Springtree Lakes

On the edge of the Everglades, within 12 miles of the Atlantic oceanfront, is Springtree Lakes. “It’s an easy drive from here to Fort Lauderdale,” says Gerald Hirschtritt, a realtor with Coral Shores Realty who has been working in the area for nearly 20 years. In fact, Hirschtritt says it’s Springtree Lakes’ location that makes it so appealing to homebuyers. “Sunrise is a great, very well-maintained little city, and you’re close to Plantation here too, which is also a neat place.” He explains that there are always tons of seasonal events happening in Plantation, just under 7 miles south. And with downtown Fort Lauderdale less than 14 miles southeast (without tolls), Hirschtritt puts it best. “It’s a convenient location that’s great for commuting, whether it’s to work or pleasure. What more could you want?”

You’ll find both modest, single-story ranch-style and larger Tudor and Spanish-inspired homes here. Many of these 1980s-era homes favor neutral color palettes over the traditionally Floridian pastel hues found in neighborhoods nearby. And there are also condos sprinkled around the perimeter of the neighborhood, often featuring multiple stories, dramatic rooflines and covered balconies or walkways. Narrow, but well-maintained front lawns are shaded by tall palm trees and neatly edged by sidewalks. Homes along 45th through 48th Streets overlook the community’s two little lakes from their spacious backyards. Prices here range between $360,000 and $560,000. The median falls around the $425,000 mark, which is on par with the median for the surrounding county. A four-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch-style home with diagonally laid hardwood floors and an in-ground pool in the lakefront backyard sold recently for close to $575,000. On the other end of the spectrum, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom two-story Tudor-style home with an attached single-car garage and a freshly renovated kitchen just sold for $330,000 in October 2023. “Prices here are in line with prices in surrounding neighborhoods, and certainly with those in the county,” says Hirschtritt. “But what makes these homes financially appealing is that they have lower HOA fees than you’ll find elsewhere. They tend to sit under $150.”

Students in Springtree Lakes attend schools in the Broward County Public Schools system. Many go to either Banyan or Discovery Elementary, Westpine Middle and Piper High between preschool and Grade 12. In 2023, Discovery earned a B grade from Niche, Banyan and Westpine earned B-minuses and Piper earned a C-plus. Piper High Bengals can join a wide variety of clubs and extracurricular activities. The high school’s list of options is more than 30 long, ranging from chess club and Lyrical Masters to S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) club. Niche awarded Piper a B-minus grade in 2023 in the Clubs & Activities category. All three schools are conveniently located less than 3 miles from most homes in Springtree Lakes. Discovery and Westpine are both just a mile and a half from home, in the block between Commercial Boulevard and 50th Street.

Residents don’t need to venture far for a breath of fresh air with Oak Hammock Park just a mile and a half southeast, off 44th Street. From the chess patio to the shady multiuse path, the boardwalk to the sprawling ADA-accessible playgrounds, there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy at the park. Along the paths, you’ll find wood carvings by a local chainsaw artist, featuring wildlife found in the park. And the established live oak trees throughout are naturally spaced, in some areas, the perfect distance to string up a hammock, as the name implies. The Sunrise Athletic Complex (SAC), about 2 miles east of Springtree Lakes, off Pine Island Road, offers even more opportunities for residents to enjoy the great outdoors. The complex was officially re-opened in July 2022 after a series of extensive renovations to its grounds and facilities, which now include a 15,000-square-foot multipurpose building. Members can enjoy all kinds of outdoor and indoor sports courts and practice ball fields. There are even classes in salsa dancing, baseball and basketball available. SAC memberships are free to Sunrise residents.

The Dauer Museum of Classic Cars, a personal collection-turned-museum with more than 55 cars from the decades between 1930 and 1980, is also close by, just a mile west across Hiatus Road. And for their everyday groceries, residents can stick close to home, too, by visiting the Publix on Commercial Boulevard less than a mile and a half northeast of the neighborhood. Don’t feel like cooking tonight? With State Roads 870 and 817 both within 2 miles of home, residents also enjoy easy access to a myriad of fast food and fast-casual eateries, from Chik-fil-A and Gabose Korean BBQ to McAllister’s Deli and Starbucks.

Written By

Megan Quintin

Photography Contributed By

Gabor Kovacs

Video By

Pasha Chichagov