Taylor Morrison announced the grand opening of an 18-hole championship golf course at Esplanade at St. Marys, marking a major milestone for its coastal Georgia property. The development represents the first Esplanade resort lifestyle community in the Greater Jacksonville market, bringing large-scale residential planning together with recreational and athletic facilities.
What Changed
Taylor Morrison has officially opened the community’s centerpiece 18-hole championship golf course in Coastal Georgia. Designed by C.W. Golf Architecture, the layout features five distinct teeing options ranging from 3,500 to 7,000 yards to accommodate various skill levels. Alongside the course layout, the property introduces course amenities including an Aqua Range, a Pro Shoppe, and an on-site Café.
According to Mike Block, General Manager at Esplanade at St. Marys, the course provides an unforgettable golf experience while highlighting the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Jeremy Hampson, Jacksonville Division President, noted that St. Marys offers a nostalgic charm and nature-rich setting ideal for the brand’s market introduction.
Context and Community Scale
Esplanade at St. Marys spans a 1,250-acre footprint near the Georgia-Florida border, offering direct access to major transit corridors including I-95, Highway 17, and GA 40. Upon full completion, the master-planned development is slated to include more than 1,300 single-family homes.
Housing options at the property feature 13 distinct floor plans ranging from 1,580 to 3,730 square feet. Configurations span two to four bedrooms, two to five-and-a-half baths, and two- to three-car garages. Base pricing for these single-family residences ranges from the $400s to over $1 million.
Key Benefits and Planned Amenities
Beyond the newly opened golf course, the resort lifestyle community is planned to feature an extensive suite of wellness, social, and recreational amenities. Planned additions include a dedicated Culinary Center, a Wellness Center equipped with saunas and a cold plunge, as well as a Spa and Salon.
For outdoor recreation, the master plan incorporates tennis, pickleball, and bocce courts, alongside a resort-style pool and spa outfitted with cabanas and a Poolside Bahama Bar. Daily conveniences and pet features include a Bark Park and community walking trails.
Cammie Longenecker, Taylor Morrison’s President of Resort Lifestyle, stated that the community aims to provide endless opportunities for residents to build connections and experience a lifestyle that mirrors a permanent vacation.
Business Implications and Sector Impact
The project expands Taylor Morrison’s footprint under its recognized Esplanade brand, which encompasses more than 30 communities across the United States. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the homebuilder maintains a strong market reputation. Lifestory Research recognized Taylor Morrison as America’s Most Trusted® Builder across the 2016–2026 timeframe. Furthermore, the company was named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026–2027 Best Companies to Work For List for the fourth consecutive year, while its Southern California Division was named a 2026 Best Place to Work SoCal for the third consecutive year.
By establishing its first Esplanade community in the Greater Jacksonville market, Taylor Morrison is capitalizing on regional migration patterns and demand for resort-style active adult and master-planned neighborhoods in the Southeast.
Limitations and Uncertainties
While the 18-hole championship golf course and initial residential phases are underway, a specific completion timeline and target date for the entire 1,300-home development and all planned secondary amenities have not been finalized or explicitly detailed by the company.
What to Watch Next
Prospective buyers and industry analysts will monitor the pace of home construction, sales absorption rates within the $400s-to-$1-million pricing tier, and the construction milestones for the remaining secondary amenities, including the Culinary Center and Wellness facilities.