The two story Shenandoah by ICI Homes at FishHawk Ranch

Newland Communities has selected ICI Homes to develop custom-built homes along FishHawk Ranch’s pristine community lake. The Daytona Beach-based luxury and custom-design homebuilder is expected to open its model home in late summer or early fall 2015, with presales beginning in September 2015.

FishHawk Ranch is owned in a joint venture partnership between NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE, LLC (NASH), the U.S. business unit and full subsidiary of SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder and leading diversified developer, and Newland Real Estate Group, LLC, whose development business, Newland Communities, is the master developer of the community. FishHawk Ranch is one of more than 30 communities the NASH-Newland partnership owns together in 11 states across the United States.

“We are thrilled to have ICI Homes join our outstanding team of builders,” said Pam Parisi, Regional Marketing Director at Newland Communities. “Their rustic, but modern Lake House homes will be a perfect fit for the FishHawk Ranch community and a wonderful way to showcase the many amenities that make FishHawk Ranch so desirable, such as our wetlands and wildlife conservation areas, as well as 25 miles of walking trails.”

ICI Homes will build on 41 home sites. Each home will be set on irregularly shaped, scenic home sites to best view the picturesque grove of Live Oak trees and the community lake, while showcasing the homes’ indoor/outdoor living amenities. Plans will range from 2,400 to more than 4,000 square feet. The homebuilder is known throughout Florida for its eco-friendly, custom homes with “smart” and energy efficient features. With developments in Daytona Beach, Gainesville, Jacksonville and Orlando, ICI Homes was recently recognized with five awards for its luxury model homes in the 2015 Northeast Florida Builders Association Parade of Homes, which showcases builder model homes in the most prestigious communities in Northeast Florida, in addition to being named the Association’s 2014 Builder of the Year.

“ICI Homes is proud to partner with Newland Communities in an impressive community like FishHawk Ranch,” said Kirk Malone, ICI Homes’ Tampa division manager. “Our new designs are a perfect fit to best utilize each home site, and we hope everyone will visit the ICI model at FishHawk Ranch in the fall.”

Aphora at Marina San Pablo Rendering

Are you ready for something exciting and new?
Are you ready to be free of never-ending home maintenance?
Are you ready to enjoy an unmatched lifestyle?
Imagine what your life could be like at Aphora.

“Our ultra-luxury condominium offers a sensational lifestyle,” said Gabe Bove, president of Bove LLC, the developer of Aphora at Marina San Pablo. “Aphora is simply life at its finest.”

With floor plans ranging from 2,500 square feet to 5,200 square feet, Aphora’s design aligns with its beautiful views of the marina and Intracoastal Waterway, reflecting a contemporary coastal vernacular style with a Floridian/Caribbean/British West Indies influence. Aphora’s luxurious waterfront residences will offer the same size, features and finishes that are found in a single-family home, and its new generation of open floor plans feature bright, airy rooms featuring high ceilings, stunning fireplaces, grand designer bathrooms and gourmet chef’s kitchens.

Wake up in a luxurious master suite as the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy breakfast on a private terrace overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Gather around the fireplace or prepare a meal in the gourmet chef’s kitchen while taking in the panoramic views or a breathtaking sunrise or sunset.

All residences at Aphora will include a private two-car garage (large enough to accommodate SUVs), a spacious private terrace with a built-in gas grill and an air conditioned storage room accessible from inside the home. With hundreds of interior finish selections, every condominium is essentially a custom home created by the buyer’s choices. Aphora is priced from the $600,000s and assures a carefree lifestyle.

Consider all of the money and time saved on lawn care, exterior maintenance and repair. To enhance privacy, Aphora is a gated community with access control. Do you want the freedom to jet off to Europe or the Islands? The ability to “lock and leave” combined with the condominium’s low maintenance lifestyle add exceptional value to a condominium home at Aphora.

Beyond the front door of every residence at Aphora, the possibilities are endless. Nestled among the marshlands, Marina San Pablo is a world unto itself. Aphora’s signature amenities set the tone for an unmatched Florida lifestyle. The Aphora experience brings the extraordinary within reach. Each homeowner enjoys exclusive access to Aphora’s signature amenities including:

• The Rooftop Resort with panoramic views of the Intracoastal, private marina, marshlands, and dramatic Florida sunrises and sunsets
• Inviting, well-appointed event spaces for intimate gatherings, catered parties and social occasions
• Conversation pool, covered and outdoor fire lounges, island bar and kitchen, wine storage locker and wine tasting room
• Day spa with massage room, open-air and covered dining, sun and shade lounge
• Private gathering room with catering kitchen attached to outdoor private party deck
• The Hemingway Lounge that includes a bar, billiards and poker room with adjoining tool and woodworking shop
• Car detailing center, pet spa and designated pet elevator

Aphora offers easy access to Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville, Neptune and Atlantic beaches as well as the St. Johns Town Center and includes the initiation fee for membership to Marsh Landing Country Club. The community is a short drive from the premier golf and social clubs at Ponte Vedra, Sawgrass and Tournament Players Club, a 20-minute drive from downtown Jacksonville and a 30-minute drive from the Jacksonville International Airport.

“Aphora is a place like no other,” Bove said. “If you’re interested in a home and a lifestyle beyond anything you ever imagined, then you need to visit us at Aphora.”

To learn more, visit the Aphora sales gallery located inside the Marina San Pablo Yacht Club at 14388 Marina San Pablo Place. The sales gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays. Call (904) 515-5099 for more information or visit www.aphoracondos.com.

There is tremendous activity and excitement concerning Madeira at St. Augustine. The compelling new home community recently relaunched by elacora has quickly become a place that many want to call home.

“Although it feels as though someone just flipped a switch, the momentum has been building for months at Madeira,” said Victoria Robbins, exclusive agent for elacora Northeast Florida. “We have a vision for Madeira and all of its components are now in place. It is exciting to see the community coming to life.”

It is easy to understand why Madeira is strongly resonating with homebuyers. Madeira’s Sales Center, conveniently located at the community’s entrance off U.S. 1 in northern St. Johns County, welcomes visitors to the community. The Sales Center is an excellent place to begin discovering the Madeira lifestyle and the incredible value residents enjoy at this community.

Madeira’s private Residents Club, the social and recreational hub of the community, is ready to open. The spacious amenity center includes a pool with lap lanes, clubhouse, fitness center and outdoor gathering areas. Membership to the Residents Club is included with the purchase of a home at Madeira.

Madeira’s highly desirable location is surrounded by nature and extends back along the Intracoastal Waterway. The lush natural setting provides the perfect backdrop for elacora’s homes. Homesites at Madeira back up to conservation areas with spectacular water or nature preserve views. Construction of several homes is underway as evidenced by the Mediterranean-themed streetscape taking shape in two different locations within Madeira.

Homes by elacora are expertly crafted and beautifully built with features to delight even the most discriminating home buyer. Designed with the Florida homebuyer in mind, elacora offers two different home collections at Madeira, ranging in size from 1,797 square feet to more than 3,300 square feet and priced starting from the mid-$200,000s. The company’s innovative designs offer unique options – including additional bedrooms, sunrooms, game rooms and Florida basement storage solutions – so that homebuyers can select a floor plan designed to best suit their way of life. Additionally, all of elacora’s homes at Madeira are built with advanced energy-efficient standards included in the purchase of a home.

With elacora’s financial strength, Madeira has no less than a dozen move-in ready homes available at all times for prospective buyers to tour. Visitors to Madeira also are invited to see the company’s award-winning Capri model home from elacora’s Portada Collection. Furnished and decorated by Barbara Ondo Designs, the model showcases the Capri’s spacious, open design for living and entertaining. A new designer-decorated model from elacora’s Serena Collection is scheduled to open in August. The Villena from the Serena Collection will highlight elacora’s exceptional new home design and Barbara Ondo Design style.

Madeira is located in northern St. Augustine, recently named No. 4 on the Top 100 Best Small Towns list. The nation’s oldest city is known for its beautiful beaches, world-renowned golf courses, historical attractions, arts and culture, parks and recreational areas, fabulous dining and entertainment, and top-rated St. Johns County schools.

To learn more about the good life, visit elacora at Madeira. The community sales office is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (904) 484-9024 or visit www.elacora.com.

Daniel Davis, executive director, JAX Chamber  is the keynote speaker for the  Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council breakfast on July 10. Held at the University of North Florida at 12000 Alumni Drive at 8 a.m., the event will be sponsored by Wells Fargo and Nocatee. The cost of the event is $15 for Sales and Marketing Council members and $20 for non-members. Register for the event here. Davis will deliver his annual update at the Breakfast. As a past NEFBA Executive Director, Jacksonville City Council President and State Legislator, Davis brings a rare insight into business, government and housing.

About Sales and Marketing Council (SMC):

SMC is the place where Builders, Realtors® and other real estate industry-related professionals come together for business development, networking and educational opportunities. Over 200 professionals aligned to create programs, events and activities that bring members and guests together throughout the year.

NEFBA’s Sales & Marketing Council is the largest builder association SMC in Florida and one of the biggest in the nation. The SMC has received the “Best SMC In The Nation” award from the National Association of Home Builders multiple times for its premier programs:

• Monthly Networking Breakfast Meetings
• Annual Laurel Awards for Sales & Marketing Excellence
• Monthly Top Sales Awards Recognition
• Educational & Development Opportunities
• SAM Tram New Model Home Realtor® Bus Tours
• Networking & After hours Socializing Events
• Annual Builder – Realtor® Tradeshow
• Annual NEFBA Parade of Homes Promotion
• Charitable Activities & SMC Cares

Membership is open to all NEFBA member companies and their employees. Open the door to new business, career enhancement, relationship development and great fun with an SMC membership. It’s the best way to meet and network with the top real estate industry professionals in Northeast Florida.

Explore the website to learn more about the many benefits of membership.

Looking for plans to celebrate Independence Day?

Click here for a listing of various happenings throughout the Jacksonville area, including live music, family activities and fireworks!

Be a Part of History! 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of Florida Realtors, and you’re invited to vote on the logo being used to promote this great event throughout the year. Vote by July 3 for your favorite logo here: http://bit.ly/1Gh6Plu The Florida Realtors Association will be celebrating “A Century of Service.”

Edward E. Burr

The Florida State University Board of Trustees unanimously elected trustee Edward E. Burr as its chairman during its recent regularly scheduled meeting. Burr has served as a trustee since 2011 and has been chair of the Academic Affairs Committee for the past year.

As the president and CEO of GreenPointe Holdings of Jacksonville, Fla., Burr is widely considered to be a visionary leader in the real estate industry for his ability to analyze real estate potential and lead companies in the creation of communities throughout the Southeast that are known for their recreational, residential and commercial value. A longtime advocate for bettering the lives of children, Burr is founder and Chairman of the Board of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, a foundation committed to the prevention of bullying and child abuse. He also serves as Chairman of the Jacksonville Civic Council.

Burr succeeds trustee Allan G. Bense, who began his service as chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2012.

The board re-elected trustee Leslie V. “Les” Pantin as vice chairman. Pantin, who has served as a trustee since 2013, is president of Pantin/Beber Silverstein Public Relations in Miami. In addition, Pantin has served on the boards of the FSU Alumni Association, FSU Foundation and Seminole Boosters, and served a previous five-year term on the Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2010.

In addition, the Board of Trustees welcomed its four newest members.

• William “Billy” Buzzett is a partner with the law firm of Harrison, Rivard, Duncan & Buzzett in Panama City, Fla. He has almost 30 years of experience in engineering, law and development and served as secretary of the former Florida Department of Community Affairs from 2010 to 2011. Buzzett, who succeeds trustee William “Andy” Haggard, was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott.

• Bob Sasser, of Virginia Beach, Va., is the CEO of Dollar Tree Stores, the nation’s largest discount variety store chain selling merchandise predominantly for $1. Sasser, who succeeds trustee Margaret “Peggy” Rolando, was appointed by the Florida Board of Governors.

• Susan Fiorito, 2015-2017 president of the Faculty Senate, is Jim Moran Professor and chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Information Systems in the College of Business. She has been on the university’s faculty since 1990.

• Jean Tabares, Florida State’s Student Body President for 2015-2016, is a senior pursuing a double major in marketing and political science.

Florida State’s 13-member Board of Trustees consists of six trustees appointed by the Florida governor, five trustees appointed by the Florida Board of Governors, one trustee who is the president of the university’s Faculty Senate and one who is the student body president.

The real estate professionals at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty are raising money in support of “Wreaths Across America,” a national charity dedicated to remembering and honoring fallen veterans.

“We are proud to call Northeast Florida home and fortunate to have a strong military presence in our region,” said Broker/Executive Vice President Christy Budnick. “We appreciate the brave men and women who have made extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and protect our freedom. We want to honor our veterans and their families, and we encourage others to join us.”

This is the fourth year the Northeast Florida real estate firm has supported the campaign’s effort to place a commemorative wreath on every veteran’s headstone.

“The Wreaths Across America ceremony is one of the most amazing expressions of patriotism and a heartfelt remembrance of our nation’s fallen,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Broker/Manager Ann King of the company’s St. Augustine office, who initiated the company’s participation.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, which began in 1992. The organization collects donations to purchase commemorative wreaths that are placed on the headstones of veterans buried at national cemeteries and other locations across the country.

In 2014, Wreaths Across America distributed more than 700,000 memorial wreaths at more than 1,000 locations in the United States and beyond. This year, wreath-laying ceremonies are planned on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, at locations nationwide including the national cemeteries in Jacksonville and St. Augustine.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is accepting donations to support Wreaths Across America. The cost is $15 for each wreath. More information is available at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

“We believe in the American dream, and it is our privilege to be part of a campaign that acknowledges those who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda Sherrer. “We appreciate the opportunity to support this program and its efforts to remember and honor veterans in Northeast Florida and around the country.”

Residents of The John Gorrie a condominium in front of the historic building’s façade

As residents of The John Gorrie a condominium recently gathered within the lobby of the building to receive new remote controls for the building’s private parking lot, Alisa Hawthorne observed several people introducing themselves to one another or asking each other, “Who is that?”

For months prior, Hawthorne had discussed with friends and fellow owners the idea of creating a resident directory, similar to the annuals published by The John Gorrie Junior High School, as a way to bring residents together. Soon The John Gorrie Resident Directory Committee was formed by Hawthorne, Ron Episcopo, David Jett and Mark Pariani.

“We knew it was time to act, so an invitation email was sent to each owner requesting basic information, and to make it interesting we asked for hobbies, a fun fact and a photo,” said Hawthorne. In keeping with the history of The John Gorrie a condominium being a former school, the directory will feature a dedication page to the owner of The John Gorrie, Delores Barr Weaver, who is affectionately referred to as “The Principal.”

Residences feature original historic architectural elements such as an exposed brick wall along with modern luxuries including gourmet kitchens

Designed by noted Jacksonville architects Roy A. Benjamin and Mellen C. Greeley, John Gorrie Junior High School was constructed in 1923. The buildings were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and the school was closed in 1997. Weaver completed an extensive renovation and restoration to transform the historic landmark school into 68 residences with luxurious contemporary amenities including 12-foot ceilings, expansive windows, stainless steel GE appliances, CaesarStone countertops and hardwood floors. Now 75 percent sold, The John Gorrie a condominium is home to professionals of all ages, retirees, families and their pets.

“My favorite part of living in The John Gorrie is the privilege of living in a historic building,” said Hawthorne. “My home is part of what used to be the library and I often think about the books, tables and whispering that filled the area,” said Hawthorne, a nursing instructor, and two-year resident of The John Gorrie.

The John Gorrie Resident Directory Committee plans to host a resident social late summer for all to receive their yearbook.

“As a community we strive to meet socially as often as possible,” said David Jett, a technology sales professional who has lived at The John Gorrie for two years with his wife, Jayne. “Sometimes our gatherings are hosted in someone’s home, or occasionally a local restaurant or bar where we can support the businesses within our neighborhood like Mossfire Grill or European Street Café.”

Across the street from Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, Tres Leches eatery, a bicycle shop and more, The John Gorrie is also within walking distance to grocery stores, which allows its residents the opportunity to enjoy the immediate neighborhood without getting into a car.

In addition to being FHA and Fannie Mae (FNMA) approved, making it possible for qualified homebuyers to obtain low down payment, fixed-rate mortgages at competitive rates, owners at The John Gorrie a condominium receive an ad valorem tax abatement toward their homeowner’s tax bill through 2021.

John Gorrie residents enjoy building amenities, including its private courtyard

The John Gorrie offers one- and two-bedroom residences and two-story townhomes priced from the upper-$100,000s. The community’s amenities include private gated parking, a private courtyard, custom fitness center, elevators, a resident reading room and Wi-Fi Internet access.

For more information about how you can be part of The John Gorrie community, call (904) 383-3688 or visit www.TheJohnGorrie.com.

Buyers who want a luxurious home and wish to move in quickly should visit elacora in The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach. elacora, known for its innovative designs and exceptional high quality construction, has five homes underway targeted for completion starting late this summer.

“The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach is ideal for buyers seeking a new luxury home in an established resort community,” said Victoria Robbins, exclusive agent for elacora Northeast Florida. “We have several homes underway, making it possible for buyers to move-in this year and enjoy this fantastic lifestyle.”

The single-family homes underway include the Arcadia, the Medinah, the Muirfield and the Oakmont. The Medinah will be ready for move-in this summer.

The Medinah is a two-story home with three bedrooms plus den, three-and-a-half baths and is priced at $859,250. Designed specifically for The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, the Medinah, as well as all of elacora’s homes, are well suited for a Florida lifestyle with spacious open and flexible spaces for living and entertaining. elacora’s homes feature gourmet kitchens with furniture-quality cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, designer bathrooms, spectacular outdoor living areas, and three-car garages. Homes are designed to maximize natural light and include the latest in technology and green building practices.

In addition to the Medinah, the following elacora homes are underway and available to buyers for move-in later this year:

• The Arcadia, a one-story home with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, priced at $729,900
• The Muirfield, a one-story home with three bedrooms plus den and three-and-a-half baths, priced at $732,900
• The Oakmont, a one-story home with two bedrooms plus den and two-and-a-half baths, priced at $824,900

A second larger Arcadia design is also under construction. The two-story home features three bedrooms plus den and upstairs game room and four-and-a-half baths. It is priced at $863,500.

Prospective buyers are encouraged to visit elacora at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach to view the company’s available homes and its stunning designer-decorated Muirfield showhome. Furnished and decorated by Barbara Ondo Designs with the Florida homebuyer in mind, the Muirfield showhome highlights elacora’s exquisite finishes, features and design style.

All of elacora’s plans feature a choice of exterior elevation styles and multiple options to add bonus space for additional bedrooms, gathering rooms, office space or media rooms. elacora’s homes at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach are priced starting from $624,900.

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, a tennis center with seven Har-Tru® tennis courts and a private beach club that is a 10-minute bike ride from the front gate. A junior Olympic-size swimming pool is featured at the beach club and the 25,000- square-foot Plantation House has a fully equipped and staffed world-class fitness center and several dining options. elacora’s homes at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach are being built adjacent to a new community park, featuring an open air pavilion, a large fenced-in playground, full-sized croquet court and open space for sports and activities.

For more information, call (904) 484-9023 or visit www.elacora.com.