Located in Manatee County, eight miles east of Interstate 75, Panther Ridge is a beautiful development with an “old Florida” atmosphere and equestrian flavor. Properties range from 1 to more than 14 acres, and there are 15 miles of bridle trails.
This house at 21306 Deer Pointe Crossing, in the Foxwood section of Panther Ridge, is listed for sale at $1.25 million through Chris Baylis of Michael Saunders & Co. Built on 9.47 acres in 2000, it has six bedrooms and four bathrooms in 4,824 square feet. A breezeway connects to a in-law suite. The four-car garage has an upstairs game room/office. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-15-2016.
Wildlife abounds. Deer, bobcat, armadillos, the occasional boar, and, yes, panthers, are joined by a variety of birds, including sandhill cranes, ibises, scrub jays, ducks, hawks and eagles in the forested preserves and ponds.
The community is on a ridge that marks the highest elevation in Manatee and Sarasota counties (except for the manmade hill at Sarasota’s celery fields).
Panther Ridge was developed in the late 1990s by Frank Buskirk, Steve Summers and Jeff Gravely, who gave their last names to their properties group, BSG. They bought more than 4,500 acres from the Ruth Mott Foundation, which had been created for his wife by Michigan industrialist Charles Stewart Mott, one of the founders of General Motors. The foundation had owned the land since the 1930s.
This house at 22308 Deer Pointe Crossing in Panther Ridge Preserve is listed for sale at $6449,000 Lisa Mayer of Premier Sotheby's International Realty. Built on 1.11 acres in 2003 by Todd Johnston Homes as a model, it has five bedrooms and three and a half baths in 4,4413 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-15-2016.
The property was undisturbed, with pristine oak hammocks, majestic pine trees and gentle creeks meandering through the lush natural surroundings. BSG made sure to protect the environment though deed restrictions and wetlands conservation, preserving open tracts alongside the large home sites. At some point it also sold the westernmost, L-shaped section to a links developer, and it ultimately became The Concession Golf Club.
BSG created nine subdivisions, three of them south of State Road 70 and six to the north, each with its own HOA. Most of them, like Foxwood, Bridle Creek and The Pointe, offer 5- to 15-acre properties. One of them, The Reserve, has smaller lots, however.
Homes range in size from 2,400 to more than 9,000 square feet. Many have separate structures — garages, in-law suites or barns.
This house at 21803 Deer Point Crossing in Panther Ridge is listed as contract pending at $500,000 through Lisa Mayer of Premier Sotheby's International Realty. Built on 1.07 acres, it has four bedrooms and three baths in 2,932 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-15-2016.
Initially, there was a list of preferred builders, including John Cannon Homes and Ryland Homes, but owners could choose their own custom builder, and many did. As a result, the houses come in a variety of architectural styles — ranch, Mediterranean Revival, Southern Colonial, modern country mansion and modernist — with metal, shingle or tile roofs.
Ronnie DeWitt worked for BGS as one of the original sales associates and is now a resident of Panther Ridge herself.
“When it opened, it was a new community with million-dollar homes and a lifestyle not seen east of I-75,” she says. “At the time, Lakewood Ranch had built only one neighborhood, Summerfield.
Hiking trails are a recreational amenity in Panther Ridge. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-15-2016.
“Panther Ridge is a gorgeous place. All of the homes, both big and smaller, are lovely. Everything is pretty, and there are great views.”
With her own real estate agency, Ronnie DeWitt and Associates, she has seven homes listed in Panther Ridge, as well as two pending sales. One of her offerings is a 12-acre, 3,859-square-foot residence in The Forest section. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms and a detached three-car garage, and is priced at $799,900.
As in most other area communities, development slowed during the 2007-09 real estate depression, but in recent years, the area has made up for it, with Del Webb and Lennar building communities nearby, closer to Lakewood Ranch.
“There will be no cow pastures left,” says DeWitt with a smile.
On 7.9 acres, this equestrian estate in Panther Ridge is listed for sale at $2.5 million by Larry Mitchell of Michael Saunders & Co. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms and six bathrooms in 6,920 square feet. The house has a library, chef's kitchen, study, theater with bar, game room and resort-style pool. The first floor also has a space called the Harley Room, which is a game-media lounge with wet bar in a motorcycle theme. The property has a two-bedroom guest apartment, four-stall barn with tack room and shower, a 400-square-foot shed and several pastures. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-15-2016.
She points out that the growth of Lakewood Ranch continues to make Panther Ridge attractive to buyers. “Many love Lakewood Ranch’s amenities — the shopping, restaurants and movie theaters — but want a bigger piece of land.”
Chris Baylis, a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Co., agrees. “It’s quiet and far enough away from the congestions of Sarasota and Bradenton, yet close to all kinds of amenities, including great golfing next door.”
Baylis who has lived in Panther Ridge for four years, has three homes on the market, including one active with contract. Her listing (with Leslie Emery) at 7010 190th St. E. in The Forest section is a two-story, five-bedroom house on 6 acres, built in 1998. Gated and fully fenced, it has an attractive pond view, a three-car detached garage with a bonus room, a couple of pastures and a dressage area.
A large new home in Panther Ridge. The sprawling subdivision in eastern Manatee County has houses built in a variety of architectural styles. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 3-15-2016.
According to Baylis, there are many more full-time residents than snowbirds, a combination of retirees, working professionals and families with children. The latter appreciate the community parks in The Forest and Foxwood, and the pavilion, basketball court, tennis courts and playground of The Preserves.
Some homeowners keep horses. DeWitt has three and shows them at jumping events. “There is a small, devout core of equestrians,” she explains, “but actually more walkers use the trails than riders.”
During the past year, there were 35 sales, ranging in price from $324,000 to $2.09 million. Currently, 18 homes are on the market, ranging in price from $399,000 to $2.25 million; 11 are under contract.
In addition, seven empty lots are available, scattered throughout the subdivisions. They range from $94,000 for 1.75 acres to $375,000 for 10+ acres.
“Although other communities have sprung up around it, Panther Ridge still feels like you’re in the country,” says DeWitt.
