COVER STORY

When Minto Communities was searching for the ideal location for the third of the enormously popular Latitude Margaritaville communities, Northwest Florida’s gorgeous Emerald Coast was definitely on the radar. The magic happened when Minto connected with The St. Joe Company — one of Northwest Florida’s largest real estate development companies — and the two came together to develop Latitude Margaritaville Watersound.

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is located in Bay County near Panama City Beach, just off the famed Scenic Highway 30-A corridor. Known for its stunning emerald-green waters and beautiful white-sand beaches, rolling sand dunes, and charming beach towns, the area is the embodiment of the relaxed, beachy vibe that is at the heart of the Latitude Margaritaville lifestyle.

The community is situated within the heart of St. Joe’s vast Bay-Walton Sector Plan that encompasses approximately 110,500 acres with approximately 15 miles of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. The area is entitled for 170,000 homes.

According to The St. Joe Company President and Chief Executive Officer Jorge Gonzalez, “St. Joe is pleased to work with Minto to offer the first active adult community of this kind in our region. Minto has a solid record of successful developments throughout the state of Florida and the southeastern United States. Many factors set this community and our market apart from others. The Latitude Margaritaville community property is in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the area’s gorgeous white sand beaches, shopping and entertainment centers, as well as the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.

“The residents of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, the first of whom moved into their new homes in the fall of 2021, will become full-time residents in the area, which will create tremendous economic impact in Bay County,” adds Gonzalez. “Not only will they contribute to the local tax base, but they also will undoubtedly frequent our locally owned small businesses that add so much to the charm of the local area,” he concludes.

All-new model for active adult living

Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of legendary singer, songwriter, and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation, Latitude Margaritaville communities are for those 55 and better who are growing older… but not up. This dynamic all-new model for active adult living is changing how pre-and-active retirement living is viewed forever with its irresistible concoction of food, fun, music, and escapism.

The first of the communities, Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach and Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head, opened in 2018. The communities have experienced a tremendous response from those seeking to live the laid-back, “on vacation” lifestyle they offer. Over 550,000 are registered as Latitude Margaritaville Paradise Club members to receive regular updates on the communities and plans for additional locations.

The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound sales center and 13 colorful, island-inspired model homes opened in April 2021 to an overwhelmingly positive response from homebuyers. Sales started in May, and the first residents started moving into their homes in October.

One-of-a-kind opportunity in a one-of-a-kind setting

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound’s first phase is planned to include 3,500 homes. However, because of the high demand for the community, plans are already moving forward for the next phase.

“Latitude Margaritaville Watersound will be unlike any other community in the U.S. when you factor in lifestyle, size, and design,” says Minto’s Latitude Margaritaville Division President William Bullock. “Minto looks for five fundamental keystones when selecting locations for Latitude Margaritaville communities. These include sufficient land, a coastal location, proximity to an airport, convenient retail and service businesses, and nearby medical facilities. The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound location checks off all of these boxes as well as many, many more.”

WRITTEN BY: PAULA ROBERTSON

St. Joe recently announced plans to develop a health care campus just minutes from Latitude Margaritaville Watersound with Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc. and Florida State University College of Medicine (FSU). The proposed healthcare campus is planned for an 87-acre parcel near the intersection of State Highway 79 and Phillip Griffitts Sr. Parkway. In addition to a planned 100-bed inpatient facility, FSU intends to utilize the campus for research focused on successful aging and senior living technology.

“The region’s natural terrain is breathtaking, and there are many outdoor recreational activities, ranging from boating and deep-sea fishing to hiking, biking, golfing, and others,” adds Bullock. “Our audience has been asking for a Gulf of Mexico location, and this is a perfect complement to our other coastal destinations in Daytona Beach and Hilton Head.”

A world-class lifestyle

At Latitude Margaritaville, the beat not only goes on…it is the heartbeat of the community. After all, when you name a community after a Jimmy Buffett song, you can expect a musical mix like no other. It’s impossible not to get your happy on at Latitude Margaritaville, and great music sets the tone and the beat for the community’s escape to the island's lifestyle.

Construction has started on Latitude Margaritaville Watersound’s impressive resort-style amenities. Phase one amenities include the Latitude Town Center and a town square featuring a tiered amphitheater, thatched roof bandshell, full-size concert stage, and jumbo screen for concerts and movies. The amphitheater will be positioned so that residents can hear live concerts and watch spectacular sunsets over the Intracoastal Waterway at the same time. In addition, a dance area will include a special recessed dance floor to provide extra give and spring for dancers. Dining and refreshment choices will include a two-story Bar & Chill restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, Changes in Attitude Bar, and second-story Overlook Bar. A state-of-the-art Fins Up! Fitness Center will include an indoor pool and spa. In addition, there will be a lagoon-style Paradise Pool with beach-like entry and Tiki Island. Additional amenities include tennis and pickleball courts with lighting for night play and a Barkaritaville Dog Park.

Future planned amenities include a Workin’ N’ Playin’ Center and Last Mango Theater. Residents also will be able to trick out their golf carts at the Hangar Workshop, and family pooches will be pampered at the Barkaritaville Pet Spa.

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound will fully embrace connectivity with nature in every way and will include preserves and an extensive nature trail system. In addition, the site’s proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway will be maximized for recreational activities on the water. In addition to the many Latitude Margaritaville amenities, St. Joe has plans for a future full-service public marina and commercial village adjacent to the community.

Island-inspired models include cottages, villas, and single-family homes

The Latitude Margaritaville sales center and model homes are open daily. Home designs capture the “no worries” tropical vibe that defines Latitude Margaritaville. There are four distinct home collections: the Conch Cottage Collection, Caribbean Villas Collection, and Beach and Island Collections of single-family homes. Floor plans range from 1,204 to 2,568 square feet under air with pricing from the mid- $200s. For more information on Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, visit www.LatitudeMargaritaville.com.