Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The New Home Trends Institute team is always getting asked about the latest and greatest amenities. This special feature will not only cover some of the must-see amenities in master-planned communities, but also serve as a DesignLens update. We have featured each of the following master plans on DesignLens over the years. Since being featured, they have added amenities that expand lifestyle and recreational opportunities. Here’s what you may have missed. This is just the start – keep an eye out for more special features where we track fun finds that should be on your radar.

Nexton by Brookfield Properties in Summerville, South Carolina

How do you capitalize on the pickleball craze? Try placing the courts somewhere you can eat, drink, chat, and play. Picklebar just opened (April 2024) in Nexton’s mixed-use central location, called The Hub. This restaurant and sports bar combined with eight covered and uncovered pickleball courts has formed its own hub within The Hub. This addition to Nexton has been well received amongst residents and is a great supplement to the HOA-owned and -operated pickleball courts.

Photography by Meade Agency

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Picklebar is a third party-operated dining and sports concept that’s open to the public. Anyone can pop in to eat or make a reservation for the courts. Picklebar offers lessons and equipment rentals; but even if you’re not looking to become a pickleball pro, it’s a great gathering and event space.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

While Nexton offers a host of HOA amenities, everything else that’s privately owned including shops, restaurants, and services are additive. According to Brookfield, their surveys consistently show that the walkable environment with access to a huge variety of businesses are the #1 reason for purchase.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

River Islands by The Cambay Group in Lathrop, California

The River Islands team introduced Islanders Field early in the master plan’s life as their own Field of Dreams. The vision was for this baseball stadium to serve as a visual icon along Bradshaw’s Crossing Bridge entrance, an anchor to a Town Center, a boost to the future high schools, and a nod to the community’s healthy, active, family-focused lifestyle.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The project first began in 2014 and officially opened in 2019. Today, Islanders Field stays busy with high school games during the regular season and traveling league play from February to October. This state-of-the-art stadium seats approximately 500 and represents a gutsy move to engage residents who want more from their communities beyond homes and pocket parks. River Islands currently has exciting plans in the works to expand the community’s recreational opportunities even further – stay tuned.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Pecan Square by Hillwood Communities in Northlake, Texas

The Arena at Pecan Square is a 22,000-square-foot covered pavilion that holds court to just about any community gathering or live music event. When Hillwood bought the land, they repurposed what was once an existing horse arena into a shade structure for two central amenities. Just outside of The Arena is Pioneer Park, an exploration park where children can play…

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

…parents can barbecue or fire up pizzas, and neighbors can socialize on the lawn or by the fire pit.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The 22,000 square foot pavilion is split into two sides. The Arena’s south side features covered sport courts with basketball, pickleball and more as it opens to the larger outdoor green space.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The north end features a catering kitchen, rolling picnic tables and barrel high top tables, two massive TV screens and a stage for live music. According to Hillwood, the community loves using this facility in so many ways including watching sports, pickle ball tournaments, social events, music venues, and even weddings.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Harvest by Hillwood Communities in Argyle, Texas

Inspired by imaginative storytelling, Harvest’s Mini-Town features four open-air play homes, each with its own unique theme. The yellow Farmhouse is a miniature version of the community’s iconic Farmhouse coffee shop, with tables and chairs for aspiring baristas. The general store is stocked with play produce that little shoppers can check out at the register. A piece of advice from the developer: make sure everything is indestructible because the kids have put this mini town to use!

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The bank holds a real, old-timey safe from New York. When young residents rob the bank, they might end up in jail. However, this play structure takes kids on a journey, helping them bust out of jail and….

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

…zipline to freedom. Creative play like this offers endless scenarios for kids to explore and create unforgettable memories. To sell the story, Hillwood spared no attention to detail. The water tower is from the original property, and an artist from the infamous Buc-ee’s custom painted signage over the buildings.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Lake Nona by Tavistock Development in Orlando, Florida

Boxi Park is a family-friendly outdoor entertainment park in Lake Nona, offering a unique blend of quality food, beverage, entertainment, and art. The site is approximately 2 acres and includes five restaurants, three bars, a venue stage, playground, beach volleyball courts, and a dog park. With daily entertainment and pop-up events, Boxi Park is a go-to destination not just for residents, but also for over 400K visitors, annually.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Live music creates a vibrant atmosphere in Boxi Park that appeals to all ages. According to Tavistock, Boxi Park consistently ranks among favorite activities of Lake Nona residents, as indicated by Lake Nona annual resident surveys.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The original idea of Boxi Park was conceived using Jenga blocks at a nearby restaurant. Repurposed shipping containers have brought that vision to life, while offering a variety of dining concepts.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Boxi Park is versatile in its appeal. People come to eat, drink, listen to music, gather with friends and pets, or even play volleyball. Olympic Gold Medalist Phil Dalhausser runs the Phil Dalhausser Volleyball Academy and weekly recreational leagues. The courts have hosted competitions featuring both the Men’s and Women’s USA Beach Volleyball teams.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Lakewood Ranch by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (SMR) in Lakewood Ranch, Florida

On the edge of Kingfisher Lakes, Waterside Place is a 36-acre town center established in 2022. Waterside Place complements Lakewood Ranch’s goals for a strong sense of community and vibrant lifestyle with its unique lakeside living experience. According to the developer, it has quickly become a premier entertainment destination with year-round signature events.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Waterside Place features apartments, international restaurants, shops, professional offices, and various outdoor entertainment spaces, all within walking distance of residences. Many neighborhoods around the lake can also hitch a ride over via water taxi. A unique feature is the Beverages in the Street (BITS) program, allowing visitors to purchase a drink and enjoy it anywhere in the town center.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The Farmers’ Market, ranked number one in Florida in the America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AMFC), has become a weekly tradition for many families and young professionals. Residents can enjoy morning yoga at Waterside Park and then visit the market, where they can purchase local produce and crafted goods from over 100 vendors. Other favorite events include the Sights and Sounds series, a monthly program featuring theater performances, orchestras, a cappella groups, and art exhibits and Ranch Nites, where visitors come together to enjoy local food trucks, listen to live music, and shop.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

There is truly something for everyone. Across the bridge, splash pads and playgrounds keep kids entertained. In 2022, the National Association of Home Builders recognized Waterside Place with a gold award for best lifestyle program, and in 2023 awarded Waterside Place gold in the mixed-use community category.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Brambleton by Brambleton Group, LLC in Brambleton, Virginia

The Barn at Brambleton was part of a rezoning to renovate an existing dairy barn on the property, opening it to the public for rentals. According to the developer, this opened the door for a new audience to come into the community of Brambleton, people who were not necessarily looking for a new home but were able to experience the community and keep Brambleton on their radar for a future move.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The Barn is a two-level, 18,000 square foot repurposed dairy barn located on a 10-acre parcel. The upper level makes a statement with high ceilings lined with chandeliers. This facility is one of the largest, one-of-a-kind, event venues in Northern Virginia, offering a capacity for up to 500 people across two levels.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

According to the developer, The Barn has been warmly received by the community at large. It is popular for weddings, anniversaries, indoor and outdoor performances, and is quickly becoming a new venue for corporate retreats and meetings.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

During renovations, they repurposed wood and metal from the dairy barn and incorporated the silo from the original dairy barn to house a circular staircase connecting each level.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Sienna by Johnson Development in Missouri City, Texas

The special feature will conclude with one of Sienna master plan’s latest addition, their Sawmill Event Pavilion. Johnson Development envisioned the 3,841-square-foot covered pavilion to serve a wide variety of uses from family reunions to bridal showers.

Photography by Jeff Brady Photography

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The amenity complex takes in the natural surroundings with multi-sliding glass doors that open to a wraparound patio overlooking Sawmill Lake.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

The Sawmill Event Pavilion expands upon the nearby Sawmill Lake Club with a multipurpose ballroom with a vaulted ceiling, a kitchen with a 10 foot island, and large wall-mounted TVs. The building also includes a conference room adjacent to the ballroom, perfect for meetings and planned community activities.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Taking further advantage of the lakefront location, the new pavilion also includes a partially shaded patio. Events can flow outside, down a pathway to this space. At night, festoon lights set the ambiance.

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

Special Feature: Latest Master Plan Amenities

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