[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!

[Bay Kid]

It is cool to watch a whole town being built.

[Joecooool]

It will be a year or longer before Eastport is up and running. Just look at Middleton, there have been signs in the windows for 6 months saying what was coming, and you drive there today and virtually no work is being done on the buildouts.

Supposedly the sales centers closing in Brownwood, and Sawgrass, what about the massive one they have in Middleton? Why would they have two centers less than a mile apart?

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Joecooool

...

Supposedly the sales centers closing in Brownwood, and Sawgrass, what about the massive one they have in Middleton? Why would they have two centers less than a mile apart?

Because Middleton is not the Villages and the Villages are not Middleton. Different neighborhoods with different home models, floor plans, amenities, and target demographics. An entirely different community that happens to be owned by the same Developer.

[idlewild]

Here's a few other concerns I have with (L)Eastport:

1. Outdoor Recreation Fields and Ponds Sizes:
I've heard that any decent softball player will be able to hit a ball onto Bexley Trail because the fields are too small and/or lack fencing. I saw their "soccer" field with the 3'x2' "nets" and can see the same thing happening. AFAIK, the only area for fishing will be the small pond directly behind the Eastport sign which appears to be only half the size of an irrigation pond. And good luck casting by a walking trail with outdoor exercise equipment.

2. Dog Park:
For those with dogs, Sophie Doodles has NO shade and they used Saint Augustine grass instead of Zosia or Bermuda as they had in other dog parks. This turf is recommended to stay at 4" in length and has much thicker blades of grass so not at all dog friendly - especially for those with smaller dogs (< 30 lbs.).

3. Traffic and Parking:
There's only ONE entrance by golf cart off Central Parkway on the east side of the Villages Golf Cars (and west of the "not-a-Publix" grocery pit) so anyone coming from the south will likely have to queue up. So those of you planning on hitting the Central Lake Driving Range and Golf Academy from any place in Middleton, Moultrie Creek, Shady Brook, Waters Edge, and the soon-to-be CDs 16 and 17 will have to drive past it first - or take your car. Brilliant. The jury is still out, but I am also hearing there is NO PARKING - not even golf carts - near the lakeside entertainment so Villagers will have to lug their chairs to/from the "square" unlike Brownwood and the other squares. Or perhaps The Family will rent chairs to you for an hourly charge or something...

Again, I think this will be nice, but I personally find the hype around Eastport more of their Sales and Marketing engine to drive new home sales which themselves are slowing, hence their slow walking construction and delaying of opening dates (e.g. Eastport Hotel). And I think after a year of it being opened, other warts will show and some might start thinking "Why didn't they do X, Y, and/or Z?"

Just my two cents.

[Marathon Man]

Wow. Look for the negative and you will certainly see it.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

Wow. Look for the negative and you will certainly see it.