Old Magnolia East

** Video encompasses Old Magnolia East and Old Magnolia West

By all accounts, this is one of Florida's last remaining “Old Florida” coastal investments. At 1,803+/- acres in Wakulla County, this property is one of the last large undeveloped, but developable, privately held properties on the entire Florida, Georgia and Alabama coast. From both a recreational and investment perspective, it’s at the top of its class.

It encompasses roughly four and a half miles of deep-water river frontage on the St. Marks River, Gulf access, a 2nd magnitude spring, is stocked with genetically improved pines, and is the epitome of “Old Florida.”

“Lord willing, this will prove to be one of the most significant conservation plays in recent memory. I track every large coastal property there is. I helped the State of Alabama buy the last one there. I don’t think anyone knew this was here.” - Jon Kohler

“It’s hard to explain the feeling of what it’s like to boat 4.5+/- miles of tidally influenced deep water and, aside from posted signs, not see any evidence of human civilization.” - Jon Kohler

The quality of the river frontage is exceptional. The 23,760 +/- feet of water frontage is high-banked with mature hardwoods and cabbage palms. This portion of the river is unique in the fact that it is coastal and tidally influenced and, because of the natural bridge upstream, not so much subject to flooding from seasonal rains as most rivers. It's unbelievable that in today’s Florida, along this entire boundary of the river, there are no docks, houses, or evidence of today’s civilization. In fact, it looks much as it did when Florida’s first Governor sailed here 500 years ago and the Apalachee ruled these lands.

“This is certainly a one-of-a-kind opportunity. This superior coastal property is offered at the same per acre price as rural SW Georgia plantations that we are selling. Yet here, you have more river frontage, more “Higher and Better Use,” 25 minutes to Tallahassee and its international airport - and you have all the year-round recreation the Gulf of Mexico offers.”  - Jon Kohler

This property has been at the epicenter of Florida’s history. The site of the “extinct city” of Magnolia was once one of Florida and SW Georgia’s most important seaports; it had its own bank, printed its own money, had a U.S. Customs House, and even one of Florida’s first toll roads…that way back in 1851 charged a whopping $1.20. Yet today, like an “Episode of Unsolved Mysteries” but for one graveyard, the evidence of this once thriving town has all but disappeared.

On the south side of this property lies what was once Florida’s 2nd largest city, Newport - a seaport with cotton, turpentine, grist, sawmills, and once the epicenter of international commerce. Tragically, it was burned by the Confederates during the Battle of Natural Bridge… the town was never rebuilt. It’s unbelievable that in 2023, just 25 miles from Tallahassee, these 4.5 miles of the St. Marks River once served, not one, but two port cities. These lands that were once the international “gateway to Florida” have completely reverted back to nature.

The property also contains 2nd magnitude Newport Springs and spring run which daily flows at an astounding 1600 gallons per minute at a steady 68.5 degrees. Daniel Ladd, one of the Magnolia city founders, advertised the spring as a health resort in the 1840s. Today, North Florida is renown as the “Spring Capital of the World.” In fact, the largest spring, Wakulla Springs, ties into this one and is just 7.5 miles away. This spring is one of the last privately owned and unencumbered large springs in Florida. It's so unique that Ed Ball, once Florida's largest landowner, and who owned Wakulla Springs itself, built his personal hunting camp here on this property.

"St. Marks Pool" by famed wildlife artist, Dean Gioia

From an investment perspective, the property is preplanned for “higher and better use.” Preliminary, there are 34 river front lots laid out, averaging over 20 acres, in addition to parcels without river frontage. There is no debate that these Gulf access lots would be worth a small fortune. I would think it’s been ages since anything with this much private land with Gulf access has been placed on the market. Helping landowners monetize this development potential today by preserving it for tomorrow is exactly what Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Program and other conservation easement opportunities are about. We can help the next landowner.

“There is no debate that, if offered, these large Gulf access lots would be worth a small fortune and be unique to the market. I would be willing to bet it’s been a generation since anything like this has been offered on the entire Gulf Coast. However, we can show the next landowner ways to monetize this value today, without seeing this property go down the same subdivided path as most of Florida.” - Jon Kohler

From a longer investment horizon, this property offers massive appreciation potential as one of Florida’s last undeveloped privately held signature properties. Meanwhile, the tract is planted in genetically superior loblolly pine and slash and is located in one of the best timber markets in the South.

This opportunity is essentially “five asset classes in one.”

1.  An exceptional recreational coastal property with a 2nd magnitude Spring in one of the prominent deer and wild turkey areas of the South. This is a year-round family recreational coastal property.
2.  An exceptional timber property, fully planted with genetically superior trees, an exceptional site index, and an exceptional road system. The limestone substrate and well-drained soils provide exceptional minerals. This is one of the most prolific timber-growing regions of America.
3.  It’s an exceptional “higher and better use” property just off HWY 98, in fast-growing Wakulla County, just 25 miles to Tallahassee and ten minutes by boat to the Gulf. Over 1,000 square miles of almost contiguous State and Federal lands nearby means there is little left for Florida’s growth in this region. The 34 projected 20+ acre river front lots would make the largest coastal, deep-water boating lot offering in a generation.
4.  It is an exceptional conservation easement play. This property is a “textbook” example of many conservation opportunities and programs to help landowners monetize today’s development value while ensuring tomorrow's agriculture and recreation.
5.  This is an ideal Social Storm Property ™ and exactly the type of property one would want to own in either bad times or good. It has vast natural resources, and multiple income streams, is surrounded by 1,000 square miles of federal and state lands, and is located in one of the safest areas left in America. It’s perhaps the perfect hedge. Its Social Storm ™ score is exceptional.

“To me, this opportunity reminds me of the story of many of our clients who owned great central Florida ranches that, too, were on the path of “progress.” They eventually sold for unbelievable fortunes, some sold conservation easements and raised cattle to pay the costs during the hold, but in the end, it was a financial windfall with real estate values that no one could have predicted. This is Florida. There isn’t a better way to transfer generational wealth." - Jon Kohler

Meanwhile, the tract is planted in genetically superior loblolly pine and slash and is located in one of the best timber markets in the South. Projections show that starting in 2025, for the next 10 years, an average of $461,500 in timber could be cut annually, and at the end of that period there would still be over $6,000,000 standing (this is the timber estimate for the entire 3,588 timbered acres owned by the seller. The property is being offered divided, known as Old Magnolia East and Old Magnolia West. Please go to the maps page to see the portion of timber that is on this portion of the property).

“The conservation easement value here is real. Development is already happening along the north property line. The seller has been selling some non-contiguous lots in the $8,500+ acre range. The tax advantages here are enormous. Typically, one can deduct up to 50% of income for up to 16 years, up to the appraised value, with the deductions capped at the value of the easement. Imagine cutting what you now pay in Federal income taxes by half, simply because you bought this property and promise not to develop it."- Jon Kohler

Historic Map of Old Magnolia (1828) and Newport Springs & Swimming Pool (1921)

“It offers me just a sense of being back to the things that matter to me. It's just me, family, land and traditions.” - Tony Layne, Landowner

Between timber harvesting, to selling or donating a conservation easement on all or a portion of this property, there are numerous income opportunities during the hold. Furthermore, with the Social Storm Properties ™ aspect, this property is about as hedged as a property could be and will perform in any market.

SUMMARY:

“What the landowner has done here is impressive. From a recreational standpoint alone, this land package is a rare find, but with development plans at your fingertips, and millions in income production from future timber harvesting, this place is equal parts pleasure and equal parts smart investing.” – Jon Kohler

“This property reminds me how creative site planning could yield dividends; at Centerville Conservation Community I bought 975 acres for $15,000 per acre in 2004, put 70% of it under conservation easement, and developed only 200 lots - today that same land is worth over $40,000 per acre. Another interesting note is in 2006, I made an unsolicited offer for El Destino Plantation’s 4,000 acres at $15,000 per acre. It was rejected but shows where the highs were and in Florida where they will return to as they always have in the past. It is located a little over 12 miles from Tallahassee. Today’s property is a little over 14 miles. This property has the same win-win opportunities between conservation and meeting investment-backed expectations.” - Jon Kohler