Snapshots Islanders out and about

snapShots

AT THE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PARADE IN FERNANDINA BEACH

CAROLYN & BILL DWYER KELLY, SEAN AND SAMANTHA GIBSON RICK & MARY SMITHER ROB & CHRISTI ASHBY

AT THE DEDICATION OF THE ELMO MEYERS RECEPTION ROOM AT THE PECK CENTER

CAROLINE BEST AND ANETTE MEYERS LORELEI & BUDDY JACOBS JOHNNY & LORI MILLER PATRICIA & BERNARD THOMPSON

AT THE FOAR FROM HOME UNVEILING OF THEIR BOAT “COURAGEOUS”

HUPP HUPPMAN, PAUL LORE, CAMERON HANSEN, AND BILL CIMINO LEE & VIVIAN WARONKEL WITH CHEF ROBERTO NIKKI PAIDER, BETSY BEAUMONT, AND AUTUMN CROSS SUSAN & DURAND CHILDERS

AT AMELIA TAVERN IN FERNANDINA BEACH FOR RESTAURANT WEEK

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AT THE BARTRAM GARDEN CLUB’S PROGRAM ON NATURALIST WILLIAM BARTRAM

JACKIE GRAY AND LISA CLEARY KAREN REILY, SANDI BARADA, AND LORRAINE CONOVER MADISON TIPTON, MARK BULLINGTON, AND AARON BULLINGTON MIKE ADAMS AND SAM CARR

AT LAGNIAPPE RESTAURANT ON THE SOUTH END FOR RESTAURANT WEEK

LINDA CAMPBELL AND WANDA SIMMONS CHEF BRETT HERITAGE GREY BEAN AND AUDREY JEWELL KATHY WEISFIELD AND GLENDA GUTHRIE

AT NASSAU HUMANE SOCIETY’S SECOND CHANCE STORE ANNIVERSARY SALE

GLORIA STRAND AND BILL QUAM BARBARA REECE WITH KEVIN & RHONDA TOOTHMAN CHERYL QUAM, KAYLEE BUSBE, AND LAURA COGGIN JULIE BREMER WITH BLAKE AND ASHTON ELSINTHORST

AT AN “ADVENTURES IN INDIA” EVENT AT THE PATIO PLACE

DOWN TOWN LIVING

Urban chic in Fernandina Beach is on the rise as more downtown residential options become available, including Lofts on 5th in a former First Baptist Church building.

BY JULIE SIMMONS

Imagine it is a beautiful Sunday morning in downtown Fernandina Beach. You walk onto your front porch and are welcomed by a fresh breeze off the Intracoastal Waterway, the sun warms you from the east, and a canopy of oaks carries the echo of the local train’s whistle. Later, as you stroll to one a quaint nearby restaurant famed for its brunch, you greet families hurrying to beat the church bells, pass a friend walking his dog, and occasionally make way for a horse and carriage making its way along the cobblestone street.

With its rich history of eight fl ags, a location between the river and the ocean, and abundant natural beauty, downtown Fernandina Beach is fi lled with charm. “We love our quiet neighborhood in the heart of Fernandina, with its small town feel and laid-back pace,” said Kari Burgess-Watkins. “Charming homes, churches, and buildings remind us to appreciate living where others choose to vacation!”

As the City of Fernandina Beach continues to attract more tourists and residents, the Historic District Council and local entrepreneurs have done a wonderful job preserving the downtown’s distinctive Victorian architecture. Th rough the years, businesses who love this community have redesigned original structures for contemporary use as shops, bars, restaurants, and even homes.

And where there is new construction, developers are enhancing the historic district’s special charisma. For example, Artisan Homes at Harbor View features individual homesites with two-car garages and rooftop decks, but with their strategic design and brick exterior, you’d never know they are new to downtown.

Th e opportunity to reside steps from restaurants, shopping, the waterfront, and downtown happenings is a lifestyle envied

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by many. If it appeals to you, you’re in luck, as there are creative new options for downtown living headed your way. Many of you will remember the original location of First Baptist Church Fernandina Beach at Alachua and Fifth streets, which today is home to Celebration Church. What you might not know is that the original campus was divided, and the second half, which was used for Sunday School and preschool, is the new home of Lofts on 5th.

“I saw this property and knew it could be something special,” smiles Sherri Rinker, who is developing Lofts on 5th with her dad, Lee Kinard. “We visited the 1963 concrete block and brick veneer building, climbed a ladder to see the views from the roof, and said, ‘Wow!’”

For Rinker, the chance to repurpose this three-story structure into nine urban lofts is the project of a lifetime. In partnership with Jody Driggs of Silling Architect Group and DPS Professional Solutions, Lofts on 5th off ers generous two- and threebedroom unique layouts, abundant windows, and luxury fi nishes, and the new design protects the preserved exterior while adding private balconies and a rooftop terrace and gardens.

“All loft owners have access to the unprecedented views of historic Fernandina Beach and the Amelia River from the terrace, and top fl oor units have access to their own 600 to 700 square foot rooftop garden,” says Sherri.

In addition to the rooftop terrace, the new development also includes bottom fl oor storage for each loft and a one-bedroom shared guest suite residents may reserve for visitors. To learn more, visit loftson5th.com.

If you’re looking to wake up and wind down each day surrounded by hip and historic charm, some of the new residential options available downtown might be for you. But for all of us, wherever you reside, Amelia Island is a wonderful place to live, thanks in large part to the many entrepreneurs who invest in businesses and development in this special community we adore.By Julie Simmons