar was the community’s top winner, receiving 14 awards for its single-family and multifamily model homes in Wellen Park Golf & Country Club, a golf neighborhood with resort-style amenities. Mattamy Homes also earned 12 awards for its models in Palmera and Lakespur, in addition to best overall community for Brightmore, and Best Overall Multifamily Home for their Acacia model in Palmera.

Visitors to the Parade of Homes explored a range of neighborhoods, amenities and home designs that reflect the unique blend of community-focused living that sets Wellen Park apart. Wellen Park is the eighth top-selling master-planned community in the U.S.

The winning models are currently available for tours, allowing prospective homeowners an opportunity to experience the craftsmanship and design excellence recognized during the Parade of Homes. With a wide range of styles and floor plans, Wellen Park offers diverse options to suit varying preferences and lifestyles.

Model homes in Wellen Park are open daily. Check hours of operation for each builder on wellenpark.com.

Top honors awarded during the Parade of Homes include:

Best Overall

Development: Wellen Park

Community: Brightmore by Mattamy Homes

Multi-Family Home: Acacia by Mattamy Homes at Wellen Park

Single-Family Homes

Overall Award Winners:

• Dream 2 by Neal Communities
• Cove Prairie by Toll Brothers
• Outrigger by Homes by Towne
• Ravenna by Neal Signature Homes
• Caravel by Lee Wetherington Homes
• Costa Mesa by ICI Homes
• The Warrina by John Cannon Homes

Multifamily Homes

Overall Award Winners:

• Arrowhead by Lennar
• Arbor by Lennar
• Delmar II by Mattamy Homes
• Acacia by Mattamy Homes

Best Pool

• Caravel by Lee Wetherington Homes

About Wellen Park  

With a focus on wellness, community connections and a vibrant lifestyle, Wellen Park offers an array of homes and neighborhoods built by leading national and regional builders. Ranked the No. 8 best-selling community in the nation for 2025 by prominent national real estate consultants RCLCO and John Burns, Wellen Park is planned for more than 50,000 residents and 22,500 homes at full buildout. The community is currently home to 10,000 residents who enjoy on-site recreational and fitness opportunities, amenities, events, Downtown Wellen and proximity to the area’s top-rated Gulf of Mexico beaches.

Wellen Park continues to expand residential and lifestyle choices with new gated neighborhoods featuring private amenities, low-maintenance villas, coach homes and condominiums, plus custom, semi-custom and single-family homes, including the community’s first enclave for active adults 55 and over.

Traditional apartment and single-family home rentals are also available as is world-class independent, assisted living and memory care.

For more information about Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to www.wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice, Fla.

Contact:

Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and PR, 239-275-5758, [email protected]