Less than a mile east of the I-75 Interstate, just off Bee Ridge Road at the northern end of Mauna Loa Avenue, is Baytown Plaza, a gated, maintenance-free community in a pleasant environment. Family and staff provide privacy and security.
89 two-story townhouses occupy 15 buildings and are located around a rectangular ring road consisting of Boxwood Avenue, Baytown Avenue and Twilight Ash Lane. Eight of the buildings surround a central pond. The three returned to a large lake at the east end of the community, with a sparkling fountain and forest backdrop on the other side. The rest can enjoy the woods, wetlands and green spaces of Florida.
Baytown Square, started in 2016, is another affordable housing development project in the Sarasota-Bradenton area developed by DR Horton, a large national home builder headquartered in Arlington, Texas.
"This is a nice basic community," said Benjamin Litke, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker. "DR Horton is a value creator without much decoration."
Amenities are limited to community swimming pools, keeping HOA membership fees low-ranging from US$160 to US$184 per month. There is no CDD fee.
DR Horton only provided two floor plans, including three bedrooms, two or 2.5 bathrooms, one guest room and a garage. The living space in the air is designed to be 1,674 and 1,530 square feet. The terminal unit has a side entrance. The indoor house has a front entrance. The building has at least four units.
The design choices reflect the focus on convenience. Litke said: “The builder puts half of the bathroom on the main floor and the laundry room upstairs so you don’t have to go up and down the stairs. It’s smart.”
Granite countertops, covered balconies and screened terraces at the back provide a comfortable sitting position and beautiful views. He owns one of the larger townhouses at 6413 Boxgrove Drive. This 3-bed, 2.5-bathroom townhouse features granite countertops in the kitchen, a covered balcony and a screened terrace at the back.
Although the original price of the townhouse was US$200,000, its value has risen to the mid-to-high price range of US$300,000 since then. Litke's listing price is $360,000.
The population of Baytown Square is mainly young residents. "Some families have teenage children and children in their early 20s who still live at home, families with young children and office workers," Litke said. "I haven't seen many retired couples. Stairs tend to discourage older buyers."
School-age children can attend Tatum Ridge or Lakeview Elementary School, McIntosh Middle and Sarasota High School.
Baytown Square is a pet-friendly community. Homeowners can rent their townhouse twice a year for at least 6 months.
"For those who need to travel north or south, this is a great place-it's easy to reach even in Tampa and St. Peter, and now with the new development around the Bee Ridge corridor, there are more Business development," Litke said. "You don't have to walk far to reach the amenities."
It has easy access to shopping venues, restaurants, health clubs, banks and medical facilities, including doctors’ hospitals. The UTC and Lakewood Ranch event centers are located at two exits north of the interstate. Sarasota city centre, Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach are less than half an hour’s drive away.
For golf enthusiasts, nearby Bent Tree, Laurel Oak Country Club and Heritage Oaks all offer memberships. There are also several fitness clubs a few minutes away.
The townhouses in Baytown Square are not often listed, but they are on the market quickly. Litke's only sold after opening the house twice and has multiple offers. "It is unusual to be east of the interstate, but our turnout rate is high," he said.