information on alys beach

[sandstone]

Has anyone heard what's going on with the new development Alys Beach. Just curious .....

[kurt]

I don't have any details or inside info - maybe someone else can help us out.

I drive by there all the time and they are well underway with one building completed and several others under construction on the North side. They look way to close to 30-A for my liking. I hope all the buildings in the there are not that close to the road.

The interior roads have been cut but not paved. I keep meaning to stop and take a photo.

I'm not sure but I don't know if any of us regular folk will have any chance at buying anything there, or affording it if we had the chance.

www.alysbeach.com

[RiverOtter]

I'm not sure but I don't know if any of us regular folk will have any chance at buying anything there, or affording it if we had the chance.

www.alysbeach.com

From what I've heard this is true. Need to know somebody real close to the developer to get in early.

[Camp Creek Kid]

The homes at Alys Beach that are currently under construction are all under contract.

The first phase consists of a large section north of 30-A and a very small section to the south. The first release is either currently underway or to begin shortly. They will offer homes built by their constrution company, Wave Construction, and a small number of homesites to be built on by owner (with approved plans and contractor). The first phase will be released a few properties at a time, every few weeks. Lots will be $700,000 to $900,000 with construction starting 18-24 months after closing. There will be three different types of lots--the courtyard (such as what is currently under construction), the villa, and the family compound. All will be in the same style as is currently under construction.

Amenities will include all the usual--tennis, pools, beach club, etc. The town center will be built out before the residential is completed, but there is still about a 3 year time line before the commercial is started. Total build out for town will be over 10 years.

They have a data base of over 2,000 interested parties with 1/4 that many properties available. They plan to match interested parties to available properties and also offer some properties by sealed bid or some other random way. The data base has been complied since the development was announced 2 1/2 years ago. You could say that it functions somewhat like a waiting list.

All sales info is in person at the sales office onsite. For more info. make an appointment and stop by. It will be a beautiful project.

[kurt]

The homes at Alys Beach that are currently under construction are all under contract.

The first phase consists of a large section north of 30-A and a very small section to the south. The first release is either currently underway or to begin shortly. They will offer homes built by their constrution company, Wave Construction, and a small number of homesites to be built on by owner (with approved plans and contractor). The first phase will be released a few properties at a time, every few weeks. Lots will be $700,000 to $900,000 with construction starting 18-24 months after closing. There will be three different types of lots--the courtyard (such as what is currently under construction), the villa, and the family compound. All will be in the same style as is currently under construction.

Amenities will include all the usual--tennis, pools, beach club, etc. The town center will be built out before the residential is completed, but there is still about a 3 year time line before the commercial is started. Total build out for town will be over 10 years.

They have a data base of over 2,000 interested parties with 1/4 that many properties available. They plan to match interested parties to available properties and also offer some properties by sealed bid or some other random way. The data base has been complied since the development was announced 2 1/2 years ago. You could say that it functions somewhat like a waiting list.

All sales info is in person at the sales office onsite. For more info. make an appointment and stop by. It will be a beautiful project.

Do you work there?

[Camp Creek Kid]

No I don't work at Alys Beach. We live nearby so we have been keeping tabs on what is going on. I know the developers, town architects, and others involved. They are a very commited and creative group of people.

Alys Beach is going to be a family friendly place. In spite of what some may think, the developers are interested more in building a quality town than in making money. The market just happens to dictate sales prices. Also, they encourage people who are interested in actually living there to buy property. They'd like to see families and businesses, etc. They will have a rental program because it is a resort town, but it will also be a liveable place for year-round residents.

All homes will be entirely of concrete and hopefully hurricane proof. There is also an extensive environmental program to recycle building materials and to preserve the environment.

Obviously we would like to buy a lot in there, but just like everyone else, we are waiting in line.

They are trying to do everything right that is why things are going so slow at this intial stage.

[kurt]

No I don't work at Alys Beach. We live nearby so we have been keeping tabs on what is going on. I know the developers, town architects, and others involved. They are a very commited and creative group of people.

Alys Beach is going to be a family friendly place. In spite of what some may think, the developers are interested more in building a quality town than in making money. The market just happens to dictate sales prices. Also, they encourage people who are interested in actually living there to buy property. They'd like to see families and businesses, etc. They will have a rental program because it is a resort town, but it will also be a liveable place for year-round residents.

All homes will be entirely of concrete and hopefully hurricane proof. There is also an extensive environmental program to recycle building materials and to preserve the environment.

Obviously we would like to buy a lot in there, but just like everyone else, we are waiting in line.

They are trying to do everything right that is why things are going so slow at this intial stage.

Please keep us informed of all things Alys Beach, and anything else you like.

[FoX]

Please keep us informed of all things Alys Beach, and anything else you like.

Ditto that CC Kid. Please post often. :wink:

[Philip_Atlanta]

FYI - you can get a little info from DPZ's site - the link is http://www.dpz.com/project.aspx?type...ame=Alys+Beach

and has a town map, etc.

[Camp Creek Kid]

The Alys Beach town map that is on the DPZ site is outdated.

[RiverOtter]

I just can't decide which gulf front lot I want :laughing1

[chrisv]

Ok, here's a totally useless question: How is Alys pronounced? Walton County SO and the South Walton FD pronounce it :"AL-eez" over the air, every realtor and banker I know says "AL-isss". Come on, I gotta know!

[RiverOtter]

Ok, here's a totally useless question: How is Alys pronounced? Walton County SO and the South Walton FD pronounce it :"AL-eez" over the air, every realtor and banker I know says "AL-isss". Come on, I gotta know!

The answer the phone "Alice" as in Cooper.

[Smiling JOe]

When completed, Alys Beach will be the only 100% "hurricane proof" community along the Gulf of Mexico, so I hear.

The reason the lots are hard to get is that only the developer is selling them. I grew up with the Developer's son in law, who is actively involved in the project, and even I cannot get a lot, not that I would want to live there. It sounds really nice when you hear that a developer does not care about making money, but when it is the Developer's employees telling you that, you should stop to think. Sure, they may care about the type of community they are creating, but they would not be doing this if they did not have the chance to take a bundle back home to Alabama.

[kurt]

The first house nearing completion.

[RiverOtter]

The first house nearing completion.

Yup, be moving in soon

[Camp Creek Kid]

Apparently, Ebsco (the developer of Alys Beach) is now one of the largest private land owners in Alabama. They are buying up property all over the place.

[Smiling JOe]

Apparently, Ebsco (the developer of Alys Beach) is now one of the largest private land owners in Alabama. They are buying up property all over the place.

Yes, but they are not doing it for the money.... Right.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Of course they are doing it for money. I only said that their main focus was on building a liveable, viable town. For example, the town center at Alys Beach will have controlled rents so that merchants can afford to do business there. Rosemary merchants are struggling because their rent is getting too high for them make a profit. Several businesses that were going to go into Rosemary have backed out. Alys Beach wants to make sure that doesn't happen. It is good for the town, and yes, it is good for the developer.

The sales prices at Alys Beach are at market value. If they wanted to, they could ask a lot higher and get it.

[kurt]

Of course they are doing it for money. I only said that their main focus was on building a liveable, viable town. For example, the town center at Alys Beach will have controlled rents so that merchants can afford to do business there. Rosemary merchants are struggling because their rent is getting too high for them make a profit. Several businesses that were going to go into Rosemary have backed out. Alys Beach wants to make sure that doesn't happen. It is good for the town, and yes, it is good for the developer.

The sales prices at Alys Beach are at market value. If they wanted to, they could ask a lot higher and get it.

I think it's a smart and valuable part of the plan to have good, stable businesses. It makes a town a much more "real" place, and provides a draw to people not living/staying there. I look forward to having another place to visit.

Rest assured Ebsco is getting as high a price as possible (which is market value by definition), as any developer would.

[Smiling JOe]

Of course they are doing it for money. I only said that their main focus was on building a liveable, viable town.

This is what you wrote,
"the developers are interested more in building a quality town than in making money."

Come on and give me a freaking break.

I guess that would be like saying the same thing about St Joe.

[Camp Creek Kid]

I know what I said, I don't need you quoting me. Yes, I said MORE interested in building a quality town than in making money. I didn't say they weren't interested in making money. There are a lot of things they could do differently to make MORE money than they already are, but they aren't. They could develop a town with bad design and and crappy buildings and still sell them for the same price.

[Paula]

Well, since we'll be living about 1/3 mile from Alys beach, does anyone have any idea whether they'll have theatre, coffee shops, and other things that we can walk to? And by when? Thanks.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Hey Paula,

I don't think Alys will have a theater. They will have a whole town center similar to Seaside and Rosemary, but it should be viable, and they plan to have it completed before most of the homes are. The town center should start opening up, in phases, in about 3 years. Many people have approached Alys about obtaining commerical property there. No decisions have been made on the exact businesses. There will be a coffee shop, newsstand, and market for sure.

There will be a 16 screen Rave in PCB at Pier Park.

[kurt]

Well, since we'll be living about 1/3 mile from Alys beach, does anyone have any idea whether they'll have theatre, coffee shops, and other things that we can walk to? And by when? Thanks.

An 80-acre project near WaterSound (Arvida project on East end of 30-A) that runs north and south of 30-A will include a large retention pond that will create a "harbor". The new development, Prominence, is billed as a town where people can live, shop and work, and is planned by the same firm that planned Sandestin's Baytowne Wharf. The planner is copying elements from Nantucket, Mass., in an attempt to complement the New-England-themed WaterSound community. Prominence will include a theater with a balcony that will be used for live performances, and movies. There are plans for a soda fountain across the corner with a bank nearby.

[RiverOtter]

An 80-acre project near WaterSound (Arvida project on East end of 30-A) that runs north and south of 30-A will include a large retention pond that will create a "harbor". The new development, Prominence, is billed as a town where people can live, shop and work, and is planned by the same firm that planned Sandestin's Baytowne Wharf. The planner is copying elements from Nantucket, Mass., in an attempt to complement the New-England-themed WaterSound community. Prominence will include a theater with a balcony that will be used for live performances, and movies. There are plans for a soda fountain across the corner with a bank nearby.

When they say "Harbor" do they mean you can dock your boat and they get to the bay or gulf from the "harbor"? If so, I'm it!

[Smiling JOe]

When they say "Harbor" do they mean you can dock your boat and they get to the bay or gulf from the "harbor"? If so, I'm it!

Alys Beach will not have that water access to the Gulf for which you are searching. The original plans call for storm water runoff to create a "harbor like" effect. They are filled with too much horse fecal matter for this soul.

[RiverOtter]

Alys Beach will not have that water access to the Gulf for which you are searching. The original plans call for storm water runoff to create a "harbor like" effect. They are filled with too much horse fecal matter for this soul.

Ewwwwwwwwwwweuuuuuuuu! YUK! So "harbor like" means not bay access either :mad: . Ok then, I'm out!

[kurt]

Alys Beach will not have that water access to the Gulf for which you are searching. The original plans call for storm water runoff to create a "harbor like" effect. They are filled with too much horse fecal matter for this soul.

You mean "Prominence" - which apparently is a town built around a retention pond. I bet families will love it. I wouldn't be surprised to see people fishing there.

[SoWalSally]

I hear you have to go through a couple of interviews to be eligible to get in the lottery for a chance to be chosen to buy property. I also heard that was a farce since friends and family are the only ones allowed to reserve and then most of it will go up for resale.

[seagrovechick]

The reason the lots are hard to get is that only the developer is selling them. I grew up with the Developer's son in law, who is actively involved in the project, and even I cannot get a lot, not that I would want to live there. It sounds really nice when you hear that a developer does not care about making money, but when it is the Developer's employees telling you that, you should stop to think. Sure, they may care about the type of community they are creating, but they would not be doing this if they did not have the chance to take a bundle back home to Alabama.

Not sure where you're getting your facts. The town founder and developer is Jason Comer, who has a 2-year-old son. You may be thinking of someone at the parent company, Ebsco, based in AL, but the head of the project lives right here in Seagrove with his family.

[Smiling JOe]

Not sure where you're getting your facts. The town founder and developer is Jason Comer, who has a 2-year-old son. You may be thinking of someone at the parent company, Ebsco, based in AL, but the head of the project lives right here in Seagrove with his family.

I know that Jason lives here, but believe me when I say the money goes back to Alabama. Surely, you do not think that Jason is keeping it all. The money is going back to Alabama, which doesn't concern me in the least. Jason married into the family by the way, and I am not thinking of anyone else.

Don't get me wrong. I think they are a building out a great place. Alys Beach will be a big draw.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Joe, your info about Jason Comer is wrong. Jason is the grandson of the founder of EBSCO, Elton B. Stephens. Mr. Stephens recently passed away. Jason's mother, Jane, is Mr. Stephens' daughter. Jason did not marry into the family.

Jason is the developer of Alys Beach and business is conducted with the EBSCO name. EBSCO has another development in Birmingham that was also designed by DPZ. The development is called Alys Beach after Elton Stephens' wife, Alys (Alice).

I don't know your age, but maybe you are thinking of Jason's father.

[SoWalSally]

From what I've seen from driving by it looks like the densest development yet - buildings very close together.

[Georgian]

When they say zero lot lines they mean it.