Category: News

Double Branch & The Adjacent Abbey Crossings To Bring New Residential, Retail, Restaurants & More To Just North Of Wesley Chapel 

 The first shells of customer-facing businesses in two new “Connected City” developments are rising from the construction sand nearly a year after the completion of the first warehouses in Double Branch and Abbey Crossings — or what seemed like an eternity in this local development climate. 

The Double Branch (and we’re not talking about the Double Branch Elementary most Wesley Chapel residents are familiar with; this is a completely different location with an entirely different purpose) and Abbey Crossings Master Planned Unit Developments (MPUDs) are beginning to really take shape. 

These two separate, yet conjoined, MPUDs are sandwiched together along S.R. 52, in the space between I-75 and the massive Mirada housing development — immediately north of Wesley Chapel (see map). 

The address for all of these new properties? Surprisingly, San Antonio, FL. 

The northern boundary of Epperson marks the end of Wesley Chapel’s 33545 zip code, putting both of these developments in San Ann’s 33576 zip code, although both are actually located (as is Mirada) in unincorporated Pasco County, outside the tiny city limits of San Antonio, which covers only 1.2 sq. miles. 

So while Double Branch (DB) and Abbey Crossings (AC) aren’t technically in Wesley Chapel, the information in this story is still helpful for readers who live along the northern edge of Wesley Chapel, where these two MPUDs — and their new dining, shopping, entertainment and employment options — will be closer to the residents of Epperson than many of the other areas of Wesley Chapel. 

And if you’re like us, you’re probably just nosy about what’s being built nearby. 

The Basics 

Both of these large developments (roughly 1,300 acres combined) have been talked about for several years now as important mixed-use developments for Pasco County and the so-called “Connected City,” and will both feature restaurants, retail, offices, industrial, warehouses, residential, healthcare, medical and entertainment. 

A good majority of the roads, intersections and roundabouts (at least for the initial phase) in both developments are pretty much done. 

And, three newer traffic signals are now up along S.R. 52 to serve these developments — the first was installed off the corner of the longstanding Flying J truck stop at Tradeway Blvd. (formerly Pasco Rd., which is being realigned to go under I-75), the second is at McKendree Rd., and the third serves the new warehouses located to the north at Montserrat Way.

Double Branch: What’s Already Built? 

– 75 Logistics (completed): These warehouse/industrial spaces were the first buildings to be completed in either development. Visible from I-75, the space is made up of three initial buildings: approximately 200,000 sq. ft., 155,000 sq. ft., and 125,000 sq. ft. All of the buildings still appear to sit unoccupied at the time of our writing, even though they were completed a year ago. 

What’s Under Construction In DB? 

– DB (for Double Branch) Townhomes (utilities in, foundations next): Currently, there’s still no official name, but it’s being referred to as the Pasco Town Center Lot E Rear Load Townhomes (w/ Amenity Center) in the permit. 

The project consists of 174 townhome lots, an amenity center with a pool and cabana, and a portion of Double Branch Pkwy. This project is within the greater Pasco Town Center master planned community inside of Double Branch and is the first of what will be two townhome communities in that immediate area, the other being Yardly Double Branch (upcoming). 

“Rear Load” means that the garages will be in the back of the units in alleyways, and some (but not all) of the units will have on-street parking in the front. The home builder is not known at this time. 

What’s Coming Soon To DB? 

– Yardly Double Branch (plans just submitted): This rental community will feature 140 multi-family residences on around 11 acres. For those unfamiliar with the “Yardly” concept, it’s Taylor Morrison’s rental development concept, where each unit (4 units to a building) has, you guessed it, a small fenced-in yard. 

About half the units will have attached garages, but others will not. Standard parking spaces are provided throughout the community in front of each unit for guests and residents. 

– The Shops & The Boardwalk (plans submitted): This is going to be Double Branch’s much-anticipated retail zone located against S.R. 52. The concept brings something that has really been lacking from the area to take advantage of our amazing sunsets — unobstructed west-facing water views from a restaurant. This plan brings not just one, but four potential (and still unnamed) restaurants waterside along a boardwalk looking west over a huge 12-acre lake. 

Initial plans have been submitted for both The Shops and The Boardwalk; however, no specific tenants have yet been announced. In addition to restaurants, the plans also show build-out spaces for a 40,000 sq. ft. fitness center, 25,000 sq. ft. grocery store, 25,000 sq. ft. retailer, along with a host of smaller spaces and even entertainment venues. 

– Columnar Apartments (plans submitted): Located immediately south of The Boardwalk shops area, this 300-unit apartment complex will continue the boardwalk along the shore of the lake, providing a scenic walking space for its residents and direct connectivity to the adjacent retail center. 

Abbey Crossings: What’s Already Built? 

– 52 Logistics Park (completed): This warehouse/industrial park is comprised of five buildings of different sizes that total roughly 500,000 sq. ft. The main entrance was aligned with Montserrat Way to the south to give this development direct access to the brand-new traffic signal. 

These warehouses also have been sitting empty for months; however, plans were just submitted to the county in Aug. for interior build-outs, signaling that tenants are coming soon. 

What’s Under Construction In AC? 

– Panera Bread (exterior walls are up): 

This is being built on the SW corner of the signal with Montserrat Way. This familiar national chain will bring a free-standing store that will be smaller than what most customers are used to, at only 2,500 sq. ft., but it will have a drive-through. This is Panera’s shift to a more suburban-style prototype with smaller indoor dining areas. 

– Chipotle (exterior walls are up): Further to the west along S.R. 52 will be another national favorite that also is a free-standing location that also will feature a drive-through window, which the company calls “Chipotlanes.” 

These drive-through lanes work differently than most fast food restaurants because they’re digital-only. This means that you cannot roll up and order at a speaker board. Customers must place their order in advance using the Chipotle Mobile App or website. Because food is prepaid and pre-made, cars generally spend less than 30 seconds at the window. 

Chipotlanes have become highly successful for the brand, and they expect 80% of all newly built locations to feature a drive-through. 

– Dunkin’ Donuts (exterior walls are up): This free-standing store with a drive-through is going up at the NE corner of SR 52 and Montserrat Way, adjacent to the signal. The familiar favorite is being positioned so that residents can easily get their coffee on the way out to I-75. 

– Abbey Crossings Professional Park (exterior walls are up): These are being advertised by Waterford Construction & Development as ‘Custom Free-standing Offices’ that will be both for sale and for lease. The park will be comprised of 23 free-standing, single-story office and medical/dental professional buildings. Individual office spaces are planned around 3,000-5,500 sq. ft. max per building, with the ability to divide. 

What’s Coming Soon To AC? 

– Wawa (plans submitted): Plans have been approved for a new Wawa to be built at the southeast corner of S.R. 52 and McKendree Rd., adjacent to the newer traffic signal. The gas station will feature 16 fueling positions and be one of the largest stores in the area at over 5,600 sq. ft., which will serve I-75 travelers well. 

– McDonald’s (plans submitted): McDonald’s and Wawa will share a driveway onto S.R. 52. The McDonald’s also is anticipated to be a larger size than what most customers are used to at nearly 3,900 sq. ft. and will feature a long double-stack drive-through queue that can easily accommodate around 25 cars, something more commonly seen with a Chick-fil-A than with a McDonald’s. 

– Panda Express (plans submitted): This American Chinese food favorite will be located directly between the Panera Bread and Chipotle. The stand-alone 2,700 sq. ft. building will feature double order boards and two queue lanes for the drive-through window, something we’ve never seen before at a Panda Express. 

– Townplace Suites by Marriott & Restaurant (plans submitted): Suncoast Hotels LLC has submitted a site plan application package for the Abbey Hotel & Restaurant development, which is planned to be a Marriott by info found on the Suncoast Hotels website. 

The project will be at the southeast corner of the signal with Montserrat Way, and consists of the construction of a 63,284-sq.-ft. hotel and a 10,000-sq.-ft. restaurant (no name announced yet) on a 5.7 acre parcel. 

– Walmart (plans submitted): A new Walmart is planned in Abbey Crossings just south of the new signal, directly behind where the new Panera Bread and Chipotle are being built. 

For those who are having déjà vu and remember our recent article about another new Walmart planned to be built in Wesley Chapel, this one will be considerably farther away — 15 miles from the one at S.R. 56 & Morris Bridge Rd., and 9 miles from the existing store at C.R. 54 & Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. 

In our article about that Wesley Chapel Walmart, we mentioned that the retailer likes to space its stores approx. 8-9 miles apart in populated areas, so this new store continues that trend to the north. 

– Lowe’s (plans submitted): Just south and immediately adjacent to Walmart, along Montserrat Way, is a proposed Lowe’s home improvement store. 

What’s odd here is that San Antonio is going to be getting a Lowe’s before Wesley Chapel does. Those who follow our development news may remember that both of the previously proposed Wesley Chapel Lowe’s locations — one at C.R. 54 & Curley Rd. and the other at S.R. 56 & Morris Bridge Rd. (where the new Walmart is going), were withdrawn. 

– Childcare at Abbey Crossings (plans just submitted): Being done by Momentum Childcare LLC, this 12,000-sq.-ft. facility is planned to be constructed on the east side of McKendree Rd., just south of Setter Palm Rd. The site will feature considerable outdoor fenced space consisting of two playgrounds, an outdoor theater, a garden and an outdoor classroom. 

– Springs at Abbey Crossing (plans submitted): Located fairly far south down McKendree on the east side, this proposed 20-acre apartment complex will consist of 330 units and will feature a few more amenities than normally seen in an apartment complex, including a pool, pet playground area, pickleball court, cornhole court, bocce ball area, fire pit and hammocks to just lay under the sun or stars. 

– Townes at Abbey Crossing (platting complete): Located immediately south of the Springs at Abbey Crossings apartments, on the east side of McKendree Rd., the Townes will consist of 150 townhomes, with Lennar Homes as the builder. 

What’s No Longer Coming To AC? 

– Del Taco (withdrawn): Del Taco was previously proposed and announced on the northwest corner of the Montserrat signal across from the Dunkin’ Donuts. Plans were submitted exactly a year ago but were withdrawn by the developer last December, unfortunately canceling the project. 

Del Taco doesn’t currently have a presence in Tampa Bay, with the closest location being in Spring Hill. Customers describe Del Taco as a fresher alternative to Taco Bell. A recent review of Pasco permits does not show any other proposed locations at this time, so we’ll have to wait and see if Del Taco decides to add a store somewhere else.