Gran Paradiso · Neighbor Guide
Wellen Park vs. Lakewood Ranch vs. Babcock Ranch: An Honest Comparison
Three of the top four best-selling master-planned communities in the country sit within about 60 miles of each other on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Eric knows all three the way few people do. He’s a Florida native who grew up in Naples, has lived in Sarasota County for more than 30 years and has spent his career in land development and new homes. Here’s a fair look at each, with current numbers, and why he believes Wellen Park is the best of the three.
All three are well-run communities that get a lot right. They’re also genuinely different places, in size, in stage of growth and, most of all, in distance from the Gulf. For a full guide to life here, see Living in Wellen Park.
The short answer
Lakewood Ranch is the biggest and most established of the three, with the most amenities and an easy run to Sarasota and the SRQ airport. Babcock Ranch is the youngest town, built around solar power and storm resilience, and it’s the closest to Fort Myers and RSW. Wellen Park is the one on the Gulf side of I-75, close to the beaches, with edges that are already set. Eric’s view is that those two things, location and limited space, make Wellen Park the best of the three.
Why Eric picks Wellen Park
Two big advantages: location and limited space
1. Location: the Gulf is minutes away. Wellen Park sits just inland from the Gulf on the Venice and North Port line. From Gran Paradiso’s gate it’s about 7½ miles to Manasota Beach on Manasota Key, about 9 miles to Venice Beach and about 10 miles to Caspersen Beach, the shark-tooth spot. Lakewood Ranch is east of I-75, and from its Main Street the nearest Gulf beaches, Lido Key and Siesta Key, are about 15 to 17 miles away, roughly half an hour without traffic. Babcock Ranch is the farthest inland: Fort Myers Beach is about 32 miles from Founder’s Square, close to an hour. Wellen Park is also the only one of the three on the Gulf side of I-75, and Eric’s view is that it’s one of the very few large master-planned communities still building west of the interstate on this coast, while most of Florida’s new growth heads east. To Eric, a beach that’s an easy drive, not a day trip, is the whole point of living on this coast.
Nearly everything new is going east of I-75. That’s where Florida’s future growth is headed, but there’s only so much left on this side. You know what everything on the west side of I-75 gets? Bigger.
Eric Johnston
2. Limited space: when it’s built out, it’s done. Wellen Park has edges. Its eastern side follows the Myakka River, a state-designated Wild and Scenic River, with the 7,335-acre Deer Prairie Creek Preserve on the far bank and the 24,565-acre Carlton Reserve upriver. The 8,593-acre Myakka State Forest lies just down River Road, and long-established neighborhoods in Venice, Englewood and North Port fill in much of the rest. All told, Wellen Park covers about 12,000 acres.
Lakewood Ranch is a different story. At more than 35,000 acres it’s nearly three times the size, and it keeps opening new areas: in September 2026 Sarasota County finished zoning Lakewood Ranch Southeast, about 5,000 homes on roughly 4,120 acres. Babcock Ranch’s town is set at about 18,000 acres next to a large state preserve, but it’s early in its build-out, with plans for about 19,500 homes and construction projected into the 2050s.
Eric’s view is that both have room to keep growing for a long time, through new phases and, if landowners sell, new land, while Wellen Park will one day simply be finished. And when supply is finite, he believes values tend to rise. That’s his belief after decades in new homes, not a guarantee.
There’s only so much space here. We’re surrounded by land that’s already protected or already developed. It’s about 12,000 acres, and then it’s done. When that happens, I believe values go up.
Eric Johnston
The three communities at a glance
| Wellen Park | Lakewood Ranch | Babcock Ranch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | About 12,000 acres in North Port and unincorporated Sarasota County | 35,000+ acres in Manatee and Sarasota counties | About 18,000 acres in Charlotte and Lee counties |
| Homes and residents | About 22,500 homes planned; about 10,000 residents | About 49,100 homes and rentals entitled; 80,000+ residents | About 19,500 homes entitled; 15,000+ residents |
| New-home prices (2026) | Mid-$200s to $1.1 million+ | High $200s to $2 million+ | Upper $200s to $4 million |
| Property tax rate (2025, mills) | 14.51 City of North Port (incl. Gran Paradiso); 11.47 unincorporated parts | 14.16 Manatee side; 11.47 Sarasota side | 14.94 Charlotte County side |
| Nearest Gulf beach | Manasota Beach, about 7½ mi from Gran Paradiso | Lido Beach, about 15 mi from Main Street | Fort Myers Beach, about 32 mi from Founder’s Square |
| Side of I-75 | West (Gulf side) | East | East |
| Town centers | Downtown Wellen on the 80-acre Grand Lake; Wellen Town Center under way | Main Street, Waterside Place, The Green | Founder’s Square, The Shoppes at Yellow Pine |
| Trails | 40+ miles | 150+ miles | 100+ miles planned |
| Spring training | Atlanta Braves, CoolToday Park, about 3 mi from Gran Paradiso | Orioles (Sarasota), Pirates (Bradenton) | Rays (Port Charlotte); Red Sox, Twins (Fort Myers) |
| Closest airport | PGD about 25 mi; SRQ about 36 mi | SRQ about 10 mi | RSW about 23 mi |
| National sales rank (mid-2026) | No. 3 | No. 2 | No. 4 |
| School district grade (2025–26) | A (Sarasota) | B (Manatee); A (Sarasota) | A (Charlotte); B (Lee) |
Distances are approximate driving miles. Prices are builder ranges and change often. Ask Eric for current numbers on a specific neighborhood.
Size, growth and what’s left to build
Lakewood Ranch has been building since 1994 and was about 70% sold or leased as of March 2026. Babcock Ranch had about 6,000 homes and rentals occupied by the end of 2025. Wellen Park, formerly the West Villages, is home to about 10,000 people. All three sell fast: in the first half of 2026 Lakewood Ranch ranked No. 2 in the nation, Wellen Park No. 3 and Babcock Ranch No. 4.
Prices and monthly costs
All three start in the $200s with townhomes and condos, and Lakewood Ranch and Babcock Ranch reach higher at the top end. Resale prices depend on the neighborhood, so see current listings or Eric’s Pricing Data Base.
Fees: each has neighborhood HOAs plus infrastructure assessments on the tax bill. In Wellen Park, HOA dues run roughly $200 to more than $500 a month. Lakewood Ranch uses community development districts or its Stewardship District. Babcock Ranch adds a master association fee ($408 a quarter in 2026, including internet) to its district assessment and neighborhood HOAs. Ask Eric about Gran Paradiso’s fees.
Taxes: 2025 rates were about 14.51 mills in the City of North Port, which includes Gran Paradiso; 11.47 in unincorporated Sarasota County; 14.16 on Lakewood Ranch’s Manatee side; and 14.94 in Babcock Ranch. Compare actual bills, since assessments and exemptions vary.
Town centers
Downtown Wellen wraps around the 80-acre Grand Lake, with restaurants, shops, live music and lakeside paths, about 1.3 miles from Gran Paradiso’s gate. Next door to Gran Paradiso, Benderson Development broke ground in August 2026 on Wellen Town Center, a planned 500,000-square-foot shopping and dining destination.
Lakewood Ranch has three town centers: the original Main Street, with shops, restaurants, a cinema and Music on Main; Waterside Place, a lakefront center whose farmers market was named the best in the nation in 2025; and The Green. Babcock Ranch’s Founder’s Square hosts food trucks, live music and markets, and The Shoppes at Yellow Pine adds a growing shopping area.
Trails, lakes and amenities
Lakewood Ranch is hard to beat on sheer amenities: more than 150 miles of trails, 10 community parks, the Premier Sports Campus, Sarasota Polo Club and golf from country club courses to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Babcock Ranch sets aside about half its land for greenways, parks and lakes, and plans more than 100 miles of trails. Wellen Park has more than 40 miles of connected trails, kayaking and paddleboarding on the Grand Lake, three golf communities and the Myakka River and preserves at its edge. Gran Paradiso itself is more than 60% preserve and lakes. Explore Gran Paradiso Life.
Solar and storm resilience
Babcock Ranch deserves real credit here. It bills itself as America’s first solar-powered town, with about 150 megawatts of solar next door and battery storage. It was designed for storms, with underground utilities and land about 30 feet above sea level, and it kept its power on through Hurricane Ian in 2022.
No community on this coast is immune. Hurricane Milton came ashore near Siesta Key as a Category 3 in 2024. Being a few miles inland, like Wellen Park and Lakewood Ranch, generally reduces storm-surge exposure but not wind exposure. In all three, risk comes down to each home’s elevation, flood zone and construction.
Spring training and things to do
Every February and March the Atlanta Braves train at CoolToday Park in Wellen Park, about 3 miles from Gran Paradiso, and the ballpark hosts events year-round. Lakewood Ranch is a short drive from the Orioles in Sarasota and the Pirates in Bradenton. From Babcock Ranch, the Rays train in Port Charlotte, and the Red Sox and Twins in Fort Myers. For dining near Wellen Park, see Eric’s Local Recommendations.
Healthcare
Lakewood Ranch has the most on site today: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, a 180-bed hospital that opened a new patient tower in 2026, with an Orlando Health hospital planned. Babcock Ranch has a Lee Health and WellWay center, plus Tampa General urgent care and primary care. Wellen Park has HCA Florida Wellen Park Emergency, a 24/7 ER on US-41 that opened in 2025, and Sarasota Memorial is building a North Port hospital set to open in late 2028.
Schools
Wellen Park is served by Sarasota County Schools, graded A for 2025–26, and Wellen Park High School opened on River Road in August 2026. Lakewood Ranch spans two districts: Manatee County (graded B) and Sarasota County (A). Babcock Ranch has its own schools, Babcock Neighborhood School and Babcock High, and sits mostly in Charlotte County (A). Always confirm a home’s zoned schools with the district.
Airports and I-75
Lakewood Ranch is the easiest for flying: SRQ is about 10 miles from Main Street, and I-75 runs along its western edge with four interchanges. Babcock Ranch is about 23 miles from RSW and about 9 to 10 miles from I-75. From Gran Paradiso it’s about 25 miles to Punta Gorda (PGD), 36 to Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) and 63 to Southwest Florida International (RSW), and I-75 is about 7½ miles away at River Road.
Which is right for you?
Lakewood Ranch may fit if you: want the most amenities in one place; like an established community with lots of choice; or fly from SRQ often.
Babcock Ranch may fit if you: want a new solar-powered town; rank storm resilience first; or want to be near Fort Myers and RSW.
Wellen Park may fit if you: want the Gulf beaches minutes away; like a community where the plan has a finish line; want spring training, Downtown Wellen and daily errands close by; or want historic Venice next door.
Eric’s own answer is Wellen Park, but the right choice depends on what matters most to you. If you’re also weighing towns, see Venice vs. Naples. Eric and Ali can help you buy in Gran Paradiso or sell your Gran Paradiso home.
Frequently asked questions
Which is closest to the beach: Wellen Park, Lakewood Ranch or Babcock Ranch?
Wellen Park, the only one of the three on the Gulf side of I-75. Manasota Beach is about 7½ miles from Gran Paradiso’s gate. Lido Beach is about 15 miles from Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street, and Fort Myers Beach about 32 miles from Babcock Ranch.
How big are Wellen Park, Lakewood Ranch and Babcock Ranch?
Lakewood Ranch covers more than 35,000 acres, Babcock Ranch about 18,000 and Wellen Park about 12,000.
How much do new homes cost in each community?
In 2026, new homes run from the mid-$200s to more than $1.1 million in Wellen Park, the high $200s to more than $2 million in Lakewood Ranch, and the upper $200s to $4 million in Babcock Ranch.
How do property taxes compare?
For 2025, total rates were about 14.51 mills in North Port, 11.47 in unincorporated Sarasota County, 14.16 on Lakewood Ranch’s Manatee side and 14.94 in Babcock Ranch. Special assessments and HOA fees are extra.
Are Lakewood Ranch and Babcock Ranch still growing?
Yes. Sarasota County finished zoning Lakewood Ranch’s 5,000-home Southeast area in September 2026. Babcock Ranch plans about 19,500 homes, with construction projected into the 2050s.
Which airport is closest to each community?
SRQ is about 10 miles from Lakewood Ranch, RSW about 23 from Babcock Ranch, and PGD about 25 from Gran Paradiso.
How did Babcock Ranch do in Hurricane Ian?
Very well. It kept its power on during Ian in 2022, helped by underground utilities and higher ground. No community is immune, so check each home’s elevation, flood zone and construction.
Is Wellen Park in Venice or North Port?
Most of Wellen Park, including Gran Paradiso, is in the City of North Port with a Venice mailing address. Some parts are in unincorporated Sarasota County.
Written by Eric Johnston, Hoover Realty, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. Figures come from developer materials, public market reports and government data available in October 2026. They will change and are not a guarantee of value, taxes, fees or insurance costs.