Legacy Place Could Become a Major Healthcare and Retail Hub in The Villages

Last updated: June 2026

A new chapter of south-end development is officially underway. Following months of speculation, plans for Legacy Place—a massive mixed-use project near Eastport—are beginning to take shape. While many specific details remain limited, the project is poised to become a major healthcare and commercial hub serving the rapidly growing southern portion of the community.

The south end of The Villages continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Most of the attention lately has centered on Eastport and Middleton. New neighborhoods are opening, infrastructure projects are moving forward, and residents are seeing long-discussed plans become reality. Now, Legacy Place is entering the conversation as the next significant piece of the puzzle.

Located south of Eastport, the development is positioned to become a major commercial and healthcare corridor. Here is a look at what we know so far, and what remains in the rumor category.

Legacy Place: What We Know So Far

Legacy Place is a sprawling planned development located south of Eastport and east of Middleton. While construction activity is still in the early stages, the project’s scale suggests it is intended to be much more than a typical neighborhood retail center.

Based on publicly discussed plans and ongoing infrastructure work, the site is designed to serve as a regional destination for healthcare, shopping, dining, and everyday services. The project is led by Benderson Development, a firm well-known for large-scale retail and commercial projects. Their involvement is a primary reason many residents are optimistic about the high-profile tenants that may eventually be announced.

The Confirmed Piece: AdventHealth’s New Hospital

The most significant confirmed project connected to Legacy Place is a planned AdventHealth hospital.

Healthcare access has become an increasingly important topic as the community pushes farther south. Residents who live near Middleton, Eastport, and the newest villages often face longer drives for certain medical services than those in more established sections of The Villages. A new hospital will address that demand while creating a natural anchor for additional medical offices and specialty practices.

For additional information about the healthcare system behind the project, visit AdventHealth.

Why Residents Keep Mentioning Target

If there is one retailer that consistently appears in local conversations, it is Target. For years, residents have wondered whether the south end would receive its own location as population growth continues.

While the south end is currently served by retail centers like Trailwinds, the rapid pace of development near Central Parkway has many residents eager for closer options. At this point, there has been no official announcement connecting Target to Legacy Place.

Still, the speculation is understandable. The combination of rapid residential growth, expanding road infrastructure, and a developer with a history of attracting national anchors leads many to believe major retail announcements are inevitable.

Other Retail Names Being Discussed

Target is not the only name surfacing in local discussions.

• Publix: While another location is already under construction in Middleton, grocery chains often expand alongside population density.
• City Furniture: Given the massive number of new homes being built throughout the area, residents see a furniture retailer as a logical fit for this corridor.

It is important to emphasize that none of these retailers have publicly confirmed plans for Legacy Place. These names circulate because residents are attempting to predict what the area can support, not because official tenant lists have been released.

Why the South End Looks Different

Legacy Place does not exist in isolation. Middleton has added schools and businesses, and Eastport continues to progress toward its vision as a waterfront entertainment district. Together, these projects create a growth corridor that attracts significant commercial investment. As more rooftops appear, the demand for healthcare, restaurants, and retail services grows in lockstep.

If these developments continue to progress as planned, the southern portion of The Villages will look dramatically different five years from now than it does today.

What’s Confirmed, and What Isn’t

Confirmed

• Legacy Place is moving forward as a major development project.
• AdventHealth has plans for a hospital within the development area.
• Infrastructure expansion continues throughout the surrounding corridor.

Reported But Not Confirmed

• Target
• Publix
• City Furniture
• Additional national retail tenants

As with any large development, plans evolve before final announcements are made. Retail discussions should be viewed as community speculation until companies or developers formally confirm them.

The Bottom Line

Legacy Place is quickly becoming one of the most consequential projects on the south end. The confirmed addition of a new AdventHealth hospital alone makes the project a cornerstone for future growth. Add in the continued residential expansion and the proximity to Eastport and Middleton, and it is easy to understand why this project is receiving so much attention.

The biggest story here is not any single retailer, but the fact that another major piece of the south end’s long-term infrastructure is coming into focus.

We will continue monitoring permits, site activity, and official announcements as more details become available.

Author: Dave