Apartments Spanish Spring

[Eebnhab]

There has been much criticism about The Villages converting space above the Spanish Springs town square into apartments. However, if they are leaving that space (currently used as their offices) for the new building in Brownwood, what exactly do you expect them to do with the space? Leave it vacant? Or, do you have alternative ideas for them to develop the space to generate revenue? Something has to be up there.

[tophcfa]

There has been much criticism about The Villages converting space above the Spanish Springs town square into apartments. However, if they are leaving that space (currently used as their offices) for the new building in Brownwood, what exactly do you expect them to do with the space? Leave it vacant? Or, do you have alternative ideas for them to develop the space to generate revenue? Something has to be up there.

Agreed, second floor apartments in a commercially zoned area are appropriate. On the other hand, the complex planned for Hacienda Hills is a very bad idea.

[Eebnhab]

It also strikes me that their greatest demand is for housing (& maintenance-free properties) not office space, which is the most likely alternative. I think it’s a smart use of a second floor.

[JGVillages]

I heard these apartments come with 2 way noise cancelling headphones so you could communicate with your spouse/sig other when the nightly music on the square was playing.

[Gulfcoast]

How many apartments are there going to be? It doesn't sound like very many. I would imagine that people who are having homes built would love to have the option to rent an apartment while their house is being completed.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

How many apartments are there going to be? It doesn't sound like very many. I would imagine that people who are having homes built would love to have the option to rent an apartment while their house is being completed.

I'd prefer long-term rentals ONLY in apartments. People who are having homes built, already have homes they're living in somewhere else. If a person gets a 1-year lease on an apartment and their new home is ready in only 8 months, what will happen to the rest of their lease? Definitely would NOT want to see ANY subletting allowed, at all, under any circumstances at all. Not even to your own kids or parents. If the leased tenant isn't occupying the apartment, then that apartment should be vacant and available to be leased by someone who will occupy it.

This is theoretically intended for people who would prefer apartment living INSTEAD of property ownership.

[davem4616]

I heard these apartments come with 2 way noise cancelling headphones so you could communicate with your spouse/sig other when the nightly music on the square was playing.


you can't hear the music inside the restaurants in SS....they'll be fine

[asianthree]

How many apartments are there going to be? It doesn't sound like very many. I would imagine that people who are having homes built would love to have the option to rent an apartment while their house is being completed.

8 apartments over a retail store, that you cant hear outside noise, While shopping in the store now. Will be like living in any metro area with convenient downtown area. Guessing they will be high end, with private elevator and special parking. Given the rental prices for the lofts, these few apartments will bring high end rent.

[Northwoods]

It also strikes me that their greatest demand is for housing (& maintenance-free properties) not office space, which is the most likely alternative. I think it’s a smart use of a second floor.

I agree. If you go to any major city, there are always apartments/condos above ground floor retail space. Nothing new. It's a great idea.

[Scott O]

I heard only 10 or 11 not many...much a due about nothing..

[Pillowtalk]

Wonder what they are going to do with the movie theater in Spanish Springs? It’s been under construction a long time?

[airdale2]

The change they are requesting includes all their property in Lady Lake

[Fused Glass]

I heard they were going to be low income housing so the villages meet there quotas per federal guidelines.

[crash]

How many apartments are there going to be? It doesn't sound like very many. I would imagine that people who are having homes built would love to have the option to rent an apartment while their house is being completed.

The number reported is ten.

It is the Hacienda apartments that is disturbing, it is in the middle of single family housing and will drive down pricing in that neighbor.

[Alaska Butch]

How about a new five star restaurant like Katie Bells originally was? Apartments will lead to no more music on the square. Mark my words.

[graciegirl]

Wonder what they are going to do with the movie theater in Spanish Springs? It’s been under construction a long time?

Why all these pot stirring posts from new folks? They. They. They. I think we missed the meeting to slam..."THEY".

On the subject of movie theaters, world wide attendance has dropped. People are watching their movies at home more. Television screens are bigger and cheaper than they were and people can pause and pee and have a lovely Dewars on ice if they wish.

The Pandemic is going to kill a lot of businesses that were heading down.

On that very note, the economy is going to have a rocky ride for the next few years.

[dewilson58]

How about a new five star restaurant like Katie Bells originally was?


5 Stars??......wow. Didn't think KB's draw was ever the food.

[jbrown132]

It also strikes me that their greatest demand is for housing (& maintenance-free properties) not office space, which is the most likely alternative. I think it’s a smart use of a second floor.
What about MVP?

[Ndomines]

I agree. If you go to any major city, there are always apartments/condos above ground floor retail space. Nothing new. It's a great idea.
Apartments over retail space are commonly known as TAXPAYERS.
If you think about it there probably is no bond left to pay so it’s a great way to get somebody else to pay the taxes on the whole building. If there were a chance to add the commercial space taxes to you homes taxes you can bet it would have been done already.

[msilagy]

Did anyone consider there might not be music at the Spanish Spring square anymore? I hope that's not the case.

[Pamelah]

you can't hear the music inside the restaurants in SS....they'll be fine
They’ll be fine if there are no windows and you invite a group of friends in every night of the week during the hours of music. 🥴

[giorgio1948]

Inside renovation

[daca55]

I heard these apartments come with 2 way noise cancelling headphones so you could communicate with your spouse/sig other when the nightly music on the square was playing.

If this apartment trend continues there won’t be any entertainment on the square.

[daca55]

How about a new five star restaurant like Katie Bells originally was? Apartments will lead to no more music on the square. Mark my words.

I agree!!

[GreySkies]

I heard these apartments come with 2 way noise cancelling headphones so you could communicate with your spouse/sig other when the nightly music on the square was playing.

I sense a bit of noise resentment from people enjoying life in your attempt at comedy... people who don't like noise usually are intelligent enough NOT to buy/rent in these type of places.

So if you don't like the noise, don't go / rent / buy

[villager1114]

Nothing needs to be up there esp apts. They built it that way just for show which is the basis of their concepts. Which I am ok with because that is partially why we live in the bubble

[GreySkies]

Nothing needs to be up there esp apts. They built it that way just for show which is the basis of their concepts. Which I am ok with because that is partially why we live in the bubble

To bad, your "assumption" is a complete fantasy.... :ohdear:

The Developer does not live is "bubble" nor do they build buildings "just for show", they will use that empty space as they see fit in order to create income streams, aka Apartments.

[Mike Shebel]

In today’s paper, Sunday , Local News,
C-4, “Villages Seeking Approval To Offer Apartment -Style Living” Interesting reading... looks like many more apartments coming.

[tophcfa]

In today’s paper, Sunday , Local News,
C-4, “Villages Seeking Approval To Offer Apartment -Style Living” Interesting reading... looks like many more apartments coming.

Is there any way that article can be posted for those who don’t have access to the paper?

[NJSonja]

how about the traffic that people who live in that area will now be faced with?

[asianthree]

How about a new five star restaurant like Katie Bells originally was? Apartments will lead to no more music on the square. Mark my words.

KBs was never a 5*. The developer use the restaurant to bring in first time lifestyle people. In 07 Food was good, when we did our 2nd lifestyle. We went again in 2010, food reminded me of buffet Food.
Last time we were there in 14, with friends, watched many just having a drink taking up space to listen to music. Even with drink minimum and food purchase, they could not survive. As many have said they are retired, need inexpensive food not a restaurant that has high price snooty menus.
I agree, if we want to have a restaurant experience we travel out of the bubble. But then again we have not hit our 70s or 80s, so we still drive anywhere we want.

[shirleyjerez]

I can tell you are fairly new to TV. That restaurant was history to TV.since Mr. S who started TV has past things have changed by his children. Anything to make $ is there moto. What is so sad is that they took the bottom out of Katie Bell. For stores. They make more & . They now are taking the top out for apartments, more. $. Hacienda down more apartments, more $ . Must say their dad did what was best for us. He wanted to have a . beautiful place for blue color workers to be able to retire and enjoy. He would never had done anything like rip out history for more $. What was important to MS has Ben taken away. He loved Katie Bell, Hacienda was a favorite. He lived with us from the start. He was part of us. Unlike his Children.

[newgirl]

I think it would be fun to live there for a year!

[jimlambert]

I heard they were going to be low income housing so the villages meet there quotas per federal guidelines. it’s getting pretty deep in here. Better get my boots!

[Jayhawk]

how about the traffic that people who live in that area will now be faced with?

You mean MORE traffic than Katie Belle's would (should) have had?

I don't think so.

[bobnyce]

What traffic in The Villages? You mean we have traffic, I thought it was a bunch of EMS vehicles without lights and sirens. Boy was I mistaken. Drive down Rio Grande Ave. lately? Buckle up for your life's sake not because it's the law, since enforcement does not exist here.

[KRM0614]

I heard these apartments come with 2 way noise cancelling headphones so you could communicate with your spouse/sig other when the nightly music on the square was playing.
That’s a joke right ? Or pure gossip

[merrymini]

The developer is a business and their job is to make money. Apartments on the second floor sound a lot better than an apartment building on Hacienda. The square preexists the apartments, so they will not be calling the shots when it comes to the music. Things will get back to normal again, if people let it. And things change, all the time, and there is nothing you can do to stop it!

[claricecolin]

I can tell you are fairly new to TV. That restaurant was history to TV.since Mr. S who started TV has past things have changed by his children. Anything to make $ is there moto. What is so sad is that they took the bottom out of Katie Bell. For stores. They make more & . They now are taking the top out for apartments, more. $. Hacienda down more apartments, more $ . Must say their dad did what was best for us. He wanted to have a . beautiful place for blue color workers to be able to retire and enjoy. He would never had done anything like rip out history for more $. What was important to MS has Ben taken away. He loved Katie Bell, Hacienda was a favorite. He lived with us from the start. He was part of us. Unlike his Children.

Last I heard the purpose of a business is to make money. To my knowledge this is not a non profit. Like it or not apartment are a good business decision. The Villages will have to continue to attract new retirees that want different things. Not everyone wants the upkeep of a house, some want to stay after death of spouse/partner with less upkeep, this is an alternative to independent/assisted living. It may sound callous but Spanish Springs is the oldest square so it makes sense to be the first reimagined. To continue to be desirable The Villages must evolve to continue the appeal.

[Jayhawk]

Last I heard the purpose of a business is to make money. To my knowledge this is not a non profit. Like it or not apartment are a good business decision. The Villages will have to continue to attract new retirees that want different things. Not everyone wants the upkeep of a house, some want to stay after death of spouse/partner with less upkeep, this is an alternative to independent/assisted living. It may sound callous but Spanish Springs is the oldest square so it makes sense to be the first reimagined. To continue to be desirable The Villages must evolve to continue the appeal.

Right on !!!

[DOGSAREKEEPERS]

I agree. If you go to any major city, there are always apartments/condos above ground floor retail space. Nothing new. It's a great idea.

We didn't move here to be in a MAJOR CITY. We moved here to be in the cute
VILLAGES.

[DOGSAREKEEPERS]

Wonder if the music will come back or not.
Have you noticed that the Enrichment Academy (AKA. Learning Center) Classes are mostly South of Sumpter Landing?

[champion6]

In today’s paper, Sunday , Local News,
C-4, “Villages Seeking Approval To Offer Apartment -Style Living” Interesting reading... looks like many more apartments coming.
Is there any way that article can be posted for those who don’t have access to the paper?Here is the announcement.

[mcmanirog]

How about a new five star restaurant like Katie Bells originally was? Apartments will lead to no more music on the square. Mark my words.
I agree! Why not go back to the original Katie Bell's concept which was very popular and unique??????????????????????

[Boston1945]

Right on !!!

You took the words right out of mouth. Folks get over it.Or like they say..:MOVE ON"

[GreySkies]

We didn't move here to be in a MAJOR CITY. We moved here to be in the cute
VILLAGES.

Hate to rain on your "cute" parade but TV has been growing, it was cute 15 years ago.
With over 75K resident and growing it must evolve and take on the characteristics and infrastructure of a city.

The Villages, Florida Population 2020 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs) (https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/the-villages-fl-population)

[champion6]

Hate to rain on your "cute" parade but TV has been growing, it was cute 15 years ago.
With over 75K resident and growing it must evolve and take on the characteristics and infrastructure of a city.

The Villages, Florida Population 2020 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs) (https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/the-villages-fl-population)That site is wrong.

The current population of The Villages is about 130,000, as recently published in the Daily Sun. And the population has been increasing yearly at a rate of around 5,000.

[Number 10 GI]

it’s getting pretty deep in here. Better get my boots!

It's deeper than boots, hip waders are what you need and pretty soon a wet suit and a snorkel.

[Number 10 GI]

I heard they were going to be low income housing so the villages meet there quotas per federal guidelines.

What federal guidelines?

[Number 10 GI]

I agree! Why not go back to the original Katie Bell's concept which was very popular and unique??????????????????????

Do you really think a business owner sets down one day and decides he needs to change a money making enterprise just to make a change? Apparently the original concept wasn't generating enough revenue so a change was made hoping it would work. Obviously it didn't, that is why it closed.

[Carla B]

That site is wrong.

The current population of The Villages is about 130,000, as recently published in the Daily Sun. And the population has been increasing yearly at a rate of around 5,000.

Agree. Twelve years ago our sales agent claimed there were about 70,000. 12 x 5,000 = 60,000 more now, so 130,000 sounds right.

[airdale2]

Inside renovation

I hears 12 Apts for KB's

[Northwoods]

Nothing needs to be up there esp apts. They built it that way just for show which is the basis of their concepts. Which I am ok with because that is partially why we live in the bubble

You do realize that The Villages has offices and employees on the second floor above Soma, Tervis, etc. They also have employees on one of the upper floors in the same building as MVP.
So no... the 2nd floor isn't just built for show....

[Marshaw]

Your confusing. Offices and old Katie's what are you referring to. If Katie's it looks like a long range plan. Clos down stairs. Move it up stairs. Clos and sell apts.e Katie's

[vintageogauge]

That site is wrong.

The current population of The Villages is about 130,000, as recently published in the Daily Sun. And the population has been increasing yearly at a rate of around 5,000.

When we moved here over 3 years ago the population was 125,000 all north of 44 there are now a lot more than 5,000 people living south of 44.

[Lvienneau]

Could be correct. Maybe setting up in case a new president gets in and they follow the proposed new HUD Guidelines in their platform. No federal funding for roads etc if a certain percentage of housing isn’t for lower incomes. Interesting thought.

[vintageogauge]

Could be correct. Maybe setting up in case a new president gets in and they follow the proposed new HUD Guidelines in their platform. No federal funding for roads etc if a certain percentage of housing isn’t for lower incomes. Interesting thought.

The Villages does not stand alone nor does it have government. It is part of Wildwood, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park and soon to be Leesburg and I'm sure they already have the housing and/or planned housing in place.

[rnhager07]

I am doubting this is the case. What federal law are you using as a basis for this conclusion?