The Live, Work and Play concept is more of a lifestyle than a location. It is a place where strangers become neighbors and foster a deeper sense of community. LWP neighborhoods strive to meet all its residents needs in one cohesive place while creating opportunity for businesses and bringing the community together. Greater Gainesville has a growing resumé of LWP communities, from charming to eclectic, luxurious to progressive. A diverse stream of newcomers and natives alike flock to these communities and take advantage of their many benefits.
With a beautiful rolling green golf course and acres of wooded residential area, Haile Plantation is Gainesville’s original LWP neighborhood. Many years later, the contemporary Town of Tioga and Tioga Town Center joined the movement and were followed by Gainesville’s most recent addition, Celebration Pointe. As the demand for these developments increases, Greater Gainesville continues to supply. Developers understand the growing needs of the community at large and continue to evolve the concept. Coming soon is the progressive and sustainable San Felasco Tech City.
Haile Plantation
Tree-shaded sidewalks and wooded trails twist throughout the various neighborhoods and guide its residents to quiet cafés, charming boutiques, exquisite dining and a quaint, inviting pub. Haile Plantation sprawls over 1,700 acres and is made up of several smaller neighborhoods, two mixed-used developments, a golf and country club and an equestrian center. The community was created in the 1970s as part of the New Urbanism movement and today boasts 2,600 homes.
Resting between Archer and Newberry roads, Haile Plantation has several access points to main roads allowing for short commutes to work. It is conveniently located near great schools, UF Health Centers, hospitals and doctor’s and dental offices. The Haile Village Center is reminiscent of a quiet street in Savannah or Charleston. The charming mixed-use development is nestled in the heart of Haile Plantation and is home to several apartments and businesses. Patticakes café, The Queen’s Arms English Pub, The Haile Jewelers, several restaurants and law and health offices can all be found within the cozy village. The Perfect Gift, an adorable shop featuring local artwork, jewelry, cards and toys, has a lovely wine selection to choose from, which guests can open and enjoy on the patio.
Farmers, butchers and artisans set up their tables and tents on the village’s main thoroughfare for the Saturday Farmers Market. Residents and visitors alike meander down the main strip to peruse, purchase and sometimes sample fresh produce and local goods. Many of the businesses in the Haile Village Center have been operating there for many years and have forged family-like relationships with the Haile residents. For Nestor Espartero and his wife, Haile Plantation was the ideal place to open their restaurant. Drawn by the tight-knit community and relaxed atmosphere, they opened Volcanic Sushi and Sake in the Haile Village in 2014.
With their commitment to quality and love for the community, it did not take long for the Esparteros to develop a cult following. Many of the menu items were inspired and named for Haile-residing regulars, such as the Barbara and John II rolls. Espartero further honors Volcanic’s home base with the delicious Haile roll. “We’re in an environment filled with professionals who come and share their personal and family time with us through the love of food. Haile provides an amazing balance of professionalism and individuality,” Espartero said. The business has grown exponentially since its opening.
During the coronavirus pandemic and possibly the most difficult time in history for the hospitality industry, the Haile community rallied and kept Volcanic Sushi in business. Espartero was not only able to keep his business thriving but managed to open another restaurant in Haile in 2020, Tacos Volcan. The new restaurant was well received by the community, as they found the same attention to detail, quality and service they have always appreciated from Volcanic Sushi.
“Not a day goes by where we don’t feel the love. The community has done an amazing job at opening their hearts to us and lending a helping hand at any given time,” Espartero said.
The Publix Shopping Center at Market Square compliments the Haile Village’s convenient lifestyle. Residents do not have to travel far for necessities. From dry cleaning to banking to more restaurants to hair and nail salons, the shopping center completes the long list of conveniences found in Haile Plantation. UF Health Rehab and Kinetix Physical Therapy are also located in Market Square. After a long day of work or weekend errands, residents can venture down to Hawkstone Country Club for dinner or a drink on the veranda overlooking the rolling golf course. Club membership offers two pools, tennis and basketball courts, a fitness center and numerous events year-round.
Tioga
Beyond the boundaries of metropolitan Gainesville and stretching over 500 acres lies the vibrant community Tioga. Its neighborhood and town center has transformed the area into its own little borough of Greater Gainesville and continues to be a highly sought-after place to live, work and play. With several residential options, the community caters to a diverse population. Families, young professionals and seniors alike appreciate everything Tioga and the surrounding area has to offer.
The Town of Tioga neighborhood revamped the concept of the conventional community with traditional-revival architecture, smaller lot sizes and proximity to the mixed-use town center. Residential developer Luis Diaz and his father, Miguel, started a movement when they created The Town of Tioga in 1997. Not only did they redefine the traditional neighborhood, but they changed the trajectory of growth in Greater Gainesville.
While preserving the surrounding nature, the flourishing community continues to expand beyond 8th Avenue. Visitors and residents enjoy the tree-shaded walkways that course throughout the cozy neighborhood and lead back to the beautiful Tioga Town Center. Above the many shops and businesses located in the town center are the urban-style luxury apartments, The Flats at Tioga Town Center. Owned by Hankin Apartments, the 184 beautifully designed rentals are curated to provide residents an elevated and relaxed lifestyle with the convenience of having everything they need right outside their doorstep. As businesses continue to migrate west of Interstate 75 and creep out toward Newberry, residential developments and expansions are sprouting up to support the area’s growing needs.
“We’re so excited to expand our offerings at Tioga Town Center and The Flats at Tioga Town Center,” said Michael Hankin, COO of Hankin Group.
The award-winning Tioga Town Center is energized by more than 30 operating businesses there and the community that supports them. Entrepreneurs continue to flock to this Live, Work, Play mecca to not only grow their business opportunities but to be a part of a thriving community. Town of Tioga resident and local business owner, Dave Anders, truly embodies the Live, Work, Play model. Anders and his wife lived in The Town of Tioga from 2000 to 2009. They moved away from the area but were recently drawn back to live closer to their business, Dave’s New York Deli, in 2020.
“We were very familiar with Tioga and how the area worked, and we really, really loved it,” said Anders, the deli’s owner and founder.
After walking into a local sub shop, Anders had a vision of bringing a truly New York style delicatessen to Greater Gainesville. He bought the store and transformed the existing brand into Dave’s New York Deli. With authentic New York and Chicago fare, the reinvigorated business began to thrive. Three years later, Anders relocated the deli to the Tioga Town Center, where business exploded.
“It’s literally the same deli, same food, same everything, but we tripled our business with the Tioga clientele just by being here instead of just down the road,” Anders said.
From the New York delicatessen to authentic tacos to sushi, the dining possibilities in the town center continue to grow and are now quite cosmopolitan. Blue Highway a Pizzeria and World of Beer have been longtime town center residents. Popular food truck Cilantro Tacos established a brick-and-mortar location there, and Maple Street Biscuit Company opened its second Gainesville store in the town center. Local Provisions and Rock and Roll Sushi are the newest additions to the neighborhood.
“Tioga Town Center has become a destination point for dining, shopping and healthcare. Our customers have choices and frequent the other restaurants and shops in Tioga, and vice versa. Because all the eateries have different style menus, we all have supportive, rather than competitive, relationships,” Anders said. Complete Home Boutique, Lang Jewelers and Down to Earth Boutique provide high-end shopping options.
Gainesville Health and Fitness Center, UF Health Pediatrics, North Florida Gainesville Family Physicians and Tioga Dental bring health and wellness to Tioga. Enso A Healthier Nail Boutique offers a relaxing and nontoxic beauty experience that uses mostly organic and vegan-friendly products. Tioga Town Center also attracts businesses offering professional services, including Lowry Financial Advisors, Reddish and White Certified Public Accountants and various real estate firms.
“We’re thrilled to continue fulfilling the needs of our community by providing opportunities to welcome more new local businesses, and by offering additional amenities like the playground, where friends and families can come to relax, enjoy and make memories,” said Cheryl Carroll, regional asset manager for Tioga Town Center and The Flats.
Tioga residents like to start their day with one of Patticakes’ delicious coffees or house-made quiches. Bubbly staff love to create new caffeinated concoctions upon request and serve from a rotating list of divine cupcakes. Residents can end the day with one of Fluid Lounge’s classic craft cocktails or try something unique from the seasonal drink menu. They enjoy relaxing on the patio with an aged whiskey from Fluid’s extensive selection or an imported cigar from the humidor. The family-friendly town center hosts several events throughout the year, including Movies on the Square, free concerts and holiday celebrations. Additionally, the Gator Aider provided by Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) invites Gator fans to park at the town center and catch a ride to Gator games.
Celebration Pointe
Strolling down the tree-laden Promenade or watching the sunset in one of the wooden swings, residents can unwind from a hectic day at Celebration Pointe. The community has further evolved the Live, Work, Play model and delivers an elevated experience to its residents. The massive community embodies a big-city lifestyle while also preserving the relaxing charm characteristic of Greater Gainesville. Tucked back from Archer Road and with proximity to I-75, Celebration Pointe sits at the center of accessibility. It is a short drive to Shands Hospital, various UF Health facilities, great schools and is just across the bridge from Butler Plaza.
Four districts, each contributing to the LWP concept, make up the 225-acre community: City Place is where residents live, Tech Park is for work, and City Walk and The Shops are where residents go to play. With luxury townhomes, rental apartments and detached homes, Celebration Pointe has diverse residential opportunities. Once complete, The Vue at Celebration Pointe will offer 86 semi-custom modern, urban-style townhomes and condominiums. The new two-story floorplan is slated for purchase at the end of 2021 and will frame out the border of Celebration Pointe. Buyers are free to work with an interior designer of their choice, or they can use the recommended designer. With round-the-clock security, the gated community prioritizes resident and property safety. With a resort-style pool and walk-in hot tub, the modern amenities curate an elevated and relaxed lifestyle.
“Residents love the flexible, low-maintenance lifestyle. With Celebration security patrolling the area, they feel comfortable to just lock up and go,” said Heather Williams-Dyrkolbotn, broker at Celebration Pointe Realty.
The newly constructed City Place at Celebration Pointe offers high-end, garden-style apartment rentals. Residents can lounge by the pool in one of the cabanas on the sundeck or relax by an open-air firepit in the beautiful courtyard. City Place takes care of its animal residents, too. The dog park has both a pet playground and a washing station. The Vibe at Celebration Pointe offers newly renovated, pet-friendly apartment rentals offering a wide range of amenities. Regardless of the housing preference, every resident at Celebration Pointe takes advantage of all its perks. Ample entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities are only a quick walk away at City Walk and The Shops. With the neighboring Split Rock Conservation Area and the six-mile Archer Braid Trail, Celebration Pointe invites residents to explore the nearby nature. Residents also receive certain benefits with their residential VIP card that offers revolving specials to Celebration Pointe’s various restaurants and stores.
“It’s nice for when friends and family come to visit. Hotel Indigo is right there, as well as the theater for entertainment. There’s lots of activities and action,” Williams-Dyrkolbotn said.
Celebration Pointe flourishes with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Situated just behind City Walk is the community’s business district, Tech Park. Building 5001 delivers more than 70,000 square feet of leasable Class-A office space complete with an array of features and amenities. With leading software provider, Infotech, and the marketing automation platform, Sharpspring, Celebration Pointe is a thriving technology hub.
Whether looking to relax after a busy day or liven things up, there is no shortage of entertainment at Celebration Pointe. City Walk and The Shops are where residents and visitors come to play. The entertainment district begins with the massive Regal movie theater adjacent to the City Walk entrance. The Promenade travels down the center of City Walk, meandering past various boutiques and eateries. Music lovers post up in the stage area to hear live entertainment while relaxing in one of the Adirondack chairs or getting comfy in the grass. With a drink in hand and the sunset off in the distance, these events are truly a full sensory experience.
A diverse collection of retail opportunities trickles throughout City Walk and is strategically surrounded by mid-shopping refreshments, such as Le Macaron French Pastries and Kilwins. With endless palate pleasing possibilities, Celebration Pointe covers any culinary desire, whether it is a wood-fired pizza or a 40 oz. tomahawk ribeye. MidiCi the Neopolitan Pizza Company has fresh, authentic pies, salads and calzones. At Sensei Asian Bistro, classic Asian dishes are served in a contemporary and sophisticated atmosphere. Prime and Pearl’s distinct menu delivers an extraordinary dining experience from land to sea. The highly anticipated Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille celebrates the local culture and brings a fun, elevated experience to Celebration Pointe. The chef and his team curate the menu seasonally and use local sourcing as much as possible.
As the various phases of development at Celebration Pointe near completion, more residents, restaurants, retail and other businesses are making their way to this live, work, play mecca. The convenient location, metropolitan lifestyle and innovation opportunities all while celebrating the culture and charm of Greater Gainesville make Celebration Pointe a great place to live, work and play.