If you have any interest in
purchasing a lot in The Retreat, you'd better hurry. Since
May 85 of the 90 coastal homesites have been snapped up for an
average cost of $420,000 in the first Walton County development offered
by ARVIDA, St. Joe Co., Florida's largest
private landowner.
The five remaining lots are located on
picturesque Draper Lake, two with possible Gulf views. The price
tags on these prime lots range from $400,000 to $450,000. Other
lots sold from a mere $100,000 for an interior lot to a hefty $1.2
million for the most westerly parcel nestled between the natural lake,
the Gulf of Mexico and acres of Gulf front conservation land
located off Highway 30A .
There was no shortage of people willing to pay the
high prices for the lots. One parcel with outstanding views of
both Draper Lake and the Gulf had 26 contracts submitted according to
Tom Dodson, vice president for sales at ARVIDA. He said,
"People put a real premium on the exclusivity of the
development."
"Our main objective in
the beginning was to identify who the buyers were going to be,"
said Dodson. "We felt it would be affluent baby-boomers
who have been renting and owning property here for years. Empty
nesters, couples, families with children and grandchildren looking for
second homes."
"Our buyer profile held true, so we added
the gated aspect, rental restrictions, strict covenants and
stringent design guidelines to create a superior living
environment," said Dodson. "People who are spending this kind
of money on property feel secure that their investment will be well
protected."
The Retreat was designed with the environment in
mind. The lots are large, ranging from approximately one half acre
to an acre in size. Homes must be a minimum of 1600 square feet up
to 7,000 square feet. Construction of the first homes is expected
to begin in this calendar year.
While homeowners will be able to choose their own
architects and builders, they must submit their plans to a Design Review
Board and use the services of a Florida licensed architect. Most homes
are expected to have a Caribbean influence according to Hunter Harman, a
sales executive for The Retreat.
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A picnic pavilion nestles
on the shore of Draper Lake at St Joe Arivda's The Retreat.
Turtle time? Pillared turtles watch over the
entrance at The Retreat at Blue Mountain Beach.
Although 24 homesites are located directly on
the Gulf, only three dune walkovers will be built. "We wanted
it to be an environmentally sensitive area," commented Dodson.
"Aesthetically, it lends itself to be a more pleasing
community when the number of dune walkovers is limited. Our
buyers understand that it adds to the value of the overall
community."
Amenities of this lavish,
waterfront community include a private Beach Club, complete with
spa and two tiered negative edge pool designed to give the
illusion of pool water disappearing into the Gulf.
Each homeowner will enjoy the convenience of a spacious locker
located at the Beach Club for storage of beach equipment.
"The Beach Club will be the centerpiece of this spectacular
property," said Harman.
Other amenities include nature trails, gravel
paths, benches and swings placed strategically to enjoy views of
the lake and Gulf. In addition, there will be a lake front
pavilion area with a boat launch for canoes and kayaks, grills
for picnickers, and charming viewing towers sprinkled throughout
the area.
Homeowners will pay $100 fee per month for
amenities, common ground landscaping, irrigation system and
upkeep of improvements. Each owner will be responsible for
maintaining his own property.
Angela Parkhurst is a real estate agent with Anchors Resorts
Realty in Destin and specializes in the sale of condos and beach
property. She can be reached at (850) 585-3993 or email
her at Ang4Destin@aol.com. |
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