Onward and Upward

CornerStone plans for bright future, looks forward to Nocatee

CornerStone Homes continues to stand at the forefront of the Jacksonville area's new-home construction market. Buyer demand for CornerStone's superior product has been strong as evidenced by the home builder's sales reports, the introduction of several newly designed floorplans and the expansion into new, desirable communities.

"CornerStone has established itself within Northeast Florida's new-home construction industry by providing awarding-winning designs, quality construction and unsurpassed customer service," said Mark Downing, managing partner for CornerStone Homes. "Our complete dedication to overall excellence has resulted in high demand for our homes and communities from potential customers seeking the most enjoyable home-buying experience possible."

This exuberance, coupled with an exemplary work ethic demonstrated daily by its managing partners, has allowed CornerStone to grow from a modest start-up company that built 70 homes in its first full year, to a lively operation projected to finish 200 homes in 2006, representing a growth revenue that has more than tripled in just three short years. Dedicated to maintaining and strengthening its reputation as one of Northeast Florida's premier builders of quality new homes, CornerStone recently has redesigned several of its floorplans to appeal to a variety of lifestyles, while continuing to offer many of its existing award-winning designs.

"These new floorplans demonstrate our philosophy of combining modern design elements with efficient use of space, to create a home of unmatched quality and unrivaled value," Downing said.

CornerStone's intentions to expand on its already impressive family of communities include plans for Northeast Florida's most anticipated community, Austin Park, located in the beautiful Town of Nocatee. As the exclusive builder within Austin Park, CornerStone will offer six distinct floorplans ranging from 1,795 square feet to 3,230 square feet. Home buyers will choose from a brilliant blend of Craftsman-, Mediterranean-, Traditional- and Tuscany-inspired, single-family homes on home sites ranging from 60 feet to 70 feet wide. CornerStone recently has announced sales for Austin Park will begin Saturday, Sept. 9, with prices starting in the $350,000s.

With community parks, trails and nature preserves throughout, Austin Park offers ample opportunity to enjoy the exceptional benefits of a coastal lifestyle in the town of Nocatee.
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CornerStone's homes within Austin Park will offer the builder's Gold feature package, which includes FEMA-approved storm-safe rooms, spacious breakfast nooks per plan, General Electric brand appliances, designer cabinetry with crown molding, master bathrooms with large 42-inch-by-60-inch garden tubs, JEA Green Built standards, Low-E double insulted windows, telecommunication packages, security systems, fully sodded yards with irrigation systems and CornerStone Homes' trademark custom-designed elevations.

Additionally, CornerStone's Platinum feature package provides a variety of upgrades that allow buyers to customize their new home. Platinum feature packages include stainless steel appliances, Cambria solid surface countertops, Corian countertops in owner's bath, cultured marble vanities, upgraded crown molding, baseboards and flooring, and more.

Gold and Platinum packages provide home buyers with the flexibility of enhancing their homes with touches of elegance and sophistication.
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"Our Gold and Platinum packages provide home buyers with the flexibility of enhancing their homes with touches of elegance and sophistication," Downing said.

With community parks, trails and nature preserves throughout, Austin Park at Nocatee offers ample opportunity to enjoy the exceptional benefits of a sunny, coastal lifestyle.

Scheduled to open by early 2007, CornerStone recently announced its model at Austin Park will be the Atlantis, a spectacular 2,694-square-foot, three-bedroom with upstairs bonus, three-bath plan that will showcase the builder's trademark design elements and outstanding architectural features.

The Atlantis' inviting foyer area will welcome owners and guests into the home's living room/study and formal dining room. The Atlantis' open design, large windows and lofty 10-foot ceilings will allow for easy movement throughout the home and create an airy and light ambience. To be built with the needs of today's families in mind, The Atlantis also will feature a designer kitchen with plenty of counter space, a breakfast nook, an open bar-top, a massive family room and a grilling porch.

The sizeable owner's suite will be an escape in itself featuring a splendid 14-foot bay window, roomy walk-in closets and an owner's bath made to pamper with Jacuzzi whirlpool tub, classic Corian double sinks and large walk-in shower. Homeowners truly will be thrilled to see that so many of this home's "luxuries" are actually Platinum package features.

"We're extremely excited about our prospects within Austin Park at Nocatee," Downing said. "It is the perfect example of CornerStone's commitment to complete customer satisfaction through quality design, unbeatable service and the most desirable locations."

The Town of Nocatee is a 15,000-acre planned development from The PARC Group Inc. Spanning the northeast portion of St. Johns County and the southeastern corner of Duval County, the Nocatee plan is a balanced approach to development that will provide residences, employment opportunities, shopping, schools, civic uses and recreation. Each of Nocatee's villages will have an elementary school within walking or biking distance from the homes. Additionally, land has been allocated for six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. A community park also will be within walking distance of every home in Nocatee. Recreational activities include canoeing and kayaking in the Nocatee Greenway and the Nocatee Preserve. There will be a 75-acre park also constructed in Phase I, with amenities to include a water park, YMCA, ball fields and an athletic facility.

As for CornerStone's goals for the future, Cliff Gray, managing partner for CornerStone Homes, said they are not totally based on increasing numbers and revenues.

"We are focused on continuing to build homes the right way, satisfying our customers' needs and exceeding their expectations, and giving back to a Northeast Florida community that has given so much to us," he said.

Locally owned and operated, CornerStone Homes' core values focus on hard work and consistent, high-level performance. Managing partners Cliff Gray and Mark Downing have been fortunate to assemble a team that not only understands the need for these values, but also understands the needs to exemplify integrity and quality in every aspect of the home-building experience.

Recognized by home builders and customers for providing just such an experience, Gray, Downing and CornerStone Homes' team of professionals have won numerous awards including Leadership Awards, Community of the Year Awards, Most Outstanding Team Awards and Good Neighbor Awards.

CornerStone recently celebrated the culmination of this year's "Give Hope A Home" project. The builder’s charitable construction effort raised $186,000 for The Donna Hicken Foundation in support of its ongoing efforts to aid local First Coast women with breast cancer. CornerStone's gracious donation was the single largest contribution The Foundation had ever received and helped the organization surpass the $1 million mark.

CornerStone Homes offers new, single-family homes within some of Northeast Florida's most desirable communities. Priced from the $200,000s to the $500,000s and ranging from 1,738 square feet to more than 4,700 square feet, the home builder currently is active within Doctors Inlet Reserve; Eagle Cove, Eagle Creek, Rolands Way and Spring Creek at Eagle Harbor, Eagle Landing; GroveWood at World Golf Village; Hunter Oaks; Kensington; MuraBella; and Worthington Park.