Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach unveils model homes

More than 2,500 people toured model houses Saturday at the development site of Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach, the first of several senior housing developments by Minto Communities and Margaritaville Holdings.

Buyers have purchased more than 200 homes at the 55-and-older development in Daytona Beach since a pre-construction sales program began in November.

Minto Communities is planning to build a total of 6,900 homes at the development, marketed as a real version of the imaginary, laid-back Margaritaville community that recording artist Jimmy Buffett described in his 1977 hit song of the same name.

Minto unveiled nine model homes at Latitude Margaritaville Saturday during a street party at the development site featuring live music and performers on stilts.

Bill Bullock, senior vice president of Minto Communities, told the Daytona News-Journal that 2,637 people toured the model homes.

Bullock also told the newspaper that Minto expects to build more than 300 homes this year at Latitude Margaritaville.

All of the homes are designed with open floor plans and high ceilings. Buyers have the option of installing a backyard swimming pool. Prices range from the low $200,000s to the mid-$300,000s.

Scheduled for completion early next year, the first phase of construction at Latitude Margaritaville will include a town center spanning 33 acres, with amenities including a bandshell, a town square for events and a resort-style swimming pool, plus a bar and restaurant, a pet spa, walking trails and courts for playing tennis and pickleball. [Daytona News-Journal] – Mike Seemuth