by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
Palencia, a new community located off U.S. 1 just north of St. Augustine, is way ahead of schedule, according to Naomi Lumley, sales manager for the community.
Since they opened a year ago, they have sold over 200 homes and are still going strong. They currently have about 40 families living in Palencia and over 100 homes under construction.
All of their amenities are now under construction except for the 10-acre Athletic Complex and the Arthur Hill-designed golf course, which are complete.
“The amenities are going in as we speak,” said Lumley. “Also, the parks within the neighborhoods are complete.”
The athletic park has Little League and T-ball diamonds, a soccer field, basketball court, an adventure playscape complete with a pirate ship and a covered pavilion.
The Hines team, the primary developers, recently broke ground for the three pools at the swim and fitness center located in Palencia Village, the town center of the community. The swim and fitness center features three pools including a family pool with tower, water slide and children’s play area, adult leisure pool, and wading pool for toddlers.
The fitness center, complete with dedicated aerobics and weight rooms, well-appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms, sauna and steam rooms, massage room, and a children’s play room, provides residents with access to a full-service health center as part of their community. The complex also includes two open-air pavilions, poolside cafe and large lawn area for picnics and outdoor recreation.
Also started is the Palencia Village and homes within the village, the sales center, the village green, the golf clubhouse, and a 10-court tennis center with pavilion and pro shop.
The swim/fitness center will be complete in June, the tennis center will be complete in July and village green will be complete in July. The sales center comes online in September and the clubhouse will be finished in February.
The property spans 1,450 acres with more than two miles bordering the tidal marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway and Marshall Creek. Upon completion, the development will feature 2,642 residential units and 900,000 square feet of retail and office space.