Riverwalk, Freeport

[SoWalSally]

Taking the natural approach

BY JOYCE OWEN SUN REPORTER

FREEPORT – The views along the nearly completed 1,000-footlong boardwalk leading to Four Mile Creek offer visitors a glimpse of life as it is planned for Riverwalk, Freeport.
“Riverwalk is a community built on 175 acres of virgin property that is the first development to bring life back to Freeport’s roots – returning life back to the water,” developer Jerry Miller of the Miller Group said. “The property is centered around a waterway, Four Mile Creek, which leads to the Choctawhatchee Bay.”
Although we live in an area surrounding by water, “the water is so under-utilized,” he said.
However at Riverwalk, Freeport, life revolves around water.
The development, which will have 500 homes at build out, has been designed to enhance living near the water.
“Unique to the property,” Miller said, “will be 100 proposed boat slips with deep water access. Riverwalk property owners will be able to acquire a boat slip on a first come-first serve basis.”
The property borders Four Mile Creek with its deepwater canal offering opportunities for fisherman and boaters, including canoers and kayakers, to keep boats nearby at the Riverwalk Wharf.
After a day on the water, families can gather around two outdoor fire pits at the Fisherman’s Exchange where fisherman can spend the evening sharing tall tales of great fishing adventures.
Homeowners are never far from water, even the street names like Speckled Trout Lane, Old Canoe Way and Angler Drive reflect a lifestyle that evokes life near the water. Then homeowners can retire to residences that continue the feel of a river camp with the community’s own classic Florida style Riverwalk architectural style that includes galvanized roofs, exposed rafters and screened porches.
Through a boardwalk system, owners will have easy access to the 500-seat Crescent Moon Amphitheatre, a preserved green space where concerts will be held. There’s also a swimming pool, kid’s pool, cabanas and pergola at South Park within walking distance.
Construction on the first homes is expected to begin in 2007. The lots range in price from $139,900 to $229,000.

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Riverwalk, Freeport goes on display




The Miller Group, the developers of Riverwalk, Freeport held an open house on April 12 offering nearly 500 visitors tours of the 175-acre property off U.S. Highway 331 just south of Freeport. Whether touring by land or boat, the emphasis was on the natural environment of the property. With expansive nature preserves between the development and Four Mile Creek, the deepwater canal that leads to the Choctawhatchee Bay, the tour guide indicated wildlife still roams the land. He pointed to a beaver pond that will be retained, and hundreds of trees that will be saved. “We are trying to save everything we can,” Don Harris, one of guides, said. The project will have 2,700 feet of waterfront on the creek with a wharf for homeowners’ boats. There will be four miles of trails, sidewalks and boardwalks wide enough for a golf cart. The sidewalks will be crushed stone and the trails will be covered in bark mulch. The emphasis at Riverwalk is on the outdoors where owners can explore the pristine area while enjoying the opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing and swimming.

[turtle812]

What's going on with this project. I know they have a website and have started to take reservations on the 1st phase, but how many reservations do they have and are they going to end up developing the 500 lots as planned.

Is anyone else concerned about the future supply/glut of lots and homes in Freeport? Where's the demand?

[Smiling JOe]

What's going on with this project. I know they have a website and have started to take reservations on the 1st phase, but how many reservations do they have and are they going to end up developing the 500 lots as planned.

Is anyone else concerned about the future supply/glut of lots and homes in Freeport? Where's the demand?

The demand is in the future. With the rising costs of insurance and the lack of companies issuing policies, Freeport will grow in the future. However, it will not be over night. There is much supply in Freeport, and even more potential for supply as farm land is broken into residential and commercial lots. The PCB airport will be fairly close, only 20 minute drive, and you will be out of the way of the hurricanes. Neighborhoods will develop and Freeport will become a real town. Right now, it is trying to become a town, but it needs more people to do so.

[Busta Hustle]

So did riverwalk walk back to the bank as rumored?

[Smiling JOe]

So did riverwalk walk back to the bank as rumored?

My understanding is that it went back to the bank, and that bank sold it to another bank, located in Alabama.

[GoodWitch58]

When I drove by yesterday I thought I saw workers taking the entrance signs down...anyone know?

[Smiling JOe]

My understanding is that it went back to the bank, and that bank sold it to another bank, located in Alabama.

I have been informed by a very reliable source that my above statement is incorrect.

[Bobby J]

I have been informed by a very reliable source that my above statement is incorrect.

So what is the deal? This is what everyone is saying....

[Smiling JOe]

I'm not at liberty to discuss, nor do I know all the details, so I don't want to distort the facts.

[Popa32]

I see it has been sometime since a post was made about this project. Does anyone know the latest status?

[Smiling JOe]

saw some big yellow equipment moving around in the construction entrance a month or so ago. Gates still closed.

[Hop]

I'm not at liberty to discuss, nor do I know all the details, so I don't want to distort the facts.

aww sj....what funn is that?!?

[interested]

here is the latest advertisement from the developer...

http://greatsoutherndevelopers.com/i...d=51&Itemid=70

http://www.greatsoutherndevelopers.c...d=29&Itemid=44

pretty interesting.

[Smiling JOe]

here is the latest advertisement from the developer...

http://greatsoutherndevelopers.com/i...d=51&Itemid=70

http://www.greatsoutherndevelopers.c...d=29&Itemid=44

pretty interesting.

It does sound delightful, but Ritz Carlton? I really laughed when I clicked on the Eufaula link of that site -- 5 Star hotels? Talk about a stretch.

[Bobby J]

Those folks will be so stoked to do their grocery shopping at Kelly's!

[Smiling JOe]

Those folks will be so stoked to do their grocery shopping at Kelly's!

I almost spewed a beer on my monitor!
They will be shopping for groceries in the Ritz Carlton, not to be confused with the Ritz food stores and gas station. Actually, by the time that gets going, surely people from Freeport will be shopping at the Plantation Publix.

[Bobby J]

The "Ritz" all you can eat mullet buffet.... Why didn't I think of that! Each room comes with a designer cast net and a cricket bucket. Every Tuesday their will be a Copeland raffle for a free brim buster!

[pete23]

76 lots pending for $19,984,000. That's $262,947.37 per lot average. No money left over to shop.

[beachmouse]

Thanks for the link to Great Southern. Because I really needed the laugh.

"Orlean will be built to be an exact replica of the French Quarter in New Orleans except it will be much safer and cleaner. All of the homes will be designed as townhomes, as is in the French Quarter with a Royal Street and Bourbon Street and, of course, will be completely family oriented."- so many things wrong with this passage I don't know what to say.

"The theme will be "

[SWGB]

The "Ritz" all you can eat mullet buffet.... Why didn't I think of that! Each room comes with a designer cast net and a cricket bucket. Every Tuesday their will be a Copeland raffle for a free brim buster!

Your on fire Bobby.

[Busta Hustle]

can't believe you guys are dissing a fellow realtor and local developer as well as our beloved freeport...i see marina village doing some marketing as well...why this year alone realtors have teamed up to sell 14 or so lots in freeport year to date

[Smiling JOe]

I'm not dissing the Realtor/developer, nor Freeport. I've had the full tour of Riverwalk, and I absolutely love it! You don't know a thing about it from driving down 331, because it really is a hidden gem. I am laughing at the marketing company's choice of description for other Great Southern developments, and find it difficult to believe that a five star hotel will work in Freeport in the next ten years. As for that average price of $262K per lot, that sounds higher than they were originally asking in the peak of the market of 2005, when you could reserve a lot at $125K. For some reason, no lots are showing as pending in the mls.

[Bobby J]

No dissing here. My wife is from Freeport. I love the area but openly feel until they improve the infrastructure it will be a problem selling at any price.

[beachmouse]

Great Southern's website prose is purple enough that it could lose them buyers who don't want to buy into a development as, um, Emerald Grande-like as they're describing it.

[Busta Hustle]

I know you guys are just having some fun and rightfully so...don't ever make the mistake of taking my comments on this site to seriously...Freeport "developers" have some very lofty goals...unfortunately the locals like an acre or so and a trailer or just a nice, safe neighborhood with a few amenities (Hammock Bay) : and we'll all probably be long gone before freeport is a "destination lifestyle location"...heck you can buy a lot overlooking a pond and the 16th green at Windswept for $59K...

[SWGB]

I'm not dissing the Realtor/developer, nor Freeport. I've had the full tour of Riverwalk, and I absolutely love it! You don't know a thing about it from driving down 331, because it really is a hidden gem. I am laughing at the marketing company's choice of description for other Great Southern developments, and find it difficult to believe that a five star hotel will work in Freeport in the next ten years. As for that average price of $262K per lot, that sounds higher than they were originally asking in the peak of the market of 2005, when you could reserve a lot at $125K. For some reason, no lots are showing as pending in the mls.

A lot of people giggled, laughed, and outright gafawed when St. Joe announced WaterColor. That 5 star seems to be working out pretty good.

[beachmouse]

Though WaterColor had a lot going for it- not too many big parcels of developable Gulf front land left, and in between Seaside and a classic old Florida beach town.

Freeport's a more difficult nut to crack- a significant drive to the beach, and a half dozen big to massively huge developments all comepting with each other for what's a relatively small number of current buyers. If you add up all the plats, the area starts to sound like Palm Coast or a non-age-restricted The Villages.

I think in order for all or even most the projects to succeed, they need some sort of joint national advertising push that would place the area into peoples' minds as an attractive alternate to the above two cities/megadevelopments.

[Bobby J]

They just need grocery stores.

[SWGB]

Though WaterColor had a lot going for it- not too many big parcels of developable Gulf front land left, and in between Seaside and a classic old Florida beach town.

Freeport's a more difficult nut to crack- a significant drive to the beach, and a half dozen big to massively huge developments all comepting with each other for what's a relatively small number of current buyers. If you add up all the plats, the area starts to sound like Palm Coast or a non-age-restricted The Villages.

I think in order for all or even most the projects to succeed, they need some sort of joint national advertising push that would place the area into peoples' minds as an attractive alternate to the above two cities/megadevelopments.

I do agree with most of that, but how many 5 star hotels in the panhandle have the option of docking your 160 foot yacht? Although if I had one of those I wouldn't worry about a hotel. Just saying that a boutique (sp?) hotel similar to the WaterColor Inn might work.

[Smiling JOe]

I would love for a five star hotel to be successful in Freeport in the next ten years, because that will mean many things have changed, including having staff in Freeport, who can sell wine in a fine dining restaurant, rather than order takers. It will also mean that the real estate market and vacation market will have shifted. I'm 100% for a successful five star hotel in Freeport, I just don't see it happening in the next ten years. I think Freeport will be a very different place in twenty years, so it has to have stepping stones to get there -- maybe this is it.

[GreatSouthern]

Hello to all, I happened to see this thread and figured that if you all are going to talk about Riverwalk, then Riverwalk should be represented. Please be candid in all of your comments as I want to know how you really feel and will answer all questions as I can.

[Romeosmydog]

and thanks for posting. I am very concerned about the Freeport market. As bad as we all know it is down on the coast do you all have any thoughts on Freeport. Some of the pricing I am seeing in the north competes with stuff two blocks off the beach. It is almost like the agents have not been keeping up with the market. I mean no offense to anyone. I think Freeport area is our future but the vision seems to be short sighted. Any thoughts and update will be appreciated. Also, when is a grocery store coming?

[Smiling JOe]

How long before the five star hotel is opened, and what are the real chances that Ritz Carlton will be running the show? Out of all the projects in Freeport, I think RiverWalk may be my personal favorite for potential homes, and I love the boardwalks, and the boat slips will be great and are much needed. I've seen the architectural sketches for the homes, and they look much like WaterColor homes, which I think will do fine. I just don't see a five star hotel market in Freeport, and wonder from where your skilled workforce will be imported.

On a separate note, is there truly a market for a five star hotel in Eufaula, AL, the Large Mouth Fishing Capital of the South Eastern US, and who do you anticipate buying those 5,000+ extra homes, since the current flood of homes on the market in Eufaula, haven't been selling for the last five years (and since the current population of Eufaula is probably less than 15,000)?

[Romeosmydog]

oops. This is actually Bobby J. I did not know I was on Romeos name. Sorry Romeo!

[Bobby J]

and thanks for posting. I am very concerned about the Freeport market. As bad as we all know it is down on the coast do you all have any thoughts on Freeport. Some of the pricing I am seeing in the north competes with stuff two blocks off the beach. It is almost like the agents have not been keeping up with the market. I mean no offense to anyone. I think Freeport area is our future but the vision seems to be short sighted. Any thoughts and update will be appreciated. Also, when is a grocery store coming?

What I/she said?

[SWGB]

oops. This is actually Bobby J. I did not know I was on Romeos name. Sorry Romeo!

What I/she said?

Your married, it's all good.

[SWGB]

I'm curious if Ritz Carlton is really interested in the panhandle. This is now the 4th location I've heard of in 2 years.

1.) Pier Park (Supposedly where tower 3 of Calypso is now being built)
2.) Destin Commons (The new extension slated to start soon)
3.) Henderson Park (To replace the old Henderson Park Inn)
4.) Riverwalk Freeport

I seriously doubt we are getting all 4.

[GreatSouthern]

Some of the pricing I am seeing in the north competes with stuff two blocks off the beach. re coming? It is almost like the agents have not been keeping up with the market.

Our prices are based on the amenity rich environment that we are envisioning. Riverwalk is a Modern, New Urbanist Community. The project is comprised of many amenities plus a Hotel, Commercial District, and Residential Areas. It also has a lot of nature preserve space and lots of green space. If Riverwalk was to be built completely overnight, then the costs would be justified by the environment.

GS

[GreatSouthern]

I'm curious if Ritz Carlton is really interested in the panhandle. This is now the 4th location I've heard of in 2 years.

1.) Pier Park (Supposedly where tower 3 of Calypso is now being built)
2.) Destin Commons (The new extension slated to start soon)
3.) Henderson Park (To replace the old Henderson Park Inn)
4.) Riverwalk Freeport

I seriously doubt we are getting all 4.

How long before the five star hotel is opened, and what are the real chances that Ritz Carlton will be running the show? Out of all the projects in Freeport, I think RiverWalk may be my personal favorite for potential homes, and I love the boardwalks, and the boat slips will be great and are much needed. I've seen the architectural sketches for the homes, and they look much like WaterColor homes, which I think will do fine. I just don't see a five star hotel market in Freeport, and wonder from where your skilled workforce will be imported.

On a separate note, is there truly a market for a five star hotel in Eufaula, AL, the Large Mouth Fishing Capital of the South Eastern US, and who do you anticipate buying those 5,000+ extra homes, since the current flood of homes on the market in Eufaula, haven't been selling for the last five years (and since the current population of Eufaula is probably less than 15,000)?

On the hotel, I am unable to go into any depth on that other than that which you can find out on your own. Ask again in a few months.

[Smiling JOe]

any comments on the Eufaula project?

[SHELLY]

Hello to all, I happened to see this thread and figured that if you all are going to talk about Riverwalk, then Riverwalk should be represented. Please be candid in all of your comments as I want to know how you really feel and will answer all questions as I can.

Is it true that Erik Estrada is going to sell these lots on Infomercials?

.

[seagrovegirl]

Not a whole lot of info coming from Great Southern......what's the big secret????

[SHELLY]

Not a whole lot of info coming from Great Southern......what's the big secret????

Great Southern has left the kitchen.

.

[30A Skunkape]

Thanks for the link to Great Southern. Because I really needed the laugh.

"Orlean will be built to be an exact replica of the French Quarter in New Orleans except it will be much safer and cleaner. All of the homes will be designed as townhomes, as is in the French Quarter with a Royal Street and Bourbon Street and, of course, will be completely family oriented."- so many things wrong with this passage I don't know what to say.

"The theme will be "

They will also be handing out free white bread to any goofball that shows up to see an aseptic French Quarter.

[Jdarg]

I'm curious if Ritz Carlton is really interested in the panhandle. This is now the 4th location I've heard of in 2 years.

1.) Pier Park (Supposedly where tower 3 of Calypso is now being built)
2.) Destin Commons (The new extension slated to start soon)
3.) Henderson Park (To replace the old Henderson Park Inn)
4.) Riverwalk Freeport

I seriously doubt we are getting all 4.

This is a joke, right? I associate Ritz Carltons with big, cosmopolitan cities or luxury resort areas. I love the Emerald Coast (I refuse to call it THE Beach), but I don't think we are RC material.

[Bobby J]

but I don't think we are RC material.

This is a good thang!

[Jdarg]

This is a good thang!

I agree! I don't want to live in a major metro area or luxury resort area!

[Smiling JOe]

Today, at lunch, I mentioned the five-star hotel for Freeport to a few people, and they about choked laughing. All are in the restaurant biz in SoWal, and like me, wondered where the staff would come from.

[GreatSouthern]

Is it true that Erik Estrada is going to sell these lots on Infomercials?

.

LOL, Thats a good one.......Or maybe a suggestion.....Should We look him up? ROFL

[SHELLY]

LOL, Thats a good one.......Or maybe a suggestion.....Should We look him up? ROFL

Go here and click to start video on upper left corner: http://www.pridehomesllc.com/video/


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