Although you can’t live in the wild blue yonder just yet, you can live in WildBlue, a master planned community that’s planned to be constructed in Southwest Florida, per Builder Online.

Miami-based homebuilder Lennar announced plans for the residential community, which it aims to build in 2019 with homebuilding companies Pulte, Stock Development, and WCI Communities. Located in Estero, which is north of Naples and south of Fort Myers, WildBlue will be a gated community with about 1,000 homes centered on a lake and set within natural surroundings.

If you’re in the market to buy a new home in Estero, here’s what you need to know about the community and the WildBlue development.

There’s Plenty Greenspace and Recreation Opportunities

Pool in Estero

Located on 872 acres of lakes and 1,329 acres of surrounding preserve land, WildBlue is sure to attract nature and sports fans. The developers say it will be conducive to outdoor activities such as hiking and bicycling. Proposed amenities include kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, and other lagoon activities.

Prices Range from $400,000s to Over $4 Million

The development will have several neighborhoods, each featuring one- and two-story homes. Lennar will offer homes ranging from 1,800 to 3,800 square feet with prices between the $400s to the $700s. WCI will offer homes ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet with prices from $400,000 to over $1 million. Pulte’s home prices also range from the $400s to over $1 million with square footage between 1,671 and 3,900. Stock will offer homes ranging from 2,500 to over 4,000 square feet with prices ranging from $600s to over $4 million.

Shopping Venues Are Nearby

Miromar Outlets photo courtesy of BernieCB

WildBlue will be minutes from neighborhood shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including a full-scale movie theater and hundreds of major retailers and restaurants located within Gulf Coast Town Center, Miromar Outlets, and the 1.4 million-square-foot Coconut Point Mall.

Nature Abounds in Estero

The spring-fed Estero River flows into Estero Bay, which was established in 1966 as Florida’s first aquatic preserve after fishermen noticed the fish population was declining. The land next to the bay, even the mangroves and marshes, was conserved to protect the water from development. Most of the uplands around the bay are now part of Estero Bay Preserve State Park, which protects the water, inlets, and islands along 10 miles of Estero Bay and provides habitat for many species that depend on it for migratory patterns, feeding, and nesting grounds.

Visitors can enjoy the preserve from land or by water. Launch facilities are available at Koreshan State Park (east of the bay in Estero) and Lovers Key/Carl E. Johnson State Park (west side). Numerous miles of trails offer visitors the opportunity to hike and bike the uplands of the preserve, enjoying the wildlife and native vegetation. Two access areas are provided in Estero (off west Broadway) and in Fort Myers (off Winkler Road).

You’ll Have Easy Access to Surrounding Areas

Florida Gulf Coast University photo by Shutterstock

The community is easily accessible to Interstate 75 and US 41, providing easy access to Fort Myers and Naples employment centers, Southwest Florida International Airport, Florida Gulf Coast University, and medical services. It’s also close to recreational destinations, including beaches, golf courses, and sports attractions such as JetBluePark, the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox.

It Was Once Home to a Utopian Community

Estero was once the site of Koreshan Unity, a communal utopia started in the mid-1890s that believed the earth was hollow and that humans lived inside of it. The community was started by Cyrus Teed who, as a young man, pursued pseudoscience, like eclectic physics and alchemy. He changed his name to Koresh (Hebrew for Cyrus) and started the Koreshan Unity organization.

Today the property, including the 11 remaining historic buildings, is preserved as Koreshan State Park. In addition to ranger, docent, and self-guided tours to learn about the property’s history, the park offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, picnicking, and fishing. A large pavilion is located in the picnic area which can be rented for large events. The boat ramp on the Estero River provides access to Estero Bay and Mound Key Archaeological State Park. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the Ranger Station.