St. Johns County has purchased the sprawling World Golf Village property after the venture announced its departure to North Carolina in 2022.
Officials said they secured the more than 36-acre parcel for $5.3 because they didn’t want to risk having it fall prey to undesirable development.
“By seizing control through this acquisition, the community as a whole, gains the power to shape its future,” said county administrator Joy Andrews in a statement. “This move allows us to invite the best private-public partnerships to enhance our residents’ quality of life and unlock revenue opportunities. By maintaining control over the development process, we ensure that only what’s best for our residents will be featured in the revitalized World Golf Village.”
The purchase includes:
- World Golf Hall of Fame: a 64,113-square-foot multi-purpose facility.
- World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater: a 17,865 square-foot movie theater.
- PGA Tour Productions: a 32,329-square-foot office building.
- South Legacy Trail: 36.07 acres of parking lots, landscaping, and lakes.
World Golf Foundation, Inc. will lease back the Tour Production Building until March 2025 to give production crews time to move to their new headquarters at TPC in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The United States Golf Association announced in July 2022 that it would close the St. Augustine properties and move the Hall of Fame to its original home in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Officials said they will gather public comment prior to any new development of the site.
