30-A Real Estate Guide | v.12 2021 by TheBeachGroup

A Complimentary Publication Provided by The Beach Group | Vol. 12 2021

30 A

The

Real Estate Guide

In LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

ON SCENIC HIGHWAY 30-A

T his

Issue The NEW Alys Beach Club

LIVING the 30-A LIFE THE GREAT RESET 1 GRAY TON BEACH

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

ON SCENIC HIGHWAY 30-A We can’t help but reflect on a common thread binding us all together: a love for the beach. Whether your heart lies in the golden sunrises or can be found taking in a scenic sunset stroll, there is something to be said about that feeling you get, standing with your toes buried in the soft white sand as the salty air awakens your senses and the calming waves lap along the sugar-white shoreline. There is nothing quite like the simple luxuries of life along 30-A! Laughter echoes throughout 30-A’s welcoming beach communities and the turquoise waters of the Gulf offer a sweet escape from the day-to-day. Your perfect beach town transports you to a place where life is a bit sweeter and the locals embrace the easygoing lifestyle. Become part of 30A’s close-knit community and experience the area’s lush landscapes, its celebrated local art scene, gourmet dining, world-class shopping and much, much more. Whether you’re searching for a home-away-from-home, vacation home, or a lucrative investment property, take a look through these pages and let us help you find your own piece of paradise along Scenic Highway 30-A. The 30-A Real Estate Guide is published by The Beach Group, a boutique real estate firm specializing in luxury real estate on Scenic 30-A and surrounding areas. Stop by our state of the art Sales Center located adjacent to WaterColor on Scenic Highway 395 to speak with a 30-A Real Estate Specialist today. You can find additional information and view all available listings anytime at 30ARealEstateGuide.com.

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

30-A

The

Real Estate Guide EDITORS

Ron Romano Andy Wiggins Cheryl Bates Amy Wiggins

LICENSED VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & CLOSINGS Cheryl Bates

DESIGN & PUBLISHING Amy Wiggins iDesign, Inc.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

James Watts Pete Foley Martin Liptrot Victoria Ostrosky Ty Sims

PHOTOGRAPHERS

David Warren Fantasia Lyons Kurt Lischka

AD COORDINATORS

Amy Wiggins Cheryl Bates

on the cover A Complimentary Publication Provided by The Beach Group | Vol. 12 2021

30-A

The

Real Estate Guide

Thank you for picking up our 2021 edition of 30-A’s first exclusive real estate magazine. The 30-A Real Estate Guide is the premier real estate guide for Scenic 30-A and the surrounding areas. In this issue you will find an unsurpassed insight to 30-A’s finest homes, vacant land, and commercial real estate opportunities. Real estate along 30-A is thriving as the area continues to be discovered with lots of new construction, more visitors and full time residents. With some of the world’s most pristine beaches and unique architectural design, there is a vibrant market here on 30-A that’s perfect for the savvy buyer or investor. Here at The Beach Group, we are one of the area's only true local companies and we pride ourselves on offering impeccable service to our clients. We offer the area's most extensive group of websites for Real Estate. Through our main site TheBeachGroup.com, as well as, 30ARealEstateGuide.com you can research all residential properties and sign up to receive email alerts for new listings as they come on the market. Through our commercial website, BeachGroupCommercial.com, you can view the Panhandle's top commercial real estate. For visitors information, visit the area's first visitor information website that serves as a great guide for shopping, dining, and more at Discover30A.com. As you browse the magazine, please feel free to contact one of our expert agents with any questions at 850.231.9007. Always on the Ball, Only at the Beach,

In LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

ON SCENIC HIGHWAY 30-A

T his Issue

The NEW Alys Beach Club

LIVING the 30-A LIFE THE GREAT RESET 1 GRAY TON BEACH

Sunset Paddle on the Scenic Coastal Dune Lakes

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

ANDY WIGGINS Broker|Owner

RON ROMANO Broker|Owner

MEET THE

TEAM

In This Issue 6 The Beach Group 30-A Real Estate Specialists are ready to assist you with all of your real estate needs.

Gulf of Mexico

FEATU R E D NE IGHB ORHO O DS 8

R O S E M A R Y B E AC H

A LY S B E AC H

WAT E R S O U N D B E AC H

S E A C R E S T B E AC H

S E A G R OV E B E AC H

SEASIDE

WAT E R C O LO R

G R AY TO N B E AC H

B LU E M O U N TA I N B E AC H

DESTIN / SANDESTIN

NEIGHBORING AREAS

COMMERCIAL

THE GREAT RESET Why the great reset makes a move to the beach a reality!

LIVING the 30-A LIFE

The best places to go and people to see as you plan your perfect day in paradise!

The Vie BEACH HOUSE A SHOW HOME

As the home came together, we quickly realized that all parties involved nailed it.

11 LUXURY ADDITION NEW Alys Beach Club

The beach experience with unforgettable Gulf views, from sunrise to sunset.

46 COMMERCIAL

Voted 2020

Commercial trends on The Emerald Coast

#1 BEACH in the U.S.

We give you instant access to all of the Florida Panhandle's finest real estate properties from Destin, Sandestin and the Beaches of South Walton. STAY CONNECTED ®

®®

GRAYTON BEACH Come visit and learn how to chill on the top beach in the entire United States. Your memories are waiting!

THINGS TO DO ON 30-A

2021 Event Calendar

Discover30A.com

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

RON ROMANO

ANDY WIGGINS

CHERYL BATES

AMY WIGGINS

JAMES WATTS

BRAD HILDERBRAND

SUSAN BREMER

Realtor Associate 850.332.1967 Susan@TheBeachGroup.com

MARK BREMER

Realtor Associate 850.368.6660 Brad@TheBeachGroup.com

STAFFORD VON HOENE

JOHN LAVIN

TRAVIS ROBERTSON

Broker|Owner 850.543.0647 Ron@TheBeachGroup.com

Broker Associate 850.246.1809 James@TheBeachGroup.com

TOMMY BRANTLEY

Realtor Associate 850.699.6837 Tommy@TheBeachGroup.com

Broker|Owner 850.225.8887 Andy@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associate 850.225.0723 Stafford@TheBeachGroup.com

Licensed Closing Coordinator Broker Assistant 850.428.5779 Cheryl@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associate 850.496.7240 John@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associate Director of Marketing 850.332.4743 Amy@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associate 850.462.5738 Mark@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associate 850.601.2119 Travis@TheBeachGroup.com

The Beach Group Agents Are Ready To Assist You With All Of Your Real Estate Needs

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

MEET THE

TEAM

JILENNA PARMELEY

KALLIE RAWLES

ALLAN BURKES

Realtor Associate 850.830.8502 Kallie@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associate 850.974.7100 Allan@TheBeachGroup.com

TY SIMS

TOM SMART

MATT & JULIE FANCHER

Realtor Associate 850.259.5144 Jilenna@TheBeachGroup.com

Commercial Sales Director Realtor Associate 850.585-8466 Ty@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associate 850.630.2658 Tom@TheBeachGroup.com

Realtor Associates 850.254.0930 Matt@TheBeachGroup.com Julie@TheBeachGroup.com

KAREN RUDEN

Realtor Associate 850.714.1717 Karen@TheBeachGroup.com

LESLIE LEE

Realtor Associate 850.685.2129 Leslie@TheBeachGroup.com

Agents Not Pictured SCOTT BARNES

Realtor Associate 850.687.5031 Scott@TheBeachGroup.com

KRYSTIN WATTS

Realtor Associate 850.374.7242 Krystin@TheBeachGroup.com

JENNIFER DAY

Realtor Associate 214.458.0064 Jennifer@TheBeachGroup.com

BECKI WESTMORELAND BAKER Realtor Associate 850.598.1245 Becki@TheBeachGroup.com

2563 S. Scenic Highway 395 850.231.9007

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

30ARealEstateGuide.com

Info@TheBeachGroup.com

STAY CONNECTED

®®

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

ROSEMARY

BEACH

For more information on Luxury Real Estate in ROSEMARY BEACH contact The Beach Group

850.231.9007 8

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

Architecturally beautiful and lively, Rosemary Beach is a beach community that mixes New Urbanism – the design style that places everything within a short walk of town center – and West Indies style with pristine beaches, a bustling town square, and award-winning restaurants. Named as one of “America’s Most Romantic Small Towns” by CNN, comes as no surprise to anyone who has wandered its winding paths and cobblestone streets, or dined al fresco in its welcoming patios and courtyards.

R O S E M A R Y B E AC H

28 W. SPANISH TOWN COURT

5,017 Sq. Ft. | 5 Bedrooms | 5 1/2 Baths | #847767 Offered at $6,995,000

This 2nd row 5 bedroom 5 1/2 bath luxurious manor designed by Doug Luke of Barbados offers the wow factor and forever Gulf views that you are dreaming of! Enter into this property through your private courtyard adorned with lush landscape, enchanting flower gardens, beautiful planters, a heated pool with lounge deck and grandiose fireplace. Such a lovely, inviting and private open air living space to unwind at after a morning walk on the white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. 30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

ALYS

BEACH

Kirt Lischka®

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

LIFE

DEFINED M I L E S AWAY F R O M O R D I N A R Y

Nestled amongst the pristine white sands and sparkling turquoise waters of northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast sits Alys Beach, a fully-bespoke, luxury lifestyle and vacation experience – a seaside destination where life is refreshed, where just miles down the road feels miles away from ordinary. The new addition of the private, Alys Beach homeownerexclusive Beach Club provides the community with an exquisite vantage point from which to enjoy the town’s finest amenity – the beach. The Hart Howerton designed Beach Club embraces its surroundings to optimize the beach experience with unforgettable Gulf views, from sunrise to sunset. A stunning infinity pool, twin spa pools, sundecks, open-air pavilions, terraces, dining, and lounge areas take care to honor nature’s creation, positioning guests as though upon the horizon, where the sparkling Gulf waters meet the blue sky. This beautiful piece of architecture stands as an iconic element of community life within Alys Beach, reinforcing the sense of being transported to a place of luxury found within the balance of beauty, simplicity in grace. A place where life is not just lived, it is Life Defined.

For more information on available properties in ALYS BEACH, contact The Beach Group 850.231.9007

Kirt Lischka®

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

WATERSOUND

BEACH

A secluded and stylish retreat winding boardwalks, maritime-inspired cottages and towering sand dunes await. WaterSound is the ideal getaway showcasing breathtaking scenery and sugar-white sand all within a private community.

For more information on Luxury Real Estate in WATERSOUND BEACH contact The Beach Group

850.231.9007 12

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

A coastal community nestled amongst nature yet within 3 miles of Scenic Highway 30-A. W A T E R S O U N D . C O M | H O M E S F R O M T H E $ 4 0 0 ’ S T O $1 M P L U S 1. 8 6 6 . 5 6 3 . 0 0 7 0 | S O U T H WA LT O N , F L O R I D A ©The Watersound Company, LLC, a subsidiary of The St. Joe Company 2020 All Rights Reserved. “JOE®”, “St. Joe®”, “St. Joe (and the Taking Flight design)®” and the “Taking Flight” design® are registered service marks of The St. Joe Company or its affiliates. “Watersound Origins SM” and “Origins SM” are service marks of The St. Joe Company or its affiliates. The materials and features and amenities described and depicted herein are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. This does not constitute an offer to sell real property in any jurisdiction where prior registration or other advance qualifications of real property is required, including New York. Void where prohibited by law. Equal Housing Opportunity. The St. Joe Company does not guarantee the obligations of, nor provide any warranties for unaffiliated parties who build homes or offer services in the Watersound Origins SM community. Access to and use of the facilities and amenities described herein is not included in the purchase of property. The right to access and use any of the facilities identified in this publication is or may be subject to the payment of additional fees and such additional terms and condition as may be established by the owner of such facilities.

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. 14

WAT E R S O U N D O R I G I N S

A PERFECT CHOICE

FOR THE YOUNG & THE YOUNG AT HEART Often described as "A Coastal Village," Watersound OriginsSM residents in South Walton County, Florida have the best of both worlds: generous amenities in a well-designed, thoughtfully planned community surrounded by towering pines reaching the shores of Lake Powell ... and the excitement and activities of legendary Highway 30-A approximately two miles south. Choose from a variety of thoughtfully designed floor plans with exceptional features and architectural details. From coastal cottages to grand retreats, there is a plan designed just for you. More than a community, it's a Watersound OriginsSM lifestyle. Begin every morning with a coffee at Watersound Caf‌é or a round of golf at Origins Golf Club. With amenities and events provided by Clubs by Joe such as a resort style pool, event lawns, nature trails, golf, dining, and water sports. For information on homes and lots available in WATERSOUND ORIGINS contact The Beach Group today! (850)231-9007

Looking to make Florida your permanent home?

Trust the Local 30-A Real Estate Specialists at The Beach Group

(850)231-9007

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

SEACREST

BEACH

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

S E A C R E S T B E AC H

8570 E. COUNTY HWY 30-A

7,570 Sq. Ft. | 6 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 2 Half Baths Listed & SOLD By The Beach Group $10,1110,672

pectacular new Gulf front residence recently completed by Velvet Sun Builders.

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

SEACREST

BEACH

For more information on properties available in SEACREST BEACH contact The Beach Group

850.231.9007

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

Seacrest Beach is casually upscale, making it easy for guests to find endless relaxation. Turn off your phone and forget about your emails as you explore all that Seacrest has to offer. The area’s legendary sugar-white sand and turquoise water are only part of what makes Seacrest a true getaway.

S E A C R E S T B E AC H

352 SEABREEZE CIRCLE

2,428 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 31/2 Baths #862592 | $1,295,000

This 4 bedroom 3.5 half bath home built in 2015 with 3,339 total square footage is located in the nonrental 30-A neighborhood of Seabreeze on over a half-acre private lot with mature oak, magnolia and palm trees and backs to a creek. The grounds are meticulously landscaped. The property has a paver driveway, walkway and patio, and a large lanai with a pool plus has an oversized two car garage.The home has a light and bright open floor plan with ample windows overlooking the beautiful screened lanai and pool area. This additional outdoor living space, al fresco dining and is a grillers paradise allowing you to enjoy the natural serene surroundings and open-air living at its best! All this plus the Seabreeze community has a private deeded beach access along with access to Camp Creek. This home truly allows you to enjoy all that this area has to offer! This size lot is few and far between. A must see! Your private oasis awaits! 30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

W este rn La ke

SoWal Su n s et s

Wa te rS ou nd Be ac h

Sunrise along Florida’s 30-A doesn’t sneak up on you, it teases its arrival in mellow hues of tangerine, pinks, coral and eventually a brilliant white-gold as it peeks over the eastern horizon, light beams soaring to a cloud-flecked sky. God’s morning photo opp. Beyond this wake-up lightshow that never gets old, sunrise signals a new beginning, an opportunity for fresh adventure, a beckoning to get out and explore. It’s a great way to start the day on 30-A. Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, 30-A and its fun and funky vibe can’t be fully experienced in a single day, either. Or even two or three. Or maybe ever. That’s because 30-A evolves and flourishes with each rising sun. Every day is new, different, maybe even better. It’s perhaps best to treat the time you have on 30-A like a finely crafted cocktail – equal parts adventure, fun, exploring, relaxing, tasting and savoring. Bartender, I’ll have another!

Is there one perfect way and one perfect day to see 30-A? No. There are infinite ways. So much to see, so much to do, so little time. Here’s one way to do it … _________________

Rise early and plan to spend the entire day cruising along the 24-mile, two-lane ribbon that is 30-A from Inlet Beach on the east end to Miramar Beach on the west. Or go westto-east, your choice. There are 15 different communities along this stretch, each with their own persona – from bourgeois to Boho, all of them beachy and breezy in their own eminently likeable way. You could travel by car but the ideal way to explore 30-A is to hop aboard an e-bike rental from Pedego Electric Bikes. [And be sure it has a basket because you will undoubtedly do a little shopping along the way.] Bike-friendly Timpoochee Trail parallels 30-A from 20

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

end to end. Pedal when you wish, throttle when you want. E-bikes afford you the opportunity to enjoy the road most traveled, 30-A, and deviate to roads less traveled like the 200+ miles of Point Washington State Forest’s sandy trails. Begin your morning ride through the communities of Inlet Beach then Rosemary Beach. Take in Rosemary’s dramatic architecture that at once smacks of Vienna and The West Indies. Move along and grab a quick biscuit and smoothie at Raw & Juicy in the unique, master-planned village of Alys Beach, a stunning visage of whitewashed buildings, peaked rooftops and perfectly aligned palm beauties on both sides of 30-A. Move along through tidily kept Seacrest, marvel at the meandering dunes of WaterSound and arrive at Seagrove Beach, one of the earliest encampments in this once-secret area. Drop by Coast Hippie among the retro Shops of Old Seagrove and choose from t-shirts, hoodies, hats, drinkware and the like and let the world know you are truly a child of the coast. Then continue west a tad and take a little time to explore the streets and pavilions of Seaside where The Truman Show was filmed in 1998. Under the towering obelisk of Coleman Pavilion, snap a quick selfie against the glorious backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico.

Ro s e m a r y

Beach

n e L a ke s C o a sta l D u

Peer down Seaside’s foot trails and marvel at the Olde Florida architecture and palette of pastel hues. Grab a bottled water or hard-to-find soda pop and a homemade snack at Seaside’s Modica Market, a trip back in time to when grocery stores were quaint and quirky and staffed by people who knew your face and remembered your name. Next door is Watercolor with its tidy, bricked streets and lush parks and neighborhood greens. Grab a beverage at recently redesigned FOOW [Fish Out of Water] and enjoy sweeping gulf views. Stop by Beach Folly and shop for unique and stylish resort wear and accessories, or sit outside at The Wine Bar and watch the world go by.

The H ub

Now re-energized, take a quick spin through Watercolor and dream of lazy porches like these before continuing on Timpoochee Trail [generally W a t e r C o lo r just called “The Bike Trail”] over Western Lake with its unique and iconic tree canopy along the eastern shoreline. Time for another selfie. Soon, you’ll be in groovy ol’ Grayton Beach with its eclectic mix of aged cottages that would suck a paint brush out of your hand from three feet away sitting beside new beauties that soar above thickets of trees. Its shaded streets and rustic feel fit Grayton’s Bohemian, gypsy soul and the town clings hard to its 135-year-old roots. Park your bike and make the walk to water’s edge to drink in the serene beauty of one of America’s 10 most popular beaches, year in and year out, as determined by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, otherwise known as Dr. Beach. Park your posterior in the sand for a while [remember your sunscreen] and ponder what it would be like to live where so many others vacation. Grayton Beach is a hugely popular The Red Bar gathering spot for locals, including the lucky few who snag permits to drive their 4WD Land Cruisers onto the soft white sands, drop the tailgate and start the party, or simply chill under a nearby umbrella. In Grayton, you’ll also find the new-and-improved Red Bar in the heart of town, a culinary phoenix that rose from the ashes of a devastating fire in early 2019. Make a mental note and plan to eat dinner there later in your journey. It’s said Red Bar is “where strangers become friends and friends become family”. Indeed, it’s true. Move along now to Blue Mountain Beach, the highest point along the entire Gulf of Mexico at a mere 64’ in elevation. For a down-and-dirty locals hangout, stop by Johnny McTighe’s Irish Pub where, honestly, the only thing truly Irish is the warm spirit of the people who frequent. Or venture a bit further west and drop into Local Catch, a casual and welcoming favorite owned by former University of Alabama classmates, and offering tasty coastal cuisine with a Southern twist along with great live music on Sunday afternoons. Next up is Santa Rosa Beach. Though all of 30-A and its 32459 zip code are considered Santa Rosa Beach by the USPS, the actual town of SRB [as it’s commonly abbreviated] is bifurcated by busy Highway 98 on the north and south sides, reaching all the way from the Gulf to Choctawhatchee Bay.

FO OW

Gulf Place is another great place to explore. Slurp a dozen raw and sip a coldie or two at Shunk Gulley across from Ed Walline Regional Beach Access, one of three dozen public accesses along 30-A. Enjoy the unobstructed view of the glorious azure and emerald Gulf. Take a moment and mosey through the retail shops and artists’ kiosks of Gulf Place or simply laze on the grassy concert lawn until you’re ready to explore some more. We’re now officially headed for the quietest stretch of 30-A, the Western end, where Topsail Hill State Park can be found and explored. Take a Ranger-led tour of the natural life in the area and be amazed by the soaring white dunes that make it look like a Minnesota blizzard passed through overnight. At this point, the shadows are stretching and it’s time to head back to freshen up and prepare for, what else, evening cocktails or the locals’ tradition of Wine & Sunset at a friendly beach walkover anywhere along 30-A.

A dinner decision is a conundrum, like a candy store to a kid. So many fine choices, ranging from family-friendly to fine and elegant fare … and everything in between. Eat at the iconic Bud & Alley’s in Seaside or Blue Mabel in Blue Mountain Beach or Old Florida Fish House along Eastern Lake under the trees in Seagrove Beach? Or maybe time-travel back to pre-Castro Cuba at Havana Beach Bar and Grill in The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach. Alas, you’ve got something to chat about over those Happy Hour drinks and the good news is you can’t go wrong. Because there’s always tomorrow to try something new. You’ve now gotten “the lay of the land” and you have more days to enjoy your well-deserved vacay. Hmmm … will tomorrow be a great day to paddleboard? You bet it will, silly! Or maybe hop in a kayak, explore a local art gallery or two [nothing quite like Justin Gaffrey Gallery on the edge of Blue Mountain Beach], wander through a state park, or simply lounge the entire day away on the soft, quartz-white sands of a beckoning beach with a great book, a cooler of snacks and drinks, and not a care in the world. Remember, sunrise comes early in this corner of the Central Time Zone and, with it, a new opportunity to explore some more and take many, many more baby steps towards that dream of one day being known as “a local”.

30-A is calling. And it’s calling… YOU. Welcome Home! Written by Pete Foley

____________

SEAGROVE

BEACH

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

Found along the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida, Seagrove Beach is a mile-and-a-half beach that encircles a small cove and lures visitors with its beauty and serenity. Named for the thick grove of windswept trees that surround it, Seagrove still maintains the same green canopy of oaks, magnolias, hickories and sand pines that came to define it a half a century ago.

S E A G R OV E B E AC H

80 SAND DOLLAR COURT

1,995 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Baths #861464 | $875,000

For more information on properties available in SEAGROVE BEACH contact The Beach Group

850.231.9007

This is one of the only single family homes in Seagrove Beach with a private pool available for under $1,000,000. This updated beach cottage is located a short walk away from multiple beach access points and a quick bike or golf cart ride away from Seaside. The four bedrooms plus bonus room enable you to sleep multiple families making it ideal for a second home or investment property. The large private pool is perfect for cooling off in the summer and the new pool heater makes year round enjoyment possible.. This beach cottage is on a quiet dead-end street but within minutes you are sitting on the beach or picking up donuts at the Donut Hut or seafood from Goatfeathers or enjoying a number of locally owned restaurants all located within 1 mile of the home. 30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

In the best position(s) to care for your 30A vacation rental, and our guests.

HIGHWAY 98

SCENIC 30A

MIRAMAR BEACH

GRAYTON BEACH

SEACREST BEACH

Miramar Beach: 10221 Emerald Coast Pkwy | Grayton Beach: 15 Pine Street | Seacrest Beach: 9961 Scenic 30A

oceanreefresorts.com/join-our-program | 800.782.8736 24

SEASIDE

This charming town keeps people coming back year after year. Bike, walk, or if you must drive across WaterColor’s eastern border to reach Seaside’s Center Square, less than half a mile from the heart of WaterColor, to see why for yourself. Browse the many shops, or grab a bite to eat from staples like Bud & Alley’s or the Airstream Row food “trucks ”and try to resist coming back in the morning for breakfast.

For information on properties available in SEASIDE contact The Beach Group

850.231.9007

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

WATERCOLOR

One of the newer communities along Florida’s idyllic 30A, WaterColor is anchored by an inn and resort of the same name, with a prime waterfront spot on the Gulf and a slew of activities to entertain beach-goers of all ages. Tucked between Seaside and Grayton Beach State Park in South Walton, this neighborhood of charming homes and tree-shaded lanes is on the rise—check it out before all the beach loungers are taken.

For information on properties available in WATERCOLOR contact The Beach Group 850.231.9007

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

WAT E R C O LO R

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

WATERCOLOR

BEACH CLUB - Situated Along One of Florida's Most Stunning Coastlines WaterColor Beach Club is a shared community amenity for WaterColor residents and guests of WaterColor Inn & Resort; it is not open to the general public.

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

Photo Credit: WaterColor Inn & Resort

WAT E R C O LO R

29 GOLDENROD CIRCLE

1,397 Sq. Ft. | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | #856812 Offered at $154,000

The WaterColor Private Residence Club is a fractional ownership interest program that gives someone full access to all that Watercolor has to offer for a fraction of the cost of what a house or condo costs. Each owner is guaranteed 5 weeks of usage plus additional bonus stays are available. The PRC is just steps away from the beach and new Watercolor Beach Club. The building consists of 11, 2 bedroom 2 bathroom residences. This is a great way to have a place in Watercolor that you can use several times a year without having to worry about it when you are back home. For more information on WaterColor homes available contact the Beach Group (850)231-9007 30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

WAT E R C O LO R

106 TALL TIMBER

2,160 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bedrooms • 4 Baths Offered at $TBD

Great corner location across from the park. Entertaining will be a delight in the open living dining area. Counters and counter space abound the kitchen and every chef will enjoy cooking in the large kitchen with a pass thru to the dining area. Relax in the exquisite master bath with separate shower and whirlpool tub. There is a large bedroom on the second floor which also houses private bunk beds. There is another bunk room on the first floor. There is a wonderful outdoor living area with grill and fireplace.

TBD BAIRD ROAD

105 x 140 LOT • .34 Acres #862192• $650,000

BUILD YOUR

Dream Home

Sitting on one of the highest elevations near 30-A this lot is one of the largest available homesites on the West-end of 30-A. Build your dream beach home with potential Gulf views and just a short stroll to the new Dune Allen Public Beach access.

For information on properties available in WATERCOLOR contact The Beach Group

850.231.9007 30

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

Now is the PERFECT TIME to

List Your Home

Always on the Ball, Only at the Beach

- Your Local 30-A Real Estate Specialists -

GRAYTON

BEACH

Voted 2020

#1 BEACH in the U.S.

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Western Lake offers fishing and paddling, and those who want to explore on foot have four miles of trails to traverse through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias stand, bent and twisted by salt winds.

G R AY TO N B E AC H

Crowned #1 on The Emerald Coast Dr. Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach) has been rating beaches for decades, utilizing 50 different criteria to designate the top U.S. beaches every year. 2020 marked the second time (the first was in 1994) that Grayton Beach State Park came in at the top for the first place slot. Anyone who lives in or near Grayton Beach, or has visited, won’t be surprised. Grayton Beach has sand so white it hurts your eyes, and the pure, super fine quartz squeaks when your bare feet walk across it. The beach is wide with a gentle slope down to the Gulf. The breathtaking emerald green of the water stretches out to the horizon lazily lapping on the shore where it froths around your toes. The beach is perfect for sunbathing, walking, running, and fishing. Whether you’re looking to read and nap while working on your tan or wanting a good workout, you’re in luck. It’s true that miles and miles of the Panhandle of Florida’s coastline along Panama City Beach and stretching westward down Scenic 30-A is covered with this same beautiful sand, dotted with plenty of communities to live in, vacation in, and play. But Grayton Beach, for 2020, was crowned as its jewel. Established in 1890, Grayton Beach was the first village in the area. The state park is nestled between Grayton Beach itself and Watercolor and comprises 2,000 acres including Western Lake, a rare dune lake, and tons of nature and protected wildlife. The hiking trails meander around dune and coastal forests filled with scrub oak and fragrant magnolias.

LOT 33

000 S. COUNTY HWY. 283 .32 Acres • 100 X 139 #859260 • $199,000

For those visiting the area, you’ll find wonderful places to stay in that feel like home away from home, fine-dining and cozy bars. You can drive along Scenic 30-A and drink in the spectacular views of the water, hike nature trails or sunbathe on the pristine beach. Some quality eateries you should check out are The Red Bar, newly rebuilt after a fire destroyed much of the building last year. It hasn’t lost any of its former ambience. There’s also Chanticleer Eatery, Grayton Seafood, and FOOW – Fish Out Of Water, just down the street at Watercolor. Another mile or so east, in the quaint village of Seaside, you’ll find the locally popular Bud & Alley’s. While you’re there, make sure you check out Sundog Books bookstore across the street. This bookstore has books literally climbing the walls. It’s worth the visit, trust me. You’ll also find all kinds and styles of shops and boutiques, with local artists contributing fine-art quality paintings, sculptures, and home decor, so you can take a piece of paradise back home with you. Scenic 30-A with all its community treasures, has been a popular destination for years. The next time you’re looking to get away from it all for a while, check out Grayton Beach, and familiarize yourself with paradise living at its finest. Many vacationers fall so much in love with the area, they end up buying a place of their own to use for themselves, and as a rental, enjoying not just the location, but the passive income it produces. Grayton Beach and its state park are the epitome of living in paradise. Sun and water, nature and wildlife. Come visit and learn how to chill on the top beach in the entire United States.

Your memories are waiting! Written by Victoria Ostrosky

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

16 WOOD BEACH DRIVE

3,847 Sq. Ft. | 5 Bedrooms | 51/2 Baths | #849988

BEACH HOUSE

The home would be a collaborative effort of several local artists, artisans and designers. Each person or “partner” would have the opportunity to showcase their talent in the home. VIE Magazine would create the story and provide marketing and updates throughout the build. Romona Robbins would perfectly photograph and capture the home once completed. With this backdrop, the stage was set for a truly unique home.

Turning a vacant piece of land into a beautiful beach house can be a daunting task. It is one thing if you are building the home for personal use because after all you know what the owner’s tastes are. It is another challenge if you are building it for the Written by JAMES WATTS purposes of selling. In that case you are trying to Broker Associate mesh personal taste with what you think other people are looking for. Do you go generic and play it safe with neutral colors or do you take some risks with bold colors and over the top finishes?

This is not the first time that Jim and Suzy have partnered with VIE Magazine to create a show home, but this one would be the “beach house.” Luxury needed to mesh with the beach lifestyle. The idea was to create a home that incorporates the highest quality fixtures and finishes, but yet still has the comfortable feeling of a family beach house. You could host a formal dinner prepared by a chef in the gourmet kitchen or host a poolside birthday party and cook hamburgers on the grill. You can flip the switch from cocktail attire to swimsuits in the blink of an eye.

When I first started talking with Jim Accola (Coastal Elements Construction) and Suzy Accola (Q-Tile) about building a new home on their lot in Sugarwood, the plan was never to play it safe. Their plan was to partner up with VIE Magazine to create a show home.

The Beach Group was chosen to be the real estate partner. I am not one to idly sit on the sideline waiting for updates, so I tried to be as hands on and present as possible from when the lot was cleared until the CO was issued. Jim, Suzy and the other partners supplied the ideas and creativity.

THE VIE

A SHOW HOME

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

K I TC H E N I acted as a sounding board people could bounce ideas off of. I would comment based on what I was seeing in other homes both in this area and other luxury markets. This mixing of ideas led to every detail in the home being thought through. The home itself has too many features to list. Just walking up to the home you get a taste for what is inside when you see the 12 foot tall custom iron door. The siding is thermally enhanced spruce cladding. Various light fixtures were designed and made specifically for this home. The custom “Ocean Blue” Blue Star appliances perfectly match the cabinets creating a pop of color. Each bathroom has a unique tile mosaic culminating with a tile mural of the world in the upstairs bathroom. The floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open the living area up to the outdoor pool deck and entertaining area. The pool acts as an oversized spa with multiple jets along the edge for enjoyment. Venetian plaster walls create a chic feel but the rough sawn wood beams soften the sleek edge creating a perfect combination of style.

luxury needed to mesh

with the beach lifestyle

When we first listed the home, several realtors and potential buyers questioned the price. The home was not finished and we were well above any other sales in the neighborhood. However, as the house came together, we quickly realized that all of the parties involved nailed it. Upon completion it is official; The VIE Beach House is a Show Home.

M A S T E R B AT H

The first people to see it loved and decided to make it their own. *See viemagazine.com/beachshowhome for more information on the show home and a complete list of all partners involved in making the home come to life.

BEES ROOM

WORLD ROOM

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

THE GREAT RESET

Why “ The Great Reset” Makes A Move To The Beach A Reality

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 11

fter months of remote working, you have got used to managing your time and prioritizing your day outside of the standard 9 to 5. And your company is seeing the benefits of not having office space to heat and cool and is happy for you and other employees to work remotely for the foreseeable future.

workers can now confidently dial in to Zoom Calls with Nashville, Microsoft Teams Meetings in Atlanta, and FaceTime Sales calls from Chicago to Corpus Christi. And, of course, you can always make phone calls from the screened porch with your morning coffee.

The kids’ schools are still closed, the gym is shuttered, and little league has been suspended again. And, sadly, a ‘For Sale’ sign has appeared in your neighbor’s front yard. So, with the Great Reset underway, what do you need to make the dream move to the beach complete?

Working remotely does mean at times you may need to meet clients face-to-face, attend conferences, trade fairs and seminars, or view property, facilities or infrastructure projects in real life too. 30-A residents are blessed with two regional airports, each an hour’s drive to the west and the east. Direct flights to Washington DC, Houston, New Orleans, Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville mean you can catch the early flight and be back in time for dinner and drinks at the beach.

Along 30-A there are a range of communities offering homes of different styles and sizes. Developers and house builders are looking for ways to meet the needs not just of tourists and second-home owners, but those relocating full-time to the beach too. New developments along 30-A and Highway 98 are now providing housing options which didn’t previously exist here. New condo buildings with luxury amenities – pools, gyms, media rooms - are emerging. New town homes and apartments are appealing to those looking to downsize from a sprawling suburban pile, and established communities like Watercolor, Alys Beach and Seaside are adding new super-luxury homes, beach side villas and houses to their inventory.

And you are not alone. There are hundreds of families moving to the beach each month, so there is a growing remote worker network to tap into. Access to business services and other professional groups is easy. Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, law firms and finance teams, PR and Marketing experts are all well-established along 30-A and by joining these networks you can continue to grow your business.

“Why do we have to go home?”

As well as plenty of bedrooms, chef’s kitchens, sleek modern bathrooms and open-plan living space, one of the most in-demand features home buyers are now asking for is dedicated office space. Existing homes are remodelling playrooms, lofts, and carriage houses to make dedicated work-from-home space. TV’s can double as monitors, bluetooth everywhere allows speakers to play podcasts or read emails anywhere you want and with a smartphone in your pocket, a laptop under your arm and unlimited cloud storage you can work anywhere in or around your home. Because this is also your private space as well as your place of work, you can choose color schemes which stimulate or sooth, have backdrops or window views which shock and awe clients on Skype calls, and can select furniture that is pleasing to the eye as well as good for your posture. Shop wisely and work with any one of the interior designers also operating at the beach – after all, there is no need to recreate the depressing cubicle with its jumble of wires and that achingly-uncomfortable office chair you are finally leaving behind. Technology will be your friend too in easing your move to Work from Home (WFH). The hunt for a WIFI hot spot or “bars” on your ‘phone is over. In recent months, local internet providers in the area have installed hispeed networks, while ATT, T-Mobile and Verizon have extended their 5G networks along 30-A. Remote

The family is also well catered for on 30-A. New state of the art Elementary and Middle Schools have recently opened. A Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) academy has opened with landowner St. Joe’s support, and Seaside Middle School, Seacoast Collegiate, and South Walton High School continue to win state-wide awards and recognition. And, with near perfect weather year-round, sports and recreational amenities take pride of place in the community. Beside the world’s best beaches and some of Florida’s most challenging golf courses, 30-A residents can also enjoy a new skatepark, soccer pitches, baseball diamonds and grid-iron fields which have all recently opened. Plus, you can enjoy the many cultural highlights which abound along 30-A too. In the cooler spring and fall seasons, outdoor film festivals, food and wine festivals, music festivals and arts events all take place. People fly in from all over the country to attend these events, so how wonderful to be able to cycle to the venues, walk through your own community or attend an event with neighbors and friends by the dozen. Our team at Beach Group has long provided you with support in the search for the perfect holiday home or rental property, why not work with us now to find your ‘forever home’ right here in the place you love, wonderful 30-A. Written by Martin Liptrot

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

Unique and inspiring Coastal design.

Custom Home Builder on Florida’s Scenic 30A Envision Builders Group is a full-service general contractor serving Watercolor, Seaside, Seagrove, Watersound, Rosemary, Alys Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach and Northwest Florida. Our reputation for our quality of work and integrity is the foundation of our success. Learn more at www.envisionbuildersgroup.com 6620 E Co Hwy 30A, T4, Watersound, FL 32461 38

License No. CBC1255932

BLUE MOUNTAIN

BEACH

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

Located along a 26-mile stretch of Northwest Florida’s famed Emerald Coast, Blue Mountain Beach is one of the 16 distinct beach neighborhoods in South Walton County, each with its own traditions, charm and visual style. The community of Blue Mountain Beach offers luxury beach houses, upscale dining, and the unique artist colony known as Gulf Place.

B LU E M O U N TA I N B E AC H

2393 W. CTY HWY. 30-A, #702

3,908 SF • 5 Bedrooms • 4 Baths #857894 • $3,150,000 • Penthouse Unit

The Pinnacle

O F B E AC H F R O N T L I V I N G

This is the pinnacle of beachfront living on the highest point on the Gulf of Mexico. White Cliffs condominium is poised atop Blue Mountain overlooking the beautiful white sands and emerald Gulf waters the 30A area is known for. Unit 702 is a spacious penthouse unit with westward facing views perfect for catching sunsets. At 3,908 square feet, this is one of the largest gulf front condos currently available. White Cliffs is an intimate building with 14 total non-rental condos thus ensuring stability and creating a more established feeling. The private pool overlooks the beach and is perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. Each owner gets a covered parking spot and a large storage closet. Privacy is key here with a gated entrance and coded entryway to the building itself. 30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

DESTIN

Located between Fort Walton and Santa Rosa Beach, Destin was named after fishing captain Leonard Destin who settled here between 1945-1950. The city of Destin is located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Choctawhatchee Bay and consists of many different types of homes and condos. Known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin real estate is growing with properties ranging from high end luxury gulf front homes and condos to more affordable beach cottages.

DESTIN | SANDESTIN SILVER DUNES CONDOS

1030 E. HIGHWAY 98, UNIT#21

980 SF • 2 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • #858301 • $349,900 DESTIN WEST BEACH & BAY RESORT

1517 MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY, #V510 460 SF • 0 Bedrooms • 1 Baths • #860388 • $225,000

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

SILVER BEACH TOWERS

COMING SOON WATERFRONT CONDO

DESTIN WEST BEACH & BAY RESORT

1328 MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY, #402 1,777 SF • 3 Bedrooms • 2 Baths • #856825 • $594,000

For information on all available properties in DESTIN or SANDESTIN contact The Beach Group 850.231.9007

SandestinResor tRealEstate.com

SANDESTIN GOLF & BEACH RESORT

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a 2,400-acre destination resort in Miramar Beach, Florida. The resort is located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay

30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

SANTA ROSA

RANCH

NEIGHBORING AREAS SANTA ROSA BEACH

94 S. SUMMIT DRIVE

2,064 SF • 3 Bedrooms • 3 Baths • #TBD • $765,000

The 30-A Real Estate Guide | Vol. 12

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS

LOT 3 MAGNOLIA LAKE

.46 Acres • 270.4 x 56.15 x 148.8 x 194.3 • #855186 • $35,000

S A N TA R O S A R A N C H

4340 HIGHWAY 178

THE SANTA ROSA RANCH • JAY, FL #850131 • $2,995,000

For information on all available properties contact The Beach Group 850.231.9007 The Santa Rosa Ranch is a unique opportunity operating both as an income generating breeding facility and family attraction. The Ranch consists of just over 545 acres. It is a combination of pastures, agricultural fields, forests and 13 total ponds. The ponds are stocked with Largemouth Bass, Bream and Catfish. There is a caretaker's cabin overlooking several ponds included in the purchase. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase substantial acreage just north of the I-10 corridor. The Ranch could continue as a family attraction bringing in people for hayrides, petting zoos, fishing, picking pumpkins or other crops or hosting gatherings. The grazing and breeding areas are not impacted by the attraction areas allowing both aspects of the ranch to operate simultaneously.

NEIGHBORING AREAS INLET BEACH

COMING SOON

Waterfront Home on Lake Powell

CARILLON BEACH

293 BEACHSIDE DRIVE

3,553 SF • 6 Bedrooms • 4 Baths • #861062 • $1,995,000 30ARealEstateGuide.com | (850)231-9007

COMMERCIAL UPDATE from The Emerald Coast

Written by

TY SIMS

Commercial Sales Director Realtor Associate

The market leading up to 2020 has primarily revolved around residential mixed use development supporting tourism and absentee owners. Retail increased due to the influx of tourism and the increase of out of state home owners. While South Walton experienced growth in commercial development most of the market values were based on prior sales unsupported by a rate of return that the property and business could support through commerce. Many investors changed the comprehensive plan designation from commercial to residential to realize the higher immediate yield of residential sales rather than the longer-term return with the benefits of depreciation and other tax credits that commercial investments offer. Much of this through the 90s and early 2000s was based on false demand not the end user we have today. Over the past ten years there has been an increase in local and national developers providing a more affordable product for year-round homeowners verses the higher end seasonal homeowner. This change in demographics has created a consistent demand for commercial products and services that could not be sustained in the past. With the commitment of local developers St. Joe Company, D.R Horton, Kolter homes and Minto Homes to provide affordable housing into the long term comes with the increase in a work force that can provide products created and consumed by the region. This allows

businesses to generate goods and services for consumers in other regions as well which has created a rate of return for commercial properties which did not exist on a large scale in the past. With the projected fifty-year time frame for the BayWalton Sector Plan there will be an increase in the opportunities for commercial and light industrial expansion. Housing will be able to meet the demand of a more skilled workforce allowing commerce to grow due to the availability of this workforce. This ultimately will create a stable commercial market throughout the region based on what a property can yield with an employment market that is capable of realizing production consistently. South Walton is going through a transformation with entrepreneurs, manufacturers and executive service providers setting up shop and growing our economy on the Emerald Coast. There has been a transition of thought especially in the last year that we do not have to live and work in the same place. The work force is moving and South Walton is creating the commercial and light industrial to support the fastest growing county in the state of Florida. To view all available commercial properties visit

BeachGroupCommercial.com or contact The Beach Group 850.231.9007

OUR LOCAL TEAM IS HERE TO SERVE YOUR BANKING NEEDS

Jason Crowe

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315 SERENOA ROAD

MLS#858127 | #858129 | #859471

SOUTHERN RIVIERA BUSINESS PLAZA

Prime Space

Available

• $15 / SF - $2.36 CAM • With Signage • 2,000 - 12,000 SF • Brand New Building • Prime Spaces

• Warehouse Space • Power Roll Up Doors • FULL HVAC • Bathrooms • Drinking Fountain

For more information contact: RON ROMANO

850.543-0647 | Ron@TheBeachGroup.com

SEAGROVE BEACH

SEASIDE

WATERCOLOR

ROSEMARY BEACH

WATERSOUND

GRAYTON BEACH

January 30A Songwriters Festival Chautauqua in Defuniak Springs, Florida

February 30A Wine Festival @ Alys Beach

Valentine Tour of Homes @ Unique homes of South Walton

Sandestin Gumbo Festival @ Baytowne Wharf

Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade @ Baytowne Wharf

SoWal Mardi Gras Parties

SPRING BREAK

March

Look out for the blooming Blue Lupine, which gives Blue Mountain Beach it's name! Seaside Neighborhood School Half Marathon & 5K Art in the Park @ WaterColor Cerulean Park

EAT

PLAY

STAY

SHOP

MOVE

ENJOY

30-A’s First & Best Visitor Website Search Restaurants, Shopping, Events & More! 48

THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY TO DISCOVER 30-A FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

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Visit D I S C O V E R 3 0 A . c o m for current updates and event times!

Sandestin Wine Festival @ Baytowne Wharf

April

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival

7July

@ Grand Boulevard

4th of July Parade

Seabreeze Jazz Festival

@ Seaside

@ Panama City Beach

4th of July Parade @ Grayton Beach

Red, White & Blue Events @ Baytowne Wharf

Independence Fireworks Spectacular Over the Lagoon

May

@ The Village in Baytowne Wharf

Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival @ Fort Walton Beach

M E M O R I A L D AY Arts Quest Fine Arts Festival Produced by Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County

Digital Grafitti Festival: A Drive Thru Experience

August B AC K TO S C H O O L

@ Alys Beach

Sandestin Triathlon

Grayton Beach Kids' Fishing Tournament

@ Sandestin and Bayside Community

30-A Real Estate Guide | v.12 2021

Articles inside

GRAYTON BEACH

SEACREST BEACH

SEASIDE

BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH

SEAGROVE BEACH

WATERSOUND BEACH

ROSEMARY BEACH

WATERCOLOR