Unique communities aren’t always a given in residential real estate, so here’s a public service announcement if you’re seeking a new custom Florida home in the Jacksonville area: check out Seven Pines!

This new master-planned community southeast of Jacksonville is coming to life on acreage long held by the local Skinner family — and its lush coastal forests and ponds are welcoming new occupants.

Not only is Seven Pines rising from special ground, but its location couldn’t be more convenient. Sited just southeast of the Butler Boulevard-Interstate 295 interchange, Seven Pines is minutes from Atlantic beaches, Jacksonville’s shopping, dining and entertainment enclave of St. Johns Town Center, and all of the metro area’s cultural, arts and sports activities via the I-295 beltway.

But it’s the amenities we’d like to tout here. Seven Pines boasts a primo menu of activities and cutting-edge facilities, and if you love Florida’s active, outdoor lifestyle, put exploring Seven Pines on your to-do list.

Why Seven Pines is special

It’s a joint effort between two nationally respected homebuilders, David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes. The two are collaborating on both rear-entry and front-entry homes and neighborhood configurations, giving buyers myriad options that aren’t available everywhere. A quick note: rear-entry homes are exactly that, with garages and driveways located at the rear of the floor plan.

Seven Pines’ uniqueness extends to its layout. Its 1,000 acres will accommodate 1,6000 single-family homes, apartments options, plus more than one million square feet allotted to retail and commercial spaces, meaning Seven Pines residents have the potential to live, work and shop right in their neighborhood.

Get outside

If you love outdoor recreation — and all other top amenities too — Seven Pines is your place.

Resort-style swimming pools? Check. A residents club? Check. Seven Pines’ lakeside Club Legacy will arrive soon with an expansive fitness center, and event and social spaces. Expect a spray park and playground for little ones.

But the list also extends outdoors. Seven Pines boasts a 34-acre Central Park, a village area, miles of trails, green spaces and pocket parks nestled throughout the community. Love personal watercraft? Seven Pines has your back — and paddles! A lakeside outpost beside Club Legacy will stock kayaks and canoes for residents’ enjoyment.

Try finding that at another master-planned community.

Speaking of finding…

Find your new home

Be totally inspired by Seven Pines’ gorgeous model-home park. Both David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes are offering versatile one-and-two-level floor plans outfitted with two-and-three-vehicle garages, depending on your preferences.

In fact, Seven Pines buyers of all ages and life stages will find something just right, ranging from approximately 1,900 to more than 5,000 square feet.

You’ll find both rear-and-front-entry models from both builders, including the Braddock (rear load), Duval (rear load), Davenport (front load) and Palos Verdes (front load) floor plans from ICI Homes, and the Forrest (rear entry), Brightman (front entry) and Annie Eliza (rear entry) from David Weekley Homes.

Ready for your Seven Pines lifestyle? Talk to us here.

If a new home in Jacksonville is in your future, move Seven Pines to the top of your list. This top-selling, master-planned community developed jointly by David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes is a great place to be for multiple reasons.

One reason you might not consider immediately is all the fun things to enjoy near Seven Pines. The community boasts one of Jacksonville’s best locations, sited just southeast of the Interstate 295 and Butler Boulevard interchange, on the city’s bustling south side,

This puts Seven Pines residents in the driver’s seat for myriad shopping, dining and entertainment options — even with all their amazing amenities available at home.

Read on for more about exploring local attractions around Seven Pines.

The beach

It’s the reason many people vacation and live in Florida, and probably the classic day trip for Florida residents.

Good news! Jacksonville’s 22 miles of gorgeous Atlantic beaches are only minutes east of Seven Pines. The closest beach is Ponte Vedra Beach, only 9.6 miles from Seven Pines, or, practically down the street.

Pack the gear, a cooler of snacks and water, and head east on Butler Boulevard. Once you reach A1A, Florida’s Atlantic coastal highway, go north or south to find a favorite beach park or public access with parking.

The parks

Seven Pines includes plenty of coastal forests to hike, ponds to fish, and miles of trails to follow thanks to the local Skinner family, who stewarded its more than 1,000 acres for generations.

But other special outdoor destinations await in metro Jacksonville’s 400 city parks, seven state parks and three national parks.

Pick a park and make a day trip out of it. Depending on the day’s selection, go hiking, camping, mountain biking, surfing, swimming, shelling or boating.

The history

Historic St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, making it the nation’s oldest city. And, it’s only 35 miles south of Seven Pines.

St. Augustine’s historic district is vast. You’ll see bronze markers everywhere and find no shortage of museums, historic homes, places of worship and other historically significant buildings to explore.

Numerous restaurants, bars and sweet shops will keep you fueled. St. Augustine is large enough — and its history long enough — to merit multiple-day trips to experience everything. But don’t miss the circa-1672 Castillo de San Marcos, the nation’s oldest masonry fort in the lower 48. Time one of your day trips to witness a cannon firing demonstration!

The City

Seven Pines’ hometown of Jacksonville also merits exploring. It’s a major port through which the mighty St. Johns River flows, and its downtown and surrounding neighborhoods feature many fun things to do.

Jacksonville offers more than a dozen museums, a thriving arts scene, and foodie-destination restaurants and craft breweries. It’s also home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, Minor League Baseball’s Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and annual major college football games.

Ready for your new Seven Pines home? Talk to us here.

The Northeast Florida Builders Association recently honored the community of Seven Pines with six Laurel Awards including Master-Planned Community of the Year.

The other tributes were Best Signage, Best Digital Marketing Campaign, Best Logo Design, Best Video Commercial, and Best Print Advertising Campaign. Seven Pines is a master-planned community offering new homes expertly crafted by two of Jacksonville’s most trusted builders, ICI Homes and David Weekley Homes.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from our industry peers including an award recognizing Seven Pines as Master-Planned Community of the Year,” said Tom McCall, Chief Operating Officer, ICI Homes. “Seven Pines is becoming one of the most sought-after communities in Northeast Florida.”

“We have seen remarkable enthusiasm for Seven Pines since the day it was announced,” said Steve Ebensberger, Area President, David Weekley Homes. “The community is truly distinctive to Jacksonville – a place where people can live, work and enjoy life in a setting unlike any other in Northeast Florida.”

Seven Pines recently was recognized at The Nationals, the National Association of Home Builders’ national awards competition, with four honors including an award for Master-Planned Community of the Year.

The community of Seven Pines offers a wonderful neighborhood environment with contemporary homes, unique outdoor amenities and an exceptional location that is close to everything. Homes at Seven Pines are nestled within walkable neighborhoods with lush green space, water and tree-lined streets. With more than 1,000 acres of natural beauty, Seven Pines will offer a vibrant village center, parks, trails, lakes and family outposts that bring residents closer to nature—and each other.

Seven Pines amenities are currently under construction. Plans for the community include a 34-acre Central Park and a 7,900-square-foot Residents Club located alongside a sparkling lake. The Residents Club will offer a resort-style pool, a lap-lane pool, and children’s playground with interactive water features and slides. The clubhouse will provide nearly 3,000 square feet of fitness space that will include a group fitness area and a cardio workout area in addition to meeting/event space. Plans for the amenity area include an Outpost building by the lake for canoes and kayaks.

In addition to eight furnished model homes, ICI Homes and David Weekley Homes have several quick move-in homes under construction at Seven Pines. The homes feature a variety of floor plans and a wide range of square footages and styles. Model homes are open daily. Home prices at Seven Pines start in the upper $600,000s.