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Lakewood Ranch: Curating Healthy Living in Southwest Florida

Decades ago, when developers sought to build a world-class, health-conscious community in Southwest Florida, they envisioned parks, sports, clubs and medical facilities that would improve residents’ daily lives and society’s long-term needs.

Today, Lakewood Ranch’s master plan curates a combination of health, wellness and breakthrough scientific research to deliver meaningful, healthy living.

Spread across 50 square miles along Interstate 75 just 45 minutes south of Tampa, “The Ranch” is the nation’s top-selling community of its kind for three years running, in large part because of its wellness services.

“Holistic wellbeing has been in our DNA from the start,” said Laura Cole, senior vice president of Lakewood Ranch Communities. “It has become our greatest asset in building a community that today’s buyer demands.”

Some 1,000 new arrivals come to Florida each day seeking a place with no state income tax, warm winters, and an exceptional quality of life. With A-rated schools and higher education options ideal for today’s youth and tomorrow’s well-educated workforce, The Ranch is meeting – and exceeding — buyer demands.

Spirited well-being begins outdoors. Parks and open space account for some 40% of The Ranch’s more than 33,000 acres. Hike and bike the over 150-mile trail network winding through the community. Take yoga and barre in the park, or do a “mindful” triathlon. The golf courses, soccer fields that host the annual Nike Invitationals, and the 130-acre Sarasota Polo Club offer hundreds of open acres.

Indoors, each of the more than 20 villages offers resort-level amenities, and the 60 social clubs ensure residents of all ages stay fit, connected and stimulated.

Residents from throughout the region entrust their health to Lakewood Ranch physicians, who practice more than 60 disciplines. The 120-bed Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is nationally acclaimed for numerous specialties.

Beyond the bounds of physical health is The Brain Health Initiative. Headquartered in The Ranch, this revolutionary, collaborative approach to neuroscience research is spearheaded by leadership from the Academy for Brain Health and Performance and Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital. The BHI and its landmark, multi-generational study have established Southwest Florida as a destination for brain-health discoveries benefitting residents from children to seniors, including those in The Ranch’s assisted living and memory care homes.

Rounding out this pursuit of innovation is the Collaboration Opportunities for Research and Exploration (CORE) at Lakewood Ranch. Scientists, educators and researchers are exploring and commercializing STEM disciplines, furthering health innovation on Florida’s Suncoast.

More than 25 years since the first resident moved in, Lakewood Ranch’s open spaces, sports programs and medical and scientific infrastructure have proven to be the masterplan for meaningful, healthy living.

Learn more at LakewoodRanch.com.