Cresswind at Lake Harris is the only brand-new 55+ active-adult community in Tavares, Florida with direct boat dock access to the Lake Harris Chain of Lakes. Kolter Homes is building 607 homes here, inside Central Florida's "Golden Triangle" of Tavares, Eustis, and Mount Dora. It's a small-scale community with genuine lakefront access and a socially active culture.
Where is Cresswind at Lake Harris located?
Tavares sits in Lake County, Florida, a region known for its chains of navigable lakes, walkable downtowns, and a slower pace than most of Central Florida. The Golden Triangle puts you within a short drive (or golf cart ride) of Mount Dora's boutique shops, Eustis's waterfront parks, and Tavares's own seaplane base and marina district.
For water lovers, the real draw is the Lake Harris Chain of Lakes. Nine interconnected lakes link all the way to the St. Johns River and, eventually, the Atlantic Ocean. You can tie up your boat at a restaurant or spend a Saturday exploring by water. Cresswind at Lake Harris is the only new 55+ community with a private boat dock on this chain.
The community is golf-cart friendly, which makes a nearby Publix and Starbucks genuinely easy to reach. The Lake Harris Hideaway, a waterfront restaurant just outside the gates, is a quick ride away. It's a small detail that says a lot about daily life here.
Home prices, HOA fees, and CDD costs at Cresswind at Lake Harris
Cresswind is priced as an upscale community, but the range is wide enough to fit different budgets.
- Starting price: $367,000 for the "Ena" model, approximately 1,400 sq. ft.
- Lot premiums: $0 (included in base price) up to $75,000 in Phase 1. Waterfront lots are at the higher end.
- Phase 1 home sites: Approximately 148 total, including 37 waterfront lots
- HOA fees (current): $165/month while the clubhouse is under construction
- HOA fees (at clubhouse completion): $465/month
- HOA covers: Landscaping, irrigation, cable TV, high-speed internet, and full amenity access
- Annual CDD fees: $1,300-$1,900 depending on which collection you choose
- Build time: Roughly 6 to 8 months from start to move-in
Plan for that HOA increase when Club Cresswind opens. Having landscaping, cable, and internet bundled in does remove real line items from your monthly budget, so run the full math before comparing communities.
Club Cresswind: amenities coming to the community
Club Cresswind is a 15,000-square-foot clubhouse currently under development. Once complete, residents will have access to:
- A resort-style pool with dedicated lap lanes
- Pickleball and tennis courts
- An outdoor event plaza for community gatherings
- A state-of-the-art fitness center
The fitness center is worth a closer look. Cresswind has invested in EGYM smart strength-training equipment, machines that sync with a personal wristband so every station automatically adjusts to your settings the moment you step up. It's genuinely useful technology, and it lowers the barrier for residents newer to structured strength training.
Pickleball is a defining part of Cresswind's identity across all its communities. Cresswind at Lake Harris carries that forward with its own signature Cresswind Cup tournament. If pickleball is on your must-have list, this community takes it seriously.
What Cresswind at Lake Harris doesn't have
Two things worth knowing upfront: there is no on-site dog park and no on-site golf course. If you have a dog, check with the community on pet policies and nearby green space. If golf is a priority, two good courses (Mission Inn and Deer Island) are close by. Deer Island is even accessible by boat, which fits the spirit of this community well.
Quick facts: Cresswind at Lake Harris
- Builder: Kolter Homes
- Location: Tavares, FL (Lake County)
- Total homes planned: 607
- Minimum age: 55+
- Starting price: From $367,000
- HOA: $165/mo now; $465/mo at clubhouse completion
- CDD: $1,300-$1,900 annually
- Unique feature: Only new 55+ community with direct boat dock access to the Lake Harris Chain of Lakes
- Nearby dining: Lake Harris Hideaway (golf-cart accessible)
- Golf nearby: Mission Inn, Deer Island
Is Cresswind at Lake Harris right for you?
If you want a smaller community where you'll actually know your neighbors, water access is non-negotiable, and you like competitive pickleball, a resort pool, and smart fitness equipment, Cresswind at Lake Harris covers a lot of ground. The Golden Triangle location gives you small-town charm without sacrificing everyday conveniences, and the Lake Harris Chain of Lakes is a recreational asset very few 55+ communities in Florida can match.
Ready to see how Cresswind at Lake Harris compares to other communities on your list? Create your free Explore55Plus account and our AI will give you a personal match score based on your budget, lifestyle, and must-haves. Save the communities you like, then use our Decision Matrix to compare them side by side, so when the time comes, you can move forward with real confidence.
