Wellen Park ranked nationally as No. 6 best-selling community in 2024

Wellen Park is the sixth top-selling community in the U.S. for 2024, according to prominent national real estate consultants RCLCO and John Burns. Announced this week, the rankings are based on last year’s sales of 960 new homes. Sales at Wellen Park were up 10% from 2023.

            “Every sale at Wellen Park represents the decision by homebuyers to live a vibrant lifestyle in a community focused on wellness and community connections,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “We are thrilled by the trust these new residents place in our community. We have consistently sold more homes each year for the past several years.”

            Local and national homebuilders have greatly expanded Wellen Park’s residential offerings with the introduction of exciting new neighborhoods, including the first for active adults 55 and over, and home product options that range from paired villas, condos, coach homes and townhomes to traditional, custom and semi-custom single-family homes. Wellen Park neighborhoods appeal to a variety of residents, from move-up buyers and families of all sizes to empty nesters, retirees and those looking for low-maintenance living, as well as seasonal residents.

Thoughtfully designed environments and curated amenity offerings throughout Wellen Park have also proven to wow homebuyers, with stunning surroundings nestled along wetlands, nature preserves and lakes. Wellen Park continues to elevate residents’ lifestyles with new amenities, parks and trails, including a community garden, Harvest Community Garden, for residents and future Oakheart Nature Trail. The community is also close to the area’s white-sand beaches in Venice and Manasota Key, as well as other beaches within a short drive

The increase in home sales also highlights Wellen Park’s commitment to health and wellness, outdoor recreation and an authentic community vibe – characteristics more buyers are looking for, Severance noted.

            “Buyers recognize that Wellen Park is more than a new home; it’s a lifestyle filled with boundless opportunities to connect to nature, neighbors and enjoy a sense of community,” Severance said. “We host year-round community and cultural events like art shows, concerts and farmers markets, weekly exercise classes and biking, running and walking clubs. It’s easy to be involved and to be well.”

Downtown Wellen is the region’s must-visit social and gathering spot offering restaurants, boutiques, beauty services, and medical and professional offices. The downtown’s unique outdoor experiences range from intimate parks, a natural playground and an outdoor living room shaded by a decades-old relocated live oak tree to larger gathering spaces like the Great Lawn for community festivals, markets, celebrations and events, and the lakefront fountain and splashpad. The pedestrian-friendly downtown emphasizes connections to community and nature and celebrates a waterfront vibe with the 80-acre Grand Lake providing a scenic backdrop and opportunities for fishing and paddle sports

Wellen Park’s growth and increasing popularity among multigenerational homebuyers is attracting more businesses, healthcare services, professional offices and top schools. Its safety and resiliency during recent storms are also attracting attention.

            A collection of healthcare facilities has recently opened in Wellen Park, with others soon to be or already under construction. Millennium Physician Group opened its brand-new 13,000-square-foot location in Wellen Park in Q2 2024. The state-of-the-art healthcare center provides primary care and lab and imaging services to the residents and the surrounding areas. HCA Florida Englewood Hospital broke ground on a brand-new emergency department early spring and anticipates a Q2 2025 opening. CASTO Healthcare Real Estate is also developing a three-story, 75,000-square-foot medical office building for physicians, specialists and healthcare professionals in the community. Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice is planning a freestanding emergency care center at 7900 S. Tamimi Trail. The campus will also include medical offices for outpatient services and specialty care, and has the potential to connect to a future hospital.      

Schools throughout Wellen Park cater to the educational needs of area students. College Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free K-8 charter school, welcomed its first students in 2023. Prodigy Early Learning, a preschool for 200 children, recently opened, and Primrose School, which provides early learning for infants through kindergarteners, is finalizing its first Venice-area school near Downtown Wellen. The school is anticipated to open in Q1 2025. Sarasota County Schools is building a new high school and K-8 school in Wellen Park. Children in Wellen Park are also eligible to attend Sarasota Schools’ A-rated Taylor Ranch Elementary, Venice Middle and Venice High schools. Additionally, the State College of Florida Collegiate School-Venice located in Wellen Park, is a free public charter school offering a high school dual enrollment program where students earn a high school diploma while also earning an associate in arts degree from State College of Florida.

Wellen Park is also home to CoolToday Park, spring training stadium for the Atlanta Braves. The stadium is a dynamic hub of activity, hosting not only spring training games but also community events and concerts throughout the year. This unique connection to a Major League Baseball team adds a unique vibrancy to Wellen Park, offering residents and visitors alike opportunities to enjoy professional sports close to home and fostering a sense of pride and camaraderie.