A bird’s-eye view of container/food truck park Boxi Park. ©Boxi Park
Lake Nona
Lake Nona, referred to as “the Future of Cities” by Fortune magazine, ranks among the fastest-growing, best-selling communities in America. “There’s more than people think” says Rob Adams, senior vice president of residential for Tavistock, a diversified real estate firm specializing in planning, design, finance, construction and development in Central Florida. Perhaps their largest and most ambitious project, home to Lake Nona Medical City, a Sports & Performance District, world-class educational institutions and unique and vibrant residential communities, the 17-square-mile master-designed community is recognized for excellence in diverse industry clusters, residential and commercial design and human performance.
A Main Street of Activity and Innovation
Lake Nona offers several community gathering areas (some exclusive to residents; some public), but the thought is the same: walkable, community gathering spaces with less emphasis on cars. The community boasts the USTA National Campus, Lake Nona Performance Club, Nona Adventure Park and Rox Climbing Gym, among other amenities. Northlake Park is popular, offering an integrated YMCA and school.
Laureate Park’s Village Center gets a lot of love for its Instagrammable vibes. Situated in the center of Lake Nona’s Laureate Park neighborhood, the Laureate Park Village Center is home to a variety of retail and entertainment, including Canvas Restaurant & Market, Amazing Explorers Academy early learning center, a resort-style aquatic center, LP Fit fitness center, Dockside event venue, Magruder Eye Institute, Dais Technologies, Summit Broadband and Laureate Insurance Partners. The Village Center also is home to public art installation, The Glass House, by Brooklyn-based artist Tom Fruin. When asked about popular amenities, Adams points to the aquatic center and fitness center, noting “all residents have access to these benefits, and it is often packed!”
Laureate Park is full of Instagrammable vibes. Photo by Roberto Gonzalez
Lake Nona VillageWalk, a 1,400-home community that blends resort-style homes with a unique neighborhood design, is creating a new concept for living in Central Florida. A town center is connected by bridges and canals leading to lighted walking trails, pools, parks and sports courts. Indoor amenities include a fitness center with 24-hour access, a library, card room and exclusive access to the ballroom that can host parties for up to 160 people. Outdoor amenities include a heated lap pool, heated resort pool, six clay tennis courts, playground, basketball court and miles of beautifully landscaped paths and trails for running, walking or biking.
And Lake Nona isn’t done expanding. The Lake Nona Country Club is breaking ground on a new section of custom homes and in 2026, the Lake Nona West shopping center will open.
All this leads to Lake Nona Town Center, the primary “main street” for Lake Nona. Lake Nona Town Center is a 100-acre, open-air urban district and regional entertainment destination featuring engaging events and a wide variety of shops, restaurants, business headquarters, hotels and interactive artwork linked by green spaces and walkable vistas. It is also home to container/food truck park Boxi Park (open Thursday to Sunday).
Getting around Lake Nona is easy thanks to the Move Nona shuttle network, powered by Beep.
It is the largest and longest-running single-site autonomous shuttle network in the U.S.
Adams notes, “the square is always active, day and night. It’s a nice hub of activity for people to enjoy. We have a lot of street-legal golf carts, and the bike paths are very active. Our community offers safe spaces for pedestrians.” Which is true, Lake Nona doesn’t necessarily cater to the car-centric design of suburban sprawl. Sidewalks are wide, streets are small and walking is encouraged.
“I’ve been with the organization 19 years before there were any businesses (here in Lake Nona) and we wondered, will this work? And now things are so busy from Park Pizza to Bosphorous to Canvas and more,” Adams explains. With such a variety of recreational options within a small radius, residents and visitors are never short of things to do.
A 17-square-mile master-designed community,
Lake Nona ranks among the fastest-growing communities in America and is known for promoting active lifestyles. Residents stay healthy with yoga in the park; construction cranes signal the city’s growth.
Special Events
For residents and non-residents alike, there are no shortage of events. Lake Nona hosts nearly 1,000 free events annually, ranging from yoga in the park to music concerts and holiday festivals. As the most programmed master-planned community in the U.S., there is always something happening, ensuring a lively and engaging atmosphere for all.
“Thousands upon thousands come out every year for our ‘Oh, What Fun!’ holiday festival,” notes Adams. This multi-week holiday celebration incorporates Hanukkah and Christmas, offering everything from snowy evenings to visits with Santa.
Commitment to Holistic Living
Designed with more than 44 miles of trails and a variety of parks, including the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden and numerous pocket parks, the community places a strong emphasis on holistic living. Its shuttle network, powered by Beep and part of the Move Nona network, is the largest and longest-running single-site autonomous shuttle network in the U.S., offering free and easy commutes around Lake Nona.
Lake Nona is more than just a place to live; it is a thriving, innovative community designed to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its residents. With its wide range of housing options, prime location, abundant recreational activities and commitment to holistic living, Lake Nona truly offers a unique and enriching living experience in Central Florida.
