The Abacos Brings a Touch of the Bahamas to St. Augustine

By R.P. Whittington

Abaco Bahamas is one of favorite sailing and boating destinations among the Bahamas Islands – part of a 120-mile necklace of cays and beaches with sheltered harbors that create a haven for yachtsmen and the slumber-struck alike.

Although located latitudes away from the Bahamas, St. Augustine’s harbor protection, natural landscape and roads and promenades prompted Cranewoods Development, HCM Construction and Cronk Duch Partners to build The Abacos at Salt Run – an 85-acre residential development along Comares Avenue that brings this Caribbean Architecture to the First Coast.

"Of the properties I’ve marketed, this is one of the most unique I’ve encountered," said Michelle Cummings of Prudential Network Realty. "The design of The Abacos will be striking to the boaters along Salt Run Harbor, and satisfy buyers who enjoy the best elements of tropical, colonial design and some spectacular views."

The Abacos is also unique in the combination of residential development that will be involved with the entire project. The 15-home enclave includes two single-family villa manors, five three-story townhome cottages, four two-story townhomes and four penthouse villa flats with covered parking.

"You’ve got a wide range of residential uses in a single development, which provides a lot of variety for potential buyers," Cummings said. "You have homes with a yard for families with children or penthouse flats for young professionals or couples who don’t want the responsibilities of landscaping. All kinds of buyers will find something they want here."

Long before the mix of residential uses was established, the developer already had a clear idea in mind for the name and look of the project.

"We actually came up with the name because we were familiar with the Abacos in the Bahamas and this area along the harbor is so reminiscent of the topography there," said HCM Construction President Andrew Howe. "The West Indies-style architecture created by the designers at Cronk Duch Partners is just a natural fit in this location."

The Cronk Duch design reflects the character and detail of their projects in the Abacos, Bahamas, such as Loyalist Hope – an enclave of 10 residences in Hopetown, Abacos and a private estate at the north tip of Hope Town. Other Cronk Duch projects that influenced the design of the Abacos At Salt Run include Playa Cristal, a 140-unit condo hotel in Key Largo, and Angler’s Reef, a grouping of 52 unique cottages in Islamorada, Florida.

Howe says the area is specifically similar to that of Abacos Bay and Hope Town Harbor in the Bahamas, where cottages overlook the streets and waterways. Also, the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere of St. Augustine fits the development on a more ethereal level.

"St. Augustine is just a very cool city and a great place to live, and on that level residents maintain attitudes similar to the people living in the Caribbean Islands," Howe said. "Certainly there is a lot of interest in St. Augustine from a development standpoint. I am just excited that we had the opportunity to bring this project to the area, and this architectural approach really fits right in with the residential designs along the coastal areas."

The Abacos will be the first major project for HCM in St. Augustine. The company, which began operations in 1991, has won awards for previous projects for Marriott, Ramada, Radisson and Red Roof Hotels – also receiving an "Excellence in Construction Merit Award" from the Association of Builders and Contractors for its work on the Eastwinds Condominiums.

In addition to The Abacos, HCM is currently constructing the 35-unit Northshore Condominiums – a high rise project in Jacksonville Beach.

Actually, Howe’s firm was originally hired as a general contractor by another development firm that was to lead the St. Augustine project. But after a year on the job, Howe was offered the opportunity to develop the property.

"We knew the ‘look,’ but the biggest challenge was finding the right mix of residences that would support the value of the land, and that the architecture and features were the right level to support the price," Howe said.

Prices vary within The Abacos. The flats, offering square footages between 1,150 and 1,250, are priced starting at $675,000. The villas, ranging in size from 2,380- to 2,450-square-feet, are $995,000.

The values increase for the island cottages, each offering more than 2,800 square feet of living space, along with a two-car garage, start at about $1.4 million. The single-family homes will have between 3,125- and 3,570-square-feet of living space, each with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an additional carriage suite above a two-car garage, are priced at $1.8 million.

"All of the homes will have granite countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms, and a mix of stone and wood flooring throughout," Cummings said. "We’re still finalizing the remaining features, but since they are in the pre-construction phase, upgrades can be easily made for buyers."

The first floor of all the units are being built with concrete block, with the upper floors framed to allow for more architectural design elements.

Construction has already begun on the first of the single-family homes, located just a few blocks north of the Conch House Marina. Howe expects the entire development will be ready for occupancy in mid-2007.

While the location on the waterway was expected to provide great views, both Cummings and Howe were amazed at the expanse of the second-floor views.

"We knew the upper stories of the development would provide a great view of Salt Run Harbor," Howe said. "What we didn’t expect was the fabulous view of the ocean from the second story level. It was much better than we ever anticipated."

For more information, contact Michelle Cummings at Prudential Network Realty/Atlantic, 904-241-2417, or michelle.cummings@prudentialnetworkrealty.com

Media Contact: Ron Whittington (904-563-0402)