Saturday, June 26, 2004 Million-dollar lifestyle The Palencia private golf club features a luxurious members-only dining room, a bar and grill overlooking the spectacular greens and banquet facilities. The Cafe on the Green, prominently located with a breathtaking view of the 9th hole, is now open to the public. Special Palencia captures hearts of Northeast Florida Special To Builders Showcase Nestled in a historic and serene setting on 1,450 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway, Palencia has quickly captured the imagination and hearts of some of Northeast Florida's most discerning homebuyers. Since its inception, the master-planned community by Hines has lived up to all the advanced billing and has surpassed expectations. Visitors are astounded. For those who have not experienced Palencia, this weekend is the perfect time. Discover Palencia and find out why this wonderful, growing community has gained the attention of astute and savvy buyers from across the country during today's open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour the clubhouse, fitness center and model homes while enjoying entertainment and fun in the Village Center. Palencia is fostering new excitement to parallel the stunning landscape and world-class amenities. It's becoming the land of million-dollar homes on spectacular estate lots. "The million-dollar market was the hardest hit by 9/11, the recession and corporate scandals like Enron," said veteran real estate and housing market analyst Charlie Clark. "But it's back. And it's booming." Palencia is nestled in a historic and serene setting on 1,450 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Hines-developed community has quickly captured the imagination and hearts of some of Northeast Florida's most discerning homebuyers for preserving the environment and its surrounding beauty. Special Outstanding amenities and quality construction throughout have put Palencia on the map for high-end, luxury residences being sought as a primary home, secondary residence or outstanding investment value. Twenty-three custom inventory homes are under construction at Palencia from the $660,000s to $2.475 million. A number of immaculate, marsh-front and heavily wooded lots provide the perfect home site in a picturesque setting, reminiscent of Old Florida, but still close to the carefully designed features that make Palencia special. There's no time limit to build on these estate lots that range from $325,000 to $1.4 million. And these beautiful tree-canopied estate lots accurately capture the essence of Palencia's beauty and ambience. "The intrinsic value of a new home or estate lot at Palencia is without compare as a solid investment," said Hines project manager Lane Gardner. "The value of real estate has grown and the opportunity to own a home or a lot in this community is an opportunity that has attracted a lot of interest. We are finding many buyers are investing in an estate lot and home now as an alternative to the stock market." Leading the way are some of the area's finest builders in Palencia's growing North River, Marshall Creek Bluff, Leaning Tree and Promenade Point neighborhoods, where Palencia will be setting a historic high mark for million-dollar homes to rival the unmatched beauty of the surrounding land. A prime example is Promenade Pointe located on a lake across from the clubhouse. Each home in Promenade Pointe will have a private, secure entrance for leisurely strolls along a promenade next to a lake. Promenade Pointe offers great views across the water to the clubhouse and ninth and 18th holes. Benchmark Custom Luxury Homes is introducing the $2.475 million Villa la Torre as the first home being built on the Promenade. Palencia's unparalleled success in showcasing million-dollar homes was clearly evident with the 2004 SunTrust/American Society of Interior Designers Symphony Showhouse, the Casa Del Rio by The Vintage Group. Casa del Rio has 10,000 square feet under the roof, with 6,500 of that air-conditioned. The home's design reflects the Spanish/Mediterranean style that runs throughout St. Augustine and is available for $2.4 million. Gardner noted that Palencia's new estate section made the North River location a natural choice for the Showhouse. Palencia's unparalleled success in showcasing million-dollar homes was clearly evident with the 2004 SunTrust/American Society of Interior Designers Symphony Showhouse. Casa del Rio's design reflects the Spanish/Mediterranean style that runs throughout the community. Special Home buyers throughout Palencia can expect superior quality construction and design. With this mantra, it is no wonder the community has attracted the most prominent builders and sophisticated buyers. Top builders within Palencia offer a wide variety of price ranges and a wide variety of home styles including single-family residences, townhomes and condominiums. "Every day we hear buyers comment that they came to Palencia because of our extra effort to preserve the environment and surrounding beauty," said Naomi Lumley, Palencia's sales manager. "They also talk about the innovative and family-oriented atmosphere. Now, we are being thought of as the community where million-dollar dream homes become a reality. Numerous amenities, attention to detail and protection of the natural landscape are some of the features that are most inviting to buyers looking at our community." If home buyers select to work with one of Palencia's preferred custom builders, they have a splendid array to choose from including Arthur Rutenburg Homes, Benchmark Homes, John Kenny Construction Co. Inc., McCumber Homes Inc., North Florida Builders, a Woodside Company, The Vintage Group Inc. and Richard R. Dostie, a Toll Brothers Company. Village Center Homes include luxury condominiums by Jim Hardwick, townhomes by Brylen Homes, and village and cottage homes by Richard R. Dostie, a Toll Brothers Company. Crosswinds Communities' unique Avila condominium homes are conveniently located at the entrance to Palencia. Buyers also can choose from an additional inventory of homes from Panitz Signature Homes, building in Vista Norte, and David Weekly Homes in Canterra, both offering exceptional choices. "We are genuinely excited about Palencia's group of builders -- all with great credibility, experience and commitment to quality," Lumley said. "Each has earned a reputation for offering customers consummate value and service throughout the building process." Today, Palencia is fostering new excitement to parallel the stunning landscape and world-class amenities. It's becoming the land of million-dollar homes on spectacular estate lots. Offering superior quality construction and design, the community has attracted the most prominent builders and sophisticated buyers. Special Palencia continues to grow with new neighborhoods opening. Augustine Island by Trident will feature 40 private Mediterranean villa homes priced from the $700,000s. When the idea of Palencia was born more than six years ago, developers Hines, H. Smith Inc., and Fletcher Land recognized the distinctiveness of the unique wilderness they discovered. Families would be drawn to Palencia to live in harmony with natural Florida. In preserving the land and its unique characteristics, it became clear that the design and theme should tie Palencia back to its Spanish roots. Palencia, Spain, is believed to be the birthplace of Juan Ponce de León who discovered and explored St. Augustine nearly 500 years ago. In keeping with its Spanish legacy, Spanish Colonialism influences Palencia's architectural design, similar to styles found in nearby St. Augustine. Tile roofs, coquina, terra cotta, rich colors, tall towers and wrought iron are seen throughout the community's common areas -- from the main entrance to the community's central marketplace and covered pavilion areas. Palencia Village, the central gathering point of the community, features the Palencia golf club, swim and fitness center, the Village Green, tennis center, golf practice facility and nearby athletic fields. Their proximity to one another creates a sense of vitality and promotes the neighborly interaction of a by-gone era. Market Street, the main thoroughfare, is designed for retail, office and residential use. "We built the village center to create a hub of activity early on in the community's life," said Hines project manager Walter O'Shea. "This is where people can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day and in the evenings, with home just a short walk away." The Palencia Club, the community's private championship golf club, features 18 holes of demanding and dramatic golf over the 7,017-yard course. The par-72 course, designed by Arthur Hills weaves through a terrain of ancient live oaks, coastal scrub oaks and open marsh, creating a one-of-a-kind golf experience. The private golf club encompasses 33,000 square feet and features a luxurious members-only dining room, banquet facilities and a bar and grill overlooking the spectacular 9th and 18th greens. The Cafe on the Green, prominently located with a breathtaking view of the 9th hole, is now open to the public. "Recreational offerings are an important aspect of any community," O'Shea said. "At Palencia, we have strived to offer more and better quality services and facilities for our residents." Recreational choices at Palencia include green spaces and nature trails, athletic parks with ball fields, pocket parks and playgrounds woven throughout the community -- even a pirate ship playground. These natural, common spaces provide great locations for family gatherings, neighborhood social events and exercise. Special Palencia's swim and fitness facility has something for everyone from the active pool, wading pool and tower slide to the elegant leisure pool. The fitness center, complete with dedicated aerobics and weight rooms, well-appointed men's and women's locker rooms, sauna and steam rooms, massage room, and a children's play room, provides residents with access to a full-service amenity. Tennis enthusiasts soon will enjoy the tennis complex, including Har-true clay courts and a covered pavilion area. Palencia residents also may obtain a membership to the Serenata Beach Club, Ponte Vedra's newest and most exclusive private ocean club. Residents have the opportunity to interact with nature and enjoy the wonderful views by accessing an extensive network of boardwalks that reach out to a handful of preserved natural islands along the Intracoastal. Other neighborhood recreational choices include green spaces and nature trails, athletic parks with ball fields, pocket parks and playgrounds woven throughout the community and even a pirate ship playground. These natural, common spaces provide great locations for family gatherings, neighborhood social events and exercise. From Jacksonville, take U.S. Highway 1 south to Palencia Village Drive, located east of International Golf Parkway in St. Johns County. The Palencia Information Center is located approximately one mile inside the entrance. For more information about Palencia, call (904) 810-0500, or visit Palencia online at http://www.vivapalencia.com/. The Sales and Information Center, as well as all model homes, are open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

The Times Union - Saturday, June 12, 2004.

Buyers Camp Out for Crosswinds’ Avila Offering

Special to builders showcase

Buyers camped out at Palencia Realty’s door on the first weekend of sales of Crosswinds’ Communities Avila, an elegant new, gated condominium community located inside Palencia, the prestigious 1,450-acre master-planned Hines community off US 1 in north St. Johns County. By the end of the day Sunday, 138 in Avila’s first phase were sold. Phase II, consisting of 118 condominium homes, will be released later this summer.

“There were some buyers waiting at the Palencia sales center in the wee hours of the morning to take advantage of the pre-construction pricing and the great value in the Avila residences,” said Naomi Lumley, Hines sales and marketing director at Palencia. “We were a bit overwhelmed at first, but, in the end, both buyers and sellers were happy.”

One such happy “camper” was Dave Grove. He and his wife Judy Staver decided they would be the first to buy one of the spectacular Avila condos. The day before Avila went on sale, the couple visited the sale center at about 7 p.m. “I decided I had better not leave, so Judy brought me a radio, lawn chair, pillow and something to read,” Grove said. “We were determined to buy the penthouse model in Building A overlooking the lake, so I was prepared to stay all night to get first choice.” The Palencia sales staff made coffee before they left for the evening. Good thing, too. About midnight, two other buyers arrived; at 3 a.m., two more, with doughnuts. By 5 a.m. there were 15 in line to buy at Avila.

“I got the first selection, and we are very pleased,” Grove said. “The quality of life and investment value created by Hines convinced us that we made the right decision in coming to Palencia.”

Avila offers two distinct, living choices, each providing the same intimate neighborhood setting, with access to many of Palencia’s plush, abundant amenities, and now at pre-construction prices. Avila’s luxurious La Terraza residencies, designed by the award-winning firm of Bloodgood Sharp Buster, feature condominium homes ranging in size from 1,407 to 2,123 square feet, each with covered terraces overlooking sparkling lakes and a scenic forest preserve, priced from the low-$200,000s to the $300,000s. Avila is a development of Michigan-based Crosswinds Communities named of the top 10 most-admired builders in United States by Big Builder magazine in its first APEX awards competition. Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in developing, acquiring, leasing and managing real estate, as well as providing extensive global investment management and advisory services.

Luxury Condo Living In Avila At Palencia Introduced By Crosswinds Communities

St. Augustine, Fla. (May 13, 2004) – Crosswinds Communities has introduced Avila, an elegant new, gated condominium community located inside Palencia, a prestigious 1,450-acre master planned Hines community off US Highway 1 in North St. Johns County.

Avila offers two distinct living choices, each providing the same intimate neighborhood setting and with access to Palencia’s plush, abundant amenities. The architecture harkens to the unique style of Spanish Colonialism with its tile roofs, wrought iron balconies, arched colonnades and rich terra cotta colors.

Avila’s luxurious La Terraza residences, designed by the award-winning firm of Bloodgood Sharp Buster, feature homes ranging from 1,407 to 2,123 square feet, each with covered terraces overlooking sparkling lakes and a scenic forest preserve. Avila offers five distinct La Terraza home designs, all of which include private two-car garages with ample storage space. La Terraza homes of Avila, priced from the low $190s to the $270s, are situated in four-story buildings with covered walkways and elevators.

Le Jardin residences of Avila, also designed by Bloodgood Sharp Buster, offer elegant two and three bedroom condominium homes range from 1,279 to 1,381 square feet priced from the $150s and feature three easy-living floorplans to choose from. All Le Jardin homes include covered parking. Avila plans call for 290 total residences in the first phase.

All the homes at Avila utilize the highest quality construction materials. Each home is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including structured wiring for high speed Internet, advanced home security systems and pre-wiring for “smart-home” features. There’s also a generous list of standard features, with a wide variety of luxurious appointments available for customizing individual tastes.
Avila is perfectly situated on 40 acres of a pristine forest-preserve and lakes near Palencia’s entrance. A private gated entry provides peace-of-mind and a quiet setting. Avila is the only gated condominium neighborhood planned for Palencia.

In addition to Avila’s own private pool and cabana, residents will have an opportunity to share in Palencia’s world-class amenities, including an Arthur Hills designed 18-hole Championship golf course, lush landscaping and unique natural features such as green spaces, parks, nature trails and boardwalks.

Just a short walk away from the Avila entrance is the town center of Palencia Village, overlooking a 15-acre lake and the ninth green. Palencia Village features retail shops, offices, parks and gathering places including a 33,000 square-foot private golf clubhouse, tennis club and swim and fitness center.

Adjacent to Palencia Village, Avila residents can enjoy a 10-acre athletic complex, complete with ball fields, picnic area and a Pirate ship-themed adventure playground for children. In addition residents can access a community-wide 30-acre system of parks and trails.

Avila is perfectly situated between Jacksonville and St. Augustine with convenient access to U.S 1, County Road 210 and I-95. Whether working in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, the Southside employment district or the growing Flagler center area, the commute is easy.
The area is renowned for unlimited year-round outdoor recreational opportunities including golf, boating, fishing, and kayaking. Explore Guana State Park, located just east of Palencia.

Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine beaches are just minutes away. Avila residents enjoy optional membership privileges at the Palencia Golf Club and private Serenata Beach Club on the ocean in South Ponte Vedra Beach.

To the south the historic city of St. Augustine offers a variety of quaint shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, cafes, parks, historical attractions and numerous cultural festivals. Just to the north, Jacksonville provides all the amenities of big-city living, including shopping, dining, professional football and baseball and a Symphony Orchestra.

Avila is a development of Crosswinds Communities, one of the leading privately owned residential building and development companies in the United States. Crosswinds Communities was founded in 1971 by Bernie Glieberman and has developed communities in six states, with tens of thousands of homes built. The same commitment to quality and value has followed and with it thousands of satisfied new home owners. The company’s focus on quality, value and customer satisfaction parallels that of Palencia developer Hines.

Michigan-based Crosswinds Communities has been named one of the top 10 most admired builder in the U.S. by Big Builder magazine in its first APEX Awards competition. Builder 100 firms were ranked in five major categories: best leadership and management, best operational excellence and efficiency, most innovative product design, best community relations/public service and best job delivering affordable, luxury housing.
For more information on Avila, contact any agent at Palencia Realty at 904.810.0500, or on the web at www.vivapalencia.com. For more information on Crosswinds Communities, contact Michael Layne or Glenn Oswald at (248) 855.6777, or visit www.crosswinds.com.

Hines Welcomes Crosswinds Community to Palencia

Jacksonville, FL - December 3, 2003 - Hines, developer of Palencia, has recently joined forces with nationally acclaimed builder and developer Crosswinds Communities, to introduce high-quality, affordable condominium homes as a gated sub-community inside the prestigious master-planned community. The collaboration of Hines and Crosswinds brings together two richly experienced developers, each with long histories of award winning, successful residential and commercial developments. The addition of value rich condominium homes at Palencia are intended to add to the abundant residential choices and amenities presently available inside the community.

"Crosswinds has been in the building and developing business for over three decades," said Walter O¹ Shea, Project Manager for Hines at Palencia. "Their company¹s focus is on quality, value and customer satisfaction, which parallels our own thinking at Hines. They¹ve shown us that they are an innovative, detail-oriented company, and we at Hines feel this makes them a great fit for an addition to Palencia," he added.

The Crosswinds sub-community, located near Palencia¹s front entrance, will be gated and surrounded by acres of lush Florida preservation land and sparkling lakes. Residents of these luxurious condominiums will be able to enjoy all of the diverse amenities inside Palencia, including the community¹s Arthur Hills designed championship golf course, multi-million dollar swim and fitness club, tennis club, athletic park with ball fields and children¹s themed playground. The community is slated for completion at the end of 2004, with priority reservations beginning after the first of the year. Homes are expected to be offered in two styles, with colony homes priced from the $150¹s and larger terrace homes starting fom the $270¹s. Current plans call for 290 total residences.

Crosswinds Communities, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, is recognized as a premier award-winning company and one of the nation¹s leading privately owned residential building and development companies. Their successes have included condominium, townhome and single-family home communities in six states including California, North Carolina, Virginia, Arizona and Florida. Bernard Glieberman, who grew up in a family of builders, founded the company in 1971.

"Crosswinds has built and renovated homes throughout the country in cosmopolitan, metropolitan, resort locations and master planned communities. We are a full service building and developing company and are excited to be a part of Hines¹ Palencia team. I believe that both firms compliment one another and that we will create something great in the process. We feel that this project will prove very exciting to potential residents and fulfill a strong desire in the marketplace," Glieberman said.

Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in developing, acquiring, leasing and managing real estate, as well as providing extensive global investment management and advisory services. The Hines portfolio of projects completed and under way includes 700 properties representing 223 million square feet of office, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, sports facilities and residential properties, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments. With offices in 74 U.S. cities and 11 foreign countries, and controlled assets valued in excess of $13 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world with a focus on building innovation, quality, energy conservation and service.

Palencia, a Hines Community, is a true example of the stewardship of man and nature. The original landscape has been preserved carefully with century-old oak forests on a network of winding paths and boardwalks spanning the pristine marshlands of the Intracoastal Waterway. The heart of Palencia is the Village Center where neighbors will meet at the club or village green. There are plenty of amenities to chose from including a magnificent 18-hole Arthur Hills ­ designed course spanning 7,071 yards. Estate lots, homes, townhomes and condominiums from the mid $200¹s to $3,000,000 are available. Palencia is located in northern St. Johns County on the west bank of the Intracoastal at the intersection of International Golf Parkway and U.S. 1. For more information please contact Palencia Realty at 904.810.0500 or on the web at www.vivapalencia.com.

Crosswinds Communities Named One of the Most Admired Builders in the United States

National Survey of Homebuilders Ranks Novi, Michigan-Based Developer in the Top 10 Nationwide

NOVI, MI – January 6, 2004 – Crosswinds Communities, a Novi-based company building single family homes, town homes, commercial developments and Master-Planned Communities in Michigan and five other states, has been named the 9th most admired builder in the U.S. by Big Builder magazine in its first APEX Awards competition. The results were announced in the magazine’s December 16 issue.

More than 500 homebuilding managers and executives took part in a national survey and were asked to rank the magazine’s “Builder 100” companies in a variety of management and leadership practices, including identifying “the company I’d most want to work for.”

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Bernie Glieberman, founder and president of Crosswinds Communities. “To be ranked in the Top 10 by our peers in the building profession means a great deal. It exemplifies the hard work and dedication of all our employees who consistently make the buyer and high-quality construction top priorities.”

The APEX Awards survey was administered via email to readers of Builder and Big Builder magazines. Builder 100 firms were ranked in five major categories: best leadership and management, best operational excellence and efficiency, most innovative product design, best community relations/public service and best job delivering affordable housing.

The survey, commissioned by Big Builder magazine, was based on the votes of 511 completed surveys submitted by qualified home building industry executives. Any builder from the 2002 Hanley Wood publishing “Builder 100” list of the nation’s biggest builders was eligible.

“The APEX Awards recognizes those companies that are seen by their peers as being the best in the business of building the American dream,” said Wyatt Kash, editor of Big Builder magazine. “These awards not only recognize corporate excellence, but public spirit as well.”

“Our ranking puts us ahead of a number of larger, national builders,” Glieberman added. “This demonstrates Crosswinds’ expertise at developing communities specific to an area’s unique needs, and the lifestyles of its residents.”

Crosswinds Communities, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, is the largest independently owned builder in Michigan and one of the top 50 in the United States. Founded in 1971 by Bernie Glieberman, Crosswinds specializes in town homes, single-family homes, commercial developments and Master-Planned Communities. Crosswinds has developed communities in six states, with tens of thousands of homes built, earning numerous building industry awards. For more information on Crosswinds Communities, contact Michael Layne or Glenn Oswald at (248) 855-6777, or visit www.crosswinds.com