On Top of the World Communities
On Top of the World Communities is a family-owned, debt-free developer of 55+ active adult master-planned retirement communities in Ocala, Florida, selling new construction homes across multiple neighborhoods supplemented by 175+ resident clubs, golf, pickleball, and full-service amenities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersOcala, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What On Top of the World Communities does
On Top of the World Communities (OTOW) is a family-owned, debt-free developer and operator of master-planned 55+ active adult retirement communities headquartered in Ocala, Florida. Founded in 1947 by Sidney Colen and led since 1981 by his son, President Kenneth Colen, OTOW is the oldest privately owned land developer in Florida and operates distinct neighborhoods — Longleaf Ridge, Weybourne Landing, and Balfour — offering new-construction single-family homes in Executive, Prestige, and Carriage home series starting at $250,490. The company also runs the KeyTurner home-buying assistance program and complementary subsidiaries including Colen Built Development (construction), On Top of the World Real Estate, Inc. (brokerage/leasing/management), and On Top of the World Real Estate of Marion, LLC.
OTOW's core technology is centered on steel-reinforced concrete block construction with energy-efficient building methods, supplemented by Florida Water Star certification, drought-tolerant Bahia grass landscaping, and an Amazon smart home integration partnership. The community operates an extensive recreation and wellness infrastructure: 26+ miles of walking and biking trails, 29 pickleball courts, a par-72 championship golf course (Candler Hills Golf Club, ranked 9th on GolfPass Florida 2024), the Arbor Fitness Center (25 STAR TRAC cardio, 19 Nautilus strength machines), the 18,000+ sq ft Lodge at Candler Hills, a 14-acre R/C flying field, Veterans Park, a 2,000+ sq ft Woodshop Club, and over 175 resident clubs. The Master the Possibilities lifelong learning program and FitnessOnDemand virtual classes support wellness programming that earned the 2023 ICAA NuStep Beacon Award (Top 25 Best in Wellness).
OTOW's revenue model blends one-time new home sales with recurring HOA/maintenance-included services, on-site amenity and dining revenue (The Pub, The Lodge at Candler Hills), and real estate brokerage and rental fees through its subsidiaries. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via an on-site sales office (Ocala, FL), a Gold-award-winning corporate website, paid search and remarketing, email marketing, and a World Tour Adventure 3-day/2-night experience program at $99. The customer base is a single persona — 55+ active adults seeking maintenance-free Florida retirement living — with industry recognition including a #1 ranking on 55places.com (2019), four NAHB 2019 Best of 55+ Housing Awards, and the 2023 ICAA NuStep Beacon Award.
On Top of the World Communities firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- On Top of the World Communities
- Legal name
- On Top of the World Communities, L.L.C.
- Website
- https://ontopoftheworldcommunities.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- On Top of the World Communities is a family-owned, debt-free developer of 55+ active adult master-planned retirement communities in Ocala, Florida, selling new construction homes across multiple neighborhoods supplemented by 175+ resident clubs, golf, pickleball, and full-service amenities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
On Top of the World Communities industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Active Adult Retirement Communities
- NAICS
- Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Active Adult (55+) Independent Living Communities (HLADAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Independent Living Community Development & Construction (Senior Housing Developers) (HLADAAAH), Independent Living Real Estate Owners/Operators (REITs & Management Companies) (HLADAAAG), Luxury/Resort-Style Independent Living Communities (HLADAAAC), Senior Living & 55+ Community Brokerage (BPAJAAAH)
Keywords
Where On Top of the World Communities is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ocala
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
On Top of the World Communities business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- New Home Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling new construction single-family homes in active adult retirement communities. Offers various home series (Executive Series, Prestige Series, Carriage Series) across multiple neighborhoods including Longleaf Ridge, Weybourne Landing, Balfour, and Crescent Ridge.
- Home Maintenance Services: Maintenance-included programs offering homeowners association services and maintenance-free living options for residents
- On-Site Amenities and Recreation: Revenue from fitness centers, golf courses, dining facilities (The Pub, The Lodge at Candler Hills), and recreational facilities available to residents
- Real Estate Services: On Top of the World Real Estate, Inc. provides rental, brokerage, leasing and management of commercial property, offices and office space as well as residential real estate services
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level homes starting at $250,490 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
On Top of the World Communities product offering
Product offeringCore offering
On Top of the World Communities develops, builds, and sells new construction single-family homes within a master-planned 55+ active adult retirement community in Ocala, Florida. The offering includes multiple home series (Executive, Prestige, Carriage) across distinct neighborhoods (Longleaf Ridge, Weybourne Landing, Balfour, Crescent Ridge), accompanied by extensive on-site recreational amenities such as fitness centers, golf, pickleball, swimming pools, woodworking shops, and over 175 resident clubs.
Product overview
On Top of the World Communities is a premier 55+ active adult retirement community in Ocala, Florida, operated by Colen Built Development. The offering is a unified master-planned community combining residential housing with comprehensive lifestyle amenities. The product portfolio includes three distinct neighborhoods (Longleaf Ridge, Weybourne Landing, and Balfour) offering single-family homes in various series (Executive, Prestige, and Carriage), supported by an extensive array of recreational amenities including fitness centers, golf courses, pickleball courts, swimming pools, woodworking facilities, and over 175 resident clubs. The KeyTurner program assists with home purchasing. The community differentiates through quality construction methods, energy-efficient homes, and sustainability features including Florida Water Star certification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Longleaf Ridge: Neighborhood featuring single-family homes in the On Top of the World community
- Weybourne Landing
- Balfour
- HomeFlex
- KeyTurner
- Master the Possibilities
Products and services
- Longleaf Ridge Neighborhood
Quantifiable outcome
- ICAA NuStep Beacon Award - Top 25 Best in Wellness senior living communities in North America (2023)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use On Top of the World Communities
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
On Top of the World Communities technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
On Top of the World Communities partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Live Oak InternationalcoreColen Built Development has been a consistent sponsor of Live Oak International for 7+ years. LOI is the largest and only combined driving and jumping competition in the United States, held in Ocala, Florida. The partnership aligns with Ocala's 'Horse Capital of the World' identity and provides community exposure through world-class equestrian events.
- SOF MissionsminorPartnership with SOF Missions (Special Operations Forces) to present the Operation Helping Heroes charity golf tournament, supporting veterans and military families.
- AmazoncoreAmazon equipped new homes at On Top of the World with smart home technology packages providing residents with easier, smarter and more convenient way of living through voice control and home automation.
- International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)coreOTOW partnered with ICAA to achieve the ICAA NuStep Beacon Award - Top 25 Best in Wellness, recognizing the community's commitment to fostering a wellness-centered lifestyle for residents.
- NuStep, LLCminorJoint initiative between ICAA and NuStep, LLC (manufacturer of recumbent cross-trainers) to recognize senior living communities transforming lives through whole-person wellness programming.
- Florida Water StarcoreWater conservation certification program for homes meeting standards for water efficiency in indoor fixtures, appliances, landscape design, and irrigation systems. All OTOW homes meet Florida Water Star criteria.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
On Top of the World Communities competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shea Homes Trilogy: Trilogy by Shea Homes operates a portfolio of 55+ active adult resort-style communities across multiple U.S. states. Comparable in targeting active adult buyers with amenity-rich master-planned communities, though operating across broader geographies.
- Latitude Margaritaville: Active adult retirement community developed by Minto Communities, with locations in Daytona Beach and Watersound, Florida. Direct peer competing for the same 55+ active adult buyer in Florida, and explicitly named as a competitor ranked below On Top of the World in 2019.
- The Villages: The largest 55+ active adult retirement community in the United States, located in Central Florida. Directly comparable as a Florida-based active adult community with extensive amenities and a similar target demographic of retirees seeking amenity-rich lifestyles.
Regional players
- Solivita (AV Homes): 55+ active adult community in Kissimmee/Poinciana, Florida. Comparable as a Florida-based active adult community with similar amenity offerings (golf, pools, fitness), but operates in a different Florida submarket than Ocala.
- Lake Ashton: 55+ active adult community in Winter Haven, Florida, featuring golf, clubhouse, and extensive amenities. Comparable as a Florida-based retirement community targeting similar active adult demographic, though operating in a separate regional market.
- Mediterra: Luxury active adult and golf community in Naples, Florida, featuring two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses and luxury amenities. Comparable as a luxury Florida retirement community targeting affluent 55+ buyers, though in a higher price tier.
Broad incumbents
- Del Webb (PulteGroup): Pioneer of active adult communities (Sun City, Arizona) and now operating a national portfolio of 55+ communities under the Del Webb brand through parent PulteGroup. Broad incumbent offering similar product nationally with deeper capital backing and broader geographic reach.
- Toll Brothers Active Living: National luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers operates Active Living communities for 55+ buyers. Comparable in providing premium construction quality and amenity-rich communities, though Toll Brothers operates at national scale with greater capital resources.
- Lennar Next Gen: National homebuilder Lennar offers active adult and Next Gen home products. Broad incumbent with similar buyer demographic (active adults, retirees) and home sale model, though operating at significantly larger national scale.
Others
- Florida Home Builders Association Members: Industry association representing Florida homebuilders including those operating in the active adult segment. Indirect peer ecosystem connection, providing market intelligence, regulatory advocacy, and industry networking relevant to On Top of the World's Colen Built Development subsidiary.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
On Top of the World Communities social profiles
Digital presenceOn Top of the World Communities compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
On Top of the World Communities financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
On Top of the World Communities leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
On Top of the World Communities subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
On Top of the World Communities funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
On Top of the World Communities M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about On Top of the World Communities
What does On Top of the World Communities do?
On Top of the World Communities develops, builds, and sells new construction single-family homes within a master-planned 55+ active adult retirement community in Ocala, Florida. The offering includes multiple home series (Executive, Prestige, Carriage) across distinct neighborhoods (Longleaf Ridge, Weybourne Landing, Balfour, Crescent Ridge), accompanied by extensive on-site recreational amenities such as fitness centers, golf, pickleball, swimming pools, woodworking shops, and over 175 resident clubs.
Is On Top of the World Communities a public or private company?
On Top of the World Communities is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was On Top of the World Communities founded?
On Top of the World Communities was founded in 1947. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is On Top of the World Communities based?
On Top of the World Communities is headquartered in Ocala, United States, in the North America region.
How does On Top of the World Communities make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. New Home Sales are the primary driver. The others are home Maintenance Services, on-Site Amenities and Recreation and real Estate Services.
Who are On Top of the World Communities's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shea Homes Trilogy, Latitude Margaritaville and The Villages. Regional players are Solivita (AV Homes), Lake Ashton and Mediterra. Broad incumbents are Del Webb (PulteGroup), Toll Brothers Active Living and Lennar Next Gen. Florida Home Builders Association Members is listed as an others.
Does On Top of the World Communities have an API?
No public API is recorded for On Top of the World Communities.
What industry is On Top of the World Communities in?
On Top of the World Communities's product category is Active Adult Retirement Communities. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADAAAD, Active Adult (55+) Independent Living Communities, with a secondary code of HLADAAAH, Independent Living Community Development & Construction (Senior Housing Developers). Its NAICS code is 6239 and its SIC code is 7340.