When people hear the term “resort-style living,” images of palm trees and sparkling pools against the backdrop of sunny skies typically come to mind. Wetlands, on the other hand, aren’t often synonymous with resorts. However, Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch encompasses all of these features in a way that gives residents the feeling of being in a tropical oasis while preserving the region’s natural environment and species.

The development of more than 850 homes is being led by RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture for their longtime client Taylor Morrison. Located less than 30 miles away from Tampa in Wesley Chapel, Florida, the project plan was heavily based on the existing wetlands at the site.

“We wanted to take advantage of the wetlands,” explains David Cosslett, Associate Principal at RVi who was involved in multiple stages of the project. “Not only to add character to the site, but to also create revegetated, natural areas that would bring the wetlands to the fringes of the community and edges of roadways.”

Planning for the Wiregrass Ranch began in 2018, with the final phase’s completion projected for 2026. The project relied on the fluid collaboration of RVi landscape architects, land planners, and civil engineers from RVi’s family company, Atwell. From early due diligence through design, permitting, and construction, the team of diverse talents worked hand-in-hand to deliver a successful project. Additionally, RVi and Atwell put together the full land development budget for the entire Wiregrass Ranch and provided all the marketing collateral.

A haven for people who value quality, wellness, and community

The community offers an extensive list of amenities and programming to give residents the feeling of being on a permanent vacation. Residents have quick access to high-end retail shopping, top-rated healthcare facilities, and a variety of restaurants nearby. However, they don’t have to venture far for comfort and recreation, since Wiregrass Ranch provides both.

Some of its unique programs include live concerts, wine tastings, excursions, spa and wellness, and other experiences curated to the interests of residents.

The amenities are a trademark quality of Esplanade communities. Wiregrass Ranch has an impressive clubhouse called The Venue, which contains a state-of-the-art fitness center, a catering kitchen, meeting spaces, a multipurpose room, and a billiard room. Outside, there is a heated pool and spa, barbecue grill, and dining space. Nearby are walking trails, dog parks, and a playground.

Other amenities include sports courts for tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball, which come with classes, leagues, and charity events; a doggie concierge with pet programs that include spa days for pets and birthday celebrations; and a café that offers breakfast, lunch, all-day snacks, and appeals to a variety of diets.

Residents can choose between a single-family home or detached villa home in this gated community that also has security guards on the premises. Homes have open floor plans, tile roofs, large entryways, designer touches like tray ceilings and crown molding, smart devices integrated into the design, and of course, pristine landscaping.

“As Taylor Morrison’s signature lifestyle brand for active adults, it was important to maintain their pillars of design and quality as we planned the project,” Cosslett says. “I think our team did a great job of doing that while preserving the environment.”

Working with the natural environment instead of against it

The RVi team experienced many successes while working on Wiregrass Ranch. According to Cosslett, the preservation and integration of the wetlands and native flora was one of the best aspects of this project.

“Esplanade developments tend to have a very specific kind of aesthetic; they’re meant to feel like resorts, so they tend to have tropical enhancements and ornamental touches,” Cosslett explains. “What I really liked about Wiregrass is that the natural character of the environment was put in the forefront. The entrance still maintains that signature, tropical resort feeling, but past the gates, the scenery is much more focused on the native plant palette and natural character of the site.”

Besides successfully integrating the wetlands into the design, the team also had to examine which plants would thrive best in Tampa’s climate while still achieving the Esplanade resort vibe.

“The Esplanades attract people from all over,” says Cosslett. “So when future residents move from out of state to Florida, they tend to expect a certain look, such as coconut palms like you would see on tropical islands. That kind of palm just doesn’t thrive in Tampa’s climate, so to keep the same feeling, our team used cold hardy palms instead. This category of palms can survive in weather as cool as 10 degrees, as opposed to the 30 degree minimum of most tropical palms.” This will ensure that residents feel like they are on an island getaway all year long.

Finally, a more recent win for the project was being named the 2023 Single-Family Community of the Year by Tampa Bay Builder’s Association.

Easily pivoting thanks to agile strategy and familiarity with the land

In many projects, unexpected challenges may occur. Wiregrass Ranch was no exception, but RVi was prepared to quickly adapt and push the project forward to meet the client’s goals. The firm was asked to reallocate the client’s product types in the project’s future phases to align better with market demand for certain kinds of lots.

“After we had already gathered everything they needed for each phase, we suddenly had to pivot to reassign and redevelop the future phases to match up with more accurate future phase delineation,” Cosslett recalls. “Thankfully, our team was well-equipped with the skills and expertise to do so in a timely manner.”

The region’s extensive trails network was another challenge. Cosslett’s team had to understand the configuration of these trails and figure out how they would interact with the proposed grading versus existing grading. They were also able to evaluate how the trails would coincide with the wetland preservation without negatively impacting the budget.

Navigating the wetlands while keeping them intact was a success, but not an easy feat. “Anytime we have to work around wetlands and create density in plans, there are always challenges,” explains Cosslett. “But their preservation was celebrated by the community and client, so the hard work we put into that was rewarding.”

Other environmental considerations

Besides preserving the nearby wetlands, RVi met the client’s expectation of preserving and promoting local butterfly species, a stipulation of Taylor Morrison’s partnership with the National Wildlife Federation. The team incorporated butterfly gardens around the site, as well as an attractive butterfly walk for residents to enjoy.

Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch is an exciting addition to Tampa’s community, and RVi is proud of the work they accomplished and the wetlands they were able to preserve.

“We’ve had a strong relationship with Taylor Morrison for many years now,” Cosslett says. “They continue to trust us and come to us for our industry skills and expertise, but also for our deep knowledge with their processes, our dedication to their priorities, and because we consistently do good work.”