The Wildlight master-planned community in Nassau County announced the first homebuilders Sept. 22 for its new Garden District in Yulee.
The Garden District is at Riverbluff Parkway and Pages Dairy Road, about 9 miles east of Interstate 95 and Wildlight’s Town District, which includes retail, office, and housing.
The Garden District will encompass 4,700 acres, including 2,000 acres dedicated to conservation, and feature a 19-mile trail network with a public access point to the 13-mile Green Ribbon Trail along the St. Marys River. The full build-out of the Garden District is planned for about 4,100 homes.
Amenities include the Oak Hammock center with a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, playground and the Gear Shed, which offers bikes and recreational equipment for residents and the public. The district also includes land for a 53-acre county park and a future elementary school.
Nassau County’s Development Review Committee began reviewing plans for residential developments in the Garden District on Feb. 25.
The homebuilders are Ashton Woods, David Weekley Homes, Perry Homes and Toll Brothers.
• Atlanta-based Ashton Woods, one of the nation’s largest private homebuilders, also operates subsidiary Starlight Homes. Ashton Woods announced it was coming to the Jacksonville area in 2023, but has not opened any communities, according to its website.
• Houston-based David Weekley Homes has operated in Northeast Florida for 24 years.
• Perry Homes, also from Houston, has projects in Pot St. Lucie, Sarasota, Tampa and Northeast Florida.
• Toll Brothers is a Fortune 500 company that builds in more than 60 markets in 24 states. It has multiple projects in Northeast Florida.
The first Garden District neighborhood, Bellflower, by Toll Brothers and Perry Homes, will be on 50-, 60- and 70-foot lots.
David Weekley Homes and Ashton Woods will introduce additional neighborhoods, Woodlyn and Mayfield, with homes on 40- to 60-foot lots.
“The Garden District represents the evolution of the Wildlight story, with a stronger connection to the natural environment,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight in a release.
“We sought out builders who not only create exceptional homes but also understand our vision for a community where nature is an integral part of daily life. This new district will provide residents and the public with unparalleled access to nature and a way of life that is truly unique to Wildlight.”
The first model homes are expected to open in mid-2026, with more neighborhoods and builders to be announced.
Wildlight is being developed by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust.