Who Owns the Villages in Florida?


The Villages, Florida, is a unique and popular retirement community in Florida. This one-of-a-kind village was initially built by developer H. Gary Morse in 1987 and has since grown to become one of the most well-known retirement communities in the world. The Villages consists of dozens of neighborhoods connected through over 200 miles of trails and roads, making it easy for residents to get around without leaving the comfort of their village.

Who Owns the Villages in Florida?

The Florida Villages owns the Morse family. Harold Gary Morse was an American billionaire and the initial developer of The Villages, Florida’s active adult retirement community. After he died, Harold transferred ownership to his three children.

Florida village for adults

Since its inception, ownership of The Villages has remained within the Morse family. After H. Gary Morse passed away in 2014, his three children took direct ownership of the company from their father’s estate. The Morse family continues to own a controlling interest in The Villages. Today, with each sibling owns equal shares in the company.

Harold_Gary_Morse_Photo with Family

The Morses have kept ownership of The Villages within their own family and stayed involved in its daily operations. Each member of the Morse family has an advisory role with The Villages and works closely with management to ensure that all aspects of the community are running smoothly and according to plan. They are actively involved with decisions related to construction projects, lifestyle programs, business partnerships, and other important matters concerning their community’s development and growth.

In addition to being owned by its founder’s immediate family members, many aspects of life at The Villages are also designed by these same individuals. They have developed a variety of approaches for residents which allow them to age gracefully while staying active in a social environment that supports individual freedom and independence. These include health care services customized based on needs and interests; an extensive selection of activities such as golfing, swimming lessons, theater performances, and more; expanded leisure opportunities; upscale dining options; organized shopping districts; convenient transportation options; ample housing choices; access to educational courses; entertainment venues for all ages; and much more!

The_Villages_in Florida

With its commitment to providing residents with quality living experiences backed by a supportive family atmosphere, it’s no wonder many people choose The Villages when looking for a retirement destination in Florida! Whether you’re looking for an active lifestyle or prefer something more relaxing, you’ll find plenty here to make your stay enjoyable…, and that’s owned directly by the Morses!

Harold Gary Morse Biography

Harold Gary Morse was an innovative, entrepreneurial American billionaire and the developer of the active adult retirement community The Villages, Florida. Born in 1936 in Inverness, Florida, Morse had a passion for real estate from a young age and got his first taste of business success when he bought a motel for $1,000 at age 17 and sold it for more than ten times its original price. A self-made man, he purchased and developed other properties throughout central Florida.

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Who Owns the Villages in Florida?

 

 

Harold Gary Morse with wife

In 1983, Morse purchased the properties that would become The Villages to create an ideal retirement destination for active adults. Over the next three decades, Morse and his son H. Gary Morse Jr. expanded The Villages into one of the largest active adult communities in America, with 115 thousand of residents across three counties in central Florida. Built upon traditional small-town values, The Villages is home to golf courses, walking trails, recreational centers, retail centers, eateries, and entertainment venues like movie theatres.

Morse established The Villages Charitable Foundation (TVCF) to support local charities throughout Central Florida with educational programs, medical services, and youth activities. TVCF also helps fund research initiatives through financial contributions to UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital, where Morse’s wife was treated before her death in 2004.

Morse’s dedication to philanthropy extended beyond The Villages Charitable Foundation; he created an endowment at UF Health Sciences Center that funds scholarships yearly for health sciences students from underprivileged backgrounds. In 2000 he founded the University of Miami School of Music’s Melton Center for Jewish Studies Endowed Chair, which supports scholarship in Jewish studies and musicology each year. In recognition of his generosity towards education initiatives in Central Florida, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Lake Sumter State College in 2014.

His efforts were also recognized nationally; Morse received numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Builder Magazine (2007), the National Association of Home Builders 50 Year Award (2012) as well as being inducted into NAHB’s Hall Of Fame (2014). That same year he was listed on Forbes’ Billionaire List with an estimated net worth of USD 1 billion, making him one of 400 billionaires worldwide.

Morse passed away on October 29th, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and enterprise that continues today; The Villages remains one of the fastest-growing cities in America, with over 140 thousand residents living within its expansive boundaries supported by programs created under his vision, benefiting both local businesses as well as citizens.

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith is an experienced economist and financial analyst from Utah. He has been in finance for nearly two decades, having worked as a senior analyst for Wells Fargo Bank for 19 years. After leaving Wells Fargo Bank in 2014, Daniel began a career as a finance consultant, advising companies and individuals on economic policy, labor relations, and financial management. At Promtfinance.com, Daniel writes about personal finance topics, value estimation, budgeting strategies, retirement planning, and portfolio diversification. Read more on Daniel Smith's biography page. Contact Daniel: daniel@promtfinance.com

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