Parrish, Fla. — (January 23, 2026) — North River Ranch, the award-winning master-planned community by Neal Land & Neighborhoods, has earned three more top industry awards from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), further solidifying its reputation as one of the country’s most thoughtfully designed residential communities.
The community received a Silver Best in American Living™ Awards (BALA) in the category of Best Single-Family Community, one of the residential building industry’s most prestigious distinctions. As a Silver BALA recipient, North River Ranch advances as a finalist for the Gold award, with winners to be announced during the Gala Presentation on February 18, held in conjunction with the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.
The Best in American Living™ Awards spotlight the most creative and innovative residential construction projects from around the world. The program recognizes excellence across design, multifamily, offsite construction, remodeling, and community development, highlighting projects that redefine what it means to live well.
In addition, North River Ranch earned two National Silver Awards at The Nationals, NAHB’s premier awards program honoring excellence in new home sales, marketing, and community development. Gold award winners will be announced on February 17. The awards include:
- Best Lifestyle Program for a Community – North River Ranch, Neal Land & Neighborhoods
- Best Signage – North River Ranch, Neal Land & Neighborhoods
“These honors are especially meaningful because they reflect both the vision behind North River Ranch and the experience being delivered to homeowners every day,” said John A. Neal, president of Neal Land & Neighborhoods. “Recognition from the Best in American Living Awards validates our intentional planning and design approach, while The Nationals awards speak to the quality, creativity, and collaboration among our team and partners. Together, they reinforce North River Ranch’s standing as one of the most respected communities in the country.”
“The North River Ranch amenity campus is the result of a highly collaborative design process centered on openness, connection, and community engagement,” said Cathy Rivera, architectural designer with LRK. “From the extensive use of glass to the building’s relationship with the lake, every element was designed to blur the line between indoors and outdoors while fostering a strong connection to the surrounding community.”
“What resonates the most is the acknowledgement of the care we put into every detail—from community programming to visual identity,” Neal added. “We’re proud of our team and energized by the momentum heading into the new year.”
Located in Parrish, Florida, North River Ranch is a connected, master-planned community featuring walkable neighborhoods, parks, trails, and integrated amenities designed to support modern living while preserving Florida’s natural landscape. The community includes five active home builders and offers a range of single-family homes, townhomes, and villas, with pricing from the $300s to $800s+.
North River Ranch is located at 11645 Camp Creek Trail, Parrish. For more information, visit www.northriverranch.com.
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About North River Ranch
North River Ranch is the flagship master-planned community for Neal Land & Neighborhoods, strategically positioned and carefully planned to evolve to meet the needs of tomorrow’s families and active adults. Located in Parrish, Fla., the amenity-rich development is a fresh approach to development in Southwest Florida, unlike anything in the market today. North River Ranch is an award-winning community with approvals for 6,000 residences across several neighborhoods featuring abundant recreation and amenities, judicious land planning and management, commercial development, a hospital, and nearby schools. Current home builders include Pulte Homes, David Weekley Homes, Neal Communities, Homes by WestBay, and Cardel Homes Florida. North River Ranch was recognized with Bradenton’s Best Gold Award for Best Master Planned Community and New Home Community 2022-2025.
About Neal Land & Neighborhoods
Neal Land & Neighborhoods is a Manatee and Sarasota, Florida-based master land planning and community development organization led by John A. Neal. The award-winning company incorporates thoughtful master planning and public infrastructure solutions to create the next level of elite community planning in Southwest Florida. By working with carefully selected new home builders, Neal Land & Neighborhoods aims to establish thriving, sustainable, livable, and ecologically sensitive communities throughout Manatee, Sarasota, and Hillsborough counties. Neal Land & Neighborhoods currently owns or controls several thousand acres of land entitled for more than 9,000 future residential homes and the supporting mixed-use commercial and retail. The developer’s current projects include the master-planned communities of North River Ranch and Vistera of Venice.