New Construction in Manatee County
Lakewood Ranch, North River Ranch, Bradenton, Parrish, and Palmetto.
Your Advocate
Why You Need Your Own Agent When Buying New Construction
The builder's sales representative is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. They can answer questions about floor plans, upgrades, and community amenities. But they work for the builder — not for you.
A buyer's agent protects your interests. That means contract review, price negotiation, upgrade analysis, inspection coordination, and warranty guidance — all from someone whose only loyalty is to you. And in virtually every case, the builder pays the buyer's agent commission, which means you get professional representation at no additional cost.
Kim Donahue provides free, no-obligation buyer representation for new construction purchases in Manatee County.
Communities
New construction communities in Manatee County.
Below are the major new construction communities and corridors in Manatee County. Each listing includes the active builders and a link to explore further. I update this directory regularly as new communities open and existing ones sell through.
Lakewood Ranch (Manatee County side)
East of I-75, Manatee County side
The Manatee County side of Lakewood Ranch includes some of the most active new construction villages in the entire Sarasota region. Key communities include Star Farms (the #1 selling community in 2025 with 1,300+ acres, by DR Horton and Perry Homes), Waterside District (Avanti, Windward, Shellstone, Lake House Cove by MI Homes and others), Del Webb Catalina (55+, 1,000+ homes by Pulte), Calusa Country Club (Lennar, nearly 2,000 homes with bundled golf), Esplanade at Azario (Taylor Morrison), Sapphire Point (Pulte), Stillwater (Lennar), and Sweetwater (MI Homes). Homes range from the mid-$400,000s to $3 million-plus.
Amenities: Golf courses, aquatic centers, pickleball courts, trail systems, A-rated schools, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, UTC shopping and dining district, Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
North River Ranch
Parrish, Manatee County
A 2,600-acre master-planned community in Parrish that has become one of the most active new construction corridors in Manatee County. North River Ranch won Best Master Planned Community in 2025 (Bradenton's Best Awards, four consecutive years). Homes start around $329,990, with most falling between $320,000 and $500,000. Premium builders like Homes by WestBay begin around $622,990. New neighborhoods like Camp Creek opened in 2025. CDD assessments range from roughly $1,700 to $3,000 per year.
Amenities: Trails, parks, Camp Creek access, proximity to top-rated Manatee County schools, future town center with retail and dining.
Parrish / North Manatee County Communities
Parrish, Manatee County
The Parrish area has roughly 73 new home communities either planned or under construction. Notable communities include Coasterra (Cardel Homes, from the $400,000s), Coasterra Reserve Series and The Cottages at Avignon (DR Horton), SeaFlower (Cardel Homes, from the $500,000s), Firethorn (Taylor Morrison), and Edgestone at North Artisan Lakes. Del Webb Sunchase is a planned 955-home community marketed to Gen X buyers, scheduled to open in 2026. Homes range from the mid-$300,000s to $700,000s.
Amenities: Neighborhood parks, community pools, proximity to the Manatee River, easy access to I-75 for commutes to Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Bradenton / South Manatee County
Bradenton, south Manatee County
Bradenton's new construction activity spans both established in-city infill lots and master-planned communities on the outskirts. Communities like Glen Creek (DR Horton) and Evergreen (DR Horton) offer affordable entry points in the $300,000s to $500,000s. The area benefits from proximity to downtown Bradenton's revitalized Riverwalk, Village of the Arts, and easy access to Anna Maria Island beaches.
Amenities: Bradenton Riverwalk, Village of the Arts, Robinson Preserve, DeSoto National Memorial Park, Anna Maria Island beaches, proximity to IMG Academy.
Palmetto / North Manatee County
Palmetto, north Manatee County
Palmetto offers newer communities with lower price points than Bradenton or Lakewood Ranch. Watercolor Place, Eagle Trace, and communities near the Terra Ceia Bay area provide options from the $300,000s to mid-$500,000s. The Emerson Pointe area and neighborhoods along US-301 are seeing continued development. Palmetto's historic downtown and waterfront parks add to the appeal.
Amenities: Palmetto Historical Park, Emerson Point Preserve, Terra Ceia Bay waterfront access, proximity to I-75 and US-301.
Ellenton / East Manatee County
Ellenton, east Manatee County
Ellenton has seen steady new construction growth, particularly along the US-301 corridor. Newer communities here appeal to buyers who work in the Tampa Bay area but want Manatee County's lower tax burden and more relaxed pace. The area is home to the Ellenton Premium Outlets and is close to the Manatee River. Homes range from the $300,000s to $550,000s.
Amenities: Ellenton Premium Outlets, Gamble Creek Preserve, Manatee River access, proximity to I-75 and US-301.
Ready to explore new construction in Manatee County?
Whether you are comparing Lakewood Ranch and North River Ranch or have already visited a model home, Kim can help you evaluate your options and negotiate on your behalf — at no cost to you.