Palencia North River II Estate Lots Selling Rapidly

April 24, 2005 -- One of a kind estate lots in the North River neighborhood of Palencia are selling at a rapid pace, after opening site tours saw nine of the pristine home sites sold in a matter of hours.

Palencia is located between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, off historic US Highway 1.. The 1,450 acres on the western banks of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Tolomoto River., succeeds in preserving the delicate balance between the diverse habitats that define Northeast Florida and enhancing the quality of life. Both top priorities for Hines, Palencia's developer.

The estate home sites of North River are heavily treed with beautiful oak canopies and offer spectacular marsh and Intracoastal views, golf course frontage on The Palencia Club's championship golf course and wonderful wooded preserve areas offering unsurpassed natural beauty and serenity.

"We had quite a day, "commented Naomi Lumley, sales and marketing manager for Hines at Palencia. "The opening of the second phase two of North River has been very well received. The location is truly remarkable and it doesn't take buyers long to decide the estate lots are the perfect home site or a great investment."

Developed to preserve as much of the natural environment as possible, Hines has taken great care to establish a thriving residential community that exists in harmony with the natural splendor of the area. An extensive network of boardwalks, hiking trails, and bike paths travel through dense woods and over trickling streambeds.

From Palencia's most notable natural amenity, the spectacular Tolomato River, to the master-planned community's more than 250 acres of maritime oak and pine forests, North River is the ultimate location for richly appointed and architecturally beautiful estate homes. Home site prices range from $475,000 to 1.25 million. There is no time limit to build.

Palencia amenities include a private golf club and a 7,100 yard Arthur Hills designed championship golf course that winds its way through the 200-year old maritime oak trees and along the waterway.

The Village Center mirrors the Spanish-Colonial style architecture of St. Augustine and features charming cafes, street-level shops, and professional offices. The award-winning Palencia Club, is a 33,000 square-foot private golf club features a luxurious members-only dinning room, The Café on the Green. a bar and grill overlooking the spectacular 9th and 18th greens of the community's championship golf course and banquet facilities with a breathtaking views.

Residents enjoy a multiple court tennis center; a 10-acre athletic park featuring a baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball court, and tot-lot and an all-inclusive swim and fitness center complete with water slide, children's play pool, adult lap pool, snack bar, fully equipped gym, and locker rooms with massage, steam, and sauna to ease weary muscles after an invigorating workout.

Earlier this year, the 21st Annual Best in American Living Awards honored Palencia with a Best Smart Growth Community award and a Best Community Amenity award for the Palencia Club. The awards are sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and the National Association of Home Builders.

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 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.

About Hines
Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in developing, acquiring, leasing and managing real estate, as well as providing extensive international investment management and advisory services. The Hines portfolio of projects completed, underway, acquired and managed for third parties includes more than 700 properties representing over 244 million square feet of office, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical, sports facilities and residential properties, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments. With offices in 69 U.S. cities and 12 foreign countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $14 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world. Access www.hines.com for more information.