Site of abandoned Lake Susan Lodge in Clermont sells with plans for mansion event venue

The abandoned Lake Susan Lodge site in Clermont just sold with plans to convert the property into a 10,000-square-foot Tuscan-designed mansion with an event venue and public-use spaces.

According to deed recently recorded in Lake County, the roughly five-acre site at 11834 Lakeshore Dr. was bought by a private investment group led by Mark Nathan, who works in the defense industry. The property sold for $1.2 million.

Ian Longhorn with Orlando 4 Villas Realty LLC represented buying entity, Per Lumen Dei LLC. Aaron Blake with Confluence Brokers had the listing. According to online marketing material, the property hit the market last year asking for as high as $1.85 million.

Blake said the property had been completely cleared around 2016 and 2017, after a fire burned some of the remaining structures of the lodge, which first opened in the 1940s as a fishing camp. In its heyday, the Lake Susan Lodge was a fishing destination that operated as a marina with cottages.

In 2005, a lawyer who tried to help the owners plan a luxury townhome development on the site, told Lake County Commissioners the property had become a weekend hangout spot for motorcyclists whose rented by the hour.

Longhorn told GrowthSpotter the new ownership group intends to turn over a new leaf.

“We understand that this property has been vacant for many years and has been hindered by numerous issues in the past,” he said. “The new owner wants to change that and make full use of the natural beauty that the location has to offer.”

Plans for the project, called Serenity Estate, call for an onsite day spa, cafe and private function space for parties such as weddings and corporate events with a small number of overnight accommodation available, Longhorn said.

“It will be open to the general public, who will be able to access it by car or boat, and go enjoy coffee, pastries and generally relax on the estate and overlooking Lake Susan,” he said.

The targeted opening date is 2021. Longhorn said the ownership group has yet to select an architect or civil engineer, but have narrowed down a few.

The property sits in unincorporated Lake County, near the southwest city boundaries of Clermont.

The city is in the midst of redeveloping its downtown and is working with developers to bring new office, retail, residential and entertainment development to accommodate the needs of local businesses, visitors and residents. In July the City Council approved plans for a new boutique hotel and day spa in downtown Clermont.

Nearby, Orlando Health is planning to expand its South Lake Hospital in Clermont with a new five-story patient tower and expansion of its neighboring National Training Center campus.

Have a tip about Central Florida development? Contact me at arabines@GrowthSpotter.com or (407) 420-5427, or tweet me at @amanda_rabines. Follow GrowthSpotter on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.