Talk of The Villages Florida

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-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Katie Belles to become apartments (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/katie-belles-become-apartments-310348/)

John41 08-23-2020 05:53 AM

Katie Belles to become apartments
 
One more amenity bites the dust in America’s friendliest home town. Katie Belles is to become apartments in Spanish Springs. Apparently the developer is on a rampage to convert The Villages into a mixed multi family community for which the roads were not designed to hold the traffic. Urban sprawl at its worst.
Is the Waterfront Inn at Sumter Landing next?

rustyp 08-23-2020 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1821438)
One more amenity bites the dust in America’s friendliest home town. Katie Belles is to become apartments in Spanish Springs. Apparently the developer is on a rampage to convert The Villages into a mixed multi family community for which the roads were not designed to hold the traffic. Urban sprawl at its worst.

Hold on to your boot straps. Here comes the experts flogging you for for saying Katie Belle's is an amenity. Then we will continue on that tangent instead of discussing the real issue of Katie Belle's closing and being replaced by somewhat of a surprise (good or bad?) in a commercial area.

Wing-nut2 08-23-2020 06:51 AM

How long will it be . . .
 
How long will it be before The Villages offers Fully Furnished Apartments complete with golf cart use? Are they trying to kill the buy a house and rent it until retirement market?

It's all about the $$$.

dewilson58 08-23-2020 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing-nut2 (Post 1821477)
How long will it be before The Villages offers Fully Furnished Apartments complete with golf cart use? Are they trying to kill the buy a house and rent it until retirement market?

It's all about the $$$.


1,000 apartments vs 60,000 homes...............they will need a bigger fly swatter before they can kill anything. :ho:

CanTho 08-23-2020 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1821480)
1,000 apartments vs 60,000 homes...............they will need a bigger fly swatter before they can kill anything. :ho:

Love the response, " Precious ". :)

Madelaine Amee 08-23-2020 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1821438)
Is the Waterfront Inn at Sumter Landing next?

What a great idea ......... I'll be first in line for one of those:icon_wink:

CanTho 08-23-2020 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1821438)
One more amenity bites the dust in America’s friendliest home town. Katie Belles is to become apartments in Spanish Springs. Apparently the developer is on a rampage to convert The Villages into a mixed multi family community for which the roads were not designed to hold the traffic. Urban sprawl at its worst.
Is the Waterfront Inn at Sumter Landing next?

Katie Belle's an " Amenity " ?

The agent conveniently forgot to inform me bummer if I had only known :shocked:

Dr Winston O Boogie jr 08-23-2020 07:11 AM

Eventually, everything in the The Villages will be turned into apartments. There will be no rec centers, no pools, no golf courses, no tennis courts, no parks and no single family homes. The goal is to turn it into The Bronx of Florida. 😂😂

pkfavreau2 08-23-2020 07:17 AM

I thought Katie Belles was resident owned. That is at least what we were told, of course they renovated it without any residents input. Oh well.

graciegirl 08-23-2020 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing-nut2 (Post 1821477)
How long will it be before The Villages offers Fully Furnished Apartments complete with golf cart use? Are they trying to kill the buy a house and rent it until retirement market?

It's all about the $$$.

Apparently there is another poster with a very similar name to Wingnut the guy with the drone.

Am I right? This is very confusing. I read the post above and thought.......this doesn't sound like Wing Nut. AT ALL. And I disagree, with the post above. I really don't like it when someone uses a very similar name. It happened to me once and that was done with malice.

Dana1963 08-23-2020 10:16 AM

I could care less even if they turn the 3 theaters into apartments. Don’t plan on ever going again.

dadspet 08-23-2020 12:36 PM

Renovation of Katie Belles and now converting to Apartments is a sad trend !
 
As homeowners since 2007 we were sad and disappointed that Katie Belles was remodeled and now even worst being converted into Apartments. As dancers, one of the key attractions for us buying a house here was our " Private - Resident Only unique two story country night club, Katie Belles". We really enjoyed the entertainment and atmosphere of the original Katie Belles. Whenever friends visited the first place we would take them was Katie Belles. When they converted it into a 2nd Floor only restaurant with entertainment it lost most of its unique atmosphere but still wasn't a bad place to go for dancing and a meal ( yes we did eat there and loved their martini flights) but it was no longer unique it just became a nice restaurant with a nice (but sticky) dance floor. Everyone we knew that went there was clearly in agreement it was a step in the wrong direction. Now removing it altogether and putting in Apartments is even worst. Adding more and more apartments and removing landmarks is a sad direction. Our hope is that they have a plan to recreate the 2 story Katie Belles in one of the new areas > Seems like the restaurant space in Brownwood next to BlueFin would be a great location and it's been vacant since the Square opened. But then again that's only a wishful dream and chances of converting that space into apartments ( and the square itself) is probably more likely. Sad very sad!

Wing-nut2 08-23-2020 04:13 PM

Gracie Girl

The other guy is GoldwingNut. I don’t know how long he’s been on the board, but I’ve been here over 10 years. Not sure, but I think I was here first. I average less than 2 posts per month. I clearly don’t try to be poster of the month, so I’m not surprised you don’t know me.

Dond1959 08-23-2020 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadspet (Post 1821680)
As homeowners since 2007 we were sad and disappointed that Katie Belles was remodeled and now even worst being converted into Apartments. As dancers, one of the key attractions for us buying a house here was our " Private - Resident Only unique two story country night club, Katie Belles". We really enjoyed the entertainment and atmosphere of the original Katie Belles. Whenever friends visited the first place we would take them was Katie Belles. When they converted it into a 2nd Floor only restaurant with entertainment it lost most of its unique atmosphere but still wasn't a bad place to go for dancing and a meal ( yes we did eat there and loved their martini flights) but it was no longer unique it just became a nice restaurant with a nice (but sticky) dance floor. Everyone we knew that went there was clearly in agreement it was a step in the wrong direction. Now removing it altogether and putting in Apartments is even worst. Adding more and more apartments and removing landmarks is a sad direction. Our hope is that they have a plan to recreate the 2 story Katie Belles in one of the new areas > Seems like the restaurant space in Brownwood next to BlueFin would be a great location and it's been vacant since the Square opened. But then again that's only a wishful dream and chances of converting that space into apartments ( and the square itself) is probably more likely. Sad very sad!

I think Katie Belle’s in the Brownwood location is a great idea! Now, all you have to do is raise the capital, plan the location, and execute your plan! Any business has to make money for the investor or it doesn’t work. You may of loved the place the times you went there, but not enough people supported the business to keep it going. The same with HH country club. The developer provides plenty of opportunities for businesses to open and succeed. It is up to the business and customers to ensure the business stays feasible. If any business, no matter the location, is not profitable it will not stay open. It is not the obligation of the developer to keep these businesses open.

mrfixit 08-23-2020 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee (Post 1821484)
What a great idea ......... I'll be first in line for one of those:icon_wink:

My sister will be in line right behind you at Spanish Springs........AND...

IF they convert the Waterfront Inn...OR ...any of the second floor office spaces at Lake Sumter Landing....
I will be 1st in line there.....
PLUS...NO WINKING....
I really would move to an apartment @ LSL in a Heartbeat.

Mleeja 08-23-2020 08:48 PM

If the residents would have patronized Katie Belle’s (either version) we would not be having this discussion.

The next thing, the upper level will be converted to apartments then the residents of the apartments will complain about the music on the square being to loud or long!

jerseyclone 08-24-2020 04:54 AM

Developer
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1821438)
One more amenity bites the dust in America’s friendliest home town. Katie Belles is to become apartments in Spanish Springs. Apparently the developer is on a rampage to convert The Villages into a mixed multi family community for which the roads were not designed to hold the traffic. Urban sprawl at its worst.
Is the Waterfront Inn at Sumter Landing next?

The developer has to be stopped from dumping his failures to increase unwanted development by the residents.

psgolf@comcast.net 08-24-2020 05:29 AM

well said. disgusting the greed !!!!!

George Page 08-24-2020 05:42 AM

1 Attachment(s)
-LEASED residential and commercial property is the gift that keeps on giving with MONTHLY rents while selling a house is only a one time score.
-Not to mention, the development cost per apartment front door is a lot less than a stand alone single family front door.
-Additionally, more bedrooms (higher density) means more foot traffic, and more foot traffic means HIGHER monthly commercial rents.

Real estate development...........
It’s all about the Benjamins baby!

J1ceasar 08-24-2020 06:06 AM

Aprtments.
 
In any normal City. There are apartments . not everyone wants a 2000 foot home . nor needs one . grow up . it's the developers land .

miharris 08-24-2020 06:32 AM

Bad trend
 
It's irrelevant whether a restaurant is an official "amenity" or not, the trend of more people and fewer amenities is a bad trend. How appealing would a square with all apartments and no stores or restaurants be to you? I'm sure the developer would have a hard time using that as a marketing tool. Same thing for HH, I have a hard time imagining agents promoting a house near the country club as being "walking distance" to an apartment complex. Don't get me wrong, we love the villages and are happy we moved here, but nothing is so permanent that it can't be ruined by bad management.

UseYourBrain 08-24-2020 06:35 AM

Agree. The new generation developers seem to have little idea of what we enjoy And what attracts people to buy here. I would assume they do marketing research but, as someone who has been in corporate life my entire career, marketing research often does not get at the right information. The original Katie belles is a good example. Would something like that be discovered or correctly assessed in marketing research? The real value is. It obvious until you see the exact product Obviously, the concept was a very good one as the universal opinion is that the revised Katie belles was not as good and they miss it very much. I’m on the younger end of age here and I spent many enjoyable nights there. If it wasn’t profitable enough, then tweak it don’t replace it.

We need more unique attractions and those seem to be disappearing. The town squares is another unique attraction. Now, we will just be a big boring sprawling community. Cmon. Where are the wow factors?

crash 08-24-2020 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkfavreau2 (Post 1821491)
I thought Katie Belles was resident owned. That is at least what we were told, of course they renovated it without any residents input. Oh well.

None of the commercial property is resident owned but all the rec centers are.

jbrown132 08-24-2020 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1821480)
1,000 apartments vs 60,000 homes...............they will need a bigger fly swatter before they can kill anything. :ho:

Look at it this way, when the building finally starts to slow down 1000 apartments at say $2000 a month on average would generate $2 million a month or $24 million a year in revenue. Not chump change.

perrjojo 08-24-2020 07:03 AM

I am wondering about the floor plan of these apartments. Doesn’t the building code require each room to have a window? I’m sure the developers know but I can’t quite envision it.

Dgodin 08-24-2020 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dond1959 (Post 1821818)
I think Katie Belle’s in the Brownwood location is a great idea! Now, all you have to do is raise the capital, plan the location, and execute your plan! Any business has to make money for the investor or it doesn’t work. You may of loved the place the times you went there, but not enough people supported the business to keep it going. The same with HH country club. The developer provides plenty of opportunities for businesses to open and succeed. It is up to the business and customers to ensure the business stays feasible. If any business, no matter the location, is not profitable it will not stay open. It is not the obligation of the developer to keep these businesses open.

We don't know whether Katie Bells was viable because none of us have seen the books. It is possible the developer saw a greater return on apartments and closed Katie Bells even though it was profitable.
Spanish Springs square has fewer shops than either Lake Sumter or Brownwood and I would rather had a new restaurant take over.

Stu from NYC 08-24-2020 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrjojo (Post 1821946)
I am wondering about the floor plan of these apartments. Doesn’t the building code require each room to have a window? I’m sure the developers know but I can’t quite envision it.

Open concept would seem to solve that problem

MoNonnon 08-24-2020 07:32 AM

Am I wrong? I thought I read that only the second floor would have some apartments at Katie Belles....

JSR22 08-24-2020 07:35 AM

Katie Belle's
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MoNonnon (Post 1821970)
Am I wrong? I thought I read that only the second floor would have some apartments at Katie Belles....

Katie Belle's is only the second floor. The first floor is Soft Surroundings. The second floor is being repurposed to multiple apartments.

papillon 08-24-2020 07:43 AM

I wouldn't think an apartment overlooking the busy Spanish Springs square would be very desirable. EVERY night the noise from the entertainers. EVERY night listening to all the drunks on patios of the restaurants. EVERY day all the traffic. EVERY day a lack of parking spaces. All those strangers right outside your "home". Not a very desirable location to live, in my opinion.

DonH57 08-24-2020 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mleeja (Post 1821858)
If the residents would have patronized Katie Belle’s (either version) we would not be having this discussion.

The next thing, the upper level will be converted to apartments then the residents of the apartments will complain about the music on the square being to loud or long!

Same with Hacienda CC however the first mistake was the first change in management to Hacienda years ago. It kept sliding downhill since.

Sage327 08-24-2020 07:49 AM

First of all who would want to live in a noisy Square with music blaring every night? And do we really need to squeeze in more people? During high season the restaurants, Squares, roads, stores are already packed. What is it going to be like when the folks from the apts. on 466, Hacienda, and now Katie Belles descend on
on The Villages?

kendi 08-24-2020 08:22 AM

Two ways to bring your day down: 1- refuse to accept change. 2 - create a negative narrative in your mind and stay focused on it.

UpNorth 08-24-2020 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papillon (Post 1821979)
I wouldn't think an apartment overlooking the busy Spanish Springs square would be very desirable. EVERY night the noise from the entertainers. EVERY night listening to all the drunks on patios of the restaurants. EVERY day all the traffic. EVERY day a lack of parking spaces. All those strangers right outside your "home". Not a very desirable location to live, in my opinion.

Perfect for NYC snowbirds! Will make them feel right at home! :a040:

RichS$ 08-24-2020 08:56 AM

Well said!

Number 10 GI 08-24-2020 09:14 AM

I am very certain that as soon as the apartments are completed they will be filled with residents. There are a number of positive reasons people would want to live on the square. Something breaks in the apartment call the manager and they fix it, no yard to worry about, no tax bills, some utilities may be covered in the lease, and you are as close to the shopping and night life as you can be. With the windows closed as they usually are in Florida, you won't hear any noise from the bands or the crowds. Just because you don't want to live there means nothing, there plenty that want it.

PugMom 08-24-2020 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathy327 (Post 1821983)
First of all who would want to live in a noisy Square with music blaring every night? And do we really need to squeeze in more people? During high season the restaurants, Squares, roads, stores are already packed. What is it going to be like when the folks from the apts. on 466, Hacienda, and now Katie Belles descend on
on The Villages?

i can see where someone who once lived in & enjoyed city life would be attracted to the lofts. it would also be a good idea for those who are thinking of a move here, they can see what's it's like for a year or 2 before deciding to buy a home, if @ all:popcorn:

airstreamingypsy 08-24-2020 09:39 AM

Instead of apartments, I think TV should build condos. That way, when someone's spouse dies, and the widow doesn't want to deal with a house and yard, she can sell and reinvest in a condo. Rent is just throwing away money.

Jokomo 08-24-2020 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1821438)
One more amenity bites the dust in America’s friendliest home town. Katie Belles is to become apartments in Spanish Springs. Apparently the developer is on a rampage to convert The Villages into a mixed multi family community for which the roads were not designed to hold the traffic. Urban sprawl at its worst.
Is the Waterfront Inn at Sumter Landing next?

I hope they can bring in some low income housing as well to increase the diversity of The Villages.

Dilligas 08-24-2020 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1821438)
One more amenity bites the dust in America’s friendliest home town. Katie Belles is to become apartments in Spanish Springs. Apparently the developer is on a rampage to convert The Villages into a mixed multi family community for which the roads were not designed to hold the traffic. Urban sprawl at its worst.
Is the Waterfront Inn at Sumter Landing next?

KB was not an amenity, instead it was a business venture that failed because of lack of support. I am not sure how luxury apartments will go over in that space, with the square and its entertainment right outside it's window. Even though the nightly entertainment stops at 9 PM, there will have to be some very good sound proofing to keep the noise out. Brownwood has less of a problem because it is a couple of blocks away and has buildings inbetween. However, may small towns and towncenters for city suburbs have put in 2nd and 3 story luxury apartments with amazing success.


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