Lakehouse Cove at Waterside

Waterside Lakehouse Cove features approximately 626 homes built by three respected Southwest Florida builders:

Homes by Towne (primary builder):

- 14 models ranging from 1,743-3,426 sq ft
- Contemporary open-concept designs
- Semi-custom with design center options
- Single-story and two-story plans
- 2-5 bedrooms

Arthur Rutenberg:

- 3 luxury models, 2,696-3,222 sq ft
- Semi-custom approach with extensive personalization
- Timeless architectural styling
- Premium finishes and appointments

Lee Wetherington Homes:

- Mainstay model at 3,200 sq ft
- Custom homes up to 5,000+ sq ft
- Innovative layouts and high-end finishes
- Lakefront and preserve lots

John Cannon Homes (select custom):
- Fully custom estates
- Highest-end finishes and personalization
- Premium lot positioning

All homes feature covered lanais, gourmet kitchens, high ceilings (typically 10+ feet), primary suites with spa-inspired bathrooms, and contemporary Florida styling. Many homes include lake or preserve views from main living areas and outdoor spaces.

Lakehouse Cove provides resort-style amenities plus unprecedented access to Waterside Place's 36-acre town center:

Community amenities:

- Lakefront resort-style pool with lap lanes
- State-of-the-art fitness center
- Community center for social events
- Lifestyle director organizing activities
- Kayak launch and storage
- Water taxi to Waterside Place
- Two dog parks (small and large dog areas)
- Playground
- Bocce ball courts
- Multiple pickleball courts
- Walking trails throughout the community

Waterside Place (walking/water taxi distance):

- Restaurants: Kore Steakhouse, Deep Lagoon Seafood, Agave Bandido, Good Liquid Brewing, Osteria 500
- Shops: Monkee's boutique, Florida Provisions Co., Tim's Wine Market, Marmalade, Black Dog
- 8-acre Waterside Park for concerts and festivals
- Sunday Farmers' Market (Florida's #1-rated)
- Ranch Nite Wednesdays with live music
- Fitness classes, yoga in the park
- Future Players Centre for Performing Arts

The lifestyle director creates monthly calendars that include fitness classes, social gatherings, book clubs, wine tastings, holiday celebrations, and special-interest groups.

Waterside Lakehouse Cove is zoned for Sarasota County Public Schools:

Current zoned schools:

- Tatum Ridge Elementary School: 6 miles
- McIntosh Middle School: 7.6 miles
- Booker High School: 11.8 miles

Future plans:

- Sarasota County Schools purchased a 20-acre site within Waterside for a future K-5 elementary school, though construction timelines remain under review as of early 2026

Nearby private options:

- Lakewood Ranch Prep: PK-12 college preparatory
- Out-of-Door Academy: Prestigious independent school
- Faith-based schools throughout greater Lakewood Ranch

School distances require 10-15 minute drives rather than walking, making the future Waterside elementary school highly anticipated by families with young children.

Yes, Waterside Lakehouse Cove delivers true maintenance-free living.

HOA covers:

- Lawn mowing and edging
- All landscaping maintenance, including trees, shrubs, and flowers
Irrigation system operation and repairs
- Mulch refresh and seasonal plantings
- Exterior pest control
- Amenity center operations (pool, fitness, clubhouse)
- Gated entry staffing
- Lifestyle director programming
- Common area maintenance
- Water taxi operations

Homeowner responsibilities:
- Home interior maintenance
- HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems
- Roof maintenance (covered under builder warranty initially)
- Private pool maintenance if the home has a pool
- Home insurance and property taxes

Waterside Place transforms suburban living into something far more connected and urban by providing a walkable (or water-accessible) town center delivering daily conveniences and social experiences:

Dining variety:

- Upscale: Kore Steakhouse, Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House
- Casual: Good Liquid Brewing (craft beer and pub fare), Agave Bandido (Mexican)
- Italian: Osteria 500
- Coffee, wine, and casual dining throughout

Shopping and services:

- Florida Provisions Co.: Coastal lifestyle gear, fishing, flip flops, local foods
- Monkee's: Upscale women's boutique
- Tim's Wine Market: Curated wine selection
- Marmalade, Black Dog, and additional boutiques
- Health and wellness services

Weekly events:

- Sunday Farmers' Market: Local produce, artisan goods, food vendors (Florida's #1-rated)
- Ranch Nite Wednesdays: Live music, food trucks, cornhole tournaments
- Concerts and festivals in 8-acre Waterside Park
- Yoga and fitness classes on the lawn
- Seasonal celebrations

Accessibility:

- Walk from Lakehouse Cove (approximately 5-10 minutes)
- Bike or golf cart ride
- Water taxi across Kingfisher Lake
- Free parking for driving

Waterside Place creates daily reasons to leave your home and engage with neighbors and community, from morning coffee overlooking the lake to dinner by the water.

Waterside Lakehouse Cove occupies Lakewood Ranch's Waterside village in Sarasota County, just off State Road 70 (University Parkway) and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard:

Immediate area:

- Waterside Place: Walking distance/water taxi
- University Town Center: 3-4 miles west (10 minutes)
- Lakewood Ranch Main Street: 7-8 miles (15 minutes)
- Center Point at Waterside: Adjacent shopping plaza with Publix, services

Transportation:

- I-75: 5-6 miles west (exits 205/207)
- Sarasota-Bradenton Airport: 12-15 minutes
- Tampa International Airport: 55-65 minutes

Beaches (Gulf Coast):

- Lido Beach: Approximately 14-16 miles (25-30 minutes)
- Siesta Key: Approximately 18-20 miles (25-35 minutes depending on traffic)
- Longboat Key: Approximately 17-19 miles (30 minutes)

Downtown Sarasota:

- 11 miles (20-25 minutes)
- Cultural attractions: Sarasota Opera, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, botanical gardens
- Marina district, waterfront dining, galleries

St. Armands Circle:

- Approximately 15 miles (25-30 minutes)
- European-style shopping district with boutiques and restaurants

Waterside Lakehouse Cove occupies a unique position among Lakewood Ranch's waterfront neighborhoods:

Vs. The Isles (Toll Brothers):

- Lakehouse Cove offers more builder variety (three builders vs. Toll Brothers only)
- Lakehouse Cove provides Waterside Place access (walking/water taxi)
- The Isles delivers Toll Brothers' luxury reputation and extensive customization
- Comparable price ranges for similar sizes

Vs. Shoreview (Waterside's other original neighborhood):

- Both offer similar proximity to Waterside Place
- Shoreview features a different builder mix
- Comparable amenities and lifestyle
- Similar home sizes and price ranges

Vs. Kingfisher Estates (Waterside's luxury neighborhood):

- Kingfisher offers larger estate homes on bigger lots
- Lakehouse Cove provides more attainable entry points
- Both have Waterside Place access and water views

Vs. Country Club East or Lakewood National:

- Lakehouse Cove offers waterfront without golf course membership requirements
- Golf communities deliver championship golf, but with higher ongoing fees
- Lakehouse Cove emphasizes town center lifestyle vs. club-centered living

Vs. eastern villages (Star Farms, Sweetwater):

- Lakehouse Cove offers established landscaping (2019-2022 vs. current construction)
- Eastern villages are newer with the latest designs
- Lakehouse Cove has Waterside Place immediately available vs. future town centers

The combination of lakefront setting, three quality builders, maintenance-free living, and immediate Waterside Place access creates a lifestyle package difficult to replicate elsewhere in Lakewood Ranch.

Yes, waterfront living is the defining feature of Lakehouse Cove. The community is built around seven interconnected lakes with roughly 20 miles of combined shoreline, and many of the homes back onto a lake or a natural preserve. Kingfisher Lake, the centerpiece, is the same lake Waterside Place sits on, so many lakefront homes look across the water toward the town center.

To see current waterfront listings in Lakehouse Cove, browse the Featured Listings above or reach out to Mike for a curated list matched to your view preference and budget.

New construction at Lakehouse Cove is essentially sold out. However, because the community is only a few years old (most homes were built between 2019 and 2024), resale inventory is essentially “like-new.” Buyers get modern energy-efficient construction, current design finishes, and often upgraded landscaping and pool packages already in place without waiting 12 to 18 months for a build. If new construction is non-negotiable, Mike can point you to other Waterside villages or nearby Lakewood Ranch communities that still have builder inventory.

Lakehouse Cove is in Sarasota County (Waterside is the only section of Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota County, rather than Manatee), so residents are zoned for Sarasota County schools. Current zoning assignments are:

Elementary: Tatum Ridge Elementary School (A-rated, about 3 miles from the community)
Middle: McIntosh Middle School
High: Booker High School, which is well known for its nationally recognized Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) magnet program

School zone boundaries do shift occasionally as new schools open, so always confirm current assignments directly with the Sarasota County School District if you’re selecting your neighborhood for the schools.

Lakehouse Cove families also have access to several strong private options nearby, including The Out-of-Door Academy and Providence Community School.

Lakehouse Cove has a dedicated lifestyle director whose job is to keep the social calendar full. Events inside the community typically include wine tastings, food truck nights, fitness classes, pickleball clinics and tournaments, holiday celebrations, bocce leagues, and seasonal poolside events.

On top of the in-community calendar, residents are a short walk, bike, or water-taxi ride from Waterside Place, which hosts the Sunday Farmers’ Market year-round, Ranch Nite Wednesdays with live music and cornhole, seasonal festivals, and outdoor concerts on the lakefront lawn. All in all, Lakehouse Cove residents rarely need to leave the area to find something going on.

The easiest way to book a tour of Lakehouse Cove is to reach out to Mike Novak directly. As a local Realtor® who works inside Lakehouse Cove regularly, Mike can set up a same-week tour that’s tailored to what you’re looking for: lakefront vs. preserve view, specific builders, single-story vs. two-story, or move-in-ready vs. customizable resale.

Call or text Mike at 941-899-5466, email [email protected].

Lakehouse Cove is an open MLS community, so any licensed Florida brokerage can list homes there. What matters more than the brokerage name is whether the agent knows Lakehouse Cove: the floor plans, the lake-by-lake differences, the HOA structure, and how Waterside Place affects resale value. Mike Novak is with Coldwell Banker Realty as part of the Joe Murphy Team, lives in Lakewood Ranch, and has worked in Waterside since the village opened. Whichever brokerage holds a listing you’re interested in, Mike can represent you as your buyer’s agent.