Zeman Homes will be opening its newest luxury RV property, called The Tides, in Palmetto, Florida in 2020. The luxury RV resort is being built from the ground up on 95 acres featuring a fully-stocked lake, three docks, world-class amenities, and lush palm-lined landscaping for that tropical Florida experience.
Alison Schultz, resort manager said, “We broke ground for The Tides on November 1, 2018.” Emphasizing the resort’s luxury features, she said,”It’s truly going to be an upscale property,” adding, “There’s nothing like it.”
The gated and secure property will be fully enclosed by a beautiful stone wall. Wide streets will be perfect for bike rides and evening strolls. For a little angling time, there will be catch-and-release fishing on the lake and a community fire pit will bring in the Florida nights. More typical of an upscale hotel, Schultz noted, “The Tides will even offer a concierge service,” For guests spending time on-property, there will be a resort-style pool, lap pool, and facilities for pickleball and shuffleboard.
A two-story, 15,000 square-foot grand clubhouse will anchor the property and will house a library, ballroom, and clubhouse kitchen. The upper level, Shultz mentioned, “Will feature a banquet room overlooking the pool. Billiards and a bar will be downstairs.” Also in the works are a spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, and business center. “We’re even going to have a wine cabinet for guests to store their liquor from visit to visit,” Shultz said.
There will be plenty going on, including a calendar full of events and activities. Ms. Shultz pointed out a feature, most likely unique to any RV park - “The way the clubhouse is situated, we’re able to build space for food trucks to park during events.”
Planned are 370 oversized pull-through and back-in sites with full hookups and 100 amp service. One impressive feature is the brick paver parking pads for each site. Ms. Schultz said The Tides is the first property where Zeman has used them.
For those seeking longer stays or a semi-permanent place to call home, a limited number of new park models will be offered for sale. Four different one bedroom/one bath models will be available featuring options like stainless steel appliances, washers/dryers, elegant finishes, and even covered porches.
An aerial view of The Tides RV Resort property during construction [Photo/Zeman Homes]
The Tides’ Palmetto location is perfect for enjoying the central Gulf coast area whether it’s the urban attractions in nearby cities like Tampa or Sarasota or the outdoor recreation provided by area beaches and waterways. The property is located less than ¼ mile from the upper reaches of Terra Ciea Bay and just 30-minutes from beaches at Anna Maria, Holmes, and Bradenton. Boating and fishing access is at nearly every turn, including spots like Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, Bishop Harbor Boat Launch, Sea Breeze Point, and Emerson Point preserve to name a few.
If your interests lean towards activities like golf, shopping, or dining, several of Florida’s most popular Gulf-coast cities are within a half-hour.
Home to the famous Salvador Dali Museum, St. Pete offers award-winning restaurants, breweries, and waterview shopping downtown. Miles of sandy beaches add a distinctive beach vibe to the city.
Just north of St. Petersburg, Clearwater is a great small city with a revitalized downtown with shopping, dining, and live entertainment. Clearwater Beach has been voted one of the best beaches in the country by Forbes, USA Today, and Trip Advisor. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is the home of Winter, the rescued dolphin depicted in the movie Dolphin Tale. For some nightlife, hit Sunsets at Pier 60, a nightly festival that offers everything from street performers to arts & crafts, to live music.
If you are a culture, history, or architecture lover, Tampa offers plenty to do. You can visit several historic enclaves - like Ybor City which grew out of the Cuban cigar industry in the 19th century; or, hit the antique shops of Seminole Heights while strolling streets lined with early 20th-century bungalows. The downtown riverwalk offers exciting dining and nightlife; and, for the sports lover, there’s professional football and NHL hockey. You can ride a streetcar, visit the Florida Aquarium, or enjoy a day at Busch Gardens.
Sarasota is yet another gem combining small city charm with a laid-back beach lifestyle. If fishing is your thing, hit one of the many fishing piers. Or, if the links call you, Sarasota is home to several world-famous golf courses. There are several beautiful beaches and nearby towns like Lido Beach and Venice.
While at first glance Bradenton might seem like a sprawling suburb, it’s also home to some of the last pristine, undeveloped beaches still lined old Florida bungalows rather than high-rises. Stroll and shop along the Bradenton Riverwalk or visit one of the sleepy fishing villages nearby. While visiting Bradenton, be sure to take in Longboat Key, a popular barrier island resort town.
If you want to experience what Florida was like before all of the development, drop in on Anna Maria Island, a laid-back beach town on the north end of the same stretch of barrier island that houses Longboat Key. It’s a place to slow down and just enjoy the sand between your toes, magnificent sunsets, and an occasional seashell treasure found at water’s edge.
Grand opening for The Tides is slated for January 1, 2020. It is the fourth Zeman Homes’ RV resort in the state, joining those in Naples, Mims, and Sarasota. As company chairman, Ed Zeman said in a recent press release, properties like The Tides show, ”our ongoing commitment to increasing our presence in the Sun Belt.”
Before entering the RV resort industry, Zeman homes established itself as an award-winning company in the manufactured homes community sector spanning back to 1983. Before that, the firm operated as a real estate company founded in 1967 by Bud and Dorothy Zeman.
Zeman opened its first RV resort in 2017. Today, the company manages 11 RV parks located in five states. In a press release in 2017 regarding their 50th anniversary, commenting on the milestone, Ed Zeman stated, “I am humbled and proud to continue the legacy my mother and father started. It has been a true pleasure watching our company grow from my days doing odd jobs after school at the first property to where we are today. While the company has grown exponentially over the years, our commitment remains the same – to provide high-quality living environments both in the manufactured home space and in the RV resort market.”
As the company proudly states, “Whether you stay with us for a week, the winter, or year-round, you’ll enjoy the friendly, neighborhood feel of our resort. One visit and you’ll see why our guests keep coming back year after year!”