by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
One’s for rent, the other’s for sale.
One’s done, the other’s still under construction.
One’s filling up, the other’s sold out and in the resale phase.
That’s where the obvious differences between The Strand and The Peninsula end.
Both are Miami-based American Land Ventures projects and both have one realtor — Nicole Dana — who isn’t just hawking brand new Southbank living. Dana’s leasing and sales pitch comes with credibility.
“I live here. I wouldn’t live anywhere else,” said Dana, who moved to The Strand from a Riverside address. “One of the greatest endorsements is that I live here.”
The Strand is 295 units of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The current lease rates start at $1,480 a month for a one-bedroom.
“Our most expensive is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse that goes for $5,150 a month,” said Dana. “We have two of those but they are both rented.”
The Strand may be apartments, but make no mistake — these are not beach houses that have subdivided and need plenty of work. There are flat-screens TVs scattered about, a riverfront bar and lounge area with a pool table and an adjacent library. A full-service concierge service begins the visit for both residents and guests.
“Our amenities blow away those of any other (residential tower) in Jacksonville I’ve seen,” said Dana, who started with American Land Ventures in Jacksonville in March 2004 before moving to Fort Lauderdale. She came back to Jacksonville in October 2006. Dana also said she can go days without leaving The Strand.
Currently, The Strand is about 50 percent rented. However, that’s not the case at The Peninsula, the sister project just yards to the east. While The Strand was originally built as a for-rent tower and marketed as for-sale condominiums at one point before going back to apartments, the 234-unit Peninsula has always been a condo. Dana said The Peninsula isn’t just sold out, she is in the process of reselling many of the units. And, she said, if the interior of The Strand impresses people, wait until The Peninsula is done.
For more on either tower, Dana can be reached at 306-9606 or log on to www.thestrandsouthbank.com