What New Communities Are Being Built in St. Johns County in 2026?

Where Is All the New Construction Happening in St. Johns County Right Now?

If you've been paying attention to Northeast Florida, you already know that St. Johns County has been in growth mode for years. What's remarkable is that the pace hasn't slowed down. If anything, the pipeline of new communities and new phases within existing master-planned developments keeps expanding to meet demand from buyers relocating from across the country.

Whether you're moving to the area for the first time, upsizing, or looking for a low-maintenance home in an active lifestyle community, understanding what's being built -- and where -- is the first step to finding the right fit. Here's a breakdown of the major communities generating activity in St. Johns County and the surrounding region in 2026.

Nocatee: Still the Flagship, Still Expanding

Nocatee has been one of the top-selling master-planned communities in the United States for several years running, and it continues to add new villages and new phases in 2026. Located in Ponte Vedra along the Duval/St. Johns County border, Nocatee is not one neighborhood -- it's a collection of villages, each with its own character, price point, and builder mix.

Ongoing phases include activity in villages such as Seabrook Village, Pinewood, and newer additions that continue to be added as the community builds toward buildout. Builders active in Nocatee have included David Weekley, Toll Brothers, Dream Finders, ICI Homes, Dostie Homes, and others -- though the lineup shifts as phases open and close.

What draws buyers to Nocatee is the combination of amenities that few other communities can match: a water park, resort pools, a town center with retail and dining, an extensive trail system, and a strong events calendar that gives the community a genuine neighborhood feel. Prices in Nocatee range broadly -- from the upper $300,000s in entry-level villages to well over $1 million in custom and luxury sections like Twenty Mile.

If you're considering Nocatee, the key decision isn't just "do I want to live here" -- it's "which village fits my priorities." That's where working with a local agent makes a real difference, because the inventory, builder timelines, and CDD structures vary significantly from one village to the next.

RiverTown: Along the St. Johns River, Actively Growing

RiverTown sits along the western bank of the St. Johns River in St. Johns, Florida -- about 25 miles south of downtown Jacksonville. It's a large master-planned community that has grown steadily over the past several years and continues to add new phases and new builders in 2026.

Pulte Homes and Dream Finders Homes are among the builders actively selling in RiverTown, with a range of product types from townhomes and paired villas to single-family homes on larger lots. The community is organized around its connection to the St. Johns River, with a River Club featuring resort amenities, multiple pools, fitness facilities, and access to the riverfront.

One of RiverTown's most significant developments in recent years has been the addition of WaterSong, the community's dedicated 55+ active adult section. WaterSong has its own amenity center and is designed specifically for buyers who want a low-maintenance, lifestyle-focused home within the broader RiverTown community. (More on WaterSong in a separate post.)

RiverTown's pricing generally runs from the mid-$300,000s into the $600,000s and above, depending on the product line and lot. The community is still actively building, which means buyers have opportunities to purchase new construction at various stages -- from pre-sale to move-in ready inventory.

Shearwater: Lifestyle-Focused Living in St. Johns

Shearwater is a master-planned community in St. Johns that has built a strong reputation around its amenities and natural setting. The community features a lagoon-style pool, a kayak launch on the Trout Creek waterway, a fitness center, dog parks, and a trail network that connects to the broader surroundings.

Shearwater has multiple builders active within the community, offering a range of home styles and sizes. It's positioned at a price point that appeals to a broad range of buyers -- from first-time new construction buyers to move-up buyers looking for more space and lifestyle amenities than older resale inventory can offer.

The community continues to add phases as demand holds strong. Shearwater's location in the CR-210 corridor gives residents convenient access to I-95, Ponte Vedra, the beaches, and the broader St. Johns County school district zone -- making it attractive to buyers who want master-planned amenities without the higher price tags associated with some other communities.

Silverleaf: One of the Fastest-Growing New Communities in St. Johns

Silverleaf has emerged as one of the most active new community stories in St. Johns County over the past few years, and that momentum continues into 2026. Located off CR-2209 near the I-95 corridor in St. Augustine, Silverleaf is a large master-planned community with multiple builders -- including DR Horton, Toll Brothers, Pulte, and others -- offering homes across a wide price spectrum.

What distinguishes Silverleaf is scale and variety. The community is large enough to support its own amenity infrastructure, with pools, fitness facilities, and open spaces, while still being in the early-to-mid stages of buildout -- meaning buyers can still get in on new phases with new construction pricing before the community fully matures.

Prices in Silverleaf range from the low-to-mid $300,000s for entry-level product to the $500,000s and above for larger homes on premium lots. The combination of price accessibility and St. Johns County location has made it one of the more watched communities among buyers relocating from higher-cost markets.

Tributary: Active Adult Living in Nassau County (Worth Knowing)

While not technically in St. Johns County, Tributary in Yulee -- located in Nassau County just north of Jacksonville -- deserves mention for buyers specifically looking at 55+ active adult communities in Northeast Florida. Tributary is a dedicated active adult community with single-story homes, resort-style amenities, and a lifestyle programming focus that appeals strongly to retirees moving to Florida.

Nassau County has its own appeal: lower property taxes compared to some surrounding counties, proximity to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, and a quieter pace than the denser growth corridors to the south. For buyers who are open to Nassau County as an alternative to St. Johns County, Tributary is one of the communities worth including in a comparison.

What's Supporting All This Growth?

New communities don't succeed in isolation -- they need commercial infrastructure to support them. St. Johns County has seen ongoing retail, dining, and service development along the major growth corridors to keep pace with residential growth. The CR-210 corridor, the US-1 corridor near Silverleaf, and the areas surrounding Nocatee's Town Center have all seen continued commercial activity.

Healthcare access is also a factor worth noting. St. Johns County's proximity to Jacksonville means residents have access to Mayo Clinic Florida in Jacksonville, as well as multiple hospital systems and specialist networks. For retirees and healthcare-conscious buyers, this is a meaningful quality-of-life consideration that supports the ongoing demand for housing in the county.

Infrastructure investment -- road widening, interchange improvements, and school capacity additions -- continues to be a live topic in St. Johns County as local government works to keep pace with growth. Buyers should factor in commute patterns and planned road changes when evaluating community locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CDD and do all new communities in St. Johns County have one?

A Community Development District (CDD) is a special-purpose government entity that finances and manages the infrastructure and amenities within a master-planned community. Many -- but not all -- new communities in St. Johns County carry a CDD assessment that is billed as part of your annual property tax bill. The CDD amount varies significantly by community and by the specific phase or section you're purchasing in. It's one of the most important numbers to understand before making an offer on new construction.

Can I use a buyer's agent when purchasing new construction in these communities?

Yes -- and you should. A buyer's agent representing you in a new construction purchase costs you nothing as the buyer (the builder pays the agent's compensation), but having representation means you have someone reviewing the contract, explaining the builder's process, and advocating for your interests at every stage. Builder sales representatives work for the builder, not for you.

How do I compare communities if I'm relocating from out of state?

The most effective approach is a guided community tour -- typically a half-day or full-day tour where a local agent drives you through multiple communities, walks you through model homes, and explains the differences in pricing, CDD structure, amenities, and builder reputations. Many buyers relocating to Northeast Florida book a trip specifically for this purpose before making any decisions.

Are there resale homes available in these communities, or is everything new construction?

All of these master-planned communities have resale inventory alongside new construction. In some cases, resale homes offer advantages -- established landscaping, immediate availability, seller negotiation flexibility, and no construction timeline uncertainty. In others, new construction makes more sense depending on your needs. A good buyer's agent will show you both and help you weigh the tradeoffs honestly.

Search Northeast Florida Homes

Browse active listings in Nocatee, RiverTown, Tributary, Shearwater, Silverleaf, and communities across St. Johns and Nassau Counties.

What To Do Right Now

If you're trying to figure out which community fits your lifestyle, budget, and timeline, the best next step is a conversation -- not more scrolling. A quick call can help you narrow down options before you ever set foot on a plane or in a model home.

Call or text Joey Larsen at 904-863-6679, or visit RetireMeToFlorida.com to get started.