CORE, which stands for “Collaboration Opportunities for Research and Exploration,” is the newest long-term commercial construction project in Lakewood Ranch. Introduced by Lakewood Ranch’s master developer, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the Collaborative Opportunities for Research and Exploration project plans to develop more than 4 million square feet of commercial space over the next two decades.
FIND HOMES NEAR CORE LAKEWOOD RANCH
First announced in 2015, CORE aims to attract national life sciences and healthcare companies for its 305-acre biotech industrial park. Conveniently located between Tanglewood Parkway and State Road 70 at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, the future development will encourage commercial growth and increase employment in the area by a projected 10 percent. With the average job in the biotech field paying more than $70,000 per year, CORE will also boost the local economic climate.
Unlike many other major commercial construction projects, Lakewood Ranch Commercial spent eight months master planning the CORE facilities before announcing the project. Instead of opening the site and building a single structure at a time, LRC hired the renowned biotech architecture firm, Flad Architects, to produce preliminary design plans.
The vision for the industrial park includes a mixture of glass and metal mid and high-rise structures grouped together in blocks. While some buildings may soar to a whopping 12 stories, CORE makes it a point to emphasize Lakewood Ranch’s picturesque topography. Forty-two acres will be dedicated to natural wetlands, and additional space will be allotted to public spaces and bicycle trails. In total, CORE will contain 100 acres of landscaped open space.
The central CORE campus plans to offer a 300-room hotel and conference center, additional retail development, and 971,000 square feet of school space dedicated to study of science and technology.
CORE’s First Major Development: The Green
Neighboring Lakewood Ranch’s Harmony village, The Green at Lakewood Ranch is LRC’s first major development for CORE. Headed by Orlando-based firm Tavistock Development, The Green is a 37-acre mixed-use development project with 150,000 built square feet dedicated to retail, office, and restaurant spaces with a contemporary style. Encompassing 525,000 square feet in total, the vast project will feature more than two dozen businesses, including 304 luxury residents and anchor tenants, Earth Fare and LA Fitness.