The Daily Dig
Third Lake Development has broken ground on The Cottages at St. Augustine, a 250-unit build-to-rent community in St. Augustine, Florida. They announced the start of construction on October 20, 2026.
The site sits about 15 minutes from Downtown St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach. Residents will have convenient access to State Road 207, US Highway 1 and I-95.
Who’s Holding the Hammer
CBI Construction is the general contractor on the project.
The design team is set as well. Parker Mynchenberg & Associates is the civil engineer, Nequette Architecture & Design is the architect, and Focus Design Interiors is handling interiors.
Yard Work
Residences will feature private fenced yards and 10-foot ceilings on the first floor. Premium interior finishes, smart home technology, and washers and dryers round out the units.
The amenity package is extensive. Plans include a resort-style pool with cabanas and outdoor lounge areas, plus a clubhouse with coworking space and private work pods.
There’s also a fitness center with a yoga room, pickleball courts, a dog park and a pet spa. The dogs, apparently, are part of the tenant mix.
Robert Hogan, President of Build-to-Rent at Third Lake, called St. Augustine “one of the most dynamic housing markets in Northeast Florida.” He said he believes the community will offer residents “a housing experience that blends the comfort and privacy of a single-family home with the flexibility and convenience of renting.”
Snapshot:
Project: The Cottages at St. Augustine
Sector: Build-to-rent residential
Units: 250
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Region: Northeast Florida
Access: State Road 207, US Highway 1, I-95
Status: Under construction, groundbreaking announced October 20, 2026
Developer: Third Lake Development
General Contractor: CBI Construction
Civil Engineer: Parker Mynchenberg & Associates
Architect: Nequette Architecture & Design
Interior Designer: Focus Design Interiors
Amenities: Resort-style pool with cabanas and lounge areas, clubhouse with coworking space and work pods, fitness center with yoga room, pickleball courts, dog park, pet spa
Unit Features: Private fenced yards, 10-ft first-floor ceilings, premium finishes, smart home technology, washers and dryers
Developer Profile: Vertically integrated; ground-up multifamily, build-to-rent, self-storage and mixed-use in high-growth markets
Key Executives: Luke Thomas, CEO; Robert Hogan, President of Build-to-Rent
TheJobWalk Thoughts
Rental homes take a beating, with tenant turnover bringing repaint and repair work on a regular cycle. The plans already call for premium interior finishes. Suppliers who can back up durability and life cycle cost will have a stronger pitch than those leading on price.
Third Lake calls this project another step in their strategy, and they have a president focused on build-to-rent. That signals more projects ahead. Trades who make this one run smoothly build a reputation with both the developer and the GC.
The release doesn’t name any trade partners. Specialty subs eyeing the amenity scopes should call CBI and ask where buyout stands.
🥾Want to advertise in TheJobWalk? Learn More🥾
