Hundreds of guests attended the recent grand opening of the Markland Manor House amenity center.
Attendees enjoyed food and drink from Anthony’s Catering as they toured the Manor House and six model homes. They then relaxed in pool-side cabanas and Adirondack chairs by the fire pit while guitarist Ace Winn performed.
Inspired by the historic architecture of St. Augustine, the Markland Manor house is the centerpiece of the community’s amenities. The first floor includes a gathering room, card room, several large television, and a coffee bar for residents. The second floor is dedicated to residents’ health and wellness, with an array of Life Fitness strength and aerobic equipment, free weights and a yoga/spin studio equipped with an “on-demand” fitness class system. The elevated location of the fitness room provides views of the pool grounds and expansive central lakes.
The adjacent resort pool, meanwhile, has a zero-entry area, lap lanes and fountain jets, and is framed by private cabanas, shaded pergolas and lounge areas on all sides. Beyond the pool, and beside the 30-acre lake network, is a fire pit and event lawn where residents and friends can gather to enjoy community concerts and share stories.
Residents and guests can also play tennis by the lake on two hard-surface tennis courts which have been adapted for pickle ball use as well. Numerous neighborhood parks are spaced throughout the neighborhood so that young children can play “sandlot” games of soccer and football within earshot of home. The central playground features a Kompan “Explorer Dome” and the grand lawn for a variety of field sports.
All of the amenities within Markland, as well as nearby shops, are connected by a series of linear parks and sidewalks that enable residents to walk and bike in their travels or they can use a golf cart on the roads within the community.
“I saw the plans for Markland when I visited Palencia a while ago, but they did not do it justice,” said Lisa Vernon of Keller Williams real estate. “To see it all built is just magnificent.”
Debbie Pappas of All County added, “Having the main amenity center available to future residents as their homes are being built makes it easier for Realtors to convince potential buyers to move into the community.”
Hines took an unusual approach in the planning and development of Markland and rezoned the property from over 800 homes down to only 345 homes.
“By limiting the number of homes, we have been able to create a unique offering in St. Johns County,” Managing Director Walter O’Shea said. “Residents will enjoy more access to the amenities in Markland than in much larger planned communities. They will have more use of the pool, fitness equipment and the tennis courts as there are less people competing for these facilities.”
The reduction in density has also allowed the developers to offer larger lots to homebuyers, he added.
“The added lot depth and width will allow builders to offer homeowners the ability to have a home, a pool and still have a backyard for the children to play,” he said. “We hope that Markland responds to families, couples and individuals who want an amenity-rich lifestyle but want to do so in a setting where you see more familiar faces and get to know your neighbors.”
Located on International Golf Parkway east of I-95, Markland features six home builders offering a variety of home plans ranging from $300,000 to more than $700,000.
