University Park is a 1,200-acre gated country club community east of I-75 and just minutes from UTC mall, Nathan Benderson Park, and SRQ airport. Anchored by an award-winning 27-hole championship golf course, har-tru tennis, fitness, and dining, the community spans Park West, Whisper Lake, Hidden Lake, and Stoneybrook villages with homes from the high $700s to $3M+.
Beaches: Siesta Key Beach, celebrated for its powdery white sand, has been ranked as the #1 beach in the United States. Other notable beaches include Lido Beach and Longboat Key, each offering unique coastal experiences.
The Legacy Trail: This 18.5-mile trail is a favorite among cyclists, runners, and walkers, providing a scenic route from Sarasota to Venice.
Arts and Culture: Dubbed Florida's Cultural Coast®, Sarasota boasts numerous theaters, art galleries, and museums. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art showcases an impressive collection, while the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall hosts a variety of performances throughout the year.
Shopping and Dining: St. Armands Circle offers a mix of boutique shops and fine dining establishments, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
University Park is the established Manatee County master-planned country club community sitting just east of I-75 between Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, anchored by the University Park Country Club's 27-hole golf course, mature oak canopy, and quick access to the Mall at University Town Center (UTC). Pricing runs from $500,000 villas and townhomes to $3M+ estate homes on the golf course. Beyond Realty has tracked University Park since the early 1990s build-out and knows which homes hold value.
The community is divided into multiple distinct villages, all gated, all anchored by the University Park Country Club (a private 27-hole Ron Garl-designed golf facility with 11 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, fitness center, croquet lawn, and dining). Membership tiers include Sports, Social, and Golf with deeded equity options. Villages include Park West, Park East, Whisper Lake, Hidden Lake, Wood Park, Castle Park, Whitebridge, Stoneybrook (not to be confused with Palmer Ranch's Stoneybrook), Wilshire, and others. Most villages are maintenance-included or maintenance-free, making University Park popular with snowbirds and lock-and-leave buyers.
University Park sits in arguably the most convenient location in Manatee County: 5 minutes from the Mall at University Town Center (UTC) with Whole Foods, Apple, Tesla, and 130+ retailers; 5 minutes to SRQ airport; 15 minutes to downtown Sarasota; 20 minutes to downtown Lakewood Ranch's Main Street; 25–30 minutes to Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key beaches. Quick I-75 access for trips to Tampa or Fort Myers. The community feels established and quiet despite the proximity to commercial activity.
Homes inside University Park typically come with a required Sports Club or Social membership at minimum, with golf membership as an upgrade. Carrying costs are predictable but not low: combine your HOA fee, the required club membership, food & beverage minimums, and any sub-association maintenance fee — the all-in monthly carrying cost typically runs $700–$1,500/month above mortgage and taxes depending on village and membership tier. Always confirm the current membership initiation fee and monthly dues, plus the F&B minimum, before submitting an offer. Resale homes sometimes come with assumable membership; we'll verify which.
Browse current University Park listings below — every active home is pulled live from Stellar MLS. Register for a free account to be alerted when new homes hit the market in any University Park village.
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