Manatee County has a handful of hidden real estate treasures, and The Retreat in Bradenton is one of them. This select and attractive neighborhood is nestled within a corner of Palma Sola Bay, near the entrance to the historic fishing village of Cortez. Local developer Ashton Woods is known for its fondness of building quality before quantity; to this end, The Retreat is one of its four exclusive and luxurious communities.

There are only twelve single-family homes in The Retreat, and each of them sits on very spacious lots surrounded by green areas and lush Florida vegetation. Seven of Ashton Woods’ floor plans can be appreciated at The Retreat; the one-story Osprey features four bedrooms on 1,961 square feet of air-conditioned space and a two-car garage. Some of the three-bedroom floor plans are actually more spacious than the Osprey; for example, the elegant Cypress is a large two-story floor plan with 2,457 square feet of living space.

Although there are only twelve homes in The Retreat, real estate sales are pretty active in this community. Home prices range from $390K to $450K, which is a very reasonable range when taking into consideration the extensive level of detail that Ashton Woods applies to each home. Some of the special features that home buyers can expect include: Tray ceilings, granite countertops, gourmet kitchens, home offices, media rooms, energy-saving water and electrical systems, Florida rooms, luxurious cabinets, and more.

The Retreat is located in a very tranquil area of Manatee County. Palma Sola Bay is located just across the road, and there is a small lake in the community. Fishing and boating enthusiasts have lots of options thanks to living very close to the Village of Cortez, which means that they can also enjoy fresh Florida seafood at many local restaurants and be at the Bradenton Beach in minutes. Young residents are served by Ida M. Stewart Elementary, Martha B. King Middle and Manatee High Schools.