These restaurants will highlight new development in ‘the heart of Lakewood Ranch’
Center Point at Waterside, a multi-use development on 50 acres of prime real estate, is bringing a new look and new dining, medical and retail options to Lakewood Ranch.
Under development by Casto, Center Point will be a key piece to connecting the giant master-planned community north and south of University Parkway.
Center Point is located south of University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, and west of Business Boulevard.
Already, it is anchored on the east by the newly completed 77,000-square-foot Center Point Medical Center, 6600 University Parkway, and on the west by Roper Technologies, 6901 Professional Parkway E.
Heavy earth-moving machinery is preparing the site for much more to come.
A modern Italian restaurant, Olivia’s, Owens Fish Camp, a McDonald’s restaurant and a 7-Eleven convenience store have already signed on for Center Point, said Brett Hutchens, president of Casto Southeast Realty Services.
Among the early announced tenants, Oliva’s and Owens Fish Camp are likely to stir the most excitement.
The original Owens Fish Camp is located in Burns Court in downtown Sarasota. The Lakewood Ranch location would be the company’s second.
“Owens Fish Camp is an ode to old Florida living. From the looming banyan tree out front, given to Sarasota developer Owen Burns by Thomas Edison, to the tire swing out back, it is a restaurant full of history and Southern hospitality. The casual atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy what makes Florida so special,” the company web site says.
Paul Caragiulo, owner of Owens Fish Camp, said this week that plans for the restaurant are still under government review in Sarasota County, but that he would anticipate that the Lakewood Ranch restaurant would open in the summer of 2022.
Although subject to change, the new restaurant would have about 160 seats. With the pandemic experience, many of those would be outside, Caragiulo said.
“Now, more than ever with all that we have been through, we are putting a premium on the outside experience,” he said.
The new restaurant will have on old Florida feel like the original, Caragiulo said.
“Lakewood Ranch is a good market for us. We have a lot of frequent guests downtown from Lakewood Ranch. We had really been looking for a second location for a long time, and looking for a developer to work with. Our aim is to create a destination and an experience. It’s an atypical model. Casto is great to work with,” Caragiulo said.
In negotiations but not yet announced are another restaurant and an organic grocery, Hutchens said.
“It will come in phases. We will begin work soon on Owens Fish Camp,” Hutchens said. “It’s pretty exciting to think about, especially the restaurant mix.”
Center Point’s location, the “heart of Lakewood Ranch,” and the community’s demographics with household incomes more than $115,000 make the area especially appealing, he said.
Build out of Center Point is projected for early 2023.
“A lot of residents in Lakewood Ranch have been asking about Center Point,” Hutchens said.
Leasing activities started about two or three months ago. “We have been thrilled with the interest,” he said.
Columbus, Ohio-based Casto describes itself as privately held, full-service, fully integrated real estate services firm.
Other local Casto holdings include North River Village, Ellenton; SR-64 Center, Bradenton; River Club Plaza, Shops at Bayshore, and US 301 & Oxford, Parrish; and the Shops at Summerhouse, Lakewood Ranch, according to the company’s web site.
Casto has a long history with Lakewood Ranch. The company developed Lakewood Ranch Main Street, which opened in 2005.
This story was originally published May 20, 2021 at 8:20 AM.
