Panther Run, a new 2,241-acre master-planned community in south Lake County, is set to become the largest development within Wellness Way. It is expected to bring thousands of jobs, conservation land, and new recreational amenities to Clermont.
Developed by Fort Lauderdale-based GT USA, Panther Run will dedicate 72.5% of its land to green space, preserving more than 1,170 acres of wetlands and lakes while adding 456 acres of parks, trails, and wildlife habitat. The project aims to balance residential growth with environmental conservation, employment opportunities, and healthy living.
The community will stretch from U.S. Highway 27 to the Orange County line and is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs through over 1 million square feet of planned employment space. County leaders anticipate the development will attract business in industries including healthcare, finance, research and development, technology, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, and tourism.
“We appreciate this opportunity to partner with Lake County on the execution of this portion of Wellness Way,” said Doug Bruk, Chief Operating Officer of GT USA. “We’ve designed Panther Run with employment opportunities, improved transportation, expansive open spaces, and a wildlife corridor that benefits both residents and the surrounding community.”
GT USA purchased the property for $165 million in September 2024, marking the largest land sale in Lake County’s history. The company plans to host a public open house on Aug. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center, where residents can learn more about the project and provide feedback.
One of Panther Run’s defining features is its emphasis on outdoor recreation and environmental preservation. Plans call for:
- More than 11 miles of walking, jogging, and cycling trails
- Twenty community parks
- Over two square miles of protected open space
- A wildlife corridor designed to help close a critical gap in the Florida Wildlife Corridor
- Low-density neighborhoods connected by greenways and parks
Developers say the community has been carefully designed to preserve natural resources while encouraging an active lifestyle.
Although the development is named Panther Run, wildlife experts note that Florida panthers are no longer found in the area. The name instead reflects the project’s commitment to conservation and habitat protection.
Plans also include more than four miles of new roads designed to improve connectivity between surrounding communities, extend Country Road 455 and provide direct access to State Road 516. This may improve congestion in Clermont and Sawgrass Bay neighborhoods.
The plan also reserves land for a proposed high school to serve South Lake County and an eight-acre public safety complex that could include both a fire station and a sheriff’s substation.
Looking Ahead
Construction is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2027.
In addition to residential neighborhoods, employment centers and recreational amenities, Panther Run is projected to generate approximately $6 million annually in tourist development tax revenue through planned tourist homes.
Residents interested in learning more about the project can attend the public open house on Aug. 10 or visit HERE.
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