Thompson Thrift Cuts Ribbon on 312-Unit Velara Luxury Apartments in Ponte Vedra Beach's Nocatee Community
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Thompson Thrift celebrated the ribbon cutting for Velara, a 312-unit luxury multifamily community situated within the Nocatee master-planned community in Ponte Vedra Beach. The event, held July 22, 2026, marks a formal milestone for a project that began welcoming residents in February and represents the firm's 18th multifamily development in Florida.
Velara Brings Resort-Style Living to Nocatee's Western Interchange
Located along Burbank Avenue near Nocatee's western interchange, Velara offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes. Interior finishes include quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, hardwood-style flooring, full-size washers and dryers, and smart home technology. Select units feature soft-close cabinetry, deluxe closet systems with shelving, and walk-in showers with full tile surround.
Residents can also choose from patio, balcony, private yard, detached garage, and private golf cart garage options — the latter a direct response to Nocatee's established golf cart culture and master-planned trail network. Community amenities include a heated swimming pool with a covered pool-deck patio, sunken fire pit, pickleball court, a 24/7 fitness center and social hub, pet spa with grooming station, and a dog park. Residents also have access to Nocatee's parks, waterparks, trails, and the retail and dining offerings at Nocatee Town Center.
"Velara was designed to fit seamlessly into the lifestyle that has made Nocatee one of Florida's most desirable places to live," said Angie Atkins, SVP of Community Management at Thompson Thrift. "From the thoughtfully designed apartment homes and welcoming amenity spaces to the community's unmatched location, Velara offers residents everything they need to feel at home from the moment they arrive."
Lease-Up Underway as Thompson Thrift Deepens Florida Footprint
Move-ins began in February 2026, roughly five months before the ribbon-cutting celebration — a sequencing common in multifamily development, where marketing and occupancy ramp ahead of a formal opening event. Velara is positioned minutes from U.S. 1 and I-95, providing access to Jacksonville's major employment centers and area beaches, as well as more than 5,000 acres of parks and preserves.
Equity for the development was provided by Thompson Thrift 2025 Multifamily Development, LP. Over the past 40 years, Thompson Thrift reports investing more than $7.3 billion into local communities nationwide.
Nocatee has ranked consistently among the top-selling master-planned communities in the United States, supported by population inflows to Northeast Florida, strong school districts in St. Johns County, and affluent household formation. Elevated single-family home prices and mortgage rates have sustained demand for well-amenitized Class A rental product, keeping a segment of households in the renter-by-choice category.
Charitable Donation Accompanies Community Opening
During the ribbon-cutting event, guests toured the clubhouse, a model home, and community amenities. Thompson Thrift also presented a charitable donation to HUGS St. Johns, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families experiencing crisis throughout St. Johns County.
"One of the most rewarding parts of opening a new community is becoming part of the community itself," said Abbey Shultz, VP of Community Management at Thompson Thrift. "Organizations like HUGS St. Johns are making a meaningful difference for local children and families, and we're honored to support their work as we establish roots in Nocatee."
About Thompson Thrift
Founded in 1986, Thompson Thrift is a full-service real estate company engaged in the development, construction, leasing, and management of multifamily and mixed-use projects across the country. The firm operates from offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana; Denver; Houston; and Phoenix. Thompson Thrift received a 2026 Top Workplaces USA award, among other recent recognitions.