WILDLIGHT, FL. – June 4, 2020 – Today, Raydient Places + Properties announced the opening of a new, expansive recreational trails system in Wildlight. Spanning more than 10 miles, the system brings additional natural and healthy living amenities to the Nassau County community including pathways, parks and scenic observation sites. The network of trails will launch in two phases with the first phase currently open to residents and the general public.
“Wildlight was designed to set a new standard for well-being and healthy living by creating a closer relationship between community and the natural environment,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “The extensive trails network brings together active lifestyles and outdoor recreation with the richness of Florida Lowcountry that is distinctly unique to Nassau County. As another wellness amenity, it furthers our vision to enhance walkability and the area’s quality of life through easily accessible outdoor and wellness resources.”
Beginning at the intersection of Wildlight Avenue and State Road 200, the trails system features various paved, gravel and natural routes that link neighborhoods, amenities, school systems, local businesses and shopping areas in Wildlight. The network’s first phase to open features more than six miles of trails across five different routes. The routes and loops range from less than a half-mile to nearly three miles in length and are designated on public lands maintained by the East Nassau Stewardship District. Once completed, the second phase of the system will bring more than four additional miles of trails to the community.
The expansive system’s curvilinear routes offer views of changing landscapes ranging from the surrounding Florida Lowcountry-inspired neighborhoods to natural wetlands. Its moderate terrain is ideal for all skill levels of walking, hiking and biking activities. Scenic overlooks for wildlife observation and picnic areas have also been created along the pathways to allow for moments to enjoy recreational activities and programming.
UF Health Jacksonville and White Oak strategically collaborated with the Wildlight development team to design the trails network, which also includes interpretive learning opportunities.
“We are proud to have collaborated with Wildlight on its new trails system,” said Brandy Carvalho, development & sustainability manager of White Oak. “The system will be a lasting legacy for the community and help further our conservation mission in Nassau County by educating the public about the compatibility of neighborhoods and nature. It also gives opportunities for those of all ages and interests to enjoy outdoor recreation amid wildlife in a natural environment.”
“The trails network is just one of the essential elements that Wildlight has established in order to create a health-conscious community focused on well-being,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “One of the intentional aspects of the network is its connection to the First Coast YMCA at Wildlight that is scheduled to open by the end of the year. We also plan to utilize the network as another way to promote our mission to make healthy living a top priority and easily accessible across all of Northeast Florida.”
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 Wildlight.com.
WILDLIGHT, FL – February 3, 2020 – Skinner Bros. Realty is continuing expansion at Wildlight with a new multi-tenant retail complex that will bring additional retail, restaurant and specialty service offerings to the area’s Village Center. This is the third overall building development and second multi-tenant retail complex in Wildlight by the Jacksonville-based real estate developers. The building is slated for completion in August 2020 and will continue to advance the community’s growth and progression.
“We’re thrilled to welcome several new high-quality and convenient shopping, dining and specialty services to the rapidly growing Wildlight community,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Bros. Realty. “Our second multi-tenant retail complex will contribute to the four years of continued work in Nassau County, joining a well-rounded selection of businesses already established in the area such as Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries, Cold Stone Creamery, AT&T and more.”
Skinners Bros. Realty submitted a preliminary site plan to Nassau County’s Development Review Committee in September 2019, with construction having begun in January 2020. The 11,640-square-foot mixed-use building is located on State Road 200, just east of the community’s main entrance, and will serve as an extension of the Wildlight Village Center’s current offerings. Inspired by the community’s Florida Lowcountry architecture and outdoor-living approach, the complex’s exterior will maintain the unique authenticity of the culture, lifestyle and heritage. The development will feature simple lines, native Florida landscaping and a color palette to complement the community’s natural surroundings.
This retail complex will bring additional lifestyle-focused businesses and services within walking distance to about 600 homes and apartments in Wildlight. Anejo Cocina Mexicana restaurant will anchor the complex and take up 3,700 square feet, leaving 1,800 square feet to Dep Nails & Spa and 6,140 square feet to lease up. The remaining tenant spaces are broken up between 1,200 and 2,500 square feet. In the coming months, developers hope to announce additional businesses to round out the already confirmed restaurant and specialty services spaces.
“We are pleased to continue working with Skinner Bros. Realty on the expansion of Wildlight,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “We have secured a solid foundation of retail shops, restaurants and sought-after services that will support the community’s recent growth and demand, as well as help attract additional unique, local and regional tenants.”
Looking ahead, Skinner Bros. Realty is planning three additional developments composed of single-tenant and multi-tenant buildings at Wildlight’s Village Center. Other community developments in the area slated to open this year include Fairfield Inn & Suites, The Lofts at Wildlight, St. Clare Early Learning Center and Yulee KinderCare.
About Skinner Bros. Realty
Skinner Bros. Realty Company, established in January 1999, is a developer, investor, owner and manager of retail, office and mixed-use properties. The firm specializes in acquisition, planning, permitting, development and marketing of real estate as well as the representation of individual and corporate clients in the search for premier business locations.
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. Wildlight offers 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 Wildlight.com.
The Jacksonville-based real estate developer offers experiences and spaces inspired by Wildlight’s Florida Lowcountry architecture and outdoor-living approach
WILDLIGHT, FL – July 18, 2019 – Skinner Bros. Realty is expanding at Wildlight with an additional multi-tenant retail complex and standalone business development that will continue to transform the area’s Village Center. Having opened Wildlight’s first retail complex this year, the Jacksonville-based real estate developers are continuing to focus on the community’s growth with the introduction of its second multi-tenant retail complex, slated for completion in summer 2020.
“We want to continue the momentum in Nassau County and Wildlight by delivering an innovative and unique environment that will shape the community’s experience and convenient lifestyle,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Bros. Realty. “We hope that our commercial complexes will not only provide a place for residents and community members to gather, but also serve as an example for other master-planned developments within the city.”
Skinners Bros. Realty submitted a preliminary site plan to Nassau County’s Development Review Committee in June 2019, with construction for the second multitenant building starting in late fall 2019. The developers envision the next 10,400-sq. ft. mixed-use building as an extension of the first multi-tenant complex, complete with an outdoor courtyard and covered dining area that serves as a public leisure space and link between the two buildings. Embodying Wildlight’s Florida Lowcountry architecture and design, both developments will feature simple lines, native Florida landscaping and exterior color palettes that complement the community’s natural surroundings. The first complex has already signed on a variety of lifestyle-focused tenants, including Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Great Clip’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Tasty’s Fresh Burgers & Fries. In the coming months, developers hope to announce additional businesses to round out the shopping and restaurant spaces.
“We are very pleased to continue working with Skinner Bros. Realty on the expansion of Wildlight,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “We have created a special experience for the community with a modern aesthetic and design that aligns with Wildlight’s Florida Lowcountry ambiance and architecture. Our recent and upcoming developments will continue to transform and bring this area to another level that will serve locals, future residents and those traveling from afar.”
In addition to the two multi-tenant complexes at Wildlight’s Village Center, Skinner Bros. Realty is overseeing the development of Heartland Dental, slated to open at the end of 2019. While not led by Skinner Bros. Realty, other community developments in the area that are slated to open in the next year include the First Federal Bank Wildlight branch, UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight, Fairfield Inn & Suites and KinderCare® Learning Centers’ Yulee location.
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About Skinner Bros. Realty Skinner Bros. Realty Company, established in January 1999, is a developer, investor, owner and manager of retail, office and mixed-use properties. The firm specializes in acquisition, planning, permitting, development and marketing of real estate as well as the representation of individual and corporate clients in the search for premier business locations.
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 businesses, shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of connecting trails and pathways intended to promote a walkable community and healthy lifestyle. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes throughout 260 acres, approximately. In addition, the community will have approximately 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight offers comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living located 20 miles north of Jacksonville and just east of Interstate-95 on A1A. There is 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 Wildlight.com.
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Initial renderings of Skinner Bros. Realty’s Wildlight Retail Building ‘C’. Renderings are subject to change. Images provided courtesy of Skinner Bros. Realty.
WILDLIGHT, FL – April 25, 2019 – Today, Raydient Places + Properties announced that KinderCare® Learning Centers is building a more than 10,000-sq. ft. early childhood education and care facility in Wildlight, the new town under development in Nassau County. The Yulee KinderCare center will serve more than 100 children between the ages six weeks to 12 years old when the center opens in late 2019.
“At KinderCare, everything we do is designed for learning,” said District Leader Nora Bergeon-Capps. “We believe that when a parent drops their child off at one of our centers, they’re ensuring that their child is in a safe, nurturing education program that will provide a strong foundation for learning. We believe every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education and care, which is why we’re excited to join the new Wildlight community in Yulee.”
In 1969, the first KinderCare opened its doors in Alabama with a singular calling: to help hardworking families pursue their personal and professional dreams. Today, KinderCare is a nationwide community of passionate teachers and staff striving to make each child’s potential shine, imparting a lifelong love of learning and helping children build confidence for life. The Yulee KinderCare center will include nine total classrooms, a full-size gym and fully-equipped outdoor playground.
“We are excited to welcome KinderCare® Learning Centers to Wildlight as the community’s first child care provider,” said Chris Corr, President, Raydient Places + Properties. “The Yulee KinderCare center will provide the community’s growing number of families with high-quality learning and child care that directly aligns with our fundamental values and will.”
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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 businesses, shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of connecting trails and pathways intended to promote a walkable community and healthy lifestyle. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes throughout 260 acres, approximately. In addition, the community will have approximately 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight offers comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living located 20 miles north of Jacksonville and just east of Interstate-95 on A1A. There is 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 Wildlight.com.
About KinderCare® Learning Centers KinderCare Learning Centers is America’s largest, most accredited child care provider, serving more than 165,000 children every day at more than 1,380 centers. For 50 years, we’ve been creating safe, encouraging environments where kids can learn, grow and build confidence for life. At KinderCare, hardworking families are family—regardless of needs, backgrounds, and experiences.
To learn more, visit us online at KinderCare, on Facebook or on Instagram. For resources, information, and activity ideas for parents and teachers of young children please visit KinderCare.com/blog. In 2018, Rainbow Child Care Centers joined the KinderCare family. Learn more about Rainbow.
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Rendering of of KinderCare Learning Center’s Wildlight location is provided by KinderCare Education. All renderings are subject to change
WILDLIGHT, FL – Feb. 14, 2019 – Today, Raydient Places + Properties announced that Impact Properties will develop a Marriott-branded hotel in Wildlight, the new town under construction in Nassau County. The Marriott-branded hotel will be the first hotel to open in Wildlight.
With over 60,000 square feet and up to 105 guest rooms, the hotel at Wildlight will provide a full range of services for business and vacation travelers alike. It will offer a refreshing and stylish take on the travel experience with modern, upscale décor, premium food and beverage venues and a variety of wellness options.
Amenities such as a convenient 24-hour market, dedicated business center, state-of-the-art fitness center and outdoor spaces such as a fire pit and pool area will cater to every guest’s needs and create the perfect stay.
“We are delighted to bring one of Marriott’s powerful brand names to Wildlight,” said Kish Kanji, Executive VP of Impact Properties. “Partnering with Marriott on this project will enable us to deliver a truly unique guest experience for visitors to and residents of Northeast Florida. As this region continues to grow and expand, having an established hotel in the heart of the Florida Lowcountry will further attract future business travelers and vacationers to the area.”
Impact Properties, a Tampa-based full-service investment, operating and development company, will develop, own and manage the hotel at Wildlight. Impact has been a leading operator of major national franchise brands in the hotel, restaurant, and retail industries for the past 30 years and currently owns 57 locations across the Southeast with an additional 16 locations under development.
“Marriott’s strong brand recognition and dedication to innovation makes it the perfect fit for Wildlight,” said Chris Corr, President, Raydient Places + Properties. “We are excited to provide a modern, upscale hotel for future visitors, located within easy driving distance to the best of Northeast Florida, such as Amelia Island and Jacksonville’s evolving urban core.”
Construction is expected to begin by late-2019 with completion planned for 2020. Terms of the sale have not been disclosed.
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About WildlightWildlight 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 businesses, shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of connecting trails and pathways intended to promote a walkable community and healthy lifestyle. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes throughout 260 acres, approximately. In addition, the community will have approximately 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight offers comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living located 20 miles north of Jacksonville and just east of Interstate-95 on A1A. There is 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 Wildlight.com.
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Rendering of Wildlight’s future hotel is provided by Impact Properties. All renderings are subject to change.
WILDLIGHT, FL – Jan. 23, 2019 – Wildlight, the new town being developed in Nassau County, is taking shape with residents moving in, commercial buildings under construction and exciting events going on for the greater community. The community’s distinctive Florida Lowcountry aesthetic is coming to life through its residential architecture.
Raydient Places & Properties, the developer of Wildlight, is working with three home builders, D.S Ware Homes, Dream Finders Homes and Dostie Homes, to design and build single family homes and townhomes inspired by the Florida Lowcountry’s character, culture and pattern of living. All three homebuilders are following Wildlight’s Pattern Book to build homes inspired by 19th century, southern architecture, but with a forward-leaning, more-contemporary perspective. Florida Lowcountry’s timeless design is characterized by large front porches, simple lines, native Florida landscaping and exterior color palettes that tie directly to the community’s natural surroundings.
Wildlight’s first homebuilder, D.S. Ware Homes, recently opened its second model home, the Willow. The new model is 1,866 sq. ft. with three bedrooms, two baths, and a covered patio. Much like D.S. Ware’s first model home in Wildlight, the River Birch, the Willow features high ceilings, large windows and a front porch, perfect for Lowcountry living. Base price for the Willow is $309,900.
Dream Finders Homes will hold a grand opening for its first two model homes on Wednesday, Jan. 23, for interested individuals to tour the Augusta II and Anderson models. The Augusta II model is a two-story plan with 2,776 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor living space. This home features four bedrooms, three bathrooms with grand double porches on the front of the home that capture the essence of Florida Lowcountry living. Base price for the Augusta II model is $344,990. The Anderson model is also a two-story plan, but with 2,862 sq. ft. and four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms. Base price for the Anderson model is $367,990.
Dostie Homes has broken ground on its first townhome model in Wildlight called the Charleston featuring one of the renowned builder’s all-new floor plans with 2,015 sq. ft., four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Small, fenced rear yards with covered lanais also provide a sense of privacy, which is not typical of townhome living. Pricing for the townhomes start at $230,000. Dostie will also be building single family homes on 70-foot wide manor homesites with square footage ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 sq. ft.
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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 businesses, shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of connecting trails and pathways intended to promote a walkable community and healthy lifestyle. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes throughout 260 acres, approximately. In addition, the community will have approximately 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight offers comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living located 20 miles north of Jacksonville and just east of Interstate-95 on A1A. There is 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 Wildlight.com.
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WILDLIGHT, FL. – Oct. 11, 2018 – Today, Skinner Bros. Realty announced that the Royal Amelia Dance Academy (RAD), will be the third tenant added to the real estate developer’s commercial building in Wildlight. Earlier this year, Skinner Bros. Realty purchased a three-acre parcel at the corner of Wildlight Blvd. and A1A to construct the first multi-tenant retail space for the new town in Nassau County.
“We are pleased to welcome the Royal Amelia Dance Academy to our retail complex currently under construction in Wildlight,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Brothers Reality. “The Royal Amelia Dance Academy has a long history of bringing the arts to Fernandina Beach residents. We are confident their next location’s high-quality classes and programming will appeal directly to future Wildlight residents and community members alike.
The studio in Wildlight will be RAD’s second location in Nassau County and will encompass a 1,300 sq. ft. modern industrial space with a professional dance floor, walls of mirrors and barre system. For more than 12 years, RAD has been providing a full range of dance classes, drama and musical theater instruction and acrobatics training to children, teens and adults. During the Summer, RAD also offers four one-week summer camps for children ages 4-12 to experience theater, acting, dancing, singing and art.
“The Royal Amelia Dance Academy’s mission has always been to instill a lifetime of love and appreciation for the arts within every child,” said Alexandra Carroll, artistic director and owner of the Royal Amelia Dance Academy. “By building our second studio in Wildlight, we have the opportunity to bring our passion for movement, from ballet to ballroom dancing, to even more individuals in the growing Northeast Florida community.”
In addition to RAD, the multi-tenant retail space will also include Cold Stone Creamery and Tasty’s fresh burgers and fries. The studio is expected to open next year.
About Skinner Bros. Realty
Skinner Bros. Realty Company, established in January 1999, is a developer, investor, owner and manager of retail, office and mixed-use properties. The firm specializes in acquisition, planning, permitting, development and marketing of real estate as well as the representation of individual and corporate clients in the search for premier business locations.
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 Wildlight.com.
Images for Media Distribution
Cutline: Initial rendering of Skinner Bros. Realty’s multi-tenant retail building for Wildlight. Renderings are subject to change. Images provided courtesy of Skinner Bros. Realty.
WILDLIGHT, FL. – Aug. 28, 2018 – Today, Skinner Bros. Realty announced that national ice cream chain, Cold Stone Creamery (Cold Stone), and locally-owned Tasty’s fresh burgers and fries (Tasty’s) will be the first two tenants in the real estate developer’s commercial building in Wildlight. Earlier this year, Skinner Bros. Realty purchased a three-acre parcel at the corner of Wildlight Blvd. and A1A to construct the first multi-tenant retail space for the new town in Nassau County.
“We are excited to welcome Tasty’s and Cold Stone as the first two tenants of our retail complex currently under construction in Wildlight,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Brothers Reality. “Tasty’s represents a multi-generational, family-owned restaurant with a great reputation and commitment to Nassau County. Cold Stone is a well-known national brand that fits seamlessly into Wildlight’s iconic Florida Lowcountry lifestyle. Both restaurants will be a huge draw to future residents, students, teachers, businesses and the larger Northeast Florida community.”
Cold Stone Creamery’s ice cream shop offers customers a unique experience to customize their own creations, from picking out the ice cream flavor, which is all made in-house, to mixing in toppings on the brand’s signature frozen stone. Unique to the Wildlight store, Cold Stone is co-branding with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to introduce a new concept to this area.
“Wildlight’s focus on bringing community and businesses together really appealed to us,” said Josh Davis, Co-franchisee of Cold Stone Creamery. “We are not only a national brand, but family owned and operated as well. By its very nature, Cold Stone is a family-oriented business that offers the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience to everyone. We are thrilled to be part of this growing community.”
Additionally, Tasty’s is an all-American fast casual burger restaurant known for its friendly atmosphere, great service and quality food. Locally owned and operated by Chad and Katy Dougherty, Tasty’s is the continuation of a family tradition that began when Chad’s grandmother opened Fernandina Beach’s first quintessential burger joint, “The Freezette,” in 1956.
“Following the success of our second location in Yulee, the Tasty’s team knew we wanted to continue to take our unique approach to family dining elsewhere,” said Chad Dougherty, co-owner of Tasty’s fresh burgers and fries. “After learning about Wildlight’s development, we quickly realized that the community’s location, focus on family living and high-profile business collaborations will create the kind of energetic community that we want to be a part of.”
Construction on the multi-tenant retail space began in early August. Both Tasty’s and Cold Stone are expected to open next year.
About Skinner Bros. Realty
Skinner Bros. Realty Company, established in January 1999, is a developer, investor, owner and manager of retail, office and mixed-use properties. The firm specializes in acquisition, planning, permitting, development and marketing of real estate as well as the representation of individual and corporate clients in the search for premier business locations.
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 Wildlight.com.
Images for Media Distribution
Cutline: Initial rendering of Skinner Bros. Realty’s multi-tenant retail building for Wildlight. Renderings are subject to change. Images provided courtesy of Skinner Bros. Realty.
WILDLIGHT, FL – July 26, 2018 – Today, Raydient Places + Properties announced that Jacksonville-based Dostie Homes has been selected as the third residential homebuilder in Wildlight, the new town being developed in Nassau County. Dostie Homes will build the community’s first townhomes near Wildlight Village along with single family homes.
(more…)First Coast YMCA, University of Florida, UF Health and Raydient Places + Properties collaborate to bring enhanced health and wellness resources to Northeast Florida
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – July 24, 2018 – Today, the First Coast YMCA, the University of Florida and UF Health announced their collaboration to bring the Y to Wildlight, a new town under development in Nassau County. As one of the nation’s most effective and enduring charitable organizations, the Y’s cause is to strengthen community. In the coming months, the Y will work closely with the University of Florida, UF Health and Wildlight developer Raydient Places + Properties to ensure the new Y provides a place for residents to nurture mind, body and spirit and to bridge gaps in community needs.
“The First Coast Y is dedicated to helping all Northeast Florida residents live their healthiest lives,” said YMCA of Florida’s First Coast president and CEO Eric K. Mann. “As a community carefully designed from the ground up to promote greater well-being, Wildlight is a natural fit for the Y. We are excited to combine our community-centered resources and healthy living innovations with the extensive medical capabilities from the University of Florida and UF Health to create a total wellness resource for Wildlight and effect meaningful, lasting impact across the region.”
While planning and design has yet to be finalized, the Wildlight Y is conceptualized to accommodate 25,000 square feet. Along with fitness equipment and group exercise studios to help members achieve goals, the new Y will feature an indoor track to increase movement for all ages. In addition, the Y will provide educational programs focused on making healthier choices, reclaiming good health and reducing chronic disease. A wide range of activities and group interest opportunities will also be offered to help adults and families build stronger bonds and become more connected to their community.
“From the very beginning, Wildlight was envisioned as a community that enhances the quality of life for every resident and community member,” said Charles Adams, vice president of community development for Raydient Places + Properties. “While we purposely designed Wildlight’s infrastructure and amenities to promote holistic health, we recognized the critical importance of partnering with nationally-recognized health and wellness organizations to bring their expertise to our community. We are thrilled that the First Coast Y is joining forces with UF and UF Health in Wildlight. We look forward to working together to positively impact the people who live, work and play here.”
This announcement builds on the already-established strategic health alliance between UF, UF Health and Raydient Places + Properties to create a national model for healthier communities. To bring this vision to life, UF and UF Health agreed to construct Wildlight’s first medical facility on Highway A1A, just off I-95, which will include urgent care staffed by emergency medicine faculty, primary care using a patient-centered model focused on prevention and early diagnosis, and an imaging center.
“Wellness is always at the center of our plans, in our hospitals and practices throughout Northeast Florida, so it only makes sense to include another outstanding organization dedicated to better health in the Wildlight collaboration,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., MD, MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “We’re excited about the possibilities the collaboration with the First Coast YMCA and Raydient Places + Properties will bring to the residents and others in and around Nassau County.”
The new Y is expected to open in late 2019 and will be the second Y location in Nassau County. Additional programs and details will be announced in the coming months.
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About the First Coast Y
In 2018, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is celebrating its 110th anniversary of serving the Northeast Florida community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For 110 years, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, opportunities to build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities. Learn more: www.FirstCoastYMCA.org.
About the University of Florida
The University of Florida is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state’s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853. It opened its doors in Gainesville in 1906 with 102 students. Today, it is one of the most comprehensive and academically diverse universities in the nation, with an enrollment of some 52,000 students annually. UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 170 research centers and institutes and UF offers nearly 300 graduate degree programs. Only five other universities nationwide have as many programs of study on one campus as the University of Florida.
UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities, the higher-education organization comprising the top 62 public and private institutions in North America. UF is consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities. UF has nearly 5,000 faculty members with distinguished records in teaching, research and service, including 37 Eminent Scholar chairs and 42 faculty elections to the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, or the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Awards include a Fields Medal, two Pulitzer Prizes, NASA’s top award for research, and the Smithsonian Institution’s conservation award.
About UF Health
UF Health is the Southeast’s most comprehensive academic health center. With main campuses in Gainesville and Jacksonville, UF Health includes six health colleges, nine research institutes and centers, two teaching hospitals, four specialty hospitals and a host of physician medical practices and outpatient services throughout North Central and Northeast Florida. Its mission is to promote health through outstanding and high-quality patient care, innovative and rigorous education in the health professions and biomedical sciences, and high-impact research across the spectrum of basic, translational and clinical investigation.
UF Health includes the UF colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Health Professions, and Veterinary Medicine, which has both a large animal hospital and a small animal hospital. The system also encompasses several UF research institutes and centers. The full spectrum of patient-care services are provided through UF Health Shands Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville, UF’s private, not-for-profit affiliates. UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville includes UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital. Two additional specialty hospitals, UF Health Shands Rehab Hospital and UF Health Shands Psychiatric Hospital, are also in Gainesville. UF Health Jacksonville and UF Health North Hospital are the system’s Northeast Florida hospitals. UF Health offers a network of outpatient rehabilitation centers, two home health agencies in Gainesville and Jacksonville, and more than 100 UF physician outpatient practices throughout North Central and Northeast Florida.
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 Wildlight.com.