Traditional Southern Plantation architecture

COURTESY PHOTO The clubhouse is under construction at The Plantation, a development of Centex Homes. Traditional Southern Plantation architecture has found a home in Southwest Florida at The Plantation, a community being developed by Centex Homes. Gora McGahey Associates in Architecture orchestrated the design for the community's amenity buildings.

Three major buildings comprise the amenities at The Plantation; the clubhouse at Somerset, the recreation center at Somerset and the recreation center at Bridgetown. The clubhouse is a 30,000 square foot structure featuring a full service dining room and lounge, men's and women's lockers, billiard/card room, Pro Shop, cart storage and meeting rooms, as well as offices for Golf Operations and Administration.

The Recreation Center at Somerset offers 12,000 square feet of air conditioned space and an additional 7,500 square feet of verandas, porches and breezeways. This facility includes a pool and spa, tennis courts, lockers, fitness and aerobics areas, pro shop, billiards room, television and internet lounge, library and community room. The Bridgetown Recreation Center is slightly smaller, but includes many of the same features. The plantation-style architecture is seen in the breezeways, plantation shutters and covered porches.

Terry Gilchrist was the project manager for the amenities at The Plantation and Dan McGahey was the principalin charge. Balfour Beatty served as construction manager on the facilities, which are slated for completion during August of 2007. ¦