Grasslands West Brings National Trend Local

Lakelanders can now live in detached homes with apartment-style amenities without sharing walls with neighbors and without having to put down a hefty down payment, all within walking distance to restaurants, retail stores and a movie theater.

Grasslands West—located to the southwest of Grasslands off Harden Blvd., but not formally affiliated with the prominent neighborhood—is the innovation of three locals who strongly believe the community appeals to both millennials and empty-nesters alike.

Locals Rob Harper, Dan Green and Michael Myers have partnered to develop 88 single family homes that have modern floor plans, screened in porches and a garage, along with a community pool, and views of a golf course and water.

“This type of community has become more and more popular around the country, and we’re the first one here in Lakeland,” Dan Green said. “You have millennials who really saw their parents lose their houses [and] you’ve seen their lifestyles change where they’re OK not owning…and having the flexibility to leave. And then you’ve got the Baby Boomers who are saying, I'd rather downsize…I want to be traveling and all I wanna do is lock it and somebody take care of that.”

Harper said it’s also a great option for families moving from out-of-town who want to be centrally located and have a chance to get to know their surroundings before potentially buying a home.

There are three floor plans to choose from:

The three bedroom, two bath Pebble Beach that is 1,560 square feet that runs around $2,700 per month
The three bedroom, two bath St. Andrews, which covers 1,837 square feet and includes a study, and costs approximately $2,900 per month
The two-story four bedroom, three bath Pinehurst, which consists of 2,414 square feet and includes an upstairs retreat, which rents for approximately $3,300 per month

Their floor plans were inspired by a national market study and conversations with many local builders, and they strike a balance between open concept and defined spaces.

They chose to call the community Grasslands West because people are well acquainted with the “Grasslands area of Lakeland” and because they built the homes with exterior aesthetics that fit the beautiful golf course community that it is next to.

“This type of community has become more and more popular around the country, and we’re the first one here in Lakeland.”

Grasslands West members are not part of the Grassland Golf and Country Club, but can apply for membership at the club the same as any other locals.

Grasslands is especially near and dear to Myers, not only because he owns a home in the community, but he also was a building superintendent of the construction of that neighborhood, dating back to the late 1980s.

Green is the Principal of Wheelock Communities, a company that has built a portfolio that encompasses more than 24,000 residential lots around the U.S.

Harper is owner of Land South, a property development, management and realty company, that has played a pivotal role in the growth of Polk County.

All 88 homes are expected to be complete in the next 12-18 months, but more than 30 homes are already being lived in or available for rent.