Nocatee remains bright spot among new home communitiesBack to News
Success due to many
factors, says developer
It's a study in contrasts. Across the country, the real estate
market remains troubled amid the climate of economic uncertainty.
However, one community noticeably defies the odds. Nocatee, a
master-planned community in Ponte Vedra, Florida, continues to grow
and achieve milestone after milestone. What sets Nocatee apart from
the rest?
Nocatee was the Jacksonville metropolitan area's fastest-growing
community in 2010, with homebuilders starting construction on 189
new homes, 55 percent more than any other community in Northeast
Florida. In the second quarter of 2011, Nocatee sold 101 new homes,
surpassing last year's comparable period by almost 200%.
More than 800 families currently live in the Nocatee communities
of Austin Park, Coastal Oaks, Greenleaf Village, Kelly Pointe,
Riverwood, Tidewater, and Willowcove. Plans are underway to open
two new neighborhoods in 2012.
The real estate community has taken notice of this success. In
July, the Northeast Florida Builders Association named Nocatee's
master developer The PARC Group "Developer of the Year" for the
fourth-consecutive year. The Florida Home Builders Association has
also recognized Nocatee as the "Best Green Community of the Year"
and "Best Master-Planned Community of the Year."
Roger O'Steen, Chairman of The PARC Group, says Nocatee's
success can be attributed to four critical factors.
Staying the course
"First, while many other developers have had to drastically
alter their plans, we've remained true to our vision and fulfilled
every commitment and completed all amenities promised," O'Steen
said. Since breaking ground in 2005, much of Nocatee's development
has continued unabated. For example, the final phase of the
community's $175 million road network was completed last December -
almost a decade earlier than anticipated.
Other notable milestones include the opening of The Splash Water
Park, featuring water slides, a "lazy river" multiple swimming
pools, and a fitness club. Developers also completed the initial
phase of the community's electric cart network, enabling residents
to travel using electrically powered, low-speed vehicles throughout
the community.
Residents can travel the Nocatee greenway trails to connect to
neighborhoods, the Nocatee Community Park, Splash Water Park or the
Nocatee Town Center where they can shop at Northeast Florida's
largest Publix Supermarket.
"In Nocatee, residents don't need to wait for the amenities,"
O'Steen said. "The amenities have been built and are being
enjoyed by Nocatee residents on a daily basis."
A true community
"Second, we've achieved a critical mass of
residents," said O'Steen. "This has enabled us to implement
programs that bring residents together and create a true sense of
community."
Events and activities such as a year-round monthly farmer's
market, cooking classes by local chefs, live music concerts,
resident socials, workshops, lectures and summer camps are offered
free to residents. At "Friday Night Flicks" in the Fall and Spring,
residents can watch recent theatre releases like the latest "Harry
Potter" or "Pirates of the Caribbean" on a large outdoor
screen.
Rachel Robertson, Nocatee's recreation coordinator, says
creating quality events and activities is a high priority at
Nocatee. "We have two full-time staff members whose sole job is to
develop events and activities for our residents. We are truly
unique in both the number and quality of events and activities that
we offer."
Robertson adds that "they're not your typical run-of-the-mill
events" and cites examples such as Nocatee's Amazing Adventure,
with residents forming teams to solve clues, plot routes and race
for prizes at the finish line. Another example is Nocatee's Summer
Olympics, with teams participating in five competitions - a hot dog
eating contest, belly flop contest, potato sack races, tug of war
and "flag-tag" relay.
Outstanding location
"Third, our location is really ideal," O'Steen said. "With a
Ponte Vedra address, we are centrally located near the beaches,
Jacksonville and St. Augustine."
O'Steen cites the area's parks and natural resources, the beach,
the Intracoastal, historic St. Augustine and closeness to
Jacksonville as reasons for its continued growth.
Florida's best school system
"Fourth, the St. Johns County school system continues to reach
new heights," O'Steen said. The district has had the highest test
scores in the state for the three past consecutive years. While the
schools are the state's best, they also rank well nationally. In
2008, Newsweek Magazine named three St. Johns County high schools
as among the best in the nation - Allen D. Nease High School ranked
91st, Bartram Trail High School ranked 327th
and St. Augustine High School ranked 421st.
The St. Johns County school district has never earned less than
an "A" district grade since they were first released. District
grades are based on factors including reading, writing, math and
science scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and on
student gains from the previous year.
"We're extremely optimistic about Nocatee's future," O'Steen
said. "And it will only get better."
Visit the Nocatee Welcome Center for more information about
this growing new community or visitwww.Nocatee.com.