Mocama Wildlight to open in community’s former StoryCenter
WILDLIGHT, Fla. – January 31, 2023 – Wildlight is pleased to announce that Mocama
Beer Company will open a new satellite taproom in its mixed-use community. Occupying
2,000 square feet of space with beer taps and wine selections, the new location will
serve as a gathering place for residents of both Wildlight and greater Nassau County.
Reflecting the sophisticated, mid-century design of the historic Fernandina Beach
location, the taproom will offer ample parking along with additional outdoor space for
community events, activities and games. It is expected to open in the summer of 2023.
“From the beginning, Wildlight was created to encourage community connections
through a vibrant mix of neighborhoods, walkable trails, and dining and retail options,”
said Wes Hinton, Vice President, Wildlight. “We’re excited to offer residents a social hub
that embodies the authentic Nassau County spirit with the addition of Mocama’s
thoughtfully-designed concept.”

Mocama plans to serve its distinctive products through 12 taps, along with a curated
selection of craft beers from around the world, in a large custom bar and lounge room.
Unique to this location, an enhanced wine program offers an expanded collection from
varying regions available by the glass, bottle or to go. Outdoor seating areas will play
host to festivals, culinary events and live music ideal for families and guests of all ages.
Future plans for the taproom include the addition of Mocama Coffee.
“We hope to create a welcoming space for friends to gather and drink great beer,” said
Dan McCranie, Mocama Beer Company’s operations manager. “Our vision perfectly
aligns with the goals of Wildlight, and our new partnership allows us to serve even more
residents as we expand our Northeast Florida presence.”
About Wildlight
Wildlight is a mixed-use master-planned community inspired by a character, culture and
way of living called “Florida Lowcountry”. Approximately half of this 2,900-acre
community is devoted to green space, including parks and nature trails. The other half
features a mix of unique homes, townhomes and rental properties, as well as
businesses, shops, restaurants, schools and medical facilities, connected by trails and
walkable pathways. It is located 20 minutes from Downtown Jacksonville and Amelia
Island, just east of I-95 on A1A with easy access to Jacksonville International Airport.
Wildlight is being developed by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of
Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information please visit
www.wildlight.com.
About Mocama Beer Company
Mocama Beer Company offers an experience curated for seekers, blending classic
design, future vision, and expert attention to detail. Finding beauty in the pursuit of
perfection, the goal is to engage the senses while creating opportunities for connection.
Founded in historic Fernandina Beach, Mocama Beer Company offers a range of beers
from lagers, stouts, and “not your average” IPAs. Mocama was designed from the
ground up to have a meaningful positive impact on our communities and the
environment.
WILDLIGHT, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2022) – PulteGroup, one of the nation’s leading homebuilders, has announced plans for its newest neighborhood, Hawthorn Park, coming soon to the Wildlight community, a master-planned mixed-use development in Nassau County.
The new construction single-family home community will consist of 25 50-foot homesites and 49 bungalow-style homes with rear-loading garages. Hawthorn Park at Wildlight will embody the community’s overall Florida Lowcountry and coastal aesthetic. Development is underway and sales are anticipated to open in mid-2023.
“We are thrilled to be building on our success at Forest Park and proud to announce our next community at Wildlight, Hawthorn Park,” said Tony Nason, PulteGroup’s Northeast Florida Division President. “With Wildlight’s superb location, excellent local schools and outstanding recreation offerings combined with the value Pulte offers, we expect strong home buyer interest at Hawthorn Park.” As Wildlight’s newest neighborhood, Hawthorn Park is truly unique. Surrounded by three ponds in close proximity to the trail system, residents will have plenty of opportunities to bike, kayak and birdwatch. And although it may feel like a private sanctuary, it’s still a short bike or golf cart ride away to Wildlight’s village center with a variety of restaurants and services, including a new Publix.
“We really value our partnership with PulteGroup and are excited about the future.” said Wes Hinton, vice
president, Wildlight. “Hawthorn Park will be a unique addition to their existing Forest Park and Del Webb communities that have been so instrumental in shaping the residential landscape here at Wildlight.”
Hawthorn Park is a welcomed addition to Wildlight’s initial phase, consisting of 2,900 acres with a mix of residential homesites, multi-family apartments, an expansive town center including a new Publix, top rated schools, and UF Health and YMCA facilities already in place. Miles of trails, creative parks and amenities, and almost half of the community dedicated to green space create a healthy and vibrant environment for residents.
For information on the two additional communities at Wildlight – Forest Park at Wildlight and the popular age-restrictedDel Webb Wildlight visit www.Pulte.com/Jacksonville or call (904) 595-9180.
Jax Daily Record: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/wildlight-announces-plans-for-senior-housing-community
WILDLIGHT, FLA. – November 29, 2022 – Wildlight announced today that The Fellowship Family and Ambling Property Investments will develop a senior housing community within its mixed-use master planned development in Nassau County.
Fellowship at Wildlight will be a highly amenitized senior housing community consisting of 24 memory care units, 48 assisted living units, 125 independent living units and six cottages on nearly 16 acres of land within the first phase of the Wildlight development. Sitework is slated to begin in 2023 with anticipated completion in 2025. Fellowship at Wildlight pre-leasing will begin in 2024.
“Our goal at Wildlight is to create an extraordinary sense of place for community residents and families in every life phase,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight. “The addition of Fellowship at Wildlight will bring a new sanctuary for seniors with a range of living options and support services available, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with the family-owned Fellowship Family to offer this level of care.”
The Fellowship Family is a welcomed addition to Wildlight’s initial phase, consisting of 2,900 acres with a mix of residential homesites, multi-family apartments, an expansive town center, schools, and UF Health and YMCA health & wellness facilities already in place, as well as the recently announced Wildlight Commerce Park.
“Fellowship at Wildlight will bring premier quality senior living accommodations with personalized service for every resident, delivered by an experienced team in an inviting, warm atmosphere,” said The Fellowship Family’s President and CEO John LaHood. “Each of our Fellowship communities are designed among a unique landscape, offering a tranquil place to connect with God and nature. The beautiful scenery of Nassau County makes this a perfect fit.”
In addition to the community’s thoughtfully planned amenities, residents and their families can take advantage of the greater Wildlight community offering miles of trails, creative parks, open green space and access to healthy living systems and facilities.
“Ambling believes in building generational relationships,” added Kevin King, Ambling Property Investment’s president of development. “We are excited to further our partnership with Fellowship while supporting the vision and purpose of Wildlight.”
To ensure masterful integration of Wildlight’s Florida Lowcountry aesthetic, ETM, Stewart & Conners Architects, Niles Bolton Interiors and Elkins Construction have been selected for project design and construction.
Follow this link for renderings and a conceptual site plan of Fellowship at Wildlight.
Read more at Jax Daily Record: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/pattillo-plans-1-5-million-square-foot-industrial-park-in-wildlight
WILDLIGHT, Florida – November 11, 2022 – Pattillo Industrial Real Estate (PIRE) announced today the
development of a 1.5 million-square-foot industrial complex within the Wildlight mixed-use, master planned
community in Nassau County.
The environmentally friendly Wildlight Commerce Park will be constructed over the next 10 years as one part of
the economic growth component of Wildlight’s master plan. The industrial park is an approximate 165-acre
expansion within the initial phase consisting of 2,900 acres, a mix of residential homesites, multi-family
apartments, an expansive town center, schools, and UF Health and YMCA health & wellness facilities already in
place.
“As Wildlight continues to advance their vision for a new kind of community with focus on progressive
sustainable practices, PIRE is thrilled to have been chosen to work with them on the development of an
environmentally friendly Class A industrial park to serve and supplement the community and county,” noted
Josh Harrison, CEO of Pattillo Industrial Real Estate.
The Class A park is conceptualized to include 12 buildings surrounded by preserved wetlands to accommodate
light manufacturing, logistics, offices, laboratories and warehousing from 5,000 to 500,000 square feet, with the
first building anticipated to be ready for occupancy in spring 2024.
“PIRE has proven themselves the type of high quality, strategic partner needed to bring this project to life and
we couldn’t be more excited to welcome them to Wildlight,” added Wes Hinton, Vice President, Wildlight. “We
are looking forward to this park advancing one of the core goals of Wildlight, which is a positive economic
impact and job growth for the residents of Nassau County.”
Let’s get real here. We certainly understand why South Carolina would want to lay exclusive claim to the lowcountry. After all, it’s one of the most naturally beautiful, culturally rich regions in all of North America. But sorry, Charleston, you’re not the only place that has sea islands, long beaches and an inland geography characterized by lush forests and wetlands brimming over with wildlife.
The geographical fact is, the lowcountry extends from the Santee River north of Charleston down past Savannah, Georgia, all the way to the St. Johns River that runs through Jacksonville. In fact, all you have to do is hop on Google maps and look at that stretch of the Atlantic coastline, and you’ll say to yourself, “Yep, that all looks pretty much the same.”
Of course we also understand that the lowcountry is more than a certain kind of geography. It’s a unique intersection of cultures and cuisines. And we happily acknowledge that as you travel from South Carolina to northeastern Florida, the cultural tone changes. It’s still lowcountry, but it gets more relaxed. More beachy. Instead of the quaint formality of Charleston and Savannah, you find the laid-back vibe of Amelia Island. You could say that in Florida, the lowcountry trades in its bow tie and seersucker for board shorts and a pair of flip-flops.




Then there are the homes. As with other places around the globe, classic lowcountry homes are a direct response to local weather. A raised first floor was a defense against high water. Tall ceilings helped to keep the indoors cooler. And a big front porch provided a shady place for everyone to come together and enjoy a cold drink and some neighborly conversation. In Wildlight, we’ve created a fresh interpretation of lowcountry style. Here you’ll find plenty of porches and high ceilings. But the forms are simpler, more streamlined. With a contemporary flair that just feels … right.
Fortunately, what doesn’t change with Florida’s version of lowcountry is the yumminess of the food. The shrimp are just as fresh, the grits are just as creamy and the lowcountry boil is just as delicious and messy as anywhere else along this magnificent stretch of coastline. Maybe even a bit tastier. And around here, you can follow it up with a slice of made-from-scratch key lime pie.
Our Porchfest Model Home Tour was a fun-filled couple of weeks, and a celebration of community—from the fresh homes to the fresh food and the fresh air. We gathered together to celebrate neighbors, nature and all the things that make Wildlight so special.
For those who couldn’t make it, here’s what you missed: live music from local artists (a feast for the ears), six beautiful model homes to tour (a feast for the eyes) and delicious fare from local eateries (a feast for … well, a literal feast).
It was our way of showcasing the wonderful way that Wildlight lives. We like to say we’re a new kind of Florida lowcountry. A town in nature, where your new home is an easy walk or ride (bike or golf cart) from a town center full of shops, restaurants, a YMCA, parks and trails. A place where, whether you prefer coastal or Craftsman, you can find a home that fits your flavor. And a spot where, without a doubt, the porch is the perfect place to spend time with family and friends.
We already can’t wait for next time.
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NASSAU COUNTY, FL – Oct. 2, 2020 — UF Health Jacksonville and the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast cut the ribbon today on a new joint project in the heart of Wildlight in Nassau County, a combination rehabilitation facility and fitness center that will bring the latest innovations in healthy living to a rapidly growing part of Northeast Florida.
UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight has 36,000 square feet of space and offers adult and pediatric rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy and speech language pathology, and a healthy living center. The new facility includes 5,000 square feet of rehabilitation space to provide specialized, one-on-one care, along with a 25,000-square-foot YMCA. Future expansion of the building is expected to add more than 15,000 square feet for specialty rehab services.
“This is a great day for Wildlight and Nassau County because the people who live here can now get the best possible rehabilitation services along with an amazing, state-of-the-art fitness facility, all right here in their community,” said Jeanne Bradshaw, P.T., D.P.T., director of rehabilitative services for UF Health Jacksonville.
This is the second facility UF Health has recently opened in Wildlight. Last December, UF Health Wildlight opened at 76011 William Burgess Blvd. It provides comprehensive health services, advanced medical technology and outstanding care opened in the heart of Nassau County. The medical complex includes family medicine, pediatrics, women’s services, dentistry, an urgent care center and more.
“Residents of Wildlight and the communities around it now have access to the most advanced health care and rehabilitative services possible, all alongside a fantastic YMCA that offers the most complete and innovative fitness resources possible,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “When we kicked off this Wildlight collaboration several years ago, this was our vision, and it’s rewarding for all of us to see it come to fruition.”
The new YMCA will include a fitness center, group exercise studios, an indoor running track, a dedicated area for children to explore, play and learn while their parents are working out, and more, including the availability to take part in youth sports leagues and education programs.
“The First Coast YMCA is thrilled to officially open the Wildlight YMCA to the growing Nassau County community and surrounding areas, including St. Marys,” said Eric K. Mann, the president and CEO of YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “More than a gym, the new Wildlight YMCA will serve as a total wellness destination for the community by combining the YMCA’s tools and resources focused on healthy living with the medical expertise of UF Health. We know this location will provide critical programming to connect families and neighbors together safely for generations to come.”
The new UF and YMCA facility is part of Wildlight’s master-planned community located east of Interstate 95 and A1A. It is the latest step in a strategic collaboration with UF Health, the University of Florida, the YMCA and developer Raydient Places + Properties and offers high-quality health care for residents living in Wildlight and the surrounding communities.
“We are appreciative of our strategic alliance with UF Health, the University of Florida and the YMCA to break the mold of conventional community development with a new national model for healthier master-planned communities,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “The opening of the UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight facility is another testament of our commitment toward healthy living in Wildlight and offers convenient access to the highest quality of health and wellness services across North Jacksonville. It also marks the completion of our dynamic vision that we began working on together three years ago, and we are thrilled for residents and the surrounding community to now enjoy these services that will enhance their well-being.”
WILDLIGHT, Fla. – July 29, 2020 – Today, Raydient Places + Properties announced that Yulee KinderCare has opened a 10,000-square-foot early childhood education and care facility in Wildlight. The nationally recognized learning center will serve more than 140 children, ages six weeks to 12 years old, and offer high-quality programs in safe nurturing environments where kids can learn, grow and build confidence for life.
“Here at the Yulee KinderCare, we have a dedicated, experienced teaching team who are passionate about the education and wellbeing of young children,” said Kelli Watson, center director at Yulee KinderCare. “We believe all children can reach their full potential through high-quality education, positive guidance, inclusion and love. Our philosophy, curriculum and inclusivity make us the best company to our industry. I am so excited to welcome families to our center, so they can experience the incredible learning environment our teachers create every day.”
In order to open the child care center both properly and safely, KinderCare Learning Centers has partnered with medical experts to redesign their daily health and safety practices, which in many cases go beyond state and CDC guidelines. Some of the steps that Yulee KinderCare will follow every day to ensure the continued health of children and employees in their care include:
- Restricted access to classrooms.
- Frequent handwashing and surface/toy sanitizing.
- All staff members must wear masks.
- Temperature checks and health questionnaires are required for anyone entering the center.
- Health screenings throughout the day.
- Strict exclusion for illness policy.
- Social distancing in classrooms, when appropriate for age groups.
- Protocol in place to ensure a quick response should anyone in the center be diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19.
“We are excited to welcome Yulee KinderCare to Wildlight as the community’s first child care provider,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “The center will provide Wildlight’s growing number of families with a safe, nurturing education program and strong foundation for learning that directly aligns with our fundamental values and will. “
Yulee KinderCare includes nine total classrooms, an indoor gym, fully equipped outdoor playground and wellness screening station. The center will also employ 17 staff members who have nearly 250 years’ worth of collective experience in early childhood education. Centrally located within Wildlight at 110 Floco Avenue, the facility is within easy walking distance to the fast-growing Nassau County community’s essential amenities, businesses and experiences.
KinderCare Learning Centers is the nation’s largest private provider of early childhood education and care, helping hardworking families pursue their personal and professional dreams. The community of passionate teachers and staff strive to make each child’s potential shine and impart a lifelong love of learning and helping children build confidence for life.
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 www.wildlight.com.
About KinderCare® Learning Centers
KinderCare Learning Centers is America’s largest, most accredited child care provider, serving hardworking families across the country. For more than 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.
Home is where the heart is but after spending so much time there, it may be feeling a little less sweet. Even though things are starting to transition back to normal here in floco, it’s more important than ever that your home is a space you love. Here are a few tips to make at-home spaces more accommodating.
- Keep up with cleaning. Taking a few minutes to tidy up each day can go a long way toward improving your mood. Knowing where things are, seeing everything in order, and a sense of accomplishment will help your mood and your space. And it will save you from having to spend hours or days on a deep clean later.
- Make WFH work better for you. If you’re still working from home, it’s important to maintain consistency. It helps to have a place where you know you can get work done. Even if you don’t have a home office or desk, you can pick out a counter, table or even a spot on the couch, and know that when you’re there, you’re on the job. It’s a small decision that can keep you extra productive at home.
- Clear things out. Believe it or not, now is a better time than ever to get rid of excess stuff around the house. If there’s an item you haven’t been using while you’ve been home every day, chances are you aren’t going to be using it. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and go room by room to find furniture, appliances, décor and more that you can live without. You’ll open up more space in your house and as an added benefit, it can be the perfect opportunity to do some rearranging, too!
- Rearrange and redecorate. Whether you do #3 or not, consider taking some time to rearrange the layout of a room or your whole house. Is your current setup conducive to your normal everyday lifestyle? If something’s getting in the way, or there’s something you don’t need immediate access to (sorry, ironing board!), take this opportunity to change things up. It could be just the refresher you need to give your house a new feel, and make the everyday feel less ho-hum.
So, you’re home for a while. Spending your days under a roof and in a handful of rooms you know very well – in fact, you know them even better now. But if home sweet home is feeling a little less sweet or you feel like you or your loved ones are climbing the walls, here are some ways to pass the time and even have some fun doing it.
Learn to cook a new dish. Now’s a great time to build up your cooking skills. Find a simple recipe that fits the ingredients you have on hand or check which of your local farms are offering delivery service for fresh produce so you can make your favorite lowcountry dish. Right now, cooking celebrities like Alton Brown are sharing great tips, too. Not feeling up to cooking? Support your favorite local restaurant by ordering takeout!
Catch up on chores. Okay, okay, this just sounds like adding insult to injury. But those projects you’ve been putting off, like spring cleaning, doing your taxes or fixing things up around the house are a great way to burn a few hours of the day. And when you’re done, you can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.
Perform an experiment. If you’ve got kids, even they might be getting tired of toys or excess screen time. The good news is you can dazzle and delight with at-home experiments using household items. Make a canola oil lava lamp or mix food coloring with baking soda and vinegar for a colorful twist on the classic science project volcano.
Throw a party online. Getting together via video conference has become a major trend, and here’s a fun twist: Pick some songs, a play or a favorite book; do some rehearsing; then invite friends and family for a special performance. It’s another great way to get kids involved, or you could have everyone on the invite list prepare and put on a teleconferenced talent show!