Category: News

SkySail in Naples, Lakeview Community Presales Opening

The amenity-rich community of SkySail has opened for presale, with a variety of homesites within three sections. Due to overwhelming interest, presales continue by appointment only until after the community’s grand opening. Home prices will begin in the $500s, with all options included. The homes are well-suited for families, empty nesters, and retirees. Residents can choose between three home collections, the Cruise, Celebration, and Cove Series offering living areas from 1,500 to 3,500 square feet with up to five bedrooms, two-and three-car garages, and six different exterior elevation design choices. All available homes are quicker move-in homes already underway. Homebuyers can choose an available homesite and floorplan. Each home features professionally designed interiors. Lakeview homes are be available for the majority of SkySail properties.

SkySail, is a 642-acre parcel including 246 acres of lakes located on Oil Well Road in Naples. SkySail can be found in a growing Naples Location, featuring shopping and entertainment locations such as Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, a new premier Aquatic, sport, and special events venue. Neal Communities will build up to 1500+ single-family and multi-family homes in the gated community. For outdoor enthusiasts, SkySail features winding nature trails throughout the community featuring picturesque lake overlooks, three fitness stations, eight pickleball courts, two tennis courts, a kayak and canoe launch, fishing pier, three community event lawns and an outdoor gaming area with cornhole, ping-pong, and checkers tables. In the heart of the community are both the Lakehouse and Wellness buildings. The Lakehouse (under air is 4,237 square feet totaling 8,121 square feet) offers a large gathering hall, a catering kitchen, a screened veranda, and plenty of space to unwind with your neighbors. The Wellness building (under air is 6,350 square feet totaling 7,747 square feet) features a weight room, fitness studio, group fitness room, kids lounge, teen lounge, and a Wi-Fi lounge/multipurpose room. Both buildings will overlook one of the largest sprawling lakes within the community. Lush landscaping, swaying palm trees, 246 acres of lakes, a lagoon resort-style swimming pool, and a lap pool create a serene lake life lifestyle.

“Neal Communities’ South Division in Lee and Collier Counties started in 2013 and has had over 1,900 home sales through 2021,” says Tim Oak, President for Neal Communities’ South Region. “We have always been committed to building exceptional communities where people can live an active lifestyle and SkySail is a stunning example of the pursuit of that goal,” says Oak.

For the latest information about Phase I of SkySail in Naples, Florida, become a VIP at SkySailfl.com or contact 877-711-8865.

March 21, 2022
Neal Communities makes $5,000 donation to Palmetto Youth Center

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $5,000 donation to the Palmetto Youth Center.

The donation will help support the center’s reading program and a new video gaming program that it is working to establish. This recent donation builds on Neal Communities’ past support of the Palmetto Youth Center, with donations since 2018 now totaling $21,200.

“We are appreciative for the continued support that Neal Communities continues to extend to the youth in our community,” said Reggie Bellamy, executive director of the Palmetto Youth Center. “Neal Communities has continuously showed concern for the under-privileged and under-served, and the Palmetto Youth Center caters to that particular population. So this is an exceptional opportunity for the Palmetto Youth Center to continuously build this relationship with Neal Communities.”

The Palmetto Youth Center was established in 1957 by a group of community leaders to provide a positive environment for at-risk youngsters. Those leaders believed that it was important to reach at-risk children at critical and impressionable times in their lives, and they set out to provide those youth with the tools needed to lead productive and enriching lives.

“The Palmetto Youth Center impacts the lives of the young people it serves in so many ways,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We’re happy to support the organization and its efforts to help young members of the community gain insight and learn skills that will benefit them both today and in the future.”

February 28, 2022
Neal Communities makes $10,000 donation to Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $10,000 donation to Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County, serving as a 2022 Presenting Sponsor of the nonprofit.

Healthy Teens provides vital health and life skills education and mentoring to hundreds of local youth between the ages of 11 and 25 each year. The organization aims to reduce risky behaviors by providing Manatee County young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health.

Its flagship Teen Health Educator program trains local youth ages 14 to 17 to serve as peer educators and mentors. Previously trained teen educators over the age of 18 serve as Young Adult Leaders and support the current teen educators.

“Healthy Teens is thrilled to benefit from the generosity of Neal Communities,” said Jonathan Evans, executive director of Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County. “This significant investment in our work will really help us to provide high-quality peer-education and mentoring services to and through our community’s youth, helping them to make healthy decisions that empower them to create successful futures for themselves. It is so encouraging to our Teen Health Educators to know that there are organizations like Neal Communities that are so generously supporting their mission to their peers.”

“Healthy Teens gives young people skills to have successful, healthy adult lives,” said Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle and vice president of design at Neal Communities. “It’s an honor for us to be able to support its meaningful mission.”

“The future of our region will be shaped by our young people, so we want to help give them every tool possible to ensure their success,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County does important work with the youth in our area, and we’re happy to support their educational efforts.”

February 21, 2022
A MESSAGE ON INDUSTRY SHORTAGES FROM NEAL COMMUNITIES

At Neal Communities, customer satisfaction is our ongoing goal.

As you will inevitably find during your search for the right new home, the housing market is experiencing an unprecedented level of supply chain and labor constraints. From windows, to trusses, to appliances, almost every component utilized in the construction of a new home has been affected. Even more, the availability of experienced labor has also become a challenge.

While these challenges are industry-wide, and in some cases global, we are still working hard to continue to build quality homes in a reasonable timeframe. Nonetheless, much like in other sectors such as automotive, consumer electronics and retail, we expect to continue to face these global supply chain headwinds for a while longer.

At this time, you will find that various communities have limited availability of both homes and homesites and are experiencing sudden price increases. These circumstances are a product of the market we are in, which is currently driven by rising costs, reduced building capacity, scarcity of various materials and record consumer demand. In order to continue building homes for our buyers and maintain the quality and value that Neal has prided itself on, we must manage the process closely through these measures. As we continue navigating supply issues, we’ll be exclusively offering inventory homes. Currently under construction, these homes are already in progress and help ensure that we can build your home in a timely manner with the level of quality you have come to expect from Neal Communities.

What will we do for you?
Our dedicated team of experts is here to ensure that the home-buying and home-building experience is as pleasant and transparent as possible. Keeping you updated on home purchase availability, financing, and construction progress is our utmost priority as you embark on this journey.

February 11, 2022
Neal Communities’ Kings Gate named 2022 Top Community by PrivateCommunities.com

Kings Gate, a 55+ community where Neal Communities is building new villa homes, has been selected as a 2022 Top Community by PrivateCommunities.com.

PrivateCommunities.com, an online resource for real estate shoppers interested in amenity-rich, master-planned lifestyle communities, considers factors such as page views, site visits and leads generated to put together its annual list of top communities. Kings Gate is one of seven communities in Florida to be recognized in 2022.

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, offers new villa homes ranging from 1,395 to 1,709 square feet at Kings Gate. Floor plans feature two bedrooms, two baths and two-car garages with opportunities for customization and upgrades.

Located in Charlotte County between Sarasota and Fort Myers, the gated community offers numerous amenities ideal for active adults, including an 18-hole executive golf course, on-site restaurant and 30,000-square-foot, resort-style recreation center with an Olympic-sized pool, spa, fitness center and tennis, shuffleboard and bocce courts. Kings Gate is also home to a full-time event coordinator who oversees a calendar of year-round events.

All outdoor recreation facilities other than golf are included as a club membership for homeowners at Kings Gate. The golf course offers a separate membership option, and both the golf course and Lion’s Den restaurant are also open to the public.

“We thank PrivateCommunities.com for this recognition, and we’re so happy to see that prospective buyers researching options on the site find Kings Gate just as appealing as we do,” said Jason Frost, vice president of land acquisition for Neal Communities. “In addition to the active lifestyle the community offers, Kings Gate also provides residents with an attractive location with close proximity to beaches, airports and other local amenities at an attainable price point.”

For more information about Kings Gate, please visit staging.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/kings-gate/.

For more information about PrivateCommunities.com’s 2022 Top Communities, please visit https://www.privatecommunities.com/blog/top-communities-2022.htm.

January 31, 2022
Pat and Charlene Neal make final donation in $1 million commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County

Five years ago, Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, and his wife, Charlene Neal, made a substantial donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. In 2021, the philanthropic couple will mark the final stage of that years-long commitment.

Pat and Charlene Neal donated a total of $1 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County to be paid out over five years. In 2021, the couple made the final $200,000 donation to the nonprofit that offers afterschool and summer programs, providing opportunities for Manatee County youth to learn and grow by achieving academic success and developing leadership skills.

The couple’s substantial donation was made in support of the nonprofit’s Invest in Kids campaign to rebuild its DeSoto Club campus. Their donation underwrote a new flex sports field at the DeSoto Club that has been named the Patrick and Charlene Neal Field.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County appreciates all that the Neal family has done in support of our youth over the years,” said Dawn Stanhope, president and CEO of the nonprofit. “Their investment reflects a strong commitment to our community. Because of their generosity, we are able to encourage kids to address tough issues and build their resiliency through positive mentorship, in a safe and welcoming environment where everyone belongs.”

“Philanthropy has always been extremely important to us, both personally and in everything we do at Neal Communities,” said Pat Neal. “We understand how valuable and impactful it is to support the younger members of the communities in which we live and work. Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County does such a phenomenal job in helping local children and teens develop and thrive in the immediate while also preparing them for future success, and we’re so happy to be able to support the organization’s life-changing work.”

“The future is bright for our young people thanks to caring and dedicated leaders like Pat and Charlene Neal,” said Stanhope. “We are truly grateful for their backing of our mission which inspires others to get involved.”

Pat Neal founded Neal Communities in 1970, and since then, the award-winning homebuilder has created more than 90 acclaimed communities throughout Southwest Florida. Charlene Neal serves as president of Charlene Neal PureStyle and vice president of design at Neal Communities, overseeing the design for all new communities and the styling and décor in the models for Neal Signature Homes and Neal Communities.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County’s mission is “to enable all young people, especially those that need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” In operation since 1946, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County currently provides afterschool and summer programs for over 1,300 young people at six locations (2 traditional Clubs and 4 school-based Clubs). The Clubs offer a safe place to learn and grow, where members experience both life-enhancing and character-building programs focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and leadership. For more information, call 941-761-2582 or visit www.bgcmanatee.org or www.facebook.com/BoysGirlsClubsManatee.

December 15, 2021
Neal Communities grants $1,995 to Braden River Middle School agriscience teacher for innovative robotics-based learning tool

Agriscience teacher Jane Beach loves to give her Braden River Middle School students opportunities for experiential learning. Students in the Bradenton school’s agriculture program, for example, learn how to grow different foods and raise chickens and rabbits as part of their in-class work.

“When students do science hands-on, they wake up to what is really going on,” said Beach. “It makes students understand on a deeper level what’s going on in a book or on the Internet.”

When Beach learned about FarmBot, a programmable robotic farming system through which students can learn about everything from plant science to coding, she knew it could provide a valuable learning experience that would engage and interest her students. After an unsuccessful attempt to get funding elsewhere, she got connected with Neal Communities, which recently granted Beach $1,995 to purchase a FarmBot for use with her students.

“This is going to allow us to expand our possibilities,” said Beach. “It shows that Neal Communities is invested in supporting education, and that they believe in the students and that they can learn and grow through projects like this that wouldn’t be able to happen without community support. We really appreciate the fact that Neal Communities funded our project and that we’ll be able to access technology like this that we wouldn’t normally be able to do.”

Beach and her students might have to wait a bit to get their FarmBot due to the global computer chip shortage; she’s hoping it arrives in the spring. In the meantime, there’s a lot that she and the students can do while they wait.

They’ll need to prepare the raised bed required for installing their FarmBot, and then research and plan what they want to grow. FarmBot plants in a grid system, so students will need to understand how big their different plants will be as they grow and whether their nutritional and watering needs are compatible. The technology that FarmBot uses is open-source, so they can also start learning how to use that technology to program their FarmBot to plant and water what they’re growing.

“We still have plenty of work to do before it arrives,” said Beach. “The kids are really excited. It’s going to be an awesome boost to our program.”

“We always appreciate the chance to support schools that educate young members of the communities in which we work,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder. “The FarmBot will be a highly interactive and interesting way for students to learn about science and agriculture using a forward-thinking approach that helps prepare them for the future.”

For more information about Braden River Middle School, visit manateeschools.net/bradenrivermiddle.

October 26, 2021
Neal Communities breaks ground on Tide Marsh in Fort Myers

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has broken ground on Tide Marsh in Fort Myers. This small infill community with a coastal/island architectural theme will feature 63 homesites.

The gated community will offer one- and two-story floor plans from Neal Communities’ Cruise and Celebration series, ranging from 1,531 to 3,014 square feet. Two models at Tide Marsh are planned, featuring one floor plan from each series. Home prices will begin in the high $300s, with options well-suited for families, empty nesters and retirees, and there will be no CDD. Neal Communities will begin taking names for a VIP list in the next 30 days. A grand opening is planned for March 2022.

Tide Marsh is located near sister community Coastal Key, which sold out a few years ago. It’s also situated close to Estero Bay Preserve State Park and offers a quiet setting for homeowners off Winkler Road. With its location west of I-75 and U.S. 41, the community offers easy access to downtown Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and a range of retailers, restaurants and medical providers.

“Tide Marsh will be a great community for anyone who really wants to enjoy the Southwest Florida lifestyle,” said Tim Oak, president south region, from Neal Communities. “It’s close to golf courses and wonderful parks and preserves for hiking and wildlife watching. And it’s just a short drive to the beaches on Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach.”

For more information about Neal Communities, visit staging.nealcommunities.com/.

October 11, 2021
Neal Communities makes $4,500 in donations to support local students and teachers

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made donations totaling $4,500 in support of local education-related organizations.

“We’re a big believer in supporting the younger members of the communities in which we work,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Education plays an important role in their future success, so we’re always happy to contribute to local schools and organizations working to educate youth and prepare them for their next steps in life.”

Neal Communities made a $2,500 donation in support of Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School. This new Parrish school opened in fall 2019 and is located within walking distance of Neal Communities’ new Riverfield townhome neighborhood in the North River Ranch master-planned community.

Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School operates under a “house system.” Students from various age groups and backgrounds are given spots in one of the school’s four houses, which help students develop skills in leadership, teamwork and service to community. The school is working to construct an ADA-compliant structure that will allow all students to safely make use of donated playground equipment and will serve as a spot where house colors and flags can be displayed.

Neal Communities made a $1,000 donation to support the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. The nonprofit works to enhance the potential of local students, promote excellence in teaching and inspire innovation in education. Each year, the foundation serves almost 44,000 students and 5,000 instructional staff and support personnel in 53 public schools in Sarasota County.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased educational needs, and the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is responding to support students and teachers during this challenging time. The foundation expanded its EducateSRQ grant program to provide teachers with more funding for classroom resources and opened the LaunchPad4U community center to offer mentoring and college and career advising for high school students.

Neal Communities also made a $1,000 donation to support Take Stock in Children Manatee, the Manatee County chapter of the Florida nonprofit. Working to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students, Take Stock in Children offers mentoring and college-readiness programs as well as college scholarships for Florida students it begins working with as early as middle school.

Take Stock in Children Manatee has awarded more than 715 scholarships to date. The program has a 98% high school graduation rate, and 93% of its students go on to post-secondary education or trade school.

“These three entities are doing great work for local children and teens, especially recently in the midst of some challenging circumstances,” said Pat Neal of Neal Communities. “We’re happy to be able to contribute to their efforts.”

For more information about Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School, visit www.manateeschools.net/harvey. For more information about the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, visit https://edfoundationsrq.org. For more information about Take Stock in Children Manatee, visit https://manateetakestock.org.

July 23, 2021
5 Reasons Why You Should Work at Neal Communities

Neal Communities is hiring, and we invite you to apply at www.nealcareers.com to become a part of the Neal team.

As you look at the job opportunities available, you’ll find a variety of ways you can build a rewarding future as part of a growing company. Taking a position at Neal Communities – one of the Herald Tribune’s Best Places to Work for 2019 and 2020 in Sarasota and Manatee Counties – is a way to begin a fulfilling career at a company that values its employees and their contributions.

Here are five reasons why employees love being a part of the Neal Communities team and why the company is a great place to work:

1. We recruit smartly.

Building a strong team and corporate culture starts with our recruitment process. We’re intentionally rigorous and use a collaborative selection process so that both the manager and the applicant feel confident in their decision to move forward. We want the position to be good fit for the applicant and for the applicant to be a good fit for the department they’d be joining.

2. We care about what we do.

At Neal Communities, we’re passionate about building beautiful, thriving communities that residents love to call home. We are all ambassadors of the brand and no matter what department we may fall into, employees at Neal Communities are excited to come to work each day and to play their role in building vibrant communities for families, active adults and anyone else interested in living on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

3. We value our employees and the connection we have with them.

All employees at Neal Communities have a voice that is listened to and appreciated. We all share a building, and many employees see Pat Neal, chairman and founder of Neal Communities, every day.

And every year we take time to celebrate the commitment and success of our team members through initiatives like our Years of Service recognition or our annual Guiding Principles Award, which honors an employee who illuminates the principles that guide us at Neal Communities.

4. We’re not a corporate builder.

Neal Communities is a family-owned business, so we don’t get lost in corporate red tape. The company doesn’t have to answer to stockholders or board members, and employees don’t have to worry about hitting numbers dictated by executives in another state.

Instead, we are empowered to Do The Right Thing and Neal employees still have plenty of great opportunities for compensation growth, bonuses and career advancement, all while working on rewarding projects.

5. We care about the communities in which our employees live and work.

Neal Communities has a long history of community involvement, and we’ve donated time or funds to local schools and community organizations including the Pace Center for Girls, Boys & Girls Clubs and the Salvation Army. We also support causes that are important to our employees, and we listen when they let us know about a need in the community. For example, the company recently made a donation to Sisters Sowing Seeds, a nonprofit supporting the empowerment of young women that was started by a Neal employee. We also contributed funds to the North Port Mustangs Pop Warner organization after an employee involved with the organization told us about their needs for safe, new equipment for their young players.

June 14, 2021