Introduction

If you’ve been following Lakewood Ranch for the last few years, chances are you’ve heard about Lakehouse Cove. It made waves back in 2021—big lakes, walkability, mixed builders, and that breezy lakehouse-meets-modern vibe. It sold out fast, and for good reason.

But here in 2025, there’s something new. A next-gen version just down the street, built by the same top-tier builder, and possibly even better positioned: Shellstone at Waterside.

Let’s break it all down—where it is, what makes it special, who’s building here, and who it’s actually right for.

1. Where Exactly Is Shellstone?

If you’re already set on Sarasota, and you’ve narrowed in on Lakewood Ranch, that’s a solid start. But not all parts of Lakewood Ranch are created equal.

Shellstone sits in what might be one of the best locations in the entire suburb:

• Close to Downtown Waterside Place (real restaurants, lakefront farmers market, events—not just a strip center)
• Minutes from UTC, Center Point, and Downtown Lakewood Ranch
• Still within reasonable distance (9–11 miles) to downtown Sarasota and the beaches
• Avoids the long eastern sprawl that adds 20+ minutes to your commute

In short, you’re in Lakewood Ranch and close to everything that makes Sarasota... Sarasota.

2. What Makes Shellstone Different?

In a market where new construction tends to be either:

• Volume-based and entry-level or
• Hyper-luxury and fully custom

Shellstone fills a much-needed middle ground.

• You can get a well-designed single-family home on a 65-foot lot for around $1.3M (not $500K, but not $2M either)
• There are attached villas starting in the low $500Ks
• Great for snowbirds, empty nesters, and move-up buyers who want something upscale without going fully custom

If you liked the design, lifestyle, and builder ethos behind Lakehouse Cove—but you missed the window—Shellstone is the 2.0 version of that idea. Same master builder. Same vibe. More availability and personalization.

3. Who’s Building at Shellstone?

Homes by Towne is the lead builder here, known for elegant semi-custom homes that strike a balance between style and practicality.

Lot & Home Collections:

• 45-ft lots: Entry-level single-family (from ~$579K base), ~2 beds + den
• 52-ft lots: 2,000–2,500 sq ft homes, starting in the mid-$600Ks
• 65-ft lots: 2,600–3,700+ sq ft, base prices from ~$900K

→ Expect to add 15–18% on top of base price for lot, structure, and design, especially if you're skipping the pool.

Villa Options:

• Paired villas (attached) start in the low $500Ks
• Great for affordability, but many buyers choose the 45-ft detached homes instead

Lee Wetherington (Custom Option):

• Also building on 65-ft lots
• Fully custom homes typically priced $1.5M+
• A great option for buyers creeping toward that price point anyway and wanting more freedom

4. Amenities: Private, Curated, and Growing

Shellstone residents get access to:

• Private amenities: clubhouse, pool/spa, cabanas, firepit, fitness lawn, and more
• Midway Park: 13-acre shared amenity hub with pickleball, tennis, dog parks, kayaking, and a planned pro shop
• Full access to Waterside Place and the larger Waterside infrastructure

You get the perks of a luxury community without the Wild Blue-level HOA fees.

5. Who Is Shellstone Not Right For?

Let’s be fair—Shellstone isn’t for everyone. A few reasons it might not be the right fit:

• Current lot selection: Many of the most desirable homesites aren’t released yet. What’s available now may include less attractive features (like proximity to power lines), and some buyers are choosing to wait.
• It’s not gated: For some, that’s a dealbreaker. But in Lakewood Ranch—especially over $1M—the area is secure, polished, and very community-centric.
• Limited incentives: Compared to builders who own their mortgage and title arms, Homes by Towne doesn’t offer big rate buydowns or eye-popping discounts. This can feel frustrating in today’s market.
• New public school site nearby: Good for families, but possibly a con for buyers who didn’t move here for the schools and prefer less bustle near their home.

Final Take: Why Shellstone Might Be the Smartest Play in 2025

Shellstone is a bit of a sleeper. On the surface, it’s a nice mid-tier new construction neighborhood in Waterside. But when you zoom in, it does something rare:

It combines:

• A strategic Sarasota location
• Reputable builders
• Architectural quality
• Right-sized amenities
• And a price point that doesn’t require $2M+

For the buyer who wants new, wants to be close in, and doesn’t want the lowest rung or the highest tier—Shellstone is threading a very smart needle in today’s Lakewood Ranch market.

Work With Us

If Shellstone sounds like a fit—or if you’re early in the search and still exploring options—we can help.

I’m Adam Hancock, and I run a full-scale, relocation-driven real estate brokerage focused on Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and all of Southwest Florida.