±1.21 Acres | B2 Zoning | Near I-75 | Hotel & Retail Adjacency | 10 Minutes to WEC
Rare opportunity in one of Ocala’s fastest-growing commercial corridors — an exceptional restaurant-oriented development site strategically positioned immediately adjacent to the newly opened Staybridge Suites Ocala Near Equestrian Aquatics, an IHG Hotel (currently experiencing near-100% nightly occupancy), offering enhanced built-in pedestrian and vehicular demand. This 1.21 acre, B2 zoned cleared, development-ready parcel includes utilities to the site, excellent ingress and egress, and strong potential for Hwy 27 signage exposure.
Located approximately ½ mile from Interstate 75, the site benefits from highly accessible regional connectivity and a densely traveled corridor with significant passerby traffic. Combined with limited full-service dining options in the immediate trade area, this site is poised to capture strong restaurant demand from both local residents and visitors drawn to nearby amenities and attractions.
Less than 10 minutes from the new I-75 interchange and the 80,000 SF Buc-ee’s travel center, the Florida Aquatic Center and the World Equestrian Center (WEC). WEC attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, significantly increasing dining demand throughout the area.This location benefits from year-round tourism, national equestrian events, corporate travel, and strong regional draw.
Additional surrounding development includes residential and lifestyle generators such as Spires multifamily community, Publix, Gold’s Gym, and other neighborhood retail, creating a compelling daytime and evening customer base. Hotel guests, tourism traffic, and local household spending power further bolster the site’s appeal for full-service concepts.
With limited full-service dining options in the immediate trade area, this site presents a rare opportunity to capture unmet demand from:
Hotel guests
WEC visitors and competitors
Local residents
I-75 pass-through traffic
Nearby multifamily and retail customers
Location Description
Ocala is the principal city of Marion County, with a rapidly expanding population estimated at over 70,000 residents and growing, and the broader metro area nearing 430,000+ — with some studies showing the region as one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States.
Marion County’s tourism economy exceeds $1 billion annually, attracting over 1.4 million visitors per year, with spending on lodging, dining, entertainment, and shopping contributing significantly to local economic vitality.
Ocala itself has earned high growth rankings, including #1 in the U-Haul Growth Index for 2025 (reflecting strong in-migration) and a history of national recognition for economic performance and growth.
This property presents a unique chance for a high-visibility full-service restaurant or similar hospitality concept to capitalize on demographic expansion, regional tourism demand, and strong local spending power — with flexible lease or purchase options to suit investor or operator needs.
Erin Freel
Boyd Real Estate, LLC
