2008 Nutcracker Tour of Homes

Historic City News has learned that the Neighborhoods of World Golf Village will hold their annual Nutcracker Tour of Homes, planned for Nov. 28th -Dec. 7th.

The free holiday home tour, open daily from noon-4 p.m., will feature four homes artfully decorated in themes adapted from The Nutcracker ballet.

Davidson Realty, Inc., the event’s organizer, is once again hosting its annual Sertoma for Kids toy drive in conjunction with the event and encourages tour attendees to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the drive, which will benefit underprivileged children in St. Johns County. Collection boxes will be set up at each home on tour.

“The holidays are our favorite time of the year at World Golf Village and our Nutcracker tour has become a much-anticipated event. We’ve been receiving calls for weeks now from individuals inquiring about details,” said Sherry Davidson, president of Davidson Realty, Inc. “Last year, we collected hundreds of toys and hundreds of additional dollars to purchase even more toys. In light of current economic conditions, we hope to collect enough items to ensure that every child in our area has a wonderful holiday season.”

According to Mirtha Barzaga, an agent with Davidson Realty whose company, Floral Creations by Mirtha, is handling decorations for the tour, the décor will be even more elaborate than in years past. “We’re having a great time making plans and can’t wait to debut these spectacular designs in some of our community’s most beautiful homes,” said Barzaga.

Participating builders and developers are Cordele Builders, CornerStone Homes, Stonecraft Fine Homes and Bateman & Martin Developments. The following is a list of the homes on tour with a brief synopsis of the homes’ attributes and holiday themes.

2825 Oakgrove Avenue in the Oakgrove Estates neighborhood – “Nutcracker Soldiers and Whimsical Toys” – Cordele Builders’ elegant 3,349-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bath plan will be decked with nutcracker soldiers, harlequins, toys and wrapped gifts in a pine-scented environment. Located in The Estates of World Golf Village, this new home is situated on a preserve lot and features an open floor plan with hardwood floors throughout, a master suite that opens onto a screened lanai, an oversized garage and a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, custom cabinetry, GE Profile stainless appliances, island cook tops and two ovens. The home also includes initiation fees for a World Golf Village golf membership. Priced at $662,900.

5328 GroveWood Court in the GroveWood neighborhood – “Shades of Blue”- CornerStone Homes’ brand new Mediterranean-styled home, The Captiva, will be draped with ostrich feathers and varying shades of holiday blues throughout. The 2,718-square-foot home has a split bedroom plan with four bedrooms and three baths and includes an upgraded kitchen with granite countertops, 42-inch cabinets with molding and stainless appliances; a master bedroom suite with custom closets, a bay window and a garden bath; and a state-of-the-art home theater with audio pre-wiring, in addition to a tech center and a three-car garage. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac, the home has a screened lanai and plenty of room for a pool. The builder will pay all closing costs plus the initiation fee to World Golf Village’s golf courses. Priced at $385,000.

2645 Oakgrove Ave. in the Windmill Estates neighborhood – “Timeless Pieces” – Traditional Christmas colors will enhance Stonecraft Fine Homes’ Madeira model, decorated with trees dressed with clocks and red poinsettias and with matching centerpieces and accessories throughout the 4,822-square-foot, five-bedroom, five-bath home. Situated on a premium preserve homesite, the Old World-designed home features detailed craftsmanship with extensive use of crown molding, custom tile, hardwood floors, Mosaic niches and custom cabinetry in the kitchen and baths and granite countertops. The home also incorporates a custom-built wrought iron and oak stairway and a three-car garage. Priced at $899,000.

100 Laterra Links Circle #201 in Laterra Links – “Shimmering Angels” – Bateman & Martin Developments’ Pebble Beach model will reflect the season with copper, ivory and gold tones and décor featuring angels and magnolias. The 2,783-square-foot coach home has three bedrooms, three baths and granite and Corian countertops and 18-inch tile in the foyer, halls and baths. The upstairs home offers vaulted ceilings, 10-foot bay windows in the kitchen and master bedroom, a gourmet kitchen, and standard interior amenities such as rounded corners, plant shelves, tray ceilings and a private elevator. With panoramic view of lakes and the King & Bear golf course, Laterra Links features sturdy concrete block construction and tile roofs. Homes in Laterra Links priced from $425,000-$530,000.

The St. Johns County Festival of Trees will also be underway at World Golf Village. Held at the St. Johns County Convention Center adjacent to the Renaissance Resort, the free event’s grand opening will be held Friday, Dec. 5 from 6-8 p.m. and the event will last through Sunday, Dec. 15. Showcasing trees and wreaths decorated by community businesses and organizations, the festival’s trees will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting The St. Augustine Record’s empty stocking fund and the United Way of St. Johns County. Attendees may vote on their favorite trees for $1 per vote.

For more information on The Nutcracker at World Golf Village or other real estate opportunities in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village, call (904) 940-5000.

Photo credit: Historic City News photographer Kerry McGuire