South of 44: What’s Actually Starting to Take Shape

South of 44 in The Villages Is Starting to Feel Different

If you’ve spent any time south of 44 in The Villages recently, you’ve probably noticed it — things are picking up.

What didn’t feel like much more than early-stage development not long ago is starting to look more defined.

As of now, here’s what’s actually happening based on what can be seen on the ground.

Construction South of 44 in The Villages Is Picking Up

This is probably the biggest shift right now.

Areas around Long Prairie have moved past just clearing land. Homes are actively going up, and in some spots, slabs have already been poured.

Parking areas for those sections are in, and new batches of homes have been released nearby.

One thing that stood out — there are still some lots available, including some with water views and even golf course views. In spots like that, you’d normally expect them to be gone by now. That’s a little unusual for this part of The Villages, based on how things have moved in the past.

A Cell Tower Is Going Up Fast Near Shallow Creek

If you’ve dealt with weak service in the south end, this is worth paying attention to.

A new cell tower is being built just past Long Prairie near the southern end of Shallow Creek, and it’s going up fast.

Within about a day, the structure went from initial setup to roughly 60 feet, and then to around 120 feet of what’s expected to be a 225-foot tower.

There’s no official timeline posted out there, but based on how quickly it’s moving, this doesn’t look like something that’s going to sit unfinished for long.

Once it’s up, it should help with some of the coverage issues people have been dealing with in this area.

Publix in Middleton vs. Eastport Still Quiet

The Publix in Middleton is moving along quickly. You can follow broader progress in that area here: Middleton development updates.

You can tell they’re making steady progress — the roof is already going on, and there’s activity around nearby commercial space as well, including a bank site and a Circle K location.

Eastport is a different story.

There’s still no visible construction tied to a grocery store there. It keeps coming up in conversation, but as of now, there’s nothing on the ground that shows it’s started. For a closer look at that area, see: Eastport development updates.

For now, Middleton is the one to watch.

Golf Development Is Expanding in Multiple Areas

Golf is continuing to spread out across the south end.

There’s a 27-hole championship course in progress in the Meadowview area, along with executive courses and a pitch-and-putt nearby.

Some of these courses look like they’re getting closer to the grow-in phase, where the grass is established before opening.

There are also indications — based on planning drawings — that more golf could be coming further south, including another championship course and a driving range.

Nothing has started there yet, so that part is still more “on paper” than anything else.

The New Street of Dreams Area Is Taking Shape

There’s visible progress tied to the new Street of Dreams.

Asphalt and parking sections have already been put in near the Beautyberry and Honeysuckle areas, which gives a clearer idea of where the next Street of Dreams is heading.

It’s still early, but it’s another sign that development in this part of the community is moving forward at a steady pace.

More Land Clearing Further South

If you go farther south into the next development areas, there’s been a noticeable amount of land movement.

Areas that were previously used for soil stockpiling have been cleared out, and the scale of the earthmoving over the past year stands out.

It looks like they’re getting things ready for future phases, but timelines on that are still unclear.

It’s Gator Season

This time of year, alligator activity picks up — and right now, it’s mating season.

That usually means they’re more aggressive, especially around water.

If you’re walking near ponds or retention areas, especially with a dog, it’s worth being careful. This isn’t new for Florida, but it’s easy to forget until you start seeing them more often again.

A Smaller Addition Near Pinellas Plaza

The Twisty Treat near Pinellas Plaza looks close to opening.

Not a major development compared to everything else going on, but still something people will likely use once it opens.

Where Things Stand Right Now

Overall, south of 44 in The Villages is starting to feel more established than it did even a few months ago.

There are still some gaps — especially on the retail side — and a lot of timelines aren’t fully clear yet.

But between the housing, infrastructure, and golf development, this area is clearly moving into its next phase.

If you haven’t driven through recently, it’s worth taking a look. It’s changing faster than it was even a few months ago.

For official community information, you can visit the The Villages official website.