The building boom in Bradenton is showing no signs of slowing down, with the ambitious SeaFlower project leading the charge. Located west of 75th Street West and south of Cortez Road, SeaFlower’s first phase will introduce 1,700 residential units, 250 hotel rooms, and 350,000 square feet of office and retail space. Ultimately, the development will encompass 4,000 residential units across 1,175 acres. The site, historically known for its vibrant gladioli fields, was one of Florida’s largest producers of these flowering plants. However, a fungal disease in the early 2000s ended this chapter. Whiting Preston, the fourth-generation flower farmer behind the land, shifted towards development, aligning with the trend of nearby landowners. Preston remains involved in the project, which received approval from Manatee County commissioners in 2015.

SeaFlower will feature a surrounding park and a resident-only lakefront amenity center. This campus will include a clubhouse with social spaces, a resort-style pool, a fitness center, meeting halls, an event lawn, pickleball courts, and a children’s play area. A 2.5-mile multi-modal trail will connect the Village Square, pocket parks, lakes, green spaces, a nature preserve, a dog park, and the wider community. The welcome center and builder model homes are expected to open in spring 2025, with the first residents moving in that summer. Retail options in the first phase will include a grocery store, restaurants, and entertainment venues, with more details to be announced. The development will offer a variety of home styles, including coastal, Craftsman, West Indies, and transitional farmhouse designs, built by Cardel Homes, David Weekley Homes, Issa Homes, M/I Homes, and Pulte Homes.

While the hotel component is still in the planning stages, Hill aims to attract an established brand. Currently, streets for single-family homes are under construction, with the village square next in line. This area will include office spaces, retail, and approximately 300 rental apartments, potentially expanding to 600. Hill emphasizes the project’s goal to offer a wide range of price points to attract diverse buyers. Although builders will set the prices, the development will include various home types, from apartments and villas to larger single-family homes and townhomes. 

SeaFlower, pays homage to its floral heritage and proximity to Sarasota Bay, while Lake Flores will be the name of a 19-acre man-made lake within the development.