In the mid-90s, Beat Kahli (president and CEO of Avalon Park Group) and his wife Jill moved from Switzerland to the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale in South Florida.
“It was a big change. I rarely saw anyone I knew when I would leave my home in the morning. There was no sense of community,” says Kahli.
This kind of environment was completely different from where Kahli grew up in Switzerland. He missed being in a town where he was able to live, learn, work and play.
“In my native hometown, Zurich, I could walk from my home to anything I need in my daily life… work, school, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.,” says Kahli. “That hometown culture was the blueprint for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Only my vision was to make it even better.”
And Kahli did just that.
“I love the peace of mind knowing that you can live your whole life, should you wish, in one place,” says Kahli.
“You can live in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel at all stages of life. From a college student in an apartment, to an individual looking to purchase their first home, to a growing family looking to buy a larger home, and even an older couple looking to settle down in a smaller townhome/apartment.”
Kahli believes a healthy community is made up of a diverse body of people. A town where people of various racial, economic and cultural backgrounds can live together. Kahli says this melting pot of perspectives gives the community depth and allows its members to live life inclusive of every background and belief, regardless of generation, origin, race and income class.
“As a developer, one of the ways that we build diversity at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is by building an open community at every price point. I personally do not think gated communities with only single-family homes in one price point (often at the higher end) create a healthy community,” says Kahli.
Additionally, it is not uncommon in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel to have families with four generations living within walking distance of each other.
“The grandparents can spend quality time with the grandkids after school, while the parents are at work,” says Kahli. “Building roots in a community is a healthy way to make a town, and family, strong.”
There’s No Planned Community Like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, located on State Road 54 about 3 miles east of Interstate 75, began building its first homes in 2012. Today, 1,000 homes have been completed or are underway, and residents enjoy unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.
“We are not just developers — we are building a brand new town,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group. “We’re so much more than just another planned community – we’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today and in the future.”
Homes in the residential community range in price from the mid $200s to over $400s.
“Our builders offer homes for everyone, from teachers to physicians to empty-nesters wanting the convenience of the no-fuss, townhome lifestyle,” said Lerret.
Downtown Avalon Park
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will offer places to shop and work in its downtown hub that will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths.
“We are building a traditional downtown, with stores located inside of our community on the boulevard road leading to our residences, parks and schools,” said Lerret. “We are creating a town that spreads out from the town center connecting to individual neighborhoods — very much like the footprints of small towns found across America.”
The first phase of downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts.
“We’re building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.
Eventually, Avalon Park’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space. At build out, this 1,650-acre master-planned community will have about 4,400 single and multi-family homes, and be home to 10,000 residents.
Published February 23, 2022
