Worldwide developer building in Lee County

Lucaya Clubhouse In 2006, home builders and developers Taylor Woodrow delivered 4,492 homes in the U.S. and Canada- including 835 in Florida- for revenues of more than $2.2 billion. The average selling price of those homes was $428,000.

The British-based company, which employs nearly 1,000 people in North America, shows no signs of slowing down in and around Fort Myers, with a number of recent developments.

The California mission style homes in a 1,178-unit development called Portica, built on Buckingham Road in East Lee County is a departure from standard.

"We wanted to get away from the Mediterranean-type Florida architecture," Tim Diers, director of sales and marketing for Taylor Woodrow told Florida Weekly in June. "People are tired of it. When you get away from the coast things change, they're less tropical, more Old Florida. It's similar to California."

Nestled on nearly 600 acres, Portico will have 120 townhomes and 1,058 single-family homes from builders such as Morrison Homes, Taylor Woodrow and Cape Coral-based Aubuchon Homes.

COURTESY PHOTO Lucaya St. George Exterior Taylor Woodrow calls these developments "non-amenitized" communities - without golf courses, or restaurants or tennis clubs. That keeps common fees down, Diers said.

Single-family home buyers can choose from lots as small as 55-feet wide up to 75-foot wide properties.

Taylor Woodrow's new Tortuga community located on Gladiolus Drive in South Fort Myers, when complete, the project will have 370 homes reflecting a Bermuda-inspired ambience.

Amenities at Tortuga include a clubhouse, swimming pool with lounging area and professionally designed landscaping. Located in proximity to Southwest Florida beaches, Tortuga is also close to shopping, dining and golf centers.

The first phase of construction includes the Abaco garden homes, the Seagrape and the Mangrove.

The Seagrape includes two bedrooms, two full baths, plus den and covered car area. The Mangrove includes two bedrooms, two baths plus den and covered car area. Both floor plans include great room, dining room, foyer and covered entry.

COURTESY PHOTO Estero Palms Exterior Lucaya is a gated residential community located on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers at the gateway to Sanibel and Captiva, Lucaya's Caribbean inspired homes offer luxury garden, carriage and coach homes.

A 4,800 square foot clubhouse includes social and meeting rooms, a catering kitchen and fitness center. Other amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, deck and sandy beach setting embellished with palm trees, tiki huts and lounge chairs.

"Now is the perfect time for prospective homebuyers to stop by our new sales center at Lucaya," Diers said.

Taylor Woodrow's Ashton Oaks and Willow Lake villages in Fort Myers are two new neighborhoods in River Hall (a club community with a golf course, walking trails, a river outpost with canoeing, and a village square). In Ashton Oaks, buyers will find sixplex carriage homes with lake, golf and preserve views. There are four floor plans to choose from. Each home includes a one-car garage.

In Willow Lake, 22 singly-family homes are situated on oversized lots and located near the clubhouse. Floor plans are named the Allendale, the Belmont and the Creston.

Magnolia Landing's clubhouse is now open in North Fort Myers. The Southern Plantation style 10,000 square foot golf clubhouse is now available for Magnolia Landings's residents, their guests and paid caretakers.

The Clubhouse Grille is managed by Johnson & Wales' executive chef David Shaal, who has created a selection of well-rounded, light fare menu.

"Magnolia Landing is one of the few communities that include an upscale yet affordable country club lifestyle," Diers said.

In Estero Palms, a gated community of single-family homes next to Estero High School, Taylor Woodrow has introduced a new floor plan called "The Bismark," to give buyers there a fourth choice. (The other three floor plans are called The Royal, The Sable, and The Sago).

The Bismark has been designed with two different options: either three bedrooms, two baths and a two car garage; or four bedrooms, two baths and a two car garage.

Taylor Woodrow builds over 13,000 homes worldwide each year, and is currently involved in more than 100 active developments throughout Florida, California, Arizona, Texas and Canada.