LAKELAND, FL, March 24, 2021 – Dusty Calderon, a Senior Advisor at SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate, recently announced the listing of Green Island Ranch in Osceola County for sale at $140,000,000.
Calderon is a member of the family that owns the 5,977-acre development property which is co-listed with Dean Saunders, ALC, CCIM, founder, managing director and senior advisor of the brokerage.
Green Island Ranch is a rare opportunity in the Florida land market due to its size, history, and location and because it is an entitled mixed-use development for up to 17,000 residential units.
For over 100 years, this working ranch has been in the Partin family’s ownership and, at one time, was the largest ranch east of the Mississippi River at 60,000 acres. This family holds an esteemed position in Florida’s history since the first patriarch arrived in 1847. The Partins introduced Brahman cattle and quarterhorses to Florida. Later, their quadrille horsemanship performances morphed into the famous Silver Spurs Rodeo.
Florida is the third most populated state in America and residential development land is in high demand. With over 21 million people, Florida grows by almost 900 people per day and Central Florida grows by about 1,500 people per week. Orlando’s growth rate is the second fastest of the 30 largest U.S. cities, so housing growth continues to be extremely strong across the I-4 corridor. Currently, demand exceeds supply, so residential development of houses, townhomes, and apartments continues to increase.
Green Island Ranch is 25 minutes from Disney World and the Orlando International Airport in Florida’s I-4 corridor. Its desirable location is near a new expressway, which is part of a sizable regional connectivity project, and the Florida Turnpike also runs through the property with an exit just six miles away. The property also has more than two and a half miles of lake frontage on Lake Tohopekaliga, the seventh-largest lake in Florida, and is over 70% uplands with no previous mitigation.
The development potential of Green Island Ranch is expansive and open to the unique interpretation of the buyer. In 2008, a Development Regional Impact (DRI) plan for 13,000 residential units with additional commercial and mixed-use projects was approved. In place until 2030, this DRI offers a clear path to rapid development. However, since the sellers received the DRI approval, the Osceola County Commission also added the South Lake Toho Element to the Osceola County Comprehensive Plan. This more recent plan supports the development of up to 17,000 residential units in a higher density residential market than the approved DRI. The county’s comprehensive plan includes supportive recreational amenities in conjunction with non-residential uses to create a flexible live, work and play environment.
Business development opportunities include a marina, urban center, regional mall, industrial, office, hotel and civic space. Recreational development possibilities include a theme park, ecotourism, or outdoor concert venues in one of the world’s most popular recreation destinations.
“Dusty and the Partin family are living testaments to Florida history and the cowboy heritage that many people today may not even know about,” said Saunders. “It’s an honor to have Dusty on our team and to work with him to broker this historic ranch.”
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers, sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for 30 years. With over 100 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, we specialize in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect our legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions – Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. Our expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused approach.