Heritage Development Co. of NE Florida LLC purchased a 2,782-acre property in St. Johns County where the Parrish Farms mixed-use development is planned.
St. Johns County-based Parrish Properties sold the land for $18 million on Oct. 27. It is along both sides of Interstate 95 and south of Florida 207.
Developer Chris Shee, who owns MasterCraft Builder Group LLC, a single-family homebuilder in St. Johns County, leads Heritage Development Group, which bought the property.
Parrish Farms could include up to 1,700 single-family lots and 2,000 multifamily units, and 4 million square feet of nonresidential uses, which comprises commercial retail space, office space, light industrial and hotel rooms.
Shee said he is receiving interest in the property from two hospital systems, a rehabilitation clinic, three car dealerships, several hotels and gas stations.
“I’m not just bringing in a neighborhood full of rooftops, I’m bringing in a real wholesome community that is a true mixed-use,” he said.
Following rezoning and land use approvals, Shee said he hopes to break ground on the project in three to four years.
He submitted a rezoning application for the project last year, but said he withdrew it until after the elections.
He now anticipates starting that process early next year.
Development would begin on the northeastern part of a more than 2,000-acre parcel. The 20-year project is proposed in two 10-year phases, depending on market factors.
Plans for Parrish Farms also include a new interstate interchange along I-95 between Florida 207 and Florida 206.
Shee said he is in the preliminary stages of that piece of the project and is talking with St. Johns County and Florida Department of Transportation officials.
Shee said his group is focused on developing in St. Johns County, and the same goes for his MasterCraft Builder Group.
He selected the site so he could bring a master-planned community to the southern end of the county, rather than the northern end where several already are being developed.
“I feel very privileged to have ended up with this property because of how well it is located,” Shee said.
“The larger, master-planned developments that have better infrastructure, better school planning, better parks, recreation, better everything,” he said.
“They are everywhere in the north part of St. Johns County, but they are nowhere in the southern part. That’s the biggest influence in my decision.”
