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The new YMCA at Wildlight has opened its doors and we’re so excited to give you a look at some of the amazing programs and perks available for Wildlight residents!

“We’re ready to welcome the community into our facility, support them as they reach their health and wellness goals, connect them to other resources and invite them to join our cause,” said Melissa, Operations Director of YMCA at Wildlight.

One of the biggest benefits of the new YMCA is its convenient, walkable location.

“You can literally live and walk right across the street from the Y and then go out on our trails. Everything is just integrated,” said Wes Hinton, Wildlight’s VP of Community Development. “UF Health has been a great partner in bringing the Y here. It’s just a huge benefit to our residents.”

Check out the video to learn more!

WILDLIGHT, FLA. (July 15, 2021) – Wildlight’s two newest and highly anticipated restaurant and retail concepts – Añejo Mexicana Cocina and The Decantery – are opening its doors this July following additional months of preparation and staff training. The two establishments will join the cohesive mix of hospitality and lifestyle services at Wildlight’s Village Center.

Opening July 19, Añejo Cocina Mexicana will be the first restaurant at Wildlight’s Village Center with a full-service model that provides guests with a table service dining experience. Añejo at Wildlight, the third of its kind following the Brooklyn and Ponte Vedra locations, is a family-owned restaurant that occupies 3, 700 sq. ft. accommodating 180 guests indoor and 54 guests for its outdoor area, which includes an open-air bar and covered patio.

“Being able to share the Mexican culture and heritage through food while providing exceptional service is our specialty. The staff has worked hard to prepare for this opening and we are all thrilled to begin welcoming guests,” said Blanca Valencia, owner of Añejo Cocina Mexicana. “Guests of the new location will enjoy the upbeat ambiance, design, comfortable outdoor seating, and authentic food that many know and love from our existing Añejo locations.”

Añejo’s large menu offerings range from el hefe tacos, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, and fajtas to desserts such as churros, tres leches, and fried ice cream. Each dish is crafted using fresh, made-from-scratch ingredients for authenticity and quality. Guests can choose from the fourteen margarita options listed on Añejo’s bar menu, which also includes mojitos, mules, beer, and wine.

Phase one of The Decantery is set to open on July 16, which will be its package retail store bringing a large and widely ranged selection of premium wine, beer, and spirits to meet guest preferences, and offer highly requested and favorited products. To elevate and ease the decision-making experience, The Decantery will offer guests product samples before making a purchase, allowing the store to rotate between 70 to 80 open bottles of liquor for tasting.

“With the success of our Fernandina Beach location, we’re excited to bring The Decantery to Wildlight and the Nassau County community,”  said Phelipe Goncalves, retail store manager of The Decantery. “The store will be an ideal spot for all adult beverage needs, featuring staple products and brands as well as niche ones.”

Like the one enjoyed by many at its original location in Fernandina Beach, The Decantery at Wildlight will also feature a state-of-the-art wine dispensary that showcases eight varietals of rotating wines. Guests have the opportunity to sign-up for a wine loyalty card that tracks and maintains personal wine preferences, favorites, and previous purchases. Cardholders are able to load with their desired amount, insert the card into the dispensary, select a wine and pour amount, and sip while shopping.

“The Decantery and Añejo offer well-recognized hospitality and guest experiences, both establishments are excellent additions in building Wildlight’s growing community and lifestyle,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight.

Añejo is located at 40 Homegrown Way and The Decantery is located at 20 Homegrown Way in Yulee, Florida. Phase two of The Decantery’s opening will include a craft cocktail bar and lounge expected to open November 2021. The two new establishments join Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Great Clips, Cold Stone Creamery, Firehouse Subs, and Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries in Wildlight’s Village Center constructed by Skinner Bros. Realty.

About Wildlight

Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes

and rental apartments together with shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of trails and pathways intended to make it healthy and walkable and connect it all together. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes across about 260 acres plus nearly 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight will offer comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living 20 miles north of Jacksonville, just east of Interstate 95 on A1A, with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information, please visit www.wildlight.com.

About The Decantery

The Decantery, located in historic downtown Fernandina Beach is the island’s premier wine, craft beer and cocktail lounge. In addition to an exceptional, rare and unique wine selection, The Decantery offers delectable homemade desserts and accoutrements. Our state-of-the-art wine dispensing machines paired with an inviting and comfortable ambiance gives guests a unique imbibing experience. All wines can be enjoyed in our lounge or are available for package or purchase.

About Añejo Cocina Mexicana

Our main goal at Añejo Cocina Mexicana is to provide customers with the best Añejo dining experience. This is possible with the help of our highly trained staff and friendly atmosphere. We want all our customers to leave our restaurant with a big smile, knowing that Añejo will be waiting to provide them with the best time.

PulteGroup to Join Riverside Homes in Phase Two Build-Out

WILDLIGHT, Fla. – June 16, 2021 – Raydient Places + Properties announced today that PulteGroup, the nation’s third largest homebuilder, has been selected as the newest homebuilder for Wildlight. PulteGroup will bring 85 single-family homes to phase two of Forest Park, joining Mattamy Homes and Riverside Homes. In addition, Riverside Homes will expand its current offerings in Forest Park by building over 40 additional homes in Wildlight’s second neighborhood.

“With PulteGroup’s notable success in the Northeast Florida community, we are delighted in welcoming them on board to Wildlight,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight. “Additionally, Riverside Homes has been an exceptional partner and we are looking forward to both homebuilders expanding phase two of Forest Park.”

Earlier this year, PulteGroup announced it will be building a Del Webb active adult community in Wildlight slated to open early 2022. The gated luxe neighborhood will offer well-designed floor plans with active and resort-style amenities for exploration and recreation spanning approximately six acres. Exclusively for adults 55 and older, residents will enjoy Del Webb at Wildlight’s amenities including a 12,000-square-foot amenity center, a resort-style and lap pool, tennis and pickleball courts, 10 miles of walking trails, and a dog park, to name a few.

“Based on the significant growth in Nassau County and the tremendous success of Wildlight, we expect strong home buyer interest for our newest offering at Wildlight,” said Tony Nason, vice president of operations at PulteGroup’s North Florida Division. “Wildlight is a wonderful community for families of all ages to live with beautiful homesites, exceptional amenities and convenient access to excellent schools, employment centers, entertainment and outdoor recreation.”

Pulte Homes in phase two of Wildlight’s Forest Park will embody Wildlight’s overall Florida Lowcountry and coastal aesthetic. Each of the consumer-inspired homes will showcase design characteristics such as flexible indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, Smart Home technology, innovative work and study from home options and interactive design tools to create a personalized home layout. Featuring one and two-story floor plans with up to five bedrooms and four baths and ranging in size from approximately 1,700 to 3,200+ square feet. Pulte Homes will start in the low $300s, equipped with sustainable and energy-efficient systems.

Locally owned, Riverside Homes was founded by visionaries Chris Wood and Matt Roberts who have a combined two decades of experience in the Jacksonville market. Riverside Homes will continue to offer their thoughtfully designed floor plans ranging from approximately 2,500 to 3,700 square feet on larger manor home lots, offering desirable preserve and lake views. Home designs will highlight the spirit of the original Florida and the surrounding lush landscape through features such as high ceilings, sweeping front porches, expansive lanais, and large windows. The Riverside Homes prices will range from the $500s.

“With the success of our homesites in the first phase of Forest Park, we are excited to continue our partnership with Wildlight by offering many of the same popular floor plans, including our award-winning Ortega plan,” shared Chris Wood, principal of Riverside Homes.

Riverside Homes is expected to begin construction of new homes in fall 2021. PulteGroup is expected to begin construction on model homes in August with plans to open for sales by fall 2021.

About Wildlight
Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes

and rental apartments together with shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of trails and pathways intended to make it healthy and walkable and connect it all together. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes across about 260 acres plus nearly 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight will offer comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living 20 miles north of Jacksonville, just east of Interstate 95 on A1A, with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information, please visit www.wildlight.com.

About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in more than 40 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup’s purpose is building incredible places where people can live their dreams. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, visit pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com; www.divosta.com; www.jwhomes.com; and www.americanwesthomes.com.

About Riverside Homes
Riverside Homes, the official builder of the Southern Living Idea House on Crane Island, is a locally owned homebuilder that is committed to providing exceptional value, quality and innovative designs that homeowners are looking for. As an award-winning homebuilder, Riverside Homes was recently selected as one of Jacksonville Magazine‘s Companies with Heart, named a winner in Jacksonville Magazine’s 2021 The Best of Homes, Gardens and Real Estate Readers Poll, and the recipient of many other awards and accolades. Riverside Homes is currently building in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, St. Johns and Fleming Island. For more information about Riverside Homes, call 904-530-4720 or visit www.myriversidehome.com.

Every Wildlight builder brings something special to our floco community. For Matt Roberts and Chris Wood, co-managing partners of Riverside Homes, it’s a commitment to customer satisfaction and beautiful home designs with luxurious touches.

“We focus on our customers’ experience, and also the process that we’re building from start to finish, even after they move into the home,” Wood said.

What can you expect when you step inside a Riverside home?

“When we design our product type and what amenities we want to have inside of it—the taller ceilings, the attention to detail, the crown molding—some of the finer appointments you don’t see in most neighborhoods like this.”

Why buy a Riverside home in Wildlight?

“Location, location, location. That’s what real estate is about,” Roberts said. “To me it’s a no-brainer. I think this is an outstanding community and has a great future.”

Interested in touring a Riverside home? Visit our Move-in-Soon inventory to see what’s available!

This is the third post in our UF Health Wildlight series. Throughout this series, we’ll be interviewing various UF Health professionals about services and wellness practices that can help our residents live their healthiest lives.

As we’ve learned from our previous two UF Health Series posts, The UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight team offers a unique tri-disciplinary approach to pediatric therapy services.

We’ve seen how Physical Therapist Jessie Walczak and her team work with children on movement. We talked with Speech-Language Pathologist Ashley Parker about how she and her team help children with speech delays learn to communicate. Today, we’re pleased to introduce Shannon Taylor, an occupational therapist who helps children improve fine motor skills, sensory processing and daily life skills.

Could Occupational Therapy Help Your Child?

“Pure magic” is a term Shannon Taylor, an occupational therapist at UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight, has heard parents use to describe the gains their children make from therapy. Many children enter therapy unable to perform basic daily living tasks, such as getting dressed, self-feeding or brushing their teeth, and go on to master those skills and many more that facilitate independence of daily activities at home and school.

“Being an occupational therapist is a very rewarding career. I get to see children on a day-to-day basis make progress, whether big or small,” Taylor said.

Behaviors related to sensory processing difficulties, self-care delays and fine motor deficits can leave parents with many questions and concerns. An occupational therapy evaluation may be warranted if a parent is noticing that their child is having difficulty with any of the following areas below. It is important to talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about your child’s development.

o Difficulty dressing, fastening buttons and tying shoelaces

o Using silverware or straws at an age appropriate level

o Using zippers

o Holding a bottle and moving toys from one hand to another by 5 months old

o Banging two objects together and holding a spoon by 9 months old

o Pointing with an index finger by 9 to 12 months old

o Using thumb and finger to pick up objects by 12 months old

o Coloring and tracing

o Difficulty holding a pencil

o Holding and manipulating toys

o Letter and number formation

o Poor handwriting

o Using scissors

o Constantly moving, jumping and crashing

o Demonstrating sensitivities to touch, taste, sound or movement

o Difficulty coping with change

o Easily distracted

Pediatric occupational therapy can provide personalized services to children from birth to teenage years. They use age-appropriate, purposeful activities to minimize the effects of diseases, injuries, congenital defects, disabilities or developmental delays so the child can live and learn to his or her full potential.

In addition to occupational therapy, UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight offers physical and speech therapy. Many kids who have significant developmental delays benefit from two and sometimes all three disciplines. The specialists work together to give patients and families a customized treatment plan to help meet their needs.

To learn more about pediatric physical therapy services at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight, please visit their website at wildlight.ufhealthjax.org or call 904.427.8300.

This is the second post in our UF Health Wildlight series. Throughout this series, we’ll be interviewing various UF Health professionals about services and wellness practices that can help our residents live their healthiest lives.

In our last UF Health Series blog post, we learned from Pediatric Physical Therapist Jessie Walczak about how the UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight team helps children move more confidently. Today, we’re introducing Ashley Parker, a pediatric speech-language pathologist whose focus is empowering children with speech delays to unlock their inner voice.

Does Your Child Need Speech Therapy?

Every night for the last three years, a local mom put her son to bed and said, “Love you, love you, love you.” He was old enough to speak, but wasn’t able to respond. After a month of speech therapy, he looked at his mom and said, “Love you, love you, love you” right back.

For Ashley Parker, a pediatric speech-language pathologist at UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight, stories such as these remind her that her career is more than science — it’s work that comes from the heart.

“When I hear things like that, not just as a therapist, but also as a mom, it keeps me going,” Parker said.

Parker works with children with speech difficulties. They might have trouble speaking, deciding which words to say or understanding the meaning of some words. Parker also helps children with feeding, swallowing and behavior difficulties.

One of the early signs of a speech disorder in children is not babbling by the time they are 6 months old. Examples of babble sounds are “bababa,” “ahhh,” “uhhh” and “ehhh.” By the time a baby is 12 to 13 months old, they should have at least one word they use consistently for an item, even if it isn’t the correct word, such as saying “baba” for bottle. They should also be able to understand a one-step direction and point to things they see or want.

By 18 months, toddlers should have a minimum of 10 words in their vocabulary, with the average child having around 50 words. Parents should look for their child to be learning new words consistently, both receptively and expressively, and talk to their pediatrician for a speech therapy referral if they have concerns about their child’s development.

Children 3 years and older should have appropriate speech articulation, or how well their words are understood. Some speech sound errors are age appropriate at age 3, like saying /w/ for /r/ as in “wace” for “race.” Consulting with a speech-language pathologist can give a parent a good idea of whether or not their child’s speech clarity is appropriate for their age.

In addition to speech therapy, UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight offers occupational and physical therapy. Many kids who have significant developmental delays benefit from two, and sometimes all three, disciplines. The specialists work together to give patients and families a customized treatment plan to help meet their needs.

To learn more about pediatric physical therapy services at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight, please visit their website at wildlight.ufhealthjax.org or call 904.427.8300.

Welcome to the first post in our UF Health Wildlight series! Throughout this series, we’ll be interviewing various UF Health professionals about services and wellness practices that can help our residents live their healthiest lives.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Jessie Walczak, a pediatric physical therapist at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight. See how she and her team are working alongside Wildlight families to help their children move around with more confidence.

Could Your Child Benefit from Physical Therapy?

Children need to feel comfortable and confident moving about their homes, at school and in social settings. Physical therapy techniques help children with gross motor skill challenges gain more independence through movement.

Pediatric physical therapy can help families and children with a variety of concerns, such as delays in development, muscle weakness, poor coordination or balance, genetic disorders and other conditions such as cerebral palsy. In physical therapy, children are engaged with fun and age-appropriate activities to keep them motivated, while assisting them with reaching their goals.

Signs that indicate physical therapy could be beneficial:

    • 2 months: holding their head up during tummy time
    • 4 months: holding their head up in supported sitting, bringing hands to mouth and pushing up on elbows when in tummy time
    • 6 months: rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy consistently, sitting up without support and reaching for toys/items and bringing them to their mouth
    • 8–10 months: crawling on all fours—any variation in crawling or pulling up to stand at support surfaces are reasons to seek physical therapy intervention
    • 12–15 months: taking independent steps

To learn more about pediatric physical therapy services at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight, please visit their website at wildlight.ufhealthjax.org or call 904.427.8300.

Jonathan and Crystal Boswell knew just where to find the perfect neighborhood to raise their two daughters and enjoy being part of a close-knit community: Floco!

“Floco, to us, means Lowcountry living. More front porch living, community involvement, and the style of homes also represents that same feel,” Jonathan said.

Between the convenient commute to work, the short walk to Wildlight Elementary School and the miles of nature trails, the couple felt that Wildlight’s location couldn’t be beat. But there’s one thing that really stood out to them the most.

“Front porch living is one of the biggest differences within this community that we’ve seen,” Crystal said.

“Growing up, I had grandparents that always had [a front porch] but we never did,” Jonathan said. “Now on Sunday mornings, we’ll get our cup of coffee, go out on the front porch and enjoy the sunrise or in the evenings we’ll enjoy the sunset.”

Coming from a neighborhood where Jonathan described the community space as “non-existent,” the Boswells couldn’t be happier with their decision to move to Wildlight.

“The community feel is just bar none better than any place we’ve been before.’

WILDLIGHT, Fla. – March 3, 2021 – Three new restaurant and retail concepts are set to open in Skinner Bros. Realty’s multi-tenant retail complex in Wildlight this spring. The three new tenants join a cohesive mix of hospitality and lifestyle services at Wildlight’s Village Center.

“We are excited to continue the momentum at Wildlight by welcoming three well-known establishments to this growing community’s Village Center,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Bros. Realty. “The goal of our commercial projects has always been to strengthen Wildlight’s appeal by providing a place for residents and community members to gather together.”

First, Firehouse Subs, founded locally in Jacksonville, Florida, more than 25 years ago, is in the final build-out stages of opening its new restaurant at Wildlight. The corporate-owned location will occupy 2,100 sq. ft. of space in Skinner Bros. Realty’s second retail building and is tentatively set to open March 2021. Consistently ranked one of America’s Favorite Sandwich Chains, Firehouse Subs serves premium meats and cheeses steamed and piled high on a toasted sub roll, served “Fully Involved ®” with fresh produce and condiments.

“We are looking forward to opening up our doors to the up-and-coming Wildlight community and welcoming new and returning guests in Wildlight,” said Kristen Akel, Firehouse Subs Director of Real Estate Services. “The restaurant will feature the brand’s Restaurant of the Future design with enhancements made to provide a better Firehouse Subs experience for guests and employees, such as a new back-of-the-house design, a large outdoor seating area covered with ceiling fans in addition to elements and decor that prominently display how our brand gives back to the community.”

Next, The Decantery, a Historic Fernandina Beach favorite, will be opening a second location in the former AT&T building at Wildlight through a multi-phase approach beginning April 2021. During the initial phase, The Decantery will be opening a package retail store that will allow guests an opportunity to purchase packaged products from our large selection of premium wine and spirits. The second phase, estimated to open in September 2021, will incorporate the Decantery’s premier wine, craft beer, and cocktail lounge.

“Through an inviting and comfortable ambiance, the Decantery offers guests a unique imbibing experience to enjoy a specialty handcrafted cocktail, wine by the glass from our state-of-the-art wine machine, or a bottle of wine to share from our exceptional and unique wine selection, along with our signature homemade desserts and accoutrements,” Wes Sheffield President/CEO Amelia Island Hospitality Group.” With the success of our first location in Fernandina Beach, we knew we wanted to expand this concept in Northeast Florida. We are thrilled to bring a second Decantery to Wildlight residents and the greater community.”

Finally, family-owned restaurant Añejo Cocina Mexicana will bring fresh, from-scratch dishes and an upbeat atmosphere to the area, expanding from its current Ponte Vedra Beach location and new planned location in the Brooklyn neighborhood near downtown Jacksonville. Anejo Cocina Mexicana will occupy 3,700 sq. ft. with an open-air, outdoor bar and covered patio and is set to open in May.

Skinner Bros. Realty began construction on the commercial complex located at 40 Homegrown Way in early 2020 and finished development in September 2020. The new mixed-use building is an extension of The Village Center’s first multi-tenant complex that opened early 2019, adding 11,670 square feet of additional retail and restaurant space. These new establishments join Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Great Clip’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries.

“We are very pleased to continue working with Skinner Bros. Realty on the expansion of Wildlight’s Village Center,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “Skinner Bros. Realty’s vast experience and success in developing and managing retail projects of this kind have helped shape the Wildlight experience for our residents and the community at large. We look forward to welcoming all residents and visitors to these new establishments this spring.”

WILDLIGHT, Fla. – Feb. 24, 2021Raydient Places + Properties today announced Sleiman Enterprises, one of Florida’s premier retail development companies, will develop a Publix grocery store at the new Crossings at Wildlight shopping center in Wildlight. Publix will anchor the centrally located retail center and serve as the first grocery store in the community.

“At the heart of our leasing strategy is to provide our communities with necessary and high-quality goods and services,” said Michael McNaughton, Chief Operating Officer. “Grocery anchored neighborhood retail is the cornerstone to healthy vibrant communities and so important to sustain and, ultimately, strengthen them. We know our shoppers will be as excited as we are when Publix opens at Crossings at Wildlight. We’re equally excited Publix will serve as a catalyst for future growth and infrastructure in the area creating a center that will incorporate both the needed goods and services for the area coupled with dining and other lifestyle opportunities to enhance the fantastic Wildlight community.”

The Crossings at Wildlight shopping center sits at the corner of FL-200 (AIA) and William Burgess Boulevard in Yulee. The Crossings development encompasses nearly 90,000 square feet on just under 17 acres. The site will also include three multi-tenant retail buildings, two single or multi-tenant buildings and up to three outparcels. Construction is expected to begin by March 1st with completion planned for Spring 2022.

“We are excited to announce our newest Publix location in Nassau County located in the Crossings at Wildlight shopping center in Yulee, Florida,” said Chris Norberg, Community Relations Manager for Publix’s Jacksonville Division. “The opening of this new and convenient location will give us the opportunity to continue providing legendary service to our wonderful customers both old and new.”

Wildlight is the new town under development in Nassau County with a rich mixture of businesses and amenities. The new Publix builds on Wildlight’s latest developments including the opening of its second neighborhood, Forest Park, as well as that of UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight Center, which includes a state-of-the-art YMCA. Earlier this year, Wildlight also announced that PulteGroup will be building a Del Webb active adult neighborhood within the community.

“We are thrilled to welcome Publix to Wildlight as the community’s first retail food store,” said Chris Corr, President of Raydient Places + Properties. “Adding an award-winning supermarket with quality products and legendary customer service has been at the top of our priority list. We know the new store and shopping center will greatly serve our residents and the larger community for years to come.”