Despite a softer real estate market, momentum continues in Wellen Park with the groundbreaking of its newest neighborhood: Oakbend. This gated enclave will bring 181 single-family homes to the master-planned development located in North Port, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Home sales are expected to launch this fall, with pricing starting in the high $600,000s.
A New Community in a Booming City
Oakbend sits just north of Playmore Road, tucked between West Villages Parkway and Preto Boulevard, squarely within North Port’s city limits. The area is no stranger to the spotlight—it recently ranked #3 on LendingTree’s “America’s Biggest Boomtowns” list, thanks to impressive economic and population growth:
In fact, North Port now ranks 7th nationally in population growth and 11th in housing growth.
More Than Homes: Healthcare, Retail & More
Wellen Park isn’t just growing in rooftops. In March, HCA Florida Wellen Park Emergency opened along South Tamiami Trail, offering 24/7 emergency care in an 11,300-square-foot facility. In April, Exalt Health broke ground on a $30 million, 40-bed rehab hospital set to open mid-2026.
Medical development continues with a 75,000-square-foot outpatient medical office building by CASTO Healthcare nearing completion. On the retail front, Costco is underway along U.S. 41—bringing a gas station, auto service center, and hundreds of jobs. And the ever-growing Downtown Wellen is set to expand with 44,000 square feet of new retail, dining, office space, a boutique hotel, and parking, projected to open in early 2026.
Meet Oakbend: Intimate, Upscale Living
Oakbend is being developed by Toll Brothers and ICI Homes, two national builders offering a blend of architectural styles. Homes will range from 2,100 to 3,800+ square feet, with both one- and two-story options. While ICI will build the majority of homes, Toll Brothers is already constructing a model home, and site work began in May.
“This is a smaller, gated community designed for buyers looking for a more intimate, boutique lifestyle,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. For context, some other neighborhoods in Wellen Park exceed 2,000 homes.
Buyers can expect both move-in-ready and custom homes, with full buildout expected over the next five years.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Oakbend will feature a private clubhouse, resort-style zero-entry pool, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, dog park, playground, and a dedicated food truck area. And with direct access to the Wellen Park trail system and Greenway, residents can easily walk or bike to CoolToday Park, restaurants, and shopping in Downtown Wellen.
“It’s gated and close to everything—downtown, amenities, trails. That’s what makes it stand out,” said Brian O’Hara, division president for Toll Brothers in the Tampa–Sarasota market.
The community is not age-restricted, and is expected to attract a multigenerational mix—from retirees to growing families. The new Wellen Park High School, opening nearby in August 2026, will serve up to 2,100 students across 300,000+ square feet of academic and recreational space.
Smart Growth, Long-Term Vision
O’Hara notes that today’s buyers are more selective, favoring low-maintenance living and meaningful community amenities. “They’re looking for quality and connection, which is why we’re investing in shared spaces and simplifying the lifestyle,” he said.
While the pace of home sales has eased from pandemic-era highs, Wellen Park continues to expand, currently home to 16,000+ residents and eventually expected to reach over 22,000 homes and 50,000+ people. The community spans three districts—West Villages, Downtown Wellen, and Playmore—with more phases and districts on the horizon. Phase two of Downtown Wellen is set to break ground in early 2026 and will add another 45,000 square feet of mixed-use development.
“There’s still a lot of unincorporated Sarasota County land left to grow into,” said Severance. “At the current pace, buildout could take another 20 to 30 years.”
The Big Picture
While Florida’s overall migration has cooled from its pandemic surge, cities like North Port remain hot spots thanks to their affordability, business-friendly environment, and quality of life. North Port is also seeing strong business formation, ranking among the top U.S. metros for new business applications and GDP growth.
Even with a 15% year-over-year dip in sales, Wellen Park continues to rank among the top-selling master-planned communities in the U.S., placing #6 in the RCLCO mid-2024 rankings. And the outlook remains strong.
“In this kind of community, we’re cautiously optimistic,” said Severance. “The market might fluctuate, but Wellen Park’s appeal as a destination is only growing.”
