May 1st, 2015
Home builders begin construction on St. Johns County community
Via bizjournals.com
Home builders have begun construction on a 1,500-acre community in northwestern St. Johns County along the Trout River.
Shearwater development is planned for more than 2,000 homes, 400,000 square-feet of commercial retail and a combined elementary and middle school. The community will also include 600 acres of open space and a preserved natural habitat, featuring a launch area along the river for kayaks and canoes as well as a collection of parks, fields, and trails.
Home builders David Weekley Homes, Lennar and MasterCraft Builder Group are developing plans for phase one, which is slated to open in this fall.
Freehold Communities, the master developer of the community, broke ground on the infrastructure in November 2014.
The heart of the community will also include a fitness lodge, hotel-style swimming pool, water tower, “Lazy River”, playground areas, sports fields and four tennis courts.
Suzanne Maddalon, vice president of marketing for Freehold Communities, said it was a combination of elements in the area that encouraged them to build the community.
“Centrally located to several urban areas with easy commutes to St. Augustine and Jacksonville, St. Johns County is still a quiet oasis of wildlife, peace and tranquility, also known for having some of the best schools in the area,” Maddalon said in a statement. “It is also affordable to live in this area but still have access to higher-end activities, retailers and goods and services.”