The developer of Nocatee is at it again with another master-planned community, this time in Jacksonville’s Southside with the highly anticipated smart-living community known as eTown.
The PARC Group unveiled its plans on Monday for the community, which will feature new single-family homes, apartments, retail and various amenities. The Welcome Center and initial neighborhoods are scheduled to open in summer 2019.
Located off State Road 9B and Interstate 295, and just three miles from St. Johns Town Center, eTown is built upon four core principles: community, technology, convenience and sustainability. According to the developer, the community will feature smart-home technology, Zero Energy Ready Homes™, eco-friendly features, community-oriented amenities, pedestrian- and electric car-friendly trails and convenient access to neighborhood services.
In addition, THE PARC Group says parks, ponds and paths will span the entire community, with 50 percent of eTown’s acreage remaining undeveloped to preserve much of the area’s longleaf pine habitat. According to the developer, the vision for the community is to strike a balance between convenient development and natural outdoor spaces.
“eTown is a one-of-a-kind community and a complete rethink of Jacksonville living,” said Roger O’Steen, chairman and founder of The PARC Group. “With state-of-the-art homes, canopied walking trails, resort-style amenities and cafes and shops just a golf cart ride away, eTown offers a fresh approach to the modern lifestyle.”
At the heart of eTown will be its Village Center, a walkable town center that will be home to retail shops, restaurants and neighborhood services, as well as “the “Hub,” the eTown Welcome Center. According to The PARC Group, the Hub will feature a gourmet cafe, traditional and co-working offices and evening gathering spaces with outdoor seating. The Village Center retail will be announced at a later date.
“In addition to having all the essentials for daily life located conveniently within eTown, residents will benefit from the community’s central location,” said Mike White, The PARC Group’s director of planning and development. “The St. Johns Town Center, University of North Florida and the region’s fastest growing employment centers are right around the corner. eTown is also close to some of the region’s best beaches, hospitals, schools and entertainment.”
eTown’s 5-acre amenity area will blend recreation with nature. The community’s amenities, available exclusively to eTown residents, will include a resort-style pool with zero entry and an adjoining three-lane lap pool, a high-tech fitness center with an outdoor yoga lawn, a Bier Garden with lounge seating and a fire pit, kids playground, event lawn and a lake-side dog park. According to the developer, the amenity area is scheduled to open in spring 2020.
Neighborhoods
eTown will feature several neighborhoods all centered on modern living, sustainability and smart technology. All will be named after renowned inventors and innovators. They are as follows:
Marconi
The first neighborhood to open at eTown, Marconi will feature newly constructed homes by David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes. This gated community will offer homes with a range of modern coastal, craftsman and farmhouse elevations, starting in the mid $300s. The grand opening of Marconi at eTown is scheduled for May 2019.
Edison
Toll Brothers will build new homes in Edison starting in the high $300s. This gated community will feature one- and two-story home designs featuring new architecture ranging from 2,500 to more than 4,000 square feet. Edison is scheduled to open in summer 2019.
Del Webb
An age-restricted, 55-plus community, Del Webb eTown will offer homes starting in the mid $200s. The gated neighborhood will feature 5 acres of exclusive amenities, including an 8,000-square-foot private clubhouse, event lawn, resort-style pool and spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, multipurpose rooms and pickleball and tennis courts. The community will also have an onsite lifestyle director. Del Webb eTown will open in summer 2019.
Kettering
Providence Homes will introduce Zero Energy Ready Homes™ in Kettering. While all homes at eTown will feature various energy-efficient features and technologies, Kettering will be the only neighborhood offering homes with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home™ label, which are deemed to be so energy efficient that all or most annual energy consumption can be offset with renewable energy. Kettering is scheduled to open in spring 2020.
Nobel
This neighborhood by ICI Homes and David Weekley Homes is opening in late 2019.
Apartments
eTown will also feature an apartment community. Construction will begin in spring 2019. The neighborhood, located at eTown’s southernmost point, is scheduled to open in spring 2020.
The future of eTown
Builders are taking VIP reservations, and prospective buyers can contact the builders directly to learn more about new home-building opportunities.
In addition, The PARC Group will be launching the eTown Certified Agent program in spring 2019, giving real estate agents exclusive access to models and community updates before they’re available to the public.
“eTown will be the first of its kind in our area — a relaxed suburban setting with a dynamic urban vibe,” White said. “We’re creating the ideal place to enjoy a convenient and modern North Florida life, and we look forward to sharing it with those who will call it home.”
For more information about eTown, visit etownjax.com or email thehub@etownjax.com. To view an interactive map of the eTown community, visit discoveretown.com.
