THE VILLAGES, FLA. — Benderson Development, in a collaboration with The Villages, has announced plans to develop Legacy Place, a 700-acre mixed-use development in Central Florida. The project will be situated along three miles of Florida’s Turnpike near County Road 470 and Central Parkway and serve as the southern gateway to The Villages master-planned community.
A new 25-acre hospital operated by Florida-based AdventHealth will anchor Legacy Place, serving communities across Sumter, Lake and Marion counties, including residents within The Villages. Construction on the 80-bed hospital, which will have emergency and surgical services, is expected to begin in 2027, with an opening projected in 2030.
The Wildwood–The Villages metropolitan area has been among the fastest-growing in the country, with population rising by nearly 20 percent over the past four years.
“This region is growing quickly, and that kind of growth brings both opportunity and responsibility,” says Rob Deininger, CEO of AdventHealth’s East Florida division. “We’re planning for what families will need not just today, but years from now, making sure the medical infrastructure keeps pace. This will strengthen how people receive care across the region, helping connect care and reduce the need for travel.”
At full build-out, Legacy Place will feature 3 million square feet of shops, restaurants and wellness offerings, including the AdventHealth hospital, as well as walkable public spaces. Benderson will develop the project in phases, with early components projected to open in 2027.
“This is an amazing opportunity for The Villages, Benderson Development and AdventHealth to come together to create something extraordinary for our community,” says Robert Chandler IV, CEO of The Villages. “Legacy Place will bring a variety of new retail experiences and, with a reputation for providing first-class care, AdventHealth will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of our Villagers and the surrounding area.”
AdventHealth manages 33 hospitals and 27 freestanding emergency facilities in Florida. The faith-based health system operates the nearby AdventHealth Waterman and AdventHealth Ocala hospitals, as well as multiple clinics and healthcare facilities in the Central Florida region.
Founded in 1949, Benderson is one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the nation. The University Park, Fla.-based company’s portfolio currently includes more than 1,000 properties totaling over 55 million square feet across 40 states.
The Villages is an active adult master-planned community with more than 150,000 residents. The campus spans more than 30,000 acres across Lake, Sumter and Marion counties.
— John Nelson