History

The extraordinary development of Amelia Island Plantation is based on a unique master plan with a commitment to balancing development with the unique and irreplaceable natural community. The development of our extensive resort and residential community has been accomplished while protecting the beautiful environment and taking advantage of the Atlantic Ocean, the serene marsh, and the unbelievable tree canopy that we are blessed with at Amelia Island Plantation. An Architectural Review Board has encouraged architectural designs that blend with the natural environment. Man cannot recreate this gift of nature. It is our responsibility to guard and maintain it and we are pleased to be a part of that.

History and Development of Amelia Island Plantation

In 1970, the Sea Pines Company of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, acquired approximately 2,000 acres of uplands and well over 1,000 acres of tidal marshes on Amelia Island from the Union Carbide Corporation. Union Carbide originally purchased the land for the purpose of strip mining titanium. The most spectacular portion of the land was the southern end of the island which consisted of over 1,600 acres of forested upland surrounded by 4 miles of ocean beach and 1,000 acres of tidal wetlands. Located 25 miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, the site provided an ideal location for a world class residential and resort community. In acquiring this property of exceptional beauty and fragile character, the Sea Pines Company set out for itself the ambitious goal of developing and operating a residential resort community that was in harmony with nature.

A team of outstanding naturalists with direct experience in environmental conditions of northeast Florida was assembled. Detailed studies on climate, topography, geology, hydrology, soils, vegetation and wildlife of Amelia Island were compiled and these studies were translated to interpretive maps. This process yielded a unique master plan with a commitment to balancing development with the unique and irreplaceable natural community. This process also yielded significant conservation approaches that are now industry standards, some through practice and emulation, and others through legislation.

In 1972 the Master Plan was unveiled. A plan that wove roads, commercial areas, homesites, recreational areas, and meeting facilities into the natural environment of the massive sand dunes, ancient live oak forests, extensive marshes, and the beautiful beach on the Atlantic Ocean. The Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions for Amelia Island Plantation were incorporated and placed on the properties. These Covenants and Restrictions established an Architectural Review Board to review and approve all additional alterations or changes. Since its inception, the original Master Plan and its guiding principles have substantially endured.

It is important to remember that when the Plantation was started there was little state or local regulation impacting development. No zoning ordinance or building code. There was no regional planning councils, no coastal construction control line, and certainly no state law requiring detailed environmental studies. Today these kinds of studies, plans and restrictions are old hat.

The plan preserved more than 50% of the original property excluding the tidal marshes in conservation zones, preservations and greenbelts. Originally permitted for over 6,000 units, or 4.7 units to an acre, the Amelia Island Plantation will be built out at a density of about 1.6 residential units to an acre.

The high demand for beach and ocean views was balanced against the need to maintain stability and quality of the fragile dune system. The result was generally limiting development to the secondary dune. The primary dune and dune trough was preserved for storm protection and recreational uses. This resulted in a self imposed construction setback line that was based on ecological data such as tidal data studied in 1970. This has been particularly important in establishing one of the trademarks for the Plantation. Over time, the Architectural Review Board has encouraged architectural designs that blend with the natural environment. Designs that respect the unique topography and landscape of Amelia Island and that are compatible with adjacent structures in terms of form, massing, scaling and other areas. The impact of each residence on individual trees is scrutinized by the Architectural Review Board to minimize the loss of valuable trees and natural plants. Natural plants are encouraged in all landscape treatments.

Our Commitment to Carry on the Past:

Our company's Vision and our Beliefs keep us committed to what Amelia Island Plantation was meant to be. Our vision to be a premier total resort committed to making people happy … is the same vision that Charles Fraser and the Sea Pines Company had in the early 70’s. Our beliefs are also dominated by thoughts of the natural environment. The unique beauty and resources of Amelia Island Plantation must be preserved. The ambience of the property is critical. The quality of our service must equal the quality of the natural environment. The beauty of the natural environment is reflected in our friendliness and caring. These beliefs and others have enabled us to maintain the Amelia Island Plantation the way it was meant to be. Before his death Charles Fraser visited Amelia many times and one of the biggest compliments he paid to us was that of all of his communities Amelia Island Plantation was more like what he meant it to be than any of the others.

The company's real estate department (Amelia Island Plantation Real Estate Sales) is the main real estate force on the Plantation selling 70 to 80% of the resales at Amelia Island Plantation. AIP Real Estate Sales gives back to the Company and Community. The Amelia Island Company manages the resort operations of our 1,350 acre community, 72 holes of golf, 23 tennis courts, a health & fitness center, 7 restaurants, a private club, in excess of 50,000 square feet of meeting space, a 249 room inn plus we manage approximately 400 condominiums on our rental market, miles of wooded bike and walking trails, 3-1/2 miles of beautiful oceanfront, and a wonderful place to live, work and play.