Independence

Independence is among the most architecturally distinctive communities in Horizon West, developed primarily by David Weekley Homes beginning in the mid-2000s on a site that had been citrus groves and rural pastureland west of Winter Garden. The community was conceived with a strong traditional neighborhood design (TND) character — an ethos it took more seriously than many of its peers, resulting in a streetscape that genuinely resembles a pre-war American small town rather than a conventional Florida subdivision. Early phases broke ground around 2006-2007, and the community continued to expand through multiple phases into the 2010s.

The development sits adjacent to the western shore of Lake Hancock, one of the larger natural lakes in this part of Orange County, and that waterfront orientation informed the entire layout. Footpaths, a community boat ramp, and lakeside parks are built into the community's DNA rather than added as afterthoughts. Independence shares the Horizon West village overlay with Summerport and other neighborhoods but has a more premium feel due to its lake orientation, the David Weekley product quality, and the higher price points that come with both.

By the early 2020s, Independence was largely built out in its original footprint, and it has transitioned into a mature resale market with strong demand from buyers who want Horizon West's amenities and school system in a more established, less construction-heavy setting.