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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, 2019Wildlight, 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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Beating the Heat FLOCO-Style
What should we thank for the charm and beauty of our Florida Lowcountry (FLOCO) architecture? Days are mostly sunny and hot, therefore some architectural elements make FLOCO homes distinctive because they were designed to beat the heat. Large high windows allow the breeze to refresh hot rooms. High ceilings create space for air to rise. Raised first floors allow air to circulate under houses for a cooling effect.

We Saved the Best for Last

The Front Porch
It blocks the hot sunlight from overheating interiors. It’s a shady place to cool off. Most importantly, it’s an outdoor living area where we connect with our community, friends, family, neighbors and the outdoors. Looking to turn your front porch into an outdoor oasis? Here’s how:

Ten Front Porch Must-Haves
1.  A rocking chair. More than one, of course. They’re the best seats in the house for melting stress, catching up and napping.
2.  A glider or porch swing—when you need to get close for cozier conversations.
3.  Sweet tea for cooling off, and tables to set your glasses within reach.
4.  A friendly, tail-wagging porch-sitting pooch. Don’t have one? Borrow the neighbor’s or adopt!
5.  Plants in pots, big and small. Try geraniums for color that pops.
6.  Fans to keep the warm air moving. Hand fans or electric will do.
7.  Bug spray to stop pesky pests from ruining your evening.
8.  Background, toe-tapping music.
9.  Light. String lights and lanterns add charming ambiance to porch-sitting evenings.
10. Finally, good company. Your neighbor, kids, mother…whoever you need to catch up with, love to talk to, or just want to sit quietly with. And sometimes, no company at all.