Two months after completing Bacon Self Storage in St. Johns County, owner Jim Bacon wants to add to the project with a short-term rental community among the trees.
Bacon owns the 9.7-acre parcel at 1700 Wildwood Drive off of Florida 207 in St. Augustine where Bacon Self Storage was developed.
In the wooded area behind the facility, Bacon wants to open the Air Tree Inn, which would comprise 30 treehouse rentals of up to 400 square feet each connected by an elevated boardwalk. Bacon also plans to add a 5,700-square-foot bar and restaurant and a swimming pool.
Units will cost $180 a night, with a three-night minimum stay.
Moultrie Creek runs through the property. The treehouses and boardwalk will be constructed on pilings to reduce the impact on the wetlands, according to its preapplication with the St. Johns County Growth Management Department.
The bar and restaurant would be open to the public.
Bacon said it’s too soon to say how much the project will cost. He said he would be open to constructing the villas in phases, opening some while others are under construction.
He is taking some inspiration from the Treehouse Villas at Walt Disney World’s Saratoga Springs, but wants his rentals to be a bit cheaper.
“I want it to be full and I want it to be fun,” Bacon said.
At Disney, villas are accessible by car. Bacon said his villas will be connected by a boardwalk that can be accessed by foot or golf cart.
They are like small homes, with a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living space. Each treehouse will have a wraparound porch and hot tub, he said.
To meet fire code requirements, each villa will be less than 400 square feet. To allow for more guests in each unit, Bacon said he would take 1,200-square-foot units and split them into three separate villas, which would be connected by 10-foot bridges.
Bacon said the St. Johns County development review committee approved his plans. Before he can start construction, he will have to rezone the property to add restaurant and hotel uses.
“Right now it’s a pretty big pipe dream,” he said. “My wife thinks I’m crazy.”
Bacon, 55, said the self-storage units are 30% leased. He also owns Bacon Marine Construction, a contracting group that constructs docks, boat houses, boat lifts, seawalls and bulkheads.
He also has helped construct several self-storage facilities in Northeast Florida and pedestrian and bike paths and bridges in Michigan.
Bacon said that although he is nearing retirement age, he has no plans to slow down.
“Some guys go out and buy hot rods and Corvettes and stuff,” he said. “Well, I’m going to build Air Tree Inn.”
