The long-quiet campus of the former World Golf Hall of Fame could soon be transformed in one of two radically different directions: either into a entertainment destination filled with golf-themed attractions, or a medical and senior living hub.
St. Johns County put the dormant property out for redevelopment earlier this year through a public-private partnership solicitation.
By the July 31 deadline, two proposals landed on county desks. Both cleared the initial screening, and now it’s up to county commissioners to decide if they advance past the first round.
One bid, branded Golftopia, comes from a development team led by Capital Group P3 Developments of Florida and Alchemy Attractions.
Their pitch is to create a golf-inspired entertainment district, blending traditional golf with a links-oriented carnival of new experiences.
The concept includes six themed mini-golf courses, a virtual reality golf lounge, foot golf, disc golf, and a revamped IMAX theater showing blockbusters and golf classics.
A 2,500-seat outdoor arena would host concerts and special events, while dining options would range from sports bars to upscale restaurants.
Retail would focus on golf gear, boutique shops, and specialty foods.
Existing assets — from the Marriott convention space to the Hall of Fame building — would be modernized and repurposed, with interactive exhibits and upgraded lodging.
Construction wouldn’t begin until 2028, with opening targeted for late 2029.
The competing plan, Fountains at World Golf Village, comes from Ergisi Acquisitions and Cross Regions Real Estate. Their vision proposes a senior living campus combined with specialty medical providers and a wellness institute.
Restaurants, retail, and walkable amenities would round out the mix, designed to complement the existing hotels and shops already at World Golf Village.
The plan outlines an accelerated timeline: remodeling of existing facilities by early 2027, with new construction wrapped and operational by that fall.
County commissioners must now decide whether to advance one proposal, both, or neither into the second phase. That stage would require full design packages, detailed financing documents, and formal presentations early next year.
