Central Park Townhome Builders Compared: An Honest Look

Three builders sell new townhomes near Central Park in Port St Lucie: D.R. Horton, Meritage Homes and Mattamy Homes. They are three different neighborhoods with different plans. D.R. Horton's Central Park Townhomes has the Glen and the Vale, both 3 bedrooms with a 1-car garage. Mattamy's Cadence Townhomes at Tradition is gated and lists a 2-car garage. Meritage's homes are a bit smaller. The best fit depends on your garage needs, your space needs and what you can spend. Here is an honest look at all three.

We are National House Search. We are not owned by any builder, so we can tell you when a different builder fits you better.

First, a quick note on names

The name "Central Park" is confusing. It is also the name of a larger master-planned area in Tradition, where several builders build. That area is not one neighborhood with one builder.

So here is how to keep them straight:

• Central Park Townhomes is the D.R. Horton community. The address is 12958 SW Forli Way.

• Meritage Homes at Central Park is a separate Meritage community, at 13013 SW Forli Way.

• Cadence Townhomes at Tradition is a Mattamy Homes community, at 10455 SW Orana Dr.

When you talk to a sales team, say the full name. It saves a lot of mix-ups.

The three communities at a glance

This table uses each builder's own published facts. Spec numbers change, so confirm them before you rely on them. A dash means we have not verified it, and we would rather leave it blank than guess.

Price is not in the table on purpose. Prices change too fast to print. Call 561-704-0091 and we will get you today's numbers for all three, plus any incentives.

D.R. Horton: Central Park Townhomes

This community has two plans: the Glen at 1,673 square feet and the Vale at 1,758 square feet. Both have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a 1-car garage and two stories. You can read the full breakdown in our post on the Glen versus the Vale.

What you get in both plans:

• A primary suite upstairs with dual sinks and a separate walk-in shower

• Laundry upstairs

• Quartz countertops

• Stainless steel appliances

• All concrete block construction

• A covered back porch (lanai)

• The Home Is Connected smart-home package

• A D.R. Horton warranty of 1 year on workmanship, 2 years on systems and 10 years on structure

The community also lists a ten-acre recreation facility, a clubhouse, a resort-style pool with lap lanes and a splash park, dog parks, a playground and sports courts. The builder has not published opening dates, so call to confirm what is open today.

Who it fits: buyers who want a townhome with a lot listed as included, and who are fine with a 1-car garage. See the Glen and Vale plan pages for more.

The trade-off: the 1-car garage. If two people in your home each drive, you will need to plan for the second car. Ask us how other owners handle that.

Meritage Homes at Central Park

Meritage lists three townhome plans here. The Pelican End and the Pelican are both 1,661 square feet, and the Pelican End is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. The Pompano is 1,506 square feet, the smallest of all the plans across these three communities.

We have not verified the garage size or the number of stories on the Meritage plans, so we will not guess. Ask the sales team both questions before you visit.

Who it may fit: buyers who want a smaller home. A smaller home is often easier to clean and can be gentler on a budget. If the Pompano's size works for you, it is worth a visit.

The trade-off: the Pelican End lists 2 baths, while the D.R. Horton and Mattamy plans list 2.5. A half bath is a small bathroom with a toilet and a sink. Guests use it so they do not walk upstairs. If you host often, that matters. Our post on what a half bath is explains more.

Mattamy Homes: Cadence Townhomes at Tradition

Cadence is a gated community. Its plans are the Ashton at 1,674 square feet, the Dakota at 1,751 square feet and the Ellery at 1,917 square feet. All three are 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. They are two stories and list a 2-car garage.

That makes Cadence the roomiest of the three, and the only one where we can confirm a 2-car garage.

Who it fits: buyers who need a 2-car garage, buyers who want the most room, and buyers who like a gate. The Ellery has the most space of any plan in this comparison.

The honest answer: which one fits you?

Here is a simple guide.

Pick D.R. Horton's Central Park Townhomes if:

• You are fine with a 1-car garage

• You want a long list of included features, including a smart-home package

• You like the idea of a kitchen island, a nook and a walk-in pantry, which the Vale adds

Pick Mattamy's Cadence if:

• You have two cars, or one car and a lot of gear

• You want the largest floor plan

• A gated entry matters to you

Pick Meritage if:

• You want the smallest and simplest home

• You have checked the garage and the layout, and they suit you

Notice that the Glen is 1,673 square feet and the Ashton is 1,674. Size alone will not decide it. The garage, the gate and the features will.

If Cadence fits better for you, we will tell you so. Our job is to match you to the right home.

Questions to ask each builder

Take this list on every visit. It will help you compare the same things across all three.

1. How many cars fit in the garage?

2. How many stories is the plan?

3. How many bathrooms are there, and where is the half bath?

4. Which appliances and countertops come standard?

5. What warranty do you offer, and for how long?

6. What amenities are open today, and which are still planned?

7. What incentives are available today?

8. What does the monthly payment look like with a loan?

Read before you decide

A townhome is different from a single-family home. Our post on townhouse versus condo versus single-family home explains what you own in each case.

We cover the buyer side in our townhomes buyer's guide for Port St Lucie. If you are also wondering about the city itself, read is Port St Lucie a good place to live. To see what comes standard in the D.R. Horton homes, read what is included at Central Park Townhomes.

Want to see the D.R. Horton community page? Visit Central Park Townhomes.

Would you rather see a different home style? Our Port St Lucie single-family homes page shows a D.R. Horton option in a different home style.

Comparing all three in person is the best move. Call 561-704-0091 or Schedule a visit, and we will help you build a plan for the day.

Common Questions

Ready to compare? Call 561-704-0091 or book a visit, and we will map out all three for you.

Related reading: Glen vs Vale | What is included | Townhomes buyer's guide | Is Port St Lucie a good place to live | Central Park Townhomes