Palm Grove at Lakewood Ranch: Village Profile, Homes, Fees and Amenities

Where is Palm Grove?

Palm Grove is on the north side of State Road 64 in east Manatee County, east of Uihlein Road and west of Dam Road, next to Lake Manatee State Park. The developer lists it among the villages of Lakewood Ranch, Florida (Manatee and Sarasota counties), although the Observer described the site in 2025 as just outside the perceived border of Lakewood Ranch. Either way, homes are in Manatee County, assessed by the Manatee County Property Appraiser and served by the School District of Manatee County.

Palm Grove is on the northeastern edge of the Lakewood Ranch area. State Road 64 runs west to Interstate 75 at Exit 220, so most trips to shopping, Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Sarasota or Tampa start with a drive west on State Road 64. It is one of the farthest villages from I-75. Test the commute at rush hour before you buy.

For drive times to Sarasota, Tampa, the beaches and the airports from the center of Lakewood Ranch, see our guide to Lakewood Ranch’s location and commutes, and allow extra time from Palm Grove.

What is Palm Grove and when did it open?

Palm Grove is a gated, all-ages village of about 930 homes built entirely by Neal Communities, which opened its models and started pre-sales in January 2025. The developer lists 930 homes in 2026; Neal’s 2025 announcements said about 900, and the Observer reported 934. Neal held its grand opening on June 27, 2025, with nine decorated models: two townhomes, two villas and five single-family homes.

Ahead of the grand opening, developer Pat Neal told the Observer the village would take about eight years to sell out, so new-home sales and construction are likely to continue for years.

Neal offers 19 floor plans in several exterior styles, including British West Indies, farmhouse, coastal and French Colonial. The developer describes the future clubhouse and pool in the style of modern Florida architecture.

Palm Grove at a glance	Figure
County	Manatee
Builder	Neal Communities
Planned homes	About 930 (developer, 2026)
Models opened	January 24, 2025
Grand opening	June 27, 2025
Home sizes	About 1,533 to 3,486 sq ft
Gated	Yes
Ages	All ages

What do homes in Palm Grove cost?

Palm Grove is one of the least expensive places to buy a new home in the Lakewood Ranch area, with October 2026 builder prices from $299,990 to $749,990.

Home type	Sizes (Neal Communities, 2025)	Builder “from” prices (developer, Oct 2026)	At launch (2025)
Townhomes	1,790 sq ft	$300,000s	Low $300,000s ($319,900 per the Observer)
Paired villas	1,638 to 1,848 sq ft	High $300,000s	From $399,990
Single-family (15 designs)	1,533 to 3,486 sq ft	High $400,000s	From $430,990

These are builder starting prices for new construction. The Observer reported single-family models priced up to about $935,000 in 2025, and lot premiums and upgrades can move the final price well above the starting figure. Because the village is so new, resale homes are rare.

To see how Palm Grove compares with similar-priced villages, read our village comparison. Our guide to new construction vs resale explains builder contracts, deposits and inspections.

What are the HOA and stewardship district fees?

The developer publishes HOA dues of $181 to $367 a month, and a Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District assessment for the Palm Grove Series 2024 bond appears on the tax bill.

The HOA range is among the lowest of the villages selling new homes. Ask Neal Communities what the dues cover for each home type, since townhomes and villas often include exterior or lawn maintenance that single-family homes do not.

The stewardship district assessment is a bigger factor here than in many villages. The district’s fiscal 2026 schedule lists these yearly amounts (before discounts) for the Palm Grove Series 2024 bond. Each home also pays a maintenance (O&M) assessment of $423.35 a year:

Home type (2024 bond)	Debt assessment, fiscal 2026	With $423 maintenance
Townhome	About $800 to $1,756	About $1,223 to $2,179
Villa	About $1,500 to $3,292	About $1,923 to $3,715
Single-family, 45-foot lot	About $3,950	About $4,374
Single-family, 52-foot lot	About $2,280 to $4,653	About $2,703 to $5,077

The schedule shows a range for some home types, so ask the builder which amount applies to your lot and whether it will change as the village builds out. Spread over a year, a $4,000 assessment adds about $330 a month, which can matter as much as the HOA dues. Always confirm the figure on the latest tax bill for the parcel. Our guide to CDD fees in Lakewood Ranch explains how.

What amenities does Palm Grove have?

Palm Grove’s central amenity center is planned with a clubhouse, fitness center, resort-style and lap pools, pickleball, a yoga lawn, a tot lot and dog parks, plus an on-site lifestyle director. Neal Communities announced those plans in 2025, and the developer’s village page still listed the clubhouse and resort-style pool as future amenities in October 2026, alongside the lifestyle director. Ask Neal Communities for the current completion date.

The village sits beside Lake Manatee State Park. Residents can also use Lakewood Ranch’s parks and trails; see our guide to parks, trails and nature preserves.

Which schools serve Palm Grove?

When sales opened in 2025, Neal Communities said Palm Grove was zoned for Witt Elementary, Haile Middle and Parrish Community High, not the Lakewood Ranch schools many buyers expect. That is because of the village’s location on the northeastern edge of the area.

Neal also said a new K-8 school, Lake Manatee School, was planned to open in fall 2025 directly across State Road 64. A school that close could change elementary and middle school zoning. Manatee’s new Rangeland High School, opening in August 2027, may also lead to boundary changes. Check the district’s school locator for the address you want. Our Lakewood Ranch schools guide explains how zoning works, and our Lakewood Ranch vs Parrish guide covers the Parrish side.

What does a year in Palm Grove cost?

Budget for the mortgage, Manatee County property tax, the stewardship district assessment, HOA dues and insurance.

Cost	What to expect	Where to check
HOA dues	$181 to $367 a month (published)	HOA disclosure summary and budget
Stewardship district assessment	About $1,223 to $5,077 a year including maintenance (fiscal 2026)	Latest tax bill for the parcel
Property tax	Based on assessed value and Manatee millage	Manatee County Property Appraiser
Insurance	Depends on construction year and flood zone	Quotes before you sign

New construction usually helps on insurance. If you will live here full time, file for the Florida homestead exemption. Our cost of living breakdown shows how these costs fit into a monthly budget.

Who is Palm Grove best for?

Palm Grove suits first-time buyers, young families and downsizers who want a new, gated home near Lakewood Ranch at a lower price, and who do not mind a longer drive.

It works well if you:

• Want a new townhome or villa near $300,000 to $400,000
• Want a gated village with a pool and lifestyle director at modest HOA dues
• Like being next to a state park and away from the busier parts of Lakewood Ranch

It is a weaker fit if you need a short drive to I-75 or Lakewood Ranch Main Street, want Lakewood Ranch High specifically, or want the clubhouse finished before you move in. Families comparing price points should also look at Star Farms, which has townhomes from the $300,000s, and Calusa Country Club, which has condos from the high $200,000s.

What should I check before buying in Palm Grove?

Check the assessment for your exact lot, the school zone, the amenity timeline and the total monthly cost.

1. Assessment. Ask Neal Communities which assessment amount applies to the lot, then check the parcel on the Manatee County Property Appraiser and tax collector sites.
2. HOA documents. Get the disclosure summary, budget and rules, and ask what dues cover for each home type.
3. Amenity timeline. Get the clubhouse completion date in writing if it matters to you.
4. Schools. Confirm zoning with the School District of Manatee County, especially with Lake Manatee School and Rangeland High affecting boundaries.
5. Flood zone. Check FEMA’s flood map and ask for the lot’s elevation. Our hurricanes, flooding and insurance guide explains what to ask.
6. Commute. Drive to work from the model center at rush hour.

When you are ready, the real estate hub explains how to choose an agent who can represent you with a builder in the newer villages.