The Esplanade...A mall at World Golf Village in St Johns County

I've been hearing about the new mall for months.  Because it is still in the planning stages there is not very much information to be had.  The Esplanade is going to be an open-air mall near the World Golf Village right off of I-95.  The mall will be located on the northeast side of the interstate.  It is being developed by Ben Carter who also developed the highly successful St Johns Town Center in Jacksonville's Southside.

According to the developer's website http://www.bencarterproperties.com/properties.html  the mall will have four yet to be announced Department Stores, a 50,000 square foot theater, three or four specialty anchor stores, 200,000 square feet of shops, and fifteen outparcels.   According to the developer's website the grand opening is scheduled for March of 2009....just over a year away.

For those that currently live in the World Golf Village area, the only downside is the distance from shopping, dining and entertainment.  There is a lot of available housing in this area and the prices are awesome.  You get a lot of value for your money in this area.  Because of the location, halfway between St. Augustine and Jacksonville...many buyers have been hesitant because of the lack of convenience.

I believe that the opening of this mall is going to drive and explode growth in this beautiful area.  If you have not driven down this way, you should.  Those who planned and developed the World Golf Village area did an excellent job.  There are broad four lane streets with medians lined with oak trees.  In this area you have developments that are officially part of the World Golf Village such as The Neighborhoods and King and Bear.  You also have others that have sprung up in the same area that usually come with a lower price tag such as Murabella, Sevilla, and Samara Lakes.

I believe that the correct time to buy at the World Golf Village is now.  The opportunities are rampant, the prices are low, the houses are large, the golf is excellent, and there is a gorgeous open air mall being developed by a highly reputable developer, Ben Carter, who is said to have the Midas touch.  Best of all, it is right off of I-95 and just 5 minutes south of the 210 Corridor.