[Altavia]

https://youtu.be/MJvtxa1V2v0?si=km__L5s-xPESBnmT

Tracy Morse and Devon Wiechens share the design inspiration behind Eastport, our newest town center in The Villages, FL. Get a first look at renderings and peek into how the design team's imagination is creating an Eastport experience that Villagers, their family and friends will enjoy.

[Michael 61]

Eastport is going to be gorgeous! Very well could end up being my favorite “town square” or whatever they end up calling it. So exciting watching all this development unfold!

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Eastport looks amazing!

[VApeople]

Lake Sumter Landing is a beautiful town center, partly because there are nice areas to escape the entertainment and commercial stores and just sit quietly and enjoy the beauty of the whole place.

In contrast, Brownwood is claustrophobic. It is hard to escape the music find a nice place to sit comfortably.

Sawgrass is even worse. Everything is packed into a small area and there is no place to sit and relax. I suspect that Eastport will be the same way.

[Randall55]

I heard they were going with a European theme. It appears they have changed their minds and are going with mid century modern? A throwback to the 1950's (Madmen) Style? I did not see A THING that looked European.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Randall55

I heard they were going with a European theme. It appears they have changed their minds and are going with mid century modern? A throwback to the 1950's (Madmen) Style? I did not see A THING that looked European.

Sounds correct, along with making the area pedestrian friendly in the evening and making it less like the Disney feel of the first three squares.

"The International Style was coined in 1932 by curators Philip Johnson and Henry-Russell Hitchcock at the Modern Architecture International Exhibition. An evolution of early Modernist principles in Europe, the International Style describes the era where European Modernism spread throughout the world, notably the United States. Characterized by simple geometry and a lack of ornamentation, the style was appropriated in the United States characterized by monolithic skyscrapers with curtain walling, flat roofs, and ubiquitous glazing."

[Lottoguy]

This new area by far will also be the most crowded. The Villages is also putting in a large recreation area at this site too. Which includes four baseball fields, 9 hole golf course, driving range, healthcare facility plus the hotel. I sure hope they have enough parking since you will not be able to park a golf cart in the street along the water front.

[MightyDog]

Originally Posted by Randall55

I heard they were going with a European theme. It appears they have changed their minds and are going with mid century modern? A throwback to the 1950's (Madmen) Style? I did not see A THING that looked European.

No, listen to the narrative in the video, they describe the European influences they'll be using.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Randall55

I heard they were going with a European theme. It appears they have changed their minds and are going with mid century modern? A throwback to the 1950's (Madmen) Style? I did not see A THING that looked European.

What exactly is a “European theme”? Is it French, Italian, Danish, German, Swiss, Austrian, Portuguese?……… because those places all look different.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

What exactly is a “European theme”? Is it French, Italian, Danish, German, Swiss, Austrian, Portuguese?……… because those places all look different.

Eastport Design

[billethkid]

Lake Sumter Landing = Disney-like!?!?

My personal opinion it is the best organized, overall town square/shop/relax area of them all.

Back in the day of the original senior Morse family members, Lake Sumter Landing was to be the hub of TV........that is of course past as is the concept of TV.....now it is go-go-expand-expand-buy some more-expand some more....repeat!

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

What exactly is a “European theme”? Is it French, Italian, Danish, German, Swiss, Austrian, Portuguese?……… because those places all look different.

Outdoor markets, buildings with unique architecture, cobblestone roads, cafes. Most European countries have that in common. Yes, It appears Eastport will have all these. I assumed the square was going to have ancient style architecture (Roman, Greek) since the name of the rec center is Olympia. However, it looks like it will be chic and modern. Surprised me.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Lake Sumter Landing is a beautiful town center, partly because there are nice areas to escape the entertainment and commercial stores and just sit quietly and enjoy the beauty of the whole place.

In contrast, Brownwood is claustrophobic. It is hard to escape the music find a nice place to sit comfortably.

Sawgrass is even worse. Everything is packed into a small area and there is no place to sit and relax. I suspect that Eastport will be the same way.

I have seen airports and mall food courts with as much charm as Sawgrass Grove. But the food was cheaper at the airport.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Randall55

I heard they were going with a European theme. It appears they have changed their minds and are going with mid century modern? A throwback to the 1950's (Madmen) Style? I did not see A THING that looked European.

The Euro will be flowing there....does that count?! Europeans love FL

[ElDiabloJoe]

I think it is going to be fantastic - as long as parking shortage issues aren't a problem. The whole shopping center / alleyway thing reminds me exactly of The Spectrum in Irvine, CA (Orange County). Feel free to fast-forward to the 4:00 minute mark in the linked video, the first four minutes are useless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFUyNdeVrUY