Did you know that St. Johns County farmers are Florida’s most productive potato growers? In fact, St. Johns County is the #7 producer of potatoes in the nation. St. Johns County potatoes have anchored products by Frito-Lay, Cape Cod, Kettle, Snyder’s and others. Do you know how potatoes took root in the County?

Henry Morrison Flagler, with an eight grade public school education, founded Standard Oil. Along with his business partner, John D. Rockefeller, he built the company into the richest, biggest business in the world. At its height, the company controlled 90% of the world’s oil refining. The New York World paper reported that Standard Oil was “the most cruel, impudent, pitiless and grasping monopoly that ever fastened upon a country.” By 1911, the Supreme Court of the United States had successfully broken Standard Oil’s monopoly into 34 new companies.

At the peak of his business, Flagler brought his wife, Mary Harkness, to Jacksonville for convalescence. She died shortly afterwards in 1881 and Flagler married her caregiver, Ida Alice Shourds two years later (incidentally, Ida Alice was later declared insane in 1896, enabling Flagler to marry once again to Mary Lily Kenan). The newlyweds honeymooned in St. Augustine, sparking an entirely new business tack – one that made the name “Flagler” synonymous with old Florida.

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Apr
 
24

PROMISE IS IN THE AIR

Posted by: Rick Pariani in Community Involvement, News
 

Thanks to Mr. Ogden Nash: “Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the boidie is”. You can add, come out yourself, and see how ‘tiz.

No doubt, our region is on the move. We continue to experience and learn about “coming attractions”, regards expansion and development. New businesses, superb services, innovative dining, superlative schools, and imaginative entertainment venues continue to blossom. Unique communities and neighborhoods are underway, offering an array of housing options coupled with life style choices to suit a wide variety of residents.

There is also a federal, state and municipal fortune being invested in our mobility system to interconnect with the billion-dollar, private infrastructure investments being made by the region’s real-estate development sector. Major roadway projects are underway which will provide multiple, safer, easier and quicker connections.

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Feb
 
20
 

Twenty-two years ago, in the Spring of 1997, I moved my family to North Florida. We started our family in Boca Raton, Florida, then moved to Laguna Beach, California. Prior to the Centennial Olympic Games, we relocated to the Buckhead community in Atlanta, Georgia. After the Games, we decamped Atlanta for Ponte Vedra Beach. Once our children were literally off-and-running with their careers, we down-sized into one of Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods, first platted in 1921.

Before coming here, we did enjoy our lives in those very pretty, and often celebrated, places.  It is true – wherever you are – it is what you make of it. In that regard, it is extremely easy to make our place thoroughly enjoyable. Here are a few things that are extraordinary about this place:

10. Regionally, we are steeped in history, heritage and traditions – from the settlement of St. Augustine in 1565 to the friendly, southern hospitality of today.

9. Friends and family are eager to come for visits – knowing there are numerous local and/or near-by unique events to experience and interesting destinations to explore.

8. The citizenry is active and engaged with a business, manufacturing and military legacy creating a viable, strong economy and a safe and secure community.

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Jun
 
15

DESIGN ADVICE – FOLLOW & BENEFIT

Posted by: Rick Pariani in News, Tips
 

Falling Water at Bear Run is the internationally-acclaimed, magnum opus of America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW). The house he designed in 1936 for Pittsburgh’s department-store magnates, Edgar J. and Liliane Kaufmann, was truly a labor-of-love on the part of both the architect and the clients.

It is said that FLW worked out the entire concept in his head – and upon being pressured by the Kaufmann’s to put up or shut up – he drew the elevations and floorplans in one afternoon, to finally be ready for his client presentation that had taken numerous months to schedule. FLW’s first completed and colored perspective rendering, that afternoon, captured the aura, character and allure of the house and the waterfall – almost precisely as the home would eventually be built.

The Kaufmann’s were quintessential patrons – in love with their property, their site and FLW’s unique and unprecedented (and quite expensive) concept. They were unbelievably accommodating – making every allowance for FLW’s prevarications. The back-and-forth challenges were wearisome – and the Kaufmann’s endured endless grandstanding from their architect, as in the following examples from FLW’s letters to Mr. Kaufmann:

“Kindly refrain all interference with me in my work at this time. Send me what I ask for. Easy to spoil the entire work by lack of confidence in my ability to handle my own work. Kindly stand by. Read my letter mailed yesterday. In circumstances like these there is only one doctor. Be thankful you didn’t lose him. Now be good enough to realize the truth of what I say.” – and this gem:

“It never occurred to me that you had not enough common sense, when we set this up, to stick to itthrough thick and thin. I must ask for this reassurance from you – in writing this time – as necessary to your own interest as well as mine if this building is to be creditably finished.”

We live in different times – an understatement, for sure. But, should you have the opportunity to work with experienced, capable and enlightened design professionals in the creation of your dream home and property – you will be well-served to challenge, yet follow, their advice. Collaboration is fun, but better, more finely crafted results are often created when there is a clear voice of design leadership. And remember, when it comes to intrinsic home values for generational use or re-sale, home and gardens conceived by design professionals maintain the highest returns.

At one particularly difficult summit, FLW submitted a form for his client, Mr. Kaufmann, to sign : “I hereby agree to do all in my power to see that the architect’s instructions to the builder – are faithfully executed and that no exterior advice or criticism be allowed to interfere with the architect’s authority over matters concerning the character and integrity of the building I have engaged him to build for me. And this is to continue until the building is completed to our mutual satisfaction.”

Yes – we do live in different times!

If you are looking for some great advice, contact one of our a trusted Real Estate professionals who can guide (not coerce) you on a clear path to your goals.

 
 
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May
 
16

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

Posted by: Rick Pariani in News
 

In March, 2003* the Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business, Smart Money, featured a special report on how one’s home values are boosted by good landscape.

At the time, the then president-elect of the National Association of Realtors, Walt McDonald, had advised; “when people ask me how they can get strong interest in their property, I always tell them to fix up their landscaping”. Studies showed that a design-wise, landscape investment of about 5% of a home’s value would result in as much as a 150% return. In most any market or region, a home on the market at $500,000 with an extra $25,000 invested in new landscape could result in an easy 7.5% / $12,500 of additional profit.

The Smart Money article suggested four distinct ways to invest in, and enhance, your home and property values – both for your own living as well as for future sale.

First – concentrate on Curb-Appeal – everything that can be seen from the street or during the approach to your home. Curb-Appeal is enhanced through landscape beds, staggered and layered height plantings (ground covers to taller shrubs), shade and special interest trees, walkways, pedestrian and vehicular arrivals and an attention to spacing, massing, scale, framing and accenting.

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Apr
 
10

Good Growth – Invest in Your Place

Posted by: Rick Pariani in News
 

One of our nation’s premier professional land planning and development institutions, the Urban Land Institute, says that “Growth is inevitable and desirable, but destruction of community character is not. The question is not whether your part of the world is going to change. The question is how”.

How indeed. In our neck-of-the-woods, significant change is underway. It is rapid – more so in the residential realm than commercial and mixed-use (but that too is following and will continue to do so). It isn’t whether change will come and when – it is already here on a daily basis.

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Mar
 
2
 
We live in a very mobile society. International travel for education and leisure is now commonplace. Travel, whether spur-of-the-moment short duration trips or well-planned group or individual extended excursions are becoming the norm for families and friends. People seem to gravitate, through curiosity and inquisitiveness, to the pursuit of new experiences. For many, the acquisition of these experiences is far more satisfying than being the beneficiary of gifts and material goods.
I believe that folks have many “a-ha” moments during their travels. I think that more and more people are developing an understanding and appreciation of the role that art, architecture, urban design and public space play in illuminating cultural connections and inspiring our lives.
The foremost architect / architectural theorist / urban planner, Leon Krier, is a champion of the European city and village as a model for community building. He has been quoted as stating, “The architecture of the city and public space is a matter of common concern to the same degree as laws and language. They are the foundation of civility and civilization”.
Usually, in a suburban context, the public realm is not surrounded and framed by interesting, modern or historic architecture. The suburban public realm can, however, be as diverse – albeit, more spacious and interwoven throughout the built elements of the community. It is visually and experientially evident and it is critical to defining a sense-of-place that distinguishes a community.
When you shop for that perfect place for your residence – be cognizant and alert to the natural character and spirit of the place as much as you are focused on the features and appointments of the home itself.
Of course, individual recreational parks, pocket-parks and trailheads, community social buildings and amenities are the anchors for the suburban public realm, in most master-planned communities. But in a more grand manner, the public realm of the community is displayed in its open space – its vistas and view corridors – its setting and backdrop – its natural complexion and its conservation of sensitive lands. Neighborhood sidewalks, paths, trails, bike lanes, fields and fairways, lakes and waterways and even the manner in which the streets and roads were threaded – all come together to showcase the public realm.
Each community and its collection of neighborhoods is different. Those whose public realm was consciously considered and designed into the fabric of the place are those that beckon and attract the most interest. They are the places that offer true respite – beyond the walls of the house.
Comfort and commons, comradery and community are the key attributes of great neighborhoods. When the public realm of a community is celebrated and cared for – values for everyone are enhanced.
Find the place that serves you the best – one that feels right – not just one that fits your budget. And, when you do find that special place, be a part of its public realm care and stewardship. When you do – you will protect yours and your neighbors values and you will enjoy a more balanced, healthy and happy lifestyle.
 
 
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St. Augustine’s regional history, local geography and diverse culture define, and importantly characterize – our place. Contextually, our place is far different than any other. Recognizing our context is the first step to preserving our unique attributes. We don’t need to be like everywhere else. As we grow our communities, we need to fuse the new with the old while insuring quality and originality.
History reigns over our region. St. Augustine is America’s original city. Some historians claim the actual First Thanksgiving was celebrated in the stronghold on September 8, 1565, over 450 years ago and at least 56 years before the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. A visit to the Old Town can inspire inquisitiveness. Return trips illuminate the stories of early occupation. Familiarity induces multiple explorations and discoveries and an appreciation of the city’s proximity and accessibility. Our authentic sense-of-place is evocative of the history and heritage of St. Augustine as America’s initial melting pot.

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Davidson Realty, Inc. and Realtor Shelley Nemethy are preparing to launch a World Golf Speaker Series to provide real estate related information to all WGV residents (and future residents)!

Each quarterly event will be held at Davidson’s headquarters in World Golf Village and include a featured speaker and refreshments provided by Bank of England.

The dates the 2017 World Golf Speaker Series are as follows:
Tuesday, March 7 (6-7 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 6 (6-7 p.m.)
Tuesday, September 5 (6-7 p.m.)

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Residents of Heritage Landing were recently treated by Davidson Realty Agent Mirtha Barzaga to an educational event that explored the past, present and future of the World Golf Village area. About 25 homeowners came out to enjoy the May 27 event in the community’s Heritage Room featuring speaker Rick Pariani, Vice President of Design and Development for Davidson Development.

“The story of World Golf Village includes more than 25 years of history. Every development, every golf course green and every home is part of that story, which is still being written,” said Mirtha. “Many thanks to Rick for coming out and sharing the past stories about World Golf Village and Heritage Landing, as well as insights about the future of the area.”

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