Mosaic Destination Resort to Rise in Florida Heartland

What do you do with land when you've finished mining phosphate on it? You build a world-class resort on top.

That's what the Mosaic Co., world's leading producer of phosphate-based crop nutrients and one of Florida's largest landowners, is doing in Polk County, in the state's heartland between Orlando and Tampa.

Called Streamsong, the resort will be built on 16,000 acres of land, the highlight of which will be two "highly distinctive" golf courses, hiking and nature trails, a sporting clays range, and "unparalleled Florida bass fishing." Construction is due to begin in fall 2011, with completion in 2013.

While many of Mosaics former mining areas have been reclaimed for public recreational or environmental use in the past, Streamsong represents its first true real estate venture. The company hopes it will showcase the natural beauty as well as the commercial viability of reclaimed land.

"Without city lights to hinder the spectacular starlight views, guests of the resort will enjoy scenic observation areas, such as a stellar rooftop veranda," said the resort's designer, Alberto Alfonso.

Guests can expect a minimum of 140 guest rooms, Mosaic says, five villas, three restaurants, a full-service spa and more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space.

Mosaic claims the resort will offer the kind of combination amenities that are only provided at such destinations as Keswick Hall in Virginia, Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, the Equinox Resort & Spa in Vermont and the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina.