Nocatee To Begin Construction of First Retail

January 11th, 2008

After nearly a decade of planning, what is quickly becoming known as the most impressive and architecturally distinct master-planned community in St. Johns County is now even more undeniably extraordinary. As master-developer of Nocatee, the PARC Group, Inc. is introducing another great lifestyle component of its grand vision for Ponte Vedra — Nocatee Town Center.

Ideally located on the border of St. Johns and Duval counties, the “town of Nocatee” is taking shape as a stunning, residential and commercial community where homebuyers can live, work and play with ease. Construction is now underway on the east central portion of Nocatee’s TownCenter, which is receiving a high level of commercial and professional interest. Several businesses seeking a vibrant new location are quickly making long-term space commitments.

“Town Center will be the epicenter of business, shopping and cultural activities within Nocatee, while maintaining its friendly, small-town atmosphere,” said Richard Ray, partner in The PARC Group, Inc. “It is a central core of mixed uses within a very pedestrian-friendly environment.”

Jacksonville-based retail development company Regency Centers Corporation will construct the 21-acre first phase of Nocatee’s retail center. Anchored by high-end grocer Publix, the shopping district will showcase a diverse selection of specialty boutiques and popular businesses that will bring resident conveniences, such as: clothing, banking, gas station, casual and café dining, dry-cleaning, travel, floral and much more.

"NocateeTownCenter will attract superior retailers — including a 54,340-square-foot Publix Super Market — along with leading, best-in-class retailers, restaurants and financial institutions to serve the high-growth population in the Ponte Vedra area, and new residents in the Town of Nocatee."

Also notable is Regency Centers’ careful attention to landscape design. In addition to the shopping district, it will provide a beautiful greenscape highlighted by courtyards and children’s play areas, lakefronts and a central event lawn. Nocatee’s easy-access electric cart paths will connect all of its neighborhood villages with the TownCenter.

"The first phase of retail will feature 81,078 square feet of shopping and dining in a pedestrian-friendly, open-air environment with unique architectural storefronts and lighting, and tree-lined avenues,” Kinsella said. “Several public gathering areas will be available for shoppers to relax and enjoy lakefront views and the wooded, landscaped environment."

As the PARC Group’s vision of TownCenter becomes a reality, progress will be made in carefully planned stages. Later expanding to the west, the development will include some large chain retailers — also known as “big box stores” — that will become valuable Nocatee neighbors.

These businesses, which are planned to include home improvement, hotel/hospitality and large national retail stores, will be presented in a separate-but-together manner within TownCenter. Planned infrastructure will allow visitors to bypass the denser, more intimate retail setting for direct access to the larger stores. Visitors have use of several main entrances into TownCenter, located on Nocatee and Crosswater Parkways, and Preservation Trail.

“Our objective is to create a TownCenter in Nocatee that blends interesting and inviting landscapes; puts ample parking within easy reach of shops and offices; and provides people places for enjoyment,” Ray said. “It will serve residents and the general public, as well as be a new employment center for the region.”

Upon completion, TownCenter also is planned to include a primary care medical facility; single- and multi-family neighborhoods; and corporate office parks. In total, one million square feet of retail space and four million square feet of corporate space is planned. Flagler Development Group is just one of the significant participants bringing Nocatee residents everything they could ever need and want just outside their doors.

“Flagler is excited to be part of Nocatee,” said Karl Hanson, vice president and market officer for Flagler Development Group/North Florida. “With our purchase of land for the development of a 675,000-square-foot corporate office park, and Regency Centers’ announced retail project, the NocateeTownCenter is off to a great start. Flagler is committed to delivering a project befitting the high standard that already exists in Nocatee, as seen in the extraordinary landscaping along the roadways, and in the residential communities that are underway. We are optimistic that business leaders will choose Nocatee for their companies, due to its prime location and amenities.”

South Carolina-based developer Broad Street Partners soon expects to break ground on Nocatee’s first luxury rental community within TownCenter. The company’s estimated construction begin date is the first quarter of 2008.

The gated, multi-family neighborhood will consist of 320 residences featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom flats and townhomes. Floorplans range in size from 800 to 1,900 square feet, and provide yet another housing opportunity for those who want to indulge in all that Nocatee has to offer.

Broad Street’s planned resident amenities will include a beautifully decorated, 8,000-square-foot clubhouse; state-of-the-art fitness center; media room; business center; sparkling pool; summer kitchen and a family-friendly park.

“Whether you prefer plenty of activity, or just want to enjoy a more leisurely pace, Nocatee is the perfect choice for homebuyers of any level and any stage of life,” said Portland Stuart, marketing director for the PARC Group, Inc. “Nocatee offers a wealth of unparalleled coastal lifestyles; an impressive selection of affordable luxury residences; phenomenal world-class recreation and so much more.”

Adhering to the principles of “Smart Growth,” the PARC Group’s town of Nocatee is thoughtfully nestled amid the well known natural beauty of Ponte Vedra. Within its boundaries, some of the finest homebuilders in Northeast Florida are developing neighborhood villages, each with its own character, gathering places and amenities.

Nocatee residents also will enjoy a 75-acre CommunityPark in the summer of 2009. Ervin Lovett & Miller, a Jacksonville firm specializing in planning, architecture, landscape architecture and urban design, recently has completed its design of the recreational area. Residents and their guests will have use of a comprehensive Community Center, impressive AquaticsPark, health and fitness center, sports fields, a spacious dog park and much more.

Comprised of three distinct structures, the Community Center will include a main CommunityBuilding flanked by a FitnessBuilding and poolside Cabana — all marked by “Florida Classical” architecture. The CommunityPark, which surrounds a central outdoor event lawn, will be ideally located adjacent to the world-class AquaticsPark.

Scheduled for opening in 2009, the NocateeCommunity Center will be “the spot” for families wanting to enjoy an abundance of recreational activities. The main CommunityBuilding is planned to house a beautifully decorated multi-purpose room spacious enough to accommodate wedding receptions, meetings, birthday parties and countless other special events.

The state-of-the-art FitnessBuilding will include generous rooms perfect for group exercise classes, personal fitness and weight training. The poolside Cabana will be a covered, open-air venue complete with a summer kitchen great for hosting parties and other outdoor gatherings.

For water enthusiasts, the AquaticsPark is designed for plenty of fun in the sun. Residents and their guests will enjoy a lazy river, adult-only elevated swimming pool, a children’s splash pool, a family lagoon, junior-Olympic competition pool, two high-speed water slides, and a children’s sprayground — all of which are adjacent to the Community Center.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the Nocatee Greenway consisting of more than 5,000 acres of connecting parks, protected wildlife corridors, and wetland preserves. Its nature trails meander through woods and parks, and fun bike paths and roadways lead residents to the emerging TownCenter. Hiking trails and boardwalks in the Nocatee Preserve will allow all to experience nature in an up-close and personal way. It includes over three miles of banks along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Nine schools and a collection of churches also are planned for future development. Total build-out is estimated at 15 to 20 years. The PARC Group’s vision of a livable, sustainable and highly desirable community makes it easy to see why Nocatee is the perfect place to call home.

“Nocatee is an example of how we can responsibly plan and manage the inevitable growth in this area,” Ray said. “All of the communities outside of Nocatee boundaries will benefit from this balanced approach.”

Nocatee is located on the border of northern St. JohnsCounty and DuvalCounty, just minutes from the beaches and convenient to Jacksonville and St. Augustine.