Belleisle At Country Club East Takes Flight

May 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Southwest Florida – Neal Communities is moving forward quickly in Belleisle in Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch. Since opening in February, there have been 19 sales in Belleisle. Buyers are attracted to these highly-valued homes thanks to features like tile roofing, brick paver driveways, and the community’s desirable location within Lakewood Ranch. The neighborhood has 10 available floor plans and 4 brand new models. Most enjoy views of the golf course, preserves or lakes.

Buyers are also impressed by the great value of the homes; a rarity in most gated communities with private roads and maintenance-free living. The new 2100 square foot Residents Club for Country Club East is within walking distance of Belleisle. With resort style amenities such as a pool, spa, clubhouse with full kitchen, and indoor/outdoor fireplaces, Belleisle is the picture of luxury living in a natural setting.


Early Completion, Under Budget
“We are extremely pleased with the community’s success so far. I’m convinced that part of the success of Belleisle is due to the superb site work of Frederick Derr Company. Work at Belleisle was completed early and under budget—a testament to their company’s style. Fred has instilled in his company a culture of outstanding work ethic and commitment to always going above and beyond. Their site management work is exemplary and unmatched,” states Neal Communities’ president Patrick Neal.

Frederick Derr started on the project in September 2010. Among many other services, the company was responsible for clearing, grading, lake excavation and installing water lines, sewer mains and sidewalks. They had the neighborhood ready for a successful February Parade of Homes—a heroic effort for such a short period of time.

“This is the result of a concentrated and cooperative effort among the contractor, the owner and the engineer,” explains Bunky Bartlett, vice president –director of project management for Frederick Derr Company. “We kept it moving by setting schedule milestones for various segments of the work and paying attention to meeting those goals. No excuses allowed!”

Frederick Derr has worked with Neal Communities for several decades. Recently, they have provided site services for River Sound, Forest Creek and Central Park at Lakewood Ranch. “We are always very proud to have been involved in a Neal community.  They have a “look” that is unrivaled in the industry – it’s a great feather in our cap,” says Bartlett.


Commitment To The Environment
One of the challenges at the Belleisle site was the wetland. It was severely degraded and choked with exotic species, such as Brazilian Peppers. The harmful species were removed. Neal Communities then planted 85 oaks and Sabal Palms and 495 wetland plants—a combination of grasses and bushes. It will take about six to 12 months for the plants and trees to grow in and to be able to enjoy the full effect. Neal Communities has extensive experience with wetland re-nourishment and preservation. Now that rainy season is upon us, this will be especially important.

“Preserving the wetland serves to protect the environment and benefit homeowners, as healthy wetlands protect homes from flooding and improve water quality,” explains Patrick Neal. “During times of heavy rain, wetlands store water and transport it downstream, which helps reduce flood peaks and reduce harmful phosphates that are a primary source of pollution.   The beauty of a wetland is the natural filtration system it provides for groundwater runoff.”

According to the Audubon Society of Florida, a one-acre wetland is capable of holding 333,000 gallons of water when flooded to a depth of one-foot. Neal Communities worked closely with ECo Consultants in Bradenton. The wetland, then becomes an important habitat for wildlife including deer, fox, herons, egrets, red-tailed hawks, roseate spoonbills, and many more.


Neal Communities is ranked #94 nationally by BUILDER Magazine based on sales, and is ranked #1 locally by HBW Inc.  and by Metrostudy and Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number permits and  home sales. As the area’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities’ innovative home building, pool construction, interior design, development operations and quality customer service standards all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. With  8,000 homes built in Southwest Florida, Neal Communities’ honors and accolades include 37 of the 2011 Parade of Homes awards, 44 Aurora Awards, five Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, visit nealcommunities.com.

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Neal Communities is Southwest Florida’s largest, most established locally owned and operated private company. Its commitment to responsible development, innovative home building, and design excellence serve as the benchmarks for the company’s success.