Meeting Place
Valencia has it all and makes it all about community
BY WHITNEY JOSEPH
Ryan Courson, division president of GL Homes for St. Lucie County, says potential buyers are attracted by the high-end amenities offered at Valencia at Riverland, but it is something else that most often seals the deal.
“Every GL Homes community focuses on lifestyle,” he said. “We make the community entrances very inviting. We’re not just selling you a home, but a lifestyle. So, once you move there, you can live life to the fullest. We’re much more than a homebuilder, we are a community developer.”
It takes foresight and planning to make a community come together such as Riverland in western St. Lucie County. The “GL” in GL Homes stands for “good luck,” as named by founder Itchko Ezratti, one of the state’s largest private developers of residential communities.
But a lot more than luck is behind the success of GL Homes, including nearly four decades of hard work and planning. Building exclusively in the Sunshine State, GL Homes is the creator of Valencia at Riverland in Port St. Lucie. The company’s portfolio has mushroomed since 1976. There are now more than 20 Valencia communities throughout the state catering to the active, 55-plus homebuyer.
“We purchase land and build master-planned communities,” he explained. “[Amenities] are the number-one differentiator for Riverland. When you go to other communities, they may be selling 500 or 1,000 homes, but go to their clubhouse and it’s [lacking]. We put a lot of lifestyle amenities in place. We have the first phase of our arts and cultural center done; the first phase of our sports complex done. Hands down, that’s the biggest differentiator: the lifestyle.”
LESSONS
To help homebuyers adapt to their new environment, Valencia has a specially trained team that teaches recent arrivals what Riverland has to offer. That’s especially helpful for people who sometimes shy away from trying new things, meeting new people or starting a new routine.
And there’s a lot to learn. Riverland has an extensive fitness center and indoor sports complex with basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor pools. An additional 17,000-square-foot building is being constructed for fitness classes including spin; Pilates; bungee and circuit training; training rooms; and a full-service spa, offering nail services, hydrotherapy and a steam room, just for Riverland residents.
Sixteen more pickleball courts are being added to the existing 37. Some will be covered, for those sudden Florida rainstorms. “It’s not going to be the largest in the state,” Courson said.
“You can just say it will be the newest and the best.”
A walk around the courts certainly backs up that claim. The pristine pickleball park with azure-blue courts is shaded by gently swaying palms. Canopied tables and chairs, bordered by bleachers, offer seating for those interested in watching games and tournaments. A pro shop anchors the outdoor area, which also offers tennis and bocce courts.
For those less athletically inclined, the arts and cultural center offers classes, such as pottery and painting. Local and national artists come to lecture, teach and exhibit. A demonstration kitchen welcomes chefs who inspire residents to whip up their own culinary creations — maybe with ingredients from Riverland’s Community Garden and Green Market.
“You can do as much as you want to do at Riverland — or as little. It’s all there,” said Courson. “There are so many activities and clubs. Is it inviting? It’s more than inviting.”
GREENWAY
For instance, the Riverland Paseo Greenway, a five-mile, traffic-free walking, cycling and golf cart trail for people and pets, meanders through 4,000 acres. Once completed, it will connect the entire Valencia at Riverland project, which will eventually have up to 11,700 homes. Courson described it as a “little mini city.
“Within the Riverland master plan we’re building individual communities [there will] probably be eight or nine communities when it’s all done,” he said, noting not all will be geared toward the 55-plus age group. “Also, as part of the master plan for Riverland, we’re planning for commercial centers with 141 acres of parks, fire stations, schools, etc.”
The Riverland Town Center will be a retail and commercial hub, with a Publix supermarket and other shops. Residents will be able to access it from the Paseo Greenway. The first phase of the project is set to open in the second quarter of 2025.
“We spent several years of internal planning on this project. One key thing with this master plan was to keep the community connected. The Paseo trail system is the core of Riverland: It connects to all the communities we’re building out here. You can conveniently go out your front door and take the trail system anywhere in Riverland. You can go to the sports complex, the arts and culture center, to the Publix shopping center. As importantly, it really is a place where people can connect. A lot of people go on it to walk their dogs or go on a jog, but it’s also a meeting place. If you live in Valencia Cay and I live in Valencia Walk, you can use the Paseo to broaden your circle of friends.”
A veteran of GL Homes for 20-plus years, Courson said the company spent four years in the planning process before breaking ground on Valencia. Planners traveled the country to view other master-plan developments to see “what made them special,” so they could incorporate those elements at Riverland.
“We wanted to make sure we were forward thinking, to make this a great place to live,” said Courson. “The Paseo was something we saw in multiple places. We wanted to make this a walking community. We didn’t want residents to see and meet neighbors in just one community — we wanted everyone to interact.”
In June 2024, GL Homes was actively selling its fourth Riverland project, Valencia Parc at Riverland, along with Valencia Walk. Earlier models — Valencia Cay and Valencia Grove — sold quickly, said Courson. Prices for all four Port St. Lucie Valencia models range from the mid-$400,000s to the mid-$800,000s. Upgrades can raise those numbers.
Valencia’s master-planned communities offer world-class amenities and cultural planning, allowing residents to live in the lap of luxury. The two bestselling home models at Valencia Parc are the Sandpiper and the Bellagio.
The Sandpiper is in the Premier Collection at Valencia Parc and is priced at $413,000 to $447,900. It includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an optional den/third bedroom, a great room and a two-car garage. With 1,752 air-conditioned square feet, this model offers relaxed Florida living and a beautiful layout.
The Crown Collection’s Bellagio model is priced at $761,900 to $846,900. More luxurious, it includes three bedrooms, three baths, an optional den/fourth bedroom, a great room and a three-car garage. With 2,668 air-conditioned square feet, the Bellagio offers top-of-the-line luxury.
Some of the most celebrated standard features offered in all Riverland models include large floor tiles in its main living areas; flush entry in the primary bath/shower; 3-centimeter countertops; high impact windows; flat roof concrete tiles; covered and screened patios; and standard free-standing tubs in the Crown Collection. Homebuyers may upgrade to top options, including pavers in designer colors and patterns; cabinets with designer finishes, like glossy acrylic; and countertops upgraded to designer-level quartz.
See the original article in print publication
Aug. 17, 2024
