Apartments, Learning Experience Under Construction

A new luxury apartment community has broken ground on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. across from the Muvico Starlight 20 movie theaters, and could be a boon for those seeking corporate lodging in the future.

The Oasis at Highwoods Preserve will offer 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartment homes, and “the amenities are incredible,’’ says Anna Hoang, a spokesperson for Picerne Real Estate Group, which is one of the largest diversified real estate management and development firms in the country.

Some of those amenities include a clubhouse with computers with free WiFi, faux wood flooring, a dog park, a theater room, cabanas and outdoor grills and a beach entry, saltwater pool.

Hoang says special added touches, like soft-closing drawers, granite countertops, crown molding and distinct archways will “make it feel more like a home than an apartment.”

The Oasis at Highwoods Preserve will have 302 units, and will be four stories tall, with elevators.

Construction began earlier this month, and the first building is expected to be completed by September, with a grand opening of the entire community in spring of 2018.

For more info, visit Picerne.com.

A New Learning Experience

New Tampa and Wesley Chapel continue to be fertile ground for companies offering a mixture of childcare and early education, and the latest entry into the local market is The Learning Experience.

Work has begun on the physical structure of the new facility, which will be  located at 20780 Trout Creek Rd. The Learning Experience will be almost directly across from the Wesley Chapel Super Target, but on the New Tampa side of County Line Rd.

The facility will be large. According to site plans on the City of Tampa website, The Learning Experience is being built on 1.39 acres and will be a 10,000-sq.-ft. facility, with a 9,310-sq.-ft. playground.

A similar venture, the Goddard School in Wesley Chapel, is opening a mile or so to the north off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

The Learning Experience offers childcare and early education for kids ages six months to six years old.

According to the company’s website, the curriculum includes sign language for infants and toddlers, a phonics program, foreign language programs (like Chinese), manners and etiquette, physical fitness and a philanthropy program that teaches children the value of selflessness and giving.

Boca Raton-based The Learning Experience was founded in 1979 by Michael and Lina Weissman, and is currently run by their son Richard. It began franchising in 2003. Forbes.com picked it as one of the top franchises to own in 2015, with $42.6-million in revenue that year from its 200-plus locations, as well a 73-percent growth rate over the three preceding years.

The Learning Experience uses its proprietary L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Program) that is guarantees will provide children with exceptional core academic skills. For more info, visit TheLearningExperience.com.