[idlewild]

I was signed up for the Eastport Sneak Peek today and wanted to report my observations.

-The Villages have put what appears to be their new corporate headquarters in a 3-story waterfront brick building. This building will also house their Sales and Information and Design centers and is opening on Monday. As a result, the sites at both the Everglades and Sawgrass will be closing.

-This is the ONLY building we were able to see and the only one opening on Monday. The only buildings open in Eastport are all - or were formerly recently - assets of The Family: (1) The Villages Healthcare (2) The recently-sold Citizens First Bank (3) The Villages Golf Cart and now (4) The Villages HQ / Sales and Information Center.

-We peaked inside Olympia next door across the "paseo" (aka "sidewalk" between the two buildings) and it appears the have slowed or stopped construction - at least there's a LOT more to do on that and we were surprised since 3 months ago The Villages themselves released THIS VIDEO. Hopefully this will be open by the end of the year along with the (dragon) boathouse and pool.

-New restaurants coming likely earliest by end of 2025 or 2026: Tacos and Tequila, Lucky Goat (coffee), Sun Days (ice cream), and Yamas (Mediterranean in Hotel Eastport - 2026).

Overall, good to see this finally happening but nothing really new other than the Sales and Design center is massive, really nice, and in the prime location on the waterfront at Eastport. The whole "sneak peek" things was likely only (1) to ease the traffic congestion / lurkers pressure on Monday AM (especially judged by the "Ls" who waited outside for Costco to open today and (2) to market their The Villages brand again - we got a free pen!