By Geoff Nudelman

The planned luxury community offers everything to love about living on 30A, paired with a quieter, more peaceful lifestyle along Hogtown Bayou.

When Roy Sembera decided to invest in creating Churchill Oaks, he wanted to bring back the connected, close-knit community feel he had experienced growing up in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

“People who grew up there never leave,” Sembera said. He still owned a home in the area.

He and his wife of 45 years, Wendy, were drawn to a previously undeveloped plot of land on the north side of 30A. It was a quieter section, away from the tourist hubs, yet just minutes from all the signature attractions the area had to offer.

A defining feature of Churchill Oaks is its 36-slip marina, one of only two marinas in Walton County.

“It became the anchor for the community,” said Adam Pfaff, vice president of Marketing at Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty. “Outside of Sandestin, there weren’t any other waterfront, master-planned communities that catered to boaters.”

The Semberas kept two boats in the marina, which provided a unique connection to nearby waterside restaurants they could easily cruise to.

While the slips were sold separately from home purchases, many homeowners acquired a slip when they joined Churchill Oaks. Often, sellers offered first access to their slip to prospective buyers when putting their home on the market.

Each home in Churchill Oaks shared a deep connection to nature, whether through seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces or views of green space and the bayou.

That was part of the appeal. Whether walking a local trail or taking a boat out for the day, there were countless ways to connect with the surroundings without ever leaving home.

A prime example is the newly constructed home in Phase One. The 4,089-square-foot residence featured sweeping views of Hogtown Bayou. With four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, the home sat on a private 0.2-acre lot with direct bayou access.

Large windows and bright finishes welcomed the outdoors in, creating an ideal space for year-round entertaining. The home was designed with painted brick exteriors and an airy, open layout. The first floor included a guest suite with a spacious bathroom, while upstairs, the primary suite offered a spa-inspired bath and a grand walk-in closet.

Overall, it was a rare opportunity to join this growing community during its initial phase, before future construction began. Homeownership included access to Churchill Oaks’ exclusive amenities, including an 8,000-square-foot bayfront clubhouse, a professional-grade fitness center, additional pools, and more.

Sembera added that Phase Two had already been approved, with construction set to begin soon. Future amenities would include sport courts for pickleball, basketball, and other activities. A wellness center was also in the works, giving residents another way to relax and recharge within the community.

At the end of the day, Sembera believed it was the residents, 75 percent of whom called Churchill Oaks their full-time home, who made the place special.

“They were the engine of the community,” he said. “Churchill Oaks turned out the way it has because of the people we brought here.”

Experience coastal living redefined. Discover luxury homes nestled along the bay at Churchill Oaks, where timeless architecture meets breathtaking waterfront views.