If you’ve driven along U.S. 27 west of I-75 in the past year, you’ve noticed a lot of activity taking place at what was once Mockingbird Farms. A new turning lane has appeared, an entry wall has been constructed, and trucks of various sizes have been frequently sighted along this well-traveled road. If you’ve driven by lately, you will have also noticed a stately building being erected. This structure is the Ashley Farms Golf & Country Club Welcome Center and it is now open.
The Welcome Center presents a comprehensive overview of Ashley Farms, WCI’s premier community in Ocala, and pays homage to the city’s rich heritage, as well. From the brick entry to the expansive veranda to the dormer windows, the Welcome Center represents the low-country architecture that will be seen throughout the community.
Once inside, the southern-gentility ambience continues in the café with a warm fireplace and comfortable seating. The smell of freshly baked cookies permeates the air as soon as you walk through the door. Visitors can enjoy a beverage of choice and one of those tempting cookies. The dark wood displays and rich carpeting lead through the story of Ashley Farms Golf & Country Club interspersed with photo essays of Ocala’s yesteryear. After journeying through the welcome center, the tour continues into the Model Park.
Featuring six models, two each from the Grand Villa, Classic, and Estate Series, the Model Park at Ashley Farms showcases unique architectural features and beautiful décor. The low-country architecture lends itself wonderfully to these homes offering front and rear verandas, dormer windows, and wide columns. Inside the home, the deep-pitch roofs offer high ceilings in the common living areas. While the architectural style is reminiscent of days of yore, the floorplans are truly innovative. The generous open living spaces and expansive outdoor living areas offer ideal settings for entertaining or intimate family evenings.
“We’re so excited to be on-site and able to present our community and models to the public now,” says Greg Kelly, project manager of Ashley Farms. “There is no other community like Ashley Farms in the Ocala area and we’re thrilled to be able to now showcase the lifestyle and homes.”
Activity hasn’t been confined to just the Welcome Center and Model Park, though. Taking a tour of the community, it is evident that Ashley Farms is well underway. The 18-hole championship golf course, designed in tribute to the great courses that built the tradition of the game, is on target for its scheduled mid-2008 opening with many of the holes in roughing and shaping phase. The anticipated groundbreaking of the proposed country club is slated for December.
“The country club will be the hub of social activities at Ashley Farms. It will feature low-country architecture and a décor that will remind you of traditional clubs while offering state-of-the-art amenities,” says Gordon Crawford, director of sales. “The club will feature a day spa, indoor and al fresco dining, pro shop, fitness and aerobics center, tennis courts, and a heated pool with resort and lap areas.”
Other visible milestones at Ashley Farms include WCI’s signature lush landscaping, gatehouse (currently under construction) and inventory homes, also under construction. Move-in availability will be offered by the end of the year.
WCI Communities, the builder and developer of Ashley Farms Golf & Country Club, has been in business for more than 60 years and specializes in amenity-filled luxury communities throughout Florida, the Northeast U.S. and the Mid-Atlantic U.S.
“We believe that Ocala fits perfectly in the WCI strategy of building magnificent homes and fabulous amenities in the most desirable locations,” said Greg Kelly. “And we are proud to be able to present Ashley Farms as our premier community in the area. We look forward to a long and fulfilling relationship with the City of Ocala and Marion County.”
Ashley Farms Golf & Country Club
Welcome Center and Model Park
is located approximately one mile west of I-75 on U.S. 27.
The Welcome Center is open Monday through Saturday from
9 am – 6 pm and Sunday from 12 pm – 6 pm.
Call (352) 351-5646 or visit www.ashleyfarmswci.com.
