Rise: A Real Estate Co. announced Feb. 26 that construction is underway on Rise @ Glen Kernan Park, a master-planned community for residents ages 55 and older.
The 48.52-acre development is at northwest of Butler and Hodges boulevards, near the entrance to the Glen Kernan neighborhood.
It will have 74 private cottages and 234 apartments and more than 336,300 square feet of rentable space, Rise said in a news release.
Jacksonville-based Rise estimated the project cost at $94.45 million.
Plans include a Gate Petroleum Co. gas station and car wash and a seven-story Embassy Suites hotel on an adjacent property.
Niles Bolton Associates of Atlanta is the architect. Jacksonville-based Rise is the contractor.
Rise is partnering on the project with Southern Venture, The Real Estate Company of Fort Walton Beach.
The community will be developed in phases with rentals beginning in 2025.
Rise bought 29.8 acres at 13190 Glen Kernan Parkway for almost $18.6 million on Feb. 9 through Hodges Properties II LLC from Hodges Properties I LLC. Both LLCs are part of the Rise.
Rise took out a $61.45 million mortgage from Benefit Street Partners of New York on Feb. 9.
Rise is building one-bedroom, one-bath and two-bedroom, two-bath apartments.
The neighborhood will be tree-lined and have an 8-acre pond. Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, dog park and several indoor lounge areas.
The heated, resort-style pool will include a sun shelf, umbrella seating, a cabana and daybeds.
There will be a yoga lawn, outdoor community kitchen, fire pit, pergola and a multipurpose lawn. There are plans for pickleball, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts.
The community will be pedestrian-friendly and have walkways and overwater boardwalks.
“RISE’s investment in this development is another milestone in our long-term commitment to Northeast Florida,” Rise Chief Financial Officer Greg Hunter said in the release.
“We are grateful to have several long-term investor relationships along with new local partners to help us bring this beautiful new community to fruition and I sincerely believe that the final product will set the benchmark when it comes to luxury, 55+ living not only in Florida – but anywhere in the country.”
The hotel will contain more than 174 rooms. It is owned by Southern Ventures Corp., an affiliate of St. Johns Hotel LLP. It bought the land for $4.31 million from Hodges Properties LLC.
St. Johns Hotel LLLP took out a $2.5 million mortgage with ServisFirst Bank.
The hotel will feature guest suites with living, bedroom and workspace areas.
“A two-story glass encased Atrium greets guests with a monumental staircase flanked with a water-wall on one side and the Grand Lobby Bar on the opposing side,” the company said in an August news release.
The hotel will have more than 8,000 square feet of banquet room space, breakout rooms, a pre-function area and a boardroom.
Amenities include a fitness center, swimming pool, laundry and quick mart. A terrace will overlook a lake and features twin fire pits and lighted fountains.
Rise is the owner of Rise Doro apartments Downtown at 960 E. Adams St., which was destroyed by fire just before its opening in January.