For decades, the 185 acres of land known as Crane Island – an island-within-an-island along the Intracoastal Waterway on Amelia Island – have sat untouched as one of Amelia’s last pieces of undeveloped waterfront land.
The land was formerly inhabited by the Broadbent family, who moved there from England in 1886. The family sold off the land in 1973, and it remained dormant since.
But now, a group led by a longtime local development is set to build out a 113-home master-planned community on Crane Island.
Crane Island Real Estate LLC, a partnership formed by Saad Wallan and Jack Healan Jr., purchased the land for around $10 million in 2014. Four years later, construction is beginning on the first phase of homes on the island.
“We are all inspired by the opportunity at hand – the incredible chance to sustainably develop one of the last parcels of Intracoastal Waterway land on Amelia Island,” says Healan.
Healan has 30 years of development experience in the area and was a major catalyst in making development on Crane Island a reality.
“This project would not have happened if not for Jack,” says John Hillman, the island’s VP of sales and marketing.
The team was inspired by the opportunity to develop the island in a responsible manner. Much of the island’s green space will be preserved and protected during construction, and the developers will utilize bioswales as opposed to creating giant retention ponds.
To complement the natural elements of the island, a central park area will be present in the project as well as a lengthy eight-foot-wide, multi-use path.
“You can ride your bike to the beach,” says Hillman.
Community docks will provide boat and kayak access to and from the Intracoastal.
The natural theme will continue into the architectural feel of the community’s homes. Architectural guidelines for the project emphasize historic Floridian home elements and also borrows heavily from Lowcountry aesthetics – much like another Nassau County development in the works, Wildlight.
Pickett Construction, Riverside Homes, Cam Bradford Homes, and Dream Finders Luxury Homes fill out the roster of homebuilders at Crane Island. Homebuyers can design a custom home or choose from a portfolio of pre-designed plans.
Other community amenities will include a clubhouse with fitness center, an infinity pool overlooking the Intracoastal, and the ability for residents to join the nearby Amelia Island Club.
The first homes are expected to be ready by next spring. The entire project is expected to wrap construction in 2024.
To learn more about Crane Island, or to inquire about homes there, check out the project’s website: https://craneisland.com
