Evergrene
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Project Type:
Residential
Case No:
C034017
Year:
2004
SUMMARY
Built by WCI Communities, Inc., Evergrene is a sustainable residential development in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
This 363-acre (147-hectare) development currently has 615 single- and multifamily residences, and will add 385
more by 2007. The project is characterized by a strong emphasis on the area’s natural resources: 163 acres (66
hectares) are devoted to wildlife habitat and recreational open spaces. Many of the homes are arranged around a
36.5-acre (14.8-hectare) recreational lake and newly created wetlands. The emphasis on nature is echoed by WCI
Communities’ commitment to sustainable development and green building practices. WCI offers homebuyers a range
of environmentally sensitive features, such as those that increase energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality.
FEATURES
163 acres (66 hectares) of the 363-acre (147-hectare) development devoted to wildlife habitat and
recreational open space
A 36.5-acre (14.8-hectare) lake in middle of the site serving as both a flood control mechanism and a
recreational amenity
Homebuyers given the option of adding environmentally friendly elements to residences
A 12,000-square-foot (1,116-square-meter) community clubhouse offering a multipurpose meeting room, a
full-service kitchen, exercise rooms, a children’s room, a teen room, and a library
A full-time “lifestyle manager” facilitating community clubhouse activities
Outdoor recreational facilities including a snack bar, a swimming pool, bocce and basketball courts, lakeside
sand volleyball courts, canoeing, and a fishing pier
Evergrene
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Project Type: Residential
Subcategory: Planned Communities
Volume 34 Number 17
July–September 2004
Case Number: C034017
PROJECT TYPE
Built by WCI Communities, Inc., Evergrene is a sustainable residential
development in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This 363-acre (147-hectare)
development currently has 615 single- and multifamily residences, and will add
385 more by 2007. The project is characterized by a strong emphasis on the
area’s natural resources: 163 acres (66 hectares) are devoted to wildlife habitat
and recreational open spaces. Many of the homes are arranged around a
36.5-acre (14.8-hectare) recreational lake and newly created wetlands. The
emphasis on nature is echoed by WCI Communities’ commitment to sustainable
development and green building practices. WCI offers homebuyers a range of
environmentally sensitive features, such as those that increase energy efficiency
and improve indoor air quality.
SPECIAL FEATURES
163 acres (66 hectares) of the 363-acre (147-hectare) development
devoted to wildlife habitat and recreational open space
A 36.5-acre (14.8-hectare) lake in middle of the site serving as both a
flood control mechanism and a recreational amenity
Homebuyers given the option of adding environmentally friendly
elements to residences
A 12,000-square-foot (1,116-square-meter) community clubhouse
offering a multipurpose meeting room, a full-service kitchen, exercise
rooms, a children’s room, a teen room, and a library
A full-time “lifestyle manager” facilitating community clubhouse activities
Outdoor recreational facilities including a snack bar, a swimming pool,
bocce and basketball courts, lakeside sand volleyball courts, canoeing,
and a fishing pier
DEVELOPER
WCI Communities, Inc.
11631 Kew Gardens Avenue
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
561-775-2120
Fax: 561-775-1099
www.wcicommunities.com
ARCHITECT
WCI Communities, Inc.
11631 Kew Gardens Avenue
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410
561-775-2120
Fax: 561-775-1099
www.wcicommunities.com
CLUBHOUSE ARCHITECT
Song and Associates, PC
400 Australian Avenue South, Sixth Floor
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
561-655-2423
Fax: 561-655-1482
www.songandassociates.com
PLANNER
Urban Design Studios
477 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 225
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
561-366-1100
Fax: 561-366-1111
www.udsonline.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Lucido & Associates
701 East Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, Florida 33401
772-220-2100
Fax: 772-223-0220
www.lucidodesign.com
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT
CZR Incorporated Environmental Consultants
1061 East Indiantown Road, Suite 100
Jupiter, Florida 33477
561-747-7455
Fax: 561-747-7576
members.aol.com/czrwilm/
DESIGN AND THEME CONSULTANT
JBZ Architecture & Planning
5010 Campus Drive
Newport Beach, California
949-250-7171
Fax: 949-250-7189
www.jbzarchitects.com
OTHER KEY DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBERS
Audubon International
46 Rarick Road
Selkirk, New York 12158
518-767-9051, extension 12
Fax: 518-767-9076
www.auduboninternational.org
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Evergrene is a 363-acre (147-hectare) suburban residential community under development in Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida. When completed in 2007, it will have approximately 1,000 single- and multifamily homes. So far, 615
residences and the community clubhouse have been built. The development is anchored by a 36.5-acre
(14.8-hectare) recreational lake and extensive natural features. Evergrene’s developer, WCI Communities, Inc.
(WCI), has set aside 163 acres (66 hectares) for wildlife and habitat conservation and recreational open space,
integrating them into an amenitized outdoor environment. Intended to serve as the social and recreational center of
the cross-generational community, a 12,000-square-foot (1,116-square-meter) clubhouse on the north shore of
Heritage Lake lies within a ten-minute walk from most homes.
WCI collaborated with Audubon International and regional partners to create a land use plan based on sustainable
development principles, and to pioneer innovations in green building and natural resource management. The
developer’s prototype Generation Green Home (Geni-G), built in collaboration with the Florida Solar Energy Center,
the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program, and Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) BuildSmart program,
was rated Florida’s “greenest home” by the Florida Green Building Coalition in 2003. Evergrene was the first
residential community to be certified a “Gold Signature Sustainable Development” by Audubon International.
Evergrene homes range in price from $178,000 to over $800,000. In upscale Palm Beach County, they are a
moderately priced alternative to luxury residences centered around a specific generational lifestyle or a single
recreational amenity such as golf or boating. By clustering smaller homes and selectively siting larger estate houses
in choice natural settings, WCI sought to create a distinctive, elegant community enhanced by its ecological setting.
Homes are characterized by traditional Mediterranean architecture and materials such as stucco, clay, and stone. The
range of models is designed to appeal to growing families as well as to seniors in the mid-range of the market.
SITE AND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY
The Evergrene site is part of a 14,776-acre (5,982-hectare) land portfolio that WCI purchased from the John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 1999 for approximately $200 million. WCI has retained ownership of about
one-third of the holdings. The long, rectangular 363-acre (147-hectare) site lies among upscale suburban residential
communities, wide thoroughfares, and regional shopping centers. The site is bounded by U.S. Route Alternate A1A to
the east and Military Trail to the west, with Donald Ross Road to the north and Hood Road to the south. A KOA
campground and a synagogue break up the regular rectangular shape of the site at Hood Road. State parks and
public beaches are just three miles (4.8 kilometers) away to the east, and the campuses of Florida Atlantic University
and Palm Beach Community College are within a five-minute drive. Also, the project is within several miles of regional
shopping and cultural amenities. Evergrene is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of West Palm Beach and 90 miles
(145 kilometers) north of Miami.
The site had gone largely undeveloped before WCI’s purchase, although a number of interventions have profoundly
altered the landscape. Following two successive and devastating hurricanes in 1948, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers built a network of drainage canals on the Evergrene site and throughout the region to mitigate flooding.
Two exotic shrub species—the melaleuca, brought in from Australia in the early 20th century to dry up wetlands for
agricultural use; and the Brazilian pepper, an ornamental shrub native to South America—had overtaken two-thirds of
the site by 1999, displacing native species such as slash pine, saw palmetto, live oak, and many native grasses and
aquatic plants. The 36.5-acre (14.8-hectare) lake located south-centrally on the Evergrene site originated as a soil
“borrow pit” for the construction of Interstate 95, located one mile (1.6 kilometers) to the west.
WCI is one of the 20 largest homebuilders in the United States and the largest developer of master-planned
communities in Florida. The company went public in 2002 and is known for high-end lifestyle communities that
include active retirement developments, golf course communities, luxury towers, and waterfront developments. Over
the years, the company has focused on definitive landscapes, distinctive luxury homes, responsible land use, and
anticipating emerging consumer trends. In 2004, the National Association of Home Builders and Builder Magazine
named WCI “America’s Best Builder.”
When developing Evergrene, Al Hoffman, chief executive officer of WCI, and his team anticipated and responded to
two emerging trends. First, there was an abundance of luxury, single-amenity housing in the area (including WCI’s
Old Palm Golf Club less than one mile [1.6 kilometers] away). Focus groups indicated that they wanted a
mixed-generation, middle-income community where growing families, young professionals, and seniors would all feel
welcome. Hoffman’s approach to development was also shifting to follow another emerging trend: environmental
sustainability and green building. In 2000, he directed his entire company to undertake environmentally sustainable
practices, and specifically directed the Evergrene team to make its project a model of environmentally responsible
development. In 2001, WCI and Audubon International signed an agreement to collaborate on ten sustainable
communities, of which Evergrene was the first.
Planning for Evergrene started in April 1999, and construction began in April 2002. Most of the project’s infrastructure
development—natural and built—was completed by the end of 2003, as was the model “Geni-G” home. The
community clubhouse was finished in summer 2004. Residential construction will continue into 2007.
SITE PLANNING AND DESIGN
Zoned for residential use, the Evergrene site was permitted through the city of Palm Beach Gardens. No development
of regional impact (DRI) approval was needed for the development.
WCI’s planning team conducted extensive site surveys and natural resource studies as part of the planning process,
bringing in the expertise of Audubon International, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and 1,000 Friends of Florida as well as internally hired environmental scientists. WCI used Audubon
International’s Principles of Sustainability to guide environmental planning for the project. These include:
understanding the unique attributes of each piece of designated land;
protecting local wildlife;
conserving and maximizing native and naturalized plants;
commitment to water quality and conservation;
commitment to green building; and
dedication to education and outreach to foster sustainable communities.
Initial land use plans were altered following three important discoveries: most of the remaining native species and
ecosystem were located in the northern half of the property; the drainage canals had disconnected vital wetland areas
on the site; and two-thirds of the site (virtually all of the southern portion) was overgrown with the two
aforementioned exotic invasive species.
WCI located buildings and roads on low-impact areas while conserving, restoring, and reconnecting native
ecosystems. The focal point of the community is Heritage Lake, which serves as both a flood control mechanism and a
recreational amenity. Buildings and infrastructure are concentrated on less than 200 acres (81 hectares) of the
363-acre (147-hectare) site. Homesites and roads are oriented to preserve wildlife corridors. The average density of
built-out areas varies, but is between two and nine units per acre (about five to 22 units per hectare) and overall
gross density is 2.6 units per acre (6.4 units per hectare). The residences at Evergrene are grouped into
neighborhoods characterized by housing types that respond to specific natural conditions and to certain segments of
the market.
Constructed lakes and restored wetlands meander through the northern half of the site in a diagonal, fingerlike
pattern that connects to preserved pine flatwoods and corridors of slash pines, oaks, and saw palmetto. These natural
buffers provide beauty and wildlife habitat, and absorb stormwater runoff.
A boulevard off of Donald Ross Road is Evergrene’s main entrance from the north. It leads through wildlife preserves
and the estate neighborhoods. An entrance from Military Trail on the west leads to the central rotary through several
mid- and low-density neighborhoods. The project’s winding roads are all connected by sidewalks, giving pedestrians
and motorists views of Evergrene’s natural features and residential neighborhoods.
A boulevard off of Hood Road, at the southern border of the community, leads visitors and residents through the
Garden Villas neighborhood to the lake. The lake is encircled by a greenbelt and a promenade road with Mansions
Neighborhood homes. WCI departed from the typical development practice of locating premium lots directly on the
lake in order to give all Evergrene residents access to the community amenity. Lake-view homesites across the street
still yielded lot premiums. The northern end of the promenade is anchored by the community clubhouse, which sits
prominently between the northern shore of the lake and the development’s main rotary.
While sidewalks line all of the roads in the development, residents who want to take quiet walks or bike rides away
from traffic can do so along a mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) nature trail throughout the northern preserve. Animals
such as the native gopher tortoise are offered safe passage between habitats through “critter crossings” under roads,
and signs along the roads announce potential wildlife surface crossings and sightings.
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN/EVERGRENE HOMES
As mentioned previously, residences at Evergrene are grouped into neighborhoods, each of which is characterized by
a housing type that responds to the natural conditions on site and to a specific segment of the market. Evergrene
homes are sited on 40-, 50-, and 60-square-foot (3.72-, 4.65-, and 5.57-square-meter) lots that are common to
residential development in the region. Most of Evergrene’s densest housing is found in the southern half of the project
in a more townlike setting, with the less densely sited upper-end estate homes located along natural features to the
north. WCI drew on the popular Mediterranean style of south Florida developments to create an architectural pallet
inspired by Tuscan and French regional styles, as well as early 20th-century California Pasadena architecture. Models
offer multiple elevation options.
Residences at Evergrene range in price from $178,000 to more than $800,000 and measure from 1,144 to 3,700
square feet (106 to 344 square meters). The smaller, more modestly priced cluster homes are grouped in fours, with
shared spaces that residents have adapted for use as informal social and project areas. Similarly, the driveways of the
American Bungalow homes double as barbecue and family spots. Designers’ use of paving has made useful spaces out
of what are often unused zones in development frontyards. The luxurious mansions that line the hub road are actually
triplex units that maximize the value of popular lakefront property.
Houses in the more upscale Preserve and Audubon Estate neighborhoods have larger backyards, often with direct
access to Evergrene’s smaller lakes and natural amenities. All of the homes at Evergrene have carefully landscaped
yards with at least 75 percent native plant species. WCI worked to bring all residences into compliance with FPL’s
BuildSmart program. The benchmark incorporates standards for energy efficiency.
WCI’s biggest challenge in terms of home design was faced in the southern portion of the site, which had unattractive
views of neighboring land, and very few surviving natural amenities. When the developer’s original design concept of
California-style porchfront homes proved unpopular, the team reconceptualized the neighborhood into the Garden
Villas, with compact inward-oriented courtyards. The new neighborhood, with its townlike densities and European
flair, has proven more popular.
The Geni-G home is WCI’s most innovative building at Evergrene. The developer partnered with the Florida Solar
Energy Center, an affiliate of the U.S. Department of Energy Building America Program, and the Florida Green
Building Coalition (FGBC) to construct a house that tests and demonstrates the use of green building methods. The
innovations were modeled on a 1,555-square-foot (144-square-meter) American Bungalow model. WCI made the
environmental options available as upgrades to all future homebuyers at Evergrene following the building’s
completion in 2003.
According to the FGBC, the Geni-G home uses approximately half the energy of conventional houses, is more
resource efficient, and has exceptional indoor air quality. The model scored 314 points on the FGBC’s green building
rating system, and in 2003 the coalition designated Geni-G as Florida’s “greenest home.” The house scored above 90
on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scale. FPL estimates that homebuyers who choose the Geni-G’s
energy-conserving options will save at least $431 per year on their energy bills.
Specific innovations incorporated into the Geni-G residence include the following:
recycled-content concrete slab;
insulated concrete form (ICF) construction on first floor;
use of certified, chromated copper arsenate–free, sustainable lumber and engineered lumber;
mechanical ventilation;
Green Seal Certified insulated windows;
durable, light-colored barrel tile roofing with natural insulation;
Icynene foam attic insulation with R-30 rating;
variable-speed air conditioner that performs at seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) 15 rating and uses
ozone-conserving Puron as a coolant;
whole-house air-filtration system that uses ultraviolet light to reduce dust, germs, mold, and bacteria;
central vacuum with automatic dust disposal;
low-emission paints, carpets, cabinets, and countertops;
resource-conserving flooring such as bamboo, Marmoleum, and recycled-content carpeting;
extensive use of recycled glass materials;
Energy Star washer, refrigerator, and dishwasher;
fiber-optic cable lighting with ten times the efficiency of standard lighting;
reverse-osmosis drinking water purification;
touchless faucets with automatic sensors; and
dual-flush toilets.
WCI worked with the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program to create a low-impact yard for the Geni-G. The home
received the program’s highest possible certification. Landscaping innovations include:
xeriscaping using native plants that attract wildlife;
permeable paving;
rainwater harvesting;
sodium-cleaned pool heated by solar energy; and
outdoor composting.
COMMUNITY CLUBHOUSE
As mentioned earlier, the 12,000-square-foot (1,116-square-meter) community clubhouse is centrally located on the
northern shore of Heritage Lake, within a ten-minute walk to most Evergrene homes. Facilities include a multipurpose
meeting room that can also serve as a dining hall and theater; a full-service kitchen, exercise rooms, a children’s
room, a teen room, and a library and staff offices with space for an Audubon educator. Outdoor recreational facilities
at the clubhouse include a swimming pool and wading area, a snack bar, bocce and basketball courts, and access to
lakeside sand volleyball courts, canoeing, and a fishing pier.
WCI’s Amenities Division programmed the clubhouse to encourage neighbors to interact with each other and to
support an engaged, active lifestyle. WCI incorporated some of the green building features prototyped at the Green
Generation home into the clubhouse. A full-time “lifestyle manager” has been hired to facilitate resident
programming, similar to what is often done in active-adult lifestyle communities.
CONSTRUCTION
WCI broke ground on Evergrene in April 2002. The pervasive presence of invasive species, especially in the southern
half of the property, required the company to clear much of the site. During the site preparation process, WCI crews
saved or transplanted 1,800 native trees, mostly slash pines and healthy live oaks. The crews cleared much of the
site without large moving equipment so that they could save animals such as the gopher tortoise and move them to
the preserve areas. As part of the site preparation process, WCI preserved, reconstructed, and reconnected natural
habitats. Preserved areas were fenced off to prevent animals from venturing into construction zones. The
aforementioned “critter crossings” under major roadways and main street tortoise fencing were put in place to protect
uninterrupted wildlife habitat. WCI converts exotic plants cleared during site preparation into mulch for use in site
landscaping, creating its own brand of mulch, comparable in appearance to red cedar mulch.
Construction of the residences started in April 2002 and will continue through 2007. The Geni-G model home was
completed in 2003. As of summer 2004, WCI had completed construction of 615 homes, the clubhouse, and its
amenities.
WCI used standard concrete block construction for the homes and clubhouse. With the Geni-G house, the company
implemented a number of construction innovations. The concrete slab poured for the base of the house combined
recycled materials known as “slag” into the mix. Insulated concrete forms (ICFs), which sandwich poured concrete
between rod iron and foam walls, were used in the exterior walls of the first floor. This building technology has proven
to be very appropriate for the local climate, as it keeps out the Florida humidity and heat (rather than transferring it
into the interior environment), is an excellent noise insulator, and resists wind. WCI used sustainable natural and
engineered lumber for framing on the second floor. Icynene sprayed inside the attic brought the insulation value of
that area of the house to R-30, and sealed the home and attic space against wind and moisture. Thus,
air-conditioning ducts are threaded through conditioned space, lessening the impact of hot Florida summers on
cooling efficiency.
FINANCING
Evergrene was financed with equity from WCI. The company estimates that when completed, Evergrene will be a $46
million project. As a publicly held company, WCI does not typically reveal financial matrices to the public due to the
competitive nature of the business, but it estimates that it invested more than $85,000 in the modeled Geni-G green
building features.
MARKETING AND SALES
Evergrene marketing materials emphasize the natural setting of the community, and its location in relation to cultural
amenities and shopping. Brochures and sales staff stress the many opportunities residents have for outdoor
recreation, including walking, bicycling, boating, and fishing. WCI also emphasizes the inclusive community-oriented,
family-friendly nature of the development, alerting potential homebuyers to a variety of activities in the clubhouse,
ranging from theme-based dinners, to exercise classes, to pool parties and community barbecues, and reading
groups.
The Evergrene sales office opened in January 2002, three months before construction started. Presales of homes,
especially of the smaller cluster and attached homes, have been strong; WCI presells about 90 percent of its
residences at Evergrene. With six different Mediterranean models and an array of elevations to choose from,
homebuyers have been responding well to both the development concept and the models offered. When one
California-style model in the southern neighborhood did not sell well, WCI changed the concept to European-style
Garden Villas, and the neighborhood’s sales are now keeping pace with the rest of the project.
WCI continues to keep the Geni-G model open to showcase green building options, although they are not heavily
emphasized in general marketing materials, leaving the sales personnel to take interested visitors into the home for
an interactive experience. WCI does, however, highlight its relationship with Audubon International in its general
marketing efforts. More so than with Evergrene homebuyers, the Geni-G model has been a valuable marketing tool
for the green building concept with the media, the public, and WCI staff, who continue to educate themselves about
green building methods. A small number of Evergrene homebuyers have selected green features from the upgrades
menu, chiefly for health or energy-efficiency reasons.
More than 1,000 local students, elected officials, environmental groups, and the news media have toured the home
since it opened in September 2003. This outreach fulfills one of the many aspects of CEO Al Hoffman’s vision for
sustainable building practices. Homebuyers’ interest in green features has increased as word has spread about
Evergrene’s green offerings.
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE/MANAGEMENT
Evergrene residential areas are owned and managed under a homeowners association (HOA) ownership model. WCI
will continue to own and manage the common areas, clubhouse, and food and beverage operations at least until the
community’s board is turned over to resident control.
The company has employed a full-time environmental stewardship manager, as well as natural resource managers
and arborists to assist with sustainable management of the development, and to continue staff and resident education
after the HOA board turnover.
The WCI Amenities Division staff has already launched a number of community programs for residents, even as
construction of neighborhoods continues. An electronic neighborhood bulletin board on the community Web site will
keep residents informed of activities.
WCI has stocked Evergrene’s lakes with 20,000 fish (including the mosquito-eating gambousia) for recreational
fishing, to attract area birds, and to naturally clean the lake. The company’s environmental stewardship has paid off
as many species of birds, including the blue heron, snowy egret, wood stork, and great egret, have been seen in the
development’s wetlands and lakes, and gopher tortoises have been spotted in backyards and along paths.
EXPERIENCE GAINED
The developer recognized and responded to a market demand for mid-range, multigeneration housing in a
high-end area.
The project concept of first-rate community amenities and natural stewardship has proven very successful.
Buyers responded positively to overall environmental stewardship goals, and to the integration of
environmentally based amenities.
Buyer investment was low in specific upgrade features for green building. This may have been due to a lack of
emphasis on green building benefits in project marketing. Buyers who did select green building options
primarily did so for health-related or energy-efficient upgrades. Due to overwhelming demand at Evergrene,
which resulted in more than 300 sales in the first nine months, WCI was never able to build a model row to
incorporate the Geni-G and green features. Therefore, the green marketing efforts have needed to play
catch-up with the success of the community.
Forming partnerships with environmental nonprofit and research organizations proved very productive in
meeting WCI’s environmental goals.
The market responded well to the development concept of middle-range housing with highly amenitized
community features.
Manufacturer prices for ecologically friendly products are not yet competitive with those for standard options,
but products are generally more durable and good long-term investments due to resource, material, and
health concerns. Widespread buy-in for green practices by large developers like WCI can go a long way in
reducing those costs.
A site area that at first was a liability, with a lack of natural amenities, proved successful when reprogrammed
into a dense, townlike neighborhood.
Green prototype development has led to staff education—and further advances in subsequent projects.
Single-level plan models and two-story models that offered the option of a master bedroom at ground level
proved unexpectedly popular.
Attractive paving in a clustered setting encouraged residents to turn driveways into semiprivate social spaces.
PROJECT DATA
LAND USE INFORMATION
Site area (acres/hectares): 362.7/146.8
Percentage complete: 80
Gross density (units per acre/hectare): 2.6/6.5
LAND USE PLAN
Use Acres/Hectares Percentage of Site
Buildings 173.4/70.2 47.6
Streets/surface parking 20.7/8.4 5.8
Landscaping/open space 104.25/42.2 28.8
Lakes 58.5/23.7 16.2
Amenities/sales center 5.9/2.4 1.6
Total 362.7/146.8 100.0
RESIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Unit Type
Area
(Square Feet/Square Meters)
Number of
Units Sold Range of Sales Prices
Mansions 1,144–1,610/106.3–150 125 $178,000–$245,000
Lakewood Garden Villas 1,300–2,500/120.8–232.3 69 $239,000–$340,000
Pasadena 1,180–1,960/109.6–182 77 $215,000–$280,000
American Bungalow 1,555–1,973/144.5–183.3 108 $244,000–$292,000
Preserve Estates 1,820–3,042/169–282.6 179 $333,000–$418,000
Audubon Estates 2,335–3,700/217–343.7 57 $450,000–$700,000
Total 615
DEVELOPMENT COST INFORMATION
Site Acquisition Cost: Evergrene’s site was part of the 14,776-acre/5,980-hectare land portfolio that WCI purchased from
the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 1999 for approximately $200 million.
Site Improvement Costs: about $36 million
Excavation/grading: about $2 million
Sewer/water/drainage: about $10 million
Paving/curbs/sidewalks: about $5 million
Landscaping/irrigation: about $9 million
Fees/general conditions: about $5 million
Clubhouse/amenities: about $5 million
Construction Costs: about $44 million
Soft Costs: about $1.9 million
Total Development Cost: about $46 million (construction costs + soft costs)
DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
Site purchased: March 1999
Planning started: April 1999
Sales/leasing started: January 2002
Construction started: April 2002
Project completed: Anticipated for 2007
DIRECTIONS
From Palm Beach International Airport: Take I-95 North to Donald Ross Road. Head east on Donald Ross Road. Continue
past Military Trail. Evergrene will be ahead on the right-hand side of the road.
Driving time: 20 to 25 minutes in nonpeak traffic.
Stella Tarnay, report author
Julie D. Stern, interim editor, Development Case Studies
Jason Scully, editor, Development Case Studies
David James Rose, copy editor
Joanne Nanez, online production manager
This Development Case Study is intended as a resource for subscribers in improving the quality of future projects. Data contained
herein were made available by the project's development team and constitute a report on, not an endorsement of, the project by
ULI–the Urban Land Institute.
Copyright © 2004 by ULI–the Urban Land Institute
1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W., Suite 500 West, Washington D.C. 20007-5201
Evergrene is a 363-acre (147-hectare) development with 615 single- and multifamily residences in palm Beach Gardens,
Florida. Developed by WCI Communities, Inc., the project is characterized by its emphasis on the area's natural
resources: 163 acres (66 hectares) are devoted to wildlife habitat and recreational open spaces, with many homes
arranged around a 36.5-acre (14.8-hectare) lake and newly created wetlands.
Residences at Evergrene are sited on 40-, 50-, and 60-square-foot (3.72-, 4.65-, and 5.57-square-meter) lots and range
in size from 1,144 to 3,700 square feet (106 to 344 square meters). Starting at $178,000, some home prices may
exceed $800,000.
As part of WCI Communities' commitment to sustainable development principles, the development team built the
prototype Generation Green Home (Geni-G). This model home, constructed in colloboration with the Florida Solar Energy
Center, the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program, and Florida power & Light's BuildSmart program, the
Geni-G was rated Florida's "greenest home" by the Florida Green Building Coalition in 2003.
The 12,000-square-foot (1,116-square-meter) community clubhouse is centrally located on the northern shore of the
site's 36.5-acre (14.8-hectare) lake and includes a full-service kitchen, exercise rooms, a children's room, a teen room,
and a library. Among the outdoor recreational facilities at the clubhouse are a swimming pool and wading area, a snack
bar, bocce and basketball courts, lakeside sand volleyball courts, canoeing, and a fishing pier.
Working with Audubon International, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and 1,000
Friends of Florida, the development team has restored many acres of wildlife habitat on site. While helping to conserve
native species, these natural buffers also absorb stormwater runoff.
Site plan for Evergrene.
