{"id":1172,"date":"2025-08-13T17:32:21","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T17:32:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/otowus.com\/2025-redesign\/?page_id=1172"},"modified":"2025-09-09T17:26:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T17:26:58","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/otowus.com\/2025-redesign\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1234″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][smartslider3 slider=”46″]

<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1756239077275{background-color: #EEEDEA !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column]
<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_color_value=”#EEEDEA”][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Family-owned.
\nFlorida-grown.
\nBuilding communities since 1947.<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

For more than seventy-five years, Colen Built Development has done more than build homes\u2014we\u2019ve been shaping lifestyles and redefining what it means to live well in Florida. Our story began in 1947 with Sidney Colen, a visionary who believed that neighborhoods should be about more than streets and houses. He pioneered Florida\u2019s first planned retirement community and North America\u2019s first modern condominium, creating new ways for people to live, connect, and thrive. That same pioneering spirit led to the purchase of Circle Square Ranch in Ocala in 1975, where On Top of the World took root and grew into one of Central Florida\u2019s first amenity-rich, active-adult communities.<\/p>\n

Since then, we\u2019ve built more than 25,000 homes for Floridians, always guided by the same values that defined our beginnings: integrity, quality, and community first. Still family-owned and debt-free, we continue to innovate with lifelong learning, wellness, cultural experiences, and world-class amenities\u2014all designed to prove that retirement isn\u2019t an ending, it\u2019s the beginning of your next adventure.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_single_image image=”1239″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top”][vc_row][vc_column]
<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”20″ equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756151706402{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #141315 !important;}”]
<\/div>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Our Mission<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756151690223{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

To build communities that inspire active living, lasting friendships, and endless opportunities for discovery.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756151847790{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #141315 !important;}”]
<\/div>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Our Vision<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756151852255{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

A future where retirement isn\u2019t slowing down\u2014it\u2019s leveling up. Where every homeowner can learn, play, and thrive in a place designed for connection and joy.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]
<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row_content” css=”.vc_custom_1756238995341{background-color: #EEEDEA !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column]
<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_color_value=”#EEEDEA”][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_single_image image=”1259″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756238931653{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

A Message from
\nOur Founder<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

At the heart of Colen Built Development is a vision that has guided us since the beginning. Our founder, Sidney Colen, believed that building communities wasn\u2019t about profit\u2014it was about purpose. His words from 1980 continue to define who we are today:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis Company has always stood for quality, value, moral obligation and sustainable development practices. We have never undertaken the development of anything or any community unless we believed there would be a redeeming value. Money has never been the motivation or the purpose of our existence. We have always believed keenly that service and human values are greater than mere development. We affect the lives of people and we affect their lives for good.\u201d<\/em>
\u2013 Sidney Colen, Founder (1980)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column]
<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Core Values<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”20″ equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756153115504{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #FAAF09 !important;}”]

\n
\n\t\"null\"\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Integrity<\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Family-owned, debt-free, and trusted for more than 75 years.<\/p>\n

<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> [\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756153232940{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #AB8FFE !important;}”]

\n
\n\t\"null\"\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Community<\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Over 428 acres of outdoor amenities, 20+ miles of trails, 175+ resident clubs, and lifelong learning through Master the Possibilities\u00ae.<\/p>\n

<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> [\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756153770113{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #00A300 !important;}”]

\n
\n\t\"null\"\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Innovation<\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Leading the way with energy-efficient, solar-equipped homes.<\/p>\n

<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”20″ equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756153860395{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #FF2D2C !important;}”]

\n
\n\t\"null\"\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Wellness<\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Fitness centers, pools, golf courses, and partnerships with Ocala\u2019s hospitals and schools.<\/p>\n

<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> [\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756153810512{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #DBFA00 !important;}”]

\n
\n\t\"null\"\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Sustainability<\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Protecting wildlife habitats, preserving open space, and building smarter for the next generation.<\/p>\n

<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> [\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1756153877070{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;background-color: #EEEDEA !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 20px !important;border-color: #FC8130 !important;}”]

\n
\n\t\"null\"\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Fun<\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Concerts, festivals, pickleball, softball, archery, and weekly farmers markets\u2014life\u2019s too short to be boring.<\/p>\n

<\/div> <\/div> <\/div> [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

<\/div>
<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_color_value=”#FAAF19″][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1254″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″]
<\/div>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Join the Team That Builds More Than Homes<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

When you create communities this vibrant, it takes great people. At Colen Built Development, we\u2019re more than developers\u2014we\u2019re innovators, neighbors, and memory makers. Join a team where legacy meets opportunity.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>