Panther Run Clermont master-planned community

By Tom & Shirley Guercio

Panther Run Clermont is a 2,241-acre master-planned development along Clermont’s Wellness Way corridor that received Lake County approval on September 1, 2026. Plans include approximately 2,600 homes, employment and commercial areas, a proposed high school site, new roads, parks, trails and substantial protected green space. Groundbreaking is currently targeted for the first quarter of 2027.

What Is Panther Run in Clermont?

Panther Run is one of the largest master-planned communities proposed for the Clermont and South Lake County area.

The property extends through the Wellness Way corridor in southeast Lake County, from the U.S. 27 area toward the Orange County line. Its location places it near Clermont, Horizon West and the western side of Walt Disney World.

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners approved the Panther Run rezoning on September 1, 2026. Developer GT USA has indicated that it expects to begin construction during the first quarter of 2027.

However, groundbreaking does not mean homes will immediately be available. A project of this size normally begins with site preparation, roads, utilities and other infrastructure before residential construction and home sales begin.

Builders, home designs, pricing and model-home opening dates have not yet been announced.

Watch Our Panther Run Clermont Video

Prefer to watch? In this video, we take a closer look at Panther Run and what this major Wellness Way development could mean for Clermont and South Lake County.

How Many Homes Are Planned for Panther Run?

The approved plan allows for roughly 2,600 homes. That includes 2,559 base residential units, with the possibility of up to 2,624 units through a density bonus.

A separate tourist-home community is also included within the larger development plan.

The residential portion is only one part of Panther Run. The project is also expected to include commercial and employment areas projected to support more than 3,000 jobs.

That combination could eventually make Wellness Way more than a residential corridor. It could become an area where residents live, work, shop and enjoy outdoor recreation.

How Much of Panther Run Will Remain Green?

One of the most notable parts of the plan is the amount of land expected to remain undeveloped.

Approximately 72.5% of the property is planned to remain lakes, wetlands, uplands and open space. The plan also includes:

  • More than 11 miles of public trails
  • Approximately 20 community parks
  • A protected wildlife corridor
  • Connections to the broader Florida Wildlife Corridor

Only about 16% of the 2,241-acre property is designated for the primary residential portion of the development.

This balance between development and protected land will be important as Clermont’s Wellness Way corridor continues to grow.

Will Panther Run Include a New High School?

Land within Panther Run has been reserved for a proposed high school intended to serve the growing South Lake County area.

The high school is not yet final. It must still proceed through the Lake County school district’s planning, funding and approval process.

For now, it should be described as a proposed future high school site, not a confirmed school with an established opening date.

Still, reserving the land is significant because schools and other public infrastructure must be considered as thousands of new homes are planned throughout this part of Lake County.

Where Is Panther Run Located?

Panther Run is located along the Wellness Way corridor in southeast Lake County, in the greater Clermont area.

The property reaches from the U.S. 27 area toward the Orange County line and is approximately 15 minutes from Walt Disney World, depending on the starting point, destination and traffic.

Although the project is commonly associated with Clermont, future buyers should verify the exact address, municipality, school assignment, utilities and access points for any individual neighborhood released within Panther Run.

What Roads and Infrastructure Are Planned?

A development this large will require extensive transportation and utility improvements.

New internal roads and connections are expected to be constructed in phases as Panther Run develops. The project will also become part of the larger transportation picture involving Wellness Way, U.S. 27 and connections toward Orange County.

The timing of individual road improvements may not match the timing of the first homes. Buyers should evaluate both the roads that exist when they purchase and the infrastructure planned for future phases.

This matters because an area can feel very different during its early construction years than it will after the roads, schools, commercial areas and community amenities are completed.

When Will Panther Run Break Ground?

GT USA is targeting the first quarter of 2027 for groundbreaking.

The first phase is expected to involve infrastructure and site preparation. No builders, floor plans, model homes, prices, HOA fees or residential sales dates have been announced.

We will continue watching for:

  • Builder announcements
  • Home styles and lot sizes
  • Starting prices
  • HOA and community fees
  • Amenity plans
  • Model-home and sales-center openings
  • Road-construction schedules
  • Updates on the proposed high school

What Could Panther Run Mean for Clermont Real Estate?

Panther Run could have a substantial long-term influence on the South Lake County real estate market.

New jobs, roads, schools, commercial development and recreational amenities may make the surrounding area more attractive to future buyers. At the same time, thousands of new homes may create additional competition for existing homeowners, particularly when builders offer incentives, financing promotions and new floor plans.

No one can promise how Panther Run will affect the value of an individual property. The result will depend on the home’s location, condition, community, price range and the timing of Panther Run’s different phases.

For buyers, the development may eventually provide more housing choices near Clermont, Wellness Way and the Disney-area growth corridors. For current homeowners, it will be important to watch which builders enter the community, what types of homes they offer and how quickly the surrounding infrastructure develops.

Does the Panther Run Name Mean Panthers Live There?

The Panther Run name should not be taken as evidence that a resident panther population occupies the development.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, most of Florida’s breeding panther population lives in South Florida, primarily below the Caloosahatchee River.

The community’s name reflects its conservation theme, including a planned wildlife corridor and connections to the broader Florida Wildlife Corridor.

The Bottom Line

Panther Run is not simply another subdivision. It is a major, long-term development that could reshape a significant portion of the Wellness Way corridor.

With approximately 2,600 homes, more than 3,000 projected jobs, extensive protected green space, public trails, parks and a proposed high school site, the project could influence how southeast Lake County grows for years to come.

The biggest details for future homebuyers—including builders, home designs, prices, fees and sales dates—have not been released.

We will continue monitoring Panther Run and sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Panther Run

Where is Panther Run located?

Panther Run is located along the Wellness Way corridor in southeast Lake County, in the Clermont area. The property extends from the U.S. 27 area toward the Orange County line.

When was Panther Run approved?

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners approved the Panther Run rezoning on September 1, 2026.

When will Panther Run break ground?

Developer GT USA is targeting the first quarter of 2027 for groundbreaking. Residential sales may begin later because infrastructure and site preparation typically come first.

How many homes will Panther Run have?

The approved plan includes 2,559 base residential units, with the possibility of up to 2,624 units through a density bonus, plus a separate tourist-home community.

Will Panther Run include a high school?

Land has been reserved for a proposed high school. The school must still complete the school district’s planning, funding and approval process.

How much of Panther Run will remain green?

Approximately 72.5% of the property is planned to remain lakes, wetlands, uplands and open space. The plans also include more than 11 miles of public trails, 20 community parks and a wildlife corridor.

Have Panther Run’s homebuilders and prices been announced?

No. Builders, floor plans, prices, fees and home-availability dates have not yet been announced.

Thinking About Moving to Clermont or South Lake County?

We are Tom and Shirley Guercio, The Florida Agents and Clermont-based REALTORS® with Preferred Real Estate Brokers. We help buyers compare new construction, resale homes and 55+ communities throughout Clermont, Minneola and the surrounding Central Florida area.

If Panther Run or another South Lake community may be part of your future move, contact us before visiting a builder. We can help you understand the location, compare your options and provide representation throughout the buying process.

. We can help you understand the location, compare your options and provide representation throughout the buying process.

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About Tom & Shirley Guercio

Tom and Shirley Guercio, known as The Florida Agents, are Clermont-based REALTORS® with Preferred Real Estate Brokers. They specialize in helping people relocate to Central Florida and navigate major life transitions throughout Lake County, including Clermont and Minneola.

Preferred Real Estate Brokers · (630) 222-7772

Equal Housing Opportunity. Tom and Shirley Guercio are licensed Florida REALTORS® regulated by the Florida Real Estate Commission. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, financial or investment advice. Development plans, construction schedules, prices, fees, school plans and availability may change. Buyers should independently verify current information with the appropriate developer, builder, government agency, school district and professional advisors.