By Fred Seely, Editor
Meditierra is back. Only this time it will be called Tamaya.
Construction has started on what is planned to be a 2,400-home community on 780 acres on the northeast corner of Beach and Kernan boulevards in Jacksonville.
It’s the same piece of property that was to have a similar development named Mediterra, which went off the boards when the economy turned in 2007.
The land has even more non-development history: In the early 1990s, it was going to be a gated country club with a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. That, too, never got out of the ground.
But Tamaya is, and the developers already have an entrance on Beach Boulevard and are moving ahead with homesites and infrastructure.
And, where the Nicklaus project and Mediterra are just memories, Tamaya’s backers have deep history in development and, just as important, deep pockets. Their sights are high: The initial prospectus calls for homes from $300,000 to $1 million.
Involved are three of the state’s biggest companies that are led by high-profile residential building leaders.
The lead is ICI Homes, headed by Mori Hosseini, whose local projects include Amelia National in Nassau County.
Also on board is James M. Carr of Devco, who has more than 30 years’ experience in residential development in Florida.
The third is Armando Codina, Coral Gables-based developer and a partner of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Codina is also a Devco partner.
In addition to the 2,400 homes, there will be more than 500,000 square feet of commercial/retail space.
Extras include a $10 million amenity center with competition-sized pool and cabana and a 10,000 square-foot clubhouse with fitness, meeting and event space.
The first phase will begin with 169 customizable, single-family homes and ICI plans to break ground on an eight-home model village this month and to open them in the spring.
Tamaya
What: A 2,400 home, 500,000 square foot retail/commercial development.
Where: Corner of Beach and Kernan boulevards between downtown Jacksonville
and the beaches.
Who: ICI Homes and Devco.
Amenities: 10,000 square foot community center, recr center with pool,
fitness and meeting space.
Info: (855) 279-6053.
Website: tamayafl.com