The lagoon contains 37 million gallons of water and serves as the anchor for Beachwalk, bringing a little bit of the Caribbean to Northeast Florida.
“Some said it wouldn’t happen,” said Kinsey of the largest man-made lagoon in the country. “I think today, with the filling of the lagoon, we have silenced the doubters. There’s nothing else like it in Northeast Florida.”
Set against a white lining, the lagoon has taken on the natural turquoise hue that will deepen to a “Caribbean” blue. The sparkling waters are surrounded by a 100-foot white-sand beach with wavy palms and winding footpaths.
Beachwalk is a truly a developer’s vision that has become a reality.
“We’ve owned this property for a long time,” recalls Kinsey.
It’s part of the New Twin Creeks Planned Unit Development, a designated 3,000-acre Development of Regional Impact on both sides of County Road 210 across U.S. 1 from the western border of Nocatee. Kinsey’s group has owned the site for 13 years.
Other new communities in St. Johns County stick to a prescribed strategy of live oak and magnolia landscaping and old Florida-themed architecture. Beachwalk breaks with the trend.
The community features a Caribbean, Key West and West Indies style -- metal-roof homes, Bermuda grass, and every type of palm tree that will grow well in North Florida. Within Beachwalk is a planned 175,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space
In addition to the lagoon, Beachwalk will feature water slides, a miniature golf course and a 2,500 square-foot splash park for dogs. A planned clubhouse has been styled after one seen at a multi-billion-dollar Caribbean beach and golf resort. Residents will be able to swim, paddle kayaks, or stroll along a boardwalk.
Or, they can enjoy a 3,000-square-foot swim-up bar at the edge of the lagoon. There will be golf cart paths throughout, allowing residents to access the beach club and other amenities without having to drive their cars.
“The whole community really is walkable,” Kinsey said. “You really can walk to the beach.”
“The whole community really is walkable,” Kinsey said. “You really can walk to the beach.”
Construction at Beachwalk includes single-family homes and twin villas on the lagoon by homebuilders Americrest Luxury Homes, Lennar and Vintage Estate Homes.
Beachwalk will have nearly 800 homes at build-out. The community is located just one mile east of Interstate 95, close to U.S. Highway 1, and on the main east-west highway to Ponte Vedra Beach.
The developer is investing $35 million to widen County Road 210 from two to six lanes and provided two school sites to the St. Johns County School District. Of Beachwalk’s 1,200 acres, 500 are set aside for preserve.
For more information visit www.mybeachwalkhome.com.