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What's Happening in Westlake, FL

The latest from Westlake, Florida — new businesses, development milestones, school news, city council decisions, and community events. Updated regularly.

Published October 29, 2026

Westlake, Florida is a fast-moving community — new businesses opening, major construction projects breaking ground, school boundaries being drawn, and city decisions shaping the neighborhood week by week. Here's a running summary of what's been happening lately, sourced from public records, city council meetings, and official announcements tracked by Westlake Pulse.

October 2026 — What's New Right Now

Walmart Construction Is Underway

The Westlake Walmart Supercenter is officially under construction. After receiving its full site plan, sign plan, and alcohol variance approval in April 2026 (Development Order DO_04.07.2026), work has begun on the site north of the Chicken Salad Chick and Carmela Coffee block in the Town Center area. Residents have been watching the site closely — it's been one of the most-asked-about projects in the community for years.

Chase Bank Opening by End of October

Chase Bank is expected to open in Westlake Town Center before the end of October 2026, adding another major financial services anchor to the growing commercial district.

Ella Cafe Coming to Westlake Palms

Ella Cafe is opening at the Westlake Palms retail center on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, adding to a strip that now includes Junior's Barbershop, Westlake Eye Care, Goodwill, and other tenants. Westlake Palms is fully leased.

West Community Elementary School — Name and Boundaries Being Decided

Westlake's new elementary school — currently known as West Community Elementary School — is under active construction, with walls going up as of September 2026. A principal, Darline Winewski, has already been named. The Palm Beach County School District held a boundary hearing in October 2026, and the Advisory Boundary Committee voted 10-0 to recommend Study 23H-1, which keeps all of Westlake zoned for the new school. The school is targeting a Fall 2027 opening.

Speed Cameras and License Plate Readers Approved

The Westlake City Council voted 5-0 in October 2026 to approve speed cameras in school zones and license plate readers on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

Recent Milestones (Summer–Fall 2026)

Westlake Fieldhouse Approved and Scheduled

The Westlake Fieldhouse — a six-acre community amenity planned for the Pines neighborhood along Town Center Parkway — was formally approved by city council at the August 4, 2026 meeting. It includes a 4,200-square-foot multi-purpose building with a coffee bar, a covered toddler play area (ages 2–5), open sports fields, and a relocated dog park. Groundbreaking is set for Q1 2027, with a summer 2028 opening target.

The Avery at Westlake — 360-Unit Apartment Community Approved

Westlake's City Council approved the first-ever apartment community for the city at the August 4, 2026 meeting. "The Avery at Westlake" is a 360-unit luxury apartment development — a significant step for a city that has previously been all single-family homes.

Westlake Community Park Phase I Out for Bids

The first phase of a planned public Westlake Community Park went out to bid in September 2026, with $1.2 million in funding secured. The park is planned to include fishing access, community monuments, and food truck parking, and is being developed by the Seminole Improvement District (SID). Bids were received by the October 2026 SID meeting.

Dollar Tree Opened at Grove Market

Dollar Tree officially opened at Grove Market in early August 2026, moving into the former Winn-Dixie liquor store space next to Aldi. It's now one of the most convenient everyday-shopping stops in Westlake.

Cold Stone Creamery Confirmed for Late 2026

Cold Stone Creamery is coming to Westlake, confirmed for the Publix building area in the Town Center by end of 2026. This keyword is already one of the site's strongest performers — residents are clearly searching for it.

Westlake West Rezoning Approved

Westlake West — a major expansion area on the west side of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road — received its rezoning approval. The first new community coming to Westlake West is Sandglass, a Minto residential neighborhood with new street-level pedestrian-friendly design and updated home designs.

Westlake's Millage Rate Cut for the Fifth Consecutive Year

The City of Westlake set its FY2027 millage rate at 4.59 mils — the fifth consecutive annual reduction. For a fast-growing young city still building out infrastructure, this is a notable fiscal accomplishment.

City Hall Site Acquired

In May 2026, Westlake acquired its first-ever city-owned property: a 4.6-acre parcel at the corner of Persimmon Blvd West and Ilex Way, purchased from Minto for a future permanent City Hall. The city has operated out of temporary offices since incorporation in 2016.

Silver Lake by GL Homes — 976-Home 55+ Community Coming

GL Homes received approval for Silver Lake — a 976-home 55+ community planned for Westlake's southeast corner. It's a large-scale addition that will bring a new demographic to the growing city.

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Westlake Pulse tracks everything happening in Westlake — development projects, new business openings, city council decisions, school news, and civic milestones. All sourced from public records, official documents, and city filings.

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