Jim Turner Shares Insights On The Forest and Hi Hat Ranch

listen to interview with Hi Hat Ranch's Jim TurnerJim Turner is a highly respected Real Estate Attorney in Sarasota. He is also a member of the family that has owned and operated the Hi Hat Ranch for some 70 years. The Ranch is a big part of Sarasota’s history – figuratively and literally – as one of the largest private land holdings in the county. And the Turner family is and remains a big part of the Ranch.

Jim recently sat down for an interview on lot 1 at The Forest to share some of his insights into this beautiful property and its first-ever residential community development.

“This is really a special place and a special opportunity for anyone that will call The Forest home,” says Jim. “I have been coming to the Ranch all my life and this particular part of the property The Forest is located on is some of the best land of the entire 10,000 acres.”

Hear more from the interview with Jim in this short video, and meet other members of the team behind The Forest and Hi Hat Ranch, on The Forest YouTube Channel.

Rick Turner Shares Hi Hat Ranch Story

watch short interview with Rick Turner on Hi Hat RanchThe Forest is the latest chapter in a rich history of Hi Hat Ranch.  This community is part of a land holding that has been in the Turner family for generations. Unlike most “developments” where a company buys land and develops a community, The Forest is actively managed by the family.

Rick Turner is one of the most active of the family when it comes to the Hi Hat Ranch and The Forest. He manages the Ranch operations and is part of the development team for The Forest.  Spend a few minutes with Rick and you get a quick appreciation for the quality behind The Forest.

“I guess the key ingredient we bring is the pride we take in this land,” says Rick. “Our family has owned this place since the 4o’s and there is a lot of history here. We want to make sure The Forest, like everything else we do at the Ranch, is the highest quality.”

Rick recently shared some of the Hi Hat Ranch story. Watch the video to hear more from Rick, and learn more about the history and team behind The Forest on the Forest YouTube Channel.

Land Rover Event Brings Out High Rollers at The Forest

Land Rover flying over course at The Forest Hi Hat RanchThe Land Rover team was on hand for a rocking Land Rover Experience at the April 6th REAL Magazine Realtor Day.

The Forest set the stage for a beautiful day of food, fun and rough riding on the private Land Rover test driving course at Hi Hat Ranch. Guests were greeted at The Forest in a tented setting near the the community Welcome Center. REAL Magazine, along with co-sponsors South Point Motors, Florida Builder Appliances, Anchor Builders, John Cannon Homes, Arthur Rutenberg, John Neal Homes and Todd Johnston Homes, helped The Forest team stage the event.

Some of Sarasota’s top Realtors were on hand along with guests of The Forest in a kickoff of the Spring/Summer season and new offerings at the community. Activities included tours of the new demonstration homesite cleared for previewing near the Welcome Center. A selection of fine wines and catered food were served throughout the say

Those braving the Land Rover Experience had a wild ride on the Hi Hat Ranch. The course was truly a test of vehicle, driver and riders after two days of heavy rain preceding the event.

Tom Dabney, Ed Bertha and Brian Wood at The Forest Hi Hat Ranch

“We promised an experience and the Land Rover team delivered with some wild high-flying test drives,” said The Forest’s Brian Wood of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.”Luckily, everyone that took the Land Rover Tour through The Forest were a lot less rattled than those on the Experience course but fun was definitely had by all.”

Brian offers Land Rover Tours at The Forest daily but it’s a rare opportunity for anyone to ride the Land Rover Experience course according to development manager Tom Dabney.

“Hi Hat Ranch has one of only a few of these Land Rover test courses in the county and the public seldom gets to ride along with the Camel Off Road Racers,” said Dabney. “These guys are the elite drivers and it showed on this tough course.”

All five of The Forest builders were represented at the event with displays on new homes now offered at the community. Principals Todd Johnston of Todd Johnston Homes and Roy Dupuis of Anchor Builders were both on hand meeting with Realtors and guests to share information about the exciting new plans they have available at The Forest.

“It was great to see all of our builders on hand for the event,” said Woods.  “I know it was helpful for the many Realtors in attendance to be able to learn more about what’s available here at The Forest.”

The event closed with a scavenger hunt on the demonstration homesite where guests searched for clues and the chance to win prizes. Visit the event photo gallery page here on the blog to see more pictures from this exciting day at The Forest.