Hills of Minneola is gearing up for a significant addition with the planned Minneola Marketplace, a new town center strategically located near the Florida Turnpike and Citrus Grove Road. The centerpiece of this development will be two substantial, side-by-side retail “big box” stores, anticipated to become major draws for the area. These stores will occupy over 38 acres, offering more than 340,000 square feet of retail space and ample parking. While the specific retailers haven’t been named by developer SunTerra Communities, their similar site plans to a recent Walmart and Sam’s Club announcement in Davenport have fueled speculation.
SunTerra Principal Richard Jerman expressed excitement about the project, emphasizing its potential benefits for Minneola residents, even though the current plan differs from earlier concepts. The 74-acre Minneola Marketplace is designed as a mixed-use hub, featuring not only the anchor retail stores but also out-parcel lots, a convenience store, a gas station, and luxury multifamily apartments. This revised plan emerged due to “market factors” that made the initially envisioned restaurants and lifestyle center less viable.
Adding to the residential offerings, Bainbridge Companies is set to develop a 300-unit luxury apartment complex within the Marketplace, their first in Lake County. The community will boast amenities like a resort-style pool and pickleball courts. This development is part of the larger Hills of Minneola master plan, which has already seen significant single-family home construction and includes the future Hills City Center on the opposite side of the Turnpike interchange. That area will feature further residential and commercial development, including a new brewery and food hall. The Minneola Marketplace represents a key step in creating a comprehensive and convenient commercial and residential center for this growing community.