Rotonda West is an unincorporated, deed-restricted community situated in west
Charlotte County,
Florida. It was originally developed by the Cavanagh Communities Corporation, which sold the entire Rotonda complex
in 1980. It is an unusual subdivision, in that it is shaped like an incomplete wagon wheel. A closed, fresh-water
canal system surrounds the outside of the "wheel" and travels inside each of the pie-shaped wedges forming the
subdivisions of the development. A protected wetland to the south prevents development of that area. Alligators,
bald eagles, great blue herons, egrets, and many other birds and animals inhabit the area.
The oldest and most-developed subdivision, Oakland Hills, once sported Ed McMahon as a home owner. In the 1970s,
a television show called "The Superstars" (like Battle of the Network Stars except with athletes) was filmed here.
What is now the community center was a bowling alley. A local track was where the track and field events were
held.
Since 2005, Rotonda West has been one of the hottest areas to build in, with development escalating in nearly
all of the sections and several new golf courses.
Many of the homeowners are seasonal snowbirds from northern states and only live in the area part-time during the
winter.
In 2005 Hurricane Wilma travelled south of the development, and because of the underground utilities, the area
never lost power, even though many surrounding areas did.
The Rotonda West Association
is the committee in charge of managing and enforcing deed restrictions and to whom homeowners pay an annual
association fee that is used for canal and vacant lot maintenance, among other things.
