James “Wiregrass” Porter bought the 5,142-acre property in 1937; the Porter family has lived and worked on it since 1946. It wasn’t until 1972 that the family sold its first major portion on the northern edge of the property to build Saddlebrook Resort.
From cattle to orange groves, the Porter family, which still owns and manages development, has carefully stewarded the land based on how it could best meet the needs of the family and enrich the community, says owner JD Porter. It is all about patience, he says.
While substantial assets have been built in the last five years, much more is slated ahead for the entitled, master-planned community. Plans include: potentially a million square feet of office space by Raymond James, an expansion at the AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hospital, future Phase 2 for Shops at Wiregrass mall, other retail, senior living residences, additional residential, a vast trail system, transit stops, an expansion of Pasco Hernando State College, a town center with local retail, municipal buildings, and a $59 million extension of SR 56 to 301, something Porter says will be a game-changing factor in providing alternatives to “the mess” that is Interstate 4.
When talking about the land, he reminisces about his grandfather and his own childhood memories of exploring the property. He grew up on the spot of the hospital. Before he was born, his mom was so concerned about being so remote, she became an emergency medical technician — one of the reasons the hospital is where it is.
There’s rich history there. Its Clearwater Pond was the site of baptisms on 54.
But paramount to his message about the development strategy is a deliberate commitment to build out the property in a balanced way.
Scott Sheridan worked with the family for 15 years and joined the team as COO two years ago. His arrival brought “cohesion and direction,” says Porter.
Now, along SR 54, the Porters are building the first development of their own: a 12,600-square-foot strip center featuring Glory Days Grill and several locally owned businesses. It is totally leased.