Durbin Park, a 1,600 acre, super-regional, mixed-used development to be located along Interstate 95 at the new State Road 9B/2209 interchange that is currently under construction, will host one of the largest, most diversified mixed-use developments in northeast Florida. The property, owned by Gate Petroleum Company, constitutes the largest contiguous area in St Johns County planned for intensive commercial development. The project was announced jointly by Gate Petroleum Company and Gatlin Development Company, a real estate investment corporation.

According to Frank Gatlin, chief executive officer of Gatlin Development Company, site work might begin ahead of schedule.

“With the approval of St. Johns County, we are trying to start the clearing, grubbing and site work prior to Thanksgiving, rather than after the first of the year,” Gatlin said. “It appears that State Road 9B is a few months ahead of schedule and this triggers our construction of Phase I, so we are adjusting accordingly.”

Durbin Park will include an estimated 2.4 million square feet of retail, 2.8 million square feet of office space, 999 multi-family units and 350 hotel rooms once completed, all within a landscape of green space, walking trails, lakes and family entertainment offerings.

“Unique to Northeast Florida, Durbin Park will be a distinct destination where individuals and families can live, work, shop and be entertained all within a park-like setting,” said John Peyton, president of Gate Petroleum Company. “The Durbin Park development will bring long overdue amenities to one of the fastest growing counties in the country.”

The first phase of the project, located on an 80-acre parcel west of the new State Road 9B/2209 interchange, will include approximately 700,000 square feet of retail space anchored by at least three big box retailers. Phase I, known as the Pavilion at Durbin Park, is projected to open in the second quarter 2018.

Phase II, located east of the new State Road 9B/2209 interchange and adjacent to Interstate 95, is projected to follow Phase I by 12 –18 months and will include lifestyle retailers, restaurants, entertainment components and the previously announced Bass Pro Shops. The full development will be built out in four phases.

“Since the announcement of the project, there has been a phenomenal level of interest from hundreds of potential tenants,” Gatlin said. “It might be easier to list who has not been interested than to list who has.”

Gatlin said they still cannot release names of tenants, but expect that in about 90 days, they will begin announcing new tenants every 30 days.

“The Durbin Park project is the culmination of years of effort between the county and Gate to bring high quality mixed-use development to St. Johns County,” said Michael Wanchick, St. Johns County Administrator. “Not only will it provide convenient retail and office opportunities currently not available to St. Johns County residents, it will also help keep sales tax dollars local and support county-wide programs and services. We are excited to watch the project come to fruition and positively impact St. Johns County on many levels.”

Gatlin Development will lead all aspects of the retail development as Gate’s joint venture partner.

“Gatlin Development is proud to partner with the St. Johns County community and Gate to bring this market-defining project to Northeast Florida,” said Gatlin. “In my 40 years in the development industry, I have never seen a project with as much potential as Durbin Park. The large amount of land and the unique topography will allow us to create a destination that features abundant shopping options, dozens of dining experiences and exciting, family-fun entertainment offerings all within a backdrop of hundreds of acres of lakes and green space.”

Gatlin also singled out St. Johns County as very responsive and easy to work with, saying he couldn’t give higher praise.

Gate and Gatlin Development have partnered with industry experts The Shopping Center Group that will serve as the leasing agent for the project.

Graphic courtesy Gate Petroleum Company