Venezia Homes for Sale

About Venezia Neighborhood

Venezia is a rare jewel among Dr. Phillips neighborhoods — a boutique community of just 53 custom estate homes occupying one of the most coveted shoreline stretches of Big Sand Lake. Accessed via Darlene Drive off South Apopka Vineland Road, the community's singular main street, Pointe Venezia Drive, wraps around its 21 waterfront homesites, providing unobstructed lake views and direct water access that would be impossible to replicate in any new development today. The neighborhood's semi-private nature — non-gated but largely unknown to outsiders — gives residents a sense of exclusivity without the visitor restrictions of a guard-gated entry.

Homes in Venezia were constructed between 2008 and 2018 by the renowned custom builder Reiche & Silliman, whose hallmark Mediterranean architecture defines the community's visual identity. Each residence features barrel tile roofs, paver driveways, stucco exteriors, and the kind of refined craftsmanship associated with the region's most prestigious custom builders. Interiors typically showcase gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, gas fireplaces, double-pane impact windows and doors, built-in cabinetry, and spacious primary suites. With homes ranging from approximately 2,400 to 5,800 square feet on quarter-acre to larger lots, Venezia offers a range of estate-scale living options within a single intimate community.

The community's lakefront park, complete with a gazebo and picnic tables along the Big Sand Lake shoreline, serves as a communal gathering point for residents. Big Sand Lake itself spans over 1,000 acres of surface area, making it one of the larger recreational lakes in the area and ideal for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and sunset cruises. The southern orientation of many lots ensures sunshine on back porches throughout the day — a prized feature in Florida lakefront living. To the immediate south lies the beloved Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, an 80-acre recreational destination on the lake's edge that enhances the lifestyle without adding density to this quiet enclave.

Venezia's location on the Fernleaf Drive and Darlene Drive corridor places it within the 32836 zip code of southern Dr. Phillips — a premium address known for its proximity to Walt Disney World, Restaurant Row, and the Sand Lake chain. The neighborhood's small size means homes here change hands infrequently, and when they do, they attract considerable attention from buyers seeking the specific combination of lakefront access, custom construction quality, and boutique community scale that Venezia uniquely provides.

Venezia Location & Connections

Venezia sits in the southern portion of Dr. Phillips, accessed by traveling south on S. Apopka Vineland Road to Darlene Drive, then west on Fernleaf Drive to the community entrance. This location provides an unusually quiet residential setting while remaining within minutes of major roadways — S. Apopka Vineland Road connects directly north to Sand Lake Road (Restaurant Row) and south to Central Florida Parkway and Walt Disney World property. Interstate 4 is accessible via Sand Lake Road (Exit 74) in under 10 minutes.

The community's western shoreline position on Big Sand Lake places it within the Sand Lake Chain of Lakes system, which includes Big Sand Lake, Little Sand Lake, and Lake Serene. The Dr. P. Phillips Community Park is directly to the south, giving Venezia residents walkable access to this 80-acre lakeside amenity featuring a splash pad, sports courts, walking trails, and a dog park — without the park being directly in their neighborhood's footprint. Walt Disney World property begins just a few miles to the southwest, giving residents the unique experience of seeing the theme park's fireworks from their lakefront properties on clear evenings.

Venezia Amenities & Lifestyle

Life in Venezia is defined by the water. Residents enjoy year-round access to Big Sand Lake directly from the community's lakefront park, where the gazebo and picnic areas provide a relaxed gathering spot for neighbors. The combination of a small, tight-knit community — just 53 homes — and direct lake frontage creates a lifestyle that feels far more private and exclusive than most Dr. Phillips neighborhoods of comparable price.

Beyond the community's own amenities, Venezia residents benefit from one of the best location combinations in all of Orange County: Restaurant Row is minutes north, Walt Disney World is minutes south, and the 80-acre Dr. P. Phillips Community Park sits directly adjacent. Dr. Phillips as a whole offers a comprehensive lifestyle infrastructure — from premium dining and specialty grocery to world-class sports and arts venues — all within a short drive of this quiet lakefront enclave.

How Venezia Compares

Venezia occupies a unique position in the Dr. Phillips luxury market: it is a smaller and more intimate alternative to larger gated lakefront communities, yet it delivers comparable or superior lot positioning, construction quality, and water access. For buyers seeking custom Reiche & Silliman construction on Big Sand Lake without the HOA overhead of a resort-amenity community, Venezia represents exceptional value per square foot and per linear foot of lakefront.

The community's 53-home scale means neighbors know each other, turnover is low, and the neighborhood retains a close-knit character. Compared to larger Dr. Phillips communities, Venezia offers a more boutique lifestyle — quieter streets, no through traffic, and a community park that belongs exclusively to its small group of residents.

Venezia HOA & CDD Information

Venezia has a mandatory Homeowners Association that oversees the community's common areas, including the lakefront park, gazebo, and neighborhood landscaping. The HOA helps maintain the community's appearance standards and the quality of shared amenities that contribute to Venezia's appeal and property values.

Venezia does not have a Community Development District (CDD) fee — a meaningful financial advantage in southern Dr. Phillips, where several newer communities carry CDD assessments in addition to HOA dues. This distinction contributes to Venezia's strong owner satisfaction and low turnover. For details on the current HOA fee, payment schedule, and management contact information, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions