Cypress Dunes

**JBB** · 08-22-2006, 10:02 PM

What is the general opinion of Cypress Dunes? I am looking at a home there and noticed there has been no sales there in sometime.

**Smiling JOe** · 08-23-2006, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by JBB

What is the general opinion of Cypress Dunes? I am looking at a home there and noticed there has been no sales there in sometime.

Nice project, but blocked from the Gulf by the State Park. The closest Public beach access is a solid one-mile drive, and there are only about 4 parking places there, including one handicap, and there are signs on the beach in both directions noting that the beach is private property, stay the Heck out! They tried pitching Cypress Dunes as Beach Front, which it is not close to being. I think the homes are mostly well designed and built by a reputable builder. Convenient location to the east end of Sandestin.

**Jellyfish** · 08-23-2006, 08:15 PM

I looked at CD last year and wondered the same thing....reminds me of visiting the guests at Southern Nevada Correctional in Jean, just south of Las Vegas. They can see the lights of Vegas from there. So near, but so far..

What is the point of paying premium price for "near beachfront" when you can look but not touch? If I go a mile inland, can get a much less expensive home. Nice development and quality builder, however.

**Mango** · 08-23-2006, 09:00 PM

If you like your privacy and want to know that no one can build behind you, the lots that abut the forest preserve are nice and they do have a restaurant/lounge that sits "gulf front", if you're into that.
If you don't mind driving to the beach, and want convenience of getting to Sandestin, Destin area quicker, then it might be an ideal location.
I had heard the developers were trying to get an approval at one time to build an access from CD, but I don't know where they got with that and highly doubt if they ever will.

**Smiling JOe** · 08-23-2006, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Mango

If you like your privacy and want to know that no one can build behind you, the lots that abut the forest preserve are nice and they do have a restaurant/lounge that sits "gulf front", if you're into that.
If you don't mind driving to the beach, and want convenience of getting to Sandestin, Destin area quicker, then it might be an ideal location.
I had heard the developers were trying to get an approval at one time to build an access from CD, but I don't know where they got with that and highly doubt if they ever will.

They got stuck because the State will never give them legal access through the State Forest. That hasn't stopped some people from illegally blazing a trail through the State Forest to the Gulf.

(minor point, but "Gulf Front" means just that. If a restaurant is located in CD, it would be no closer than State Forest Front. Not Gulf Front and it would be wrong to advertise it as such. )

**Mango** · 08-23-2006, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

They got stuck because the State will never give them legal access through the State Forest. That hasn't stopped some people from illegally blazing a trail through the State Forest to the Gulf.

(minor point, but "Gulf Front" means just that. If a restaurant is located in CD, it would be no closer than State Forest Front. Not Gulf Front and it would be wrong to advertise it as such. )

That's why I put "gulf front" in parenthesis. I don't recall the advertising. Did they advertise it like that? I would call it gulf view. It's a shame that a trail is illegally blazed. There should be some enforcement. Those are some beautiful dunes there.

**Smiling JOe** · 08-23-2006, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mango

That's why I put "gulf front" in parenthesis. I don't recall the advertising. Did they advertise it like that? I would call it gulf view. It's a shame that a trail is illegally blazed. There should be some enforcement. Those are some beautiful dunes there.

Sorry, I missed the quotes, Mango. I have not seen it advertised as such, but nothing surprises me these days.

**dgjohn** · 08-24-2006, 09:13 AM

I think Cypress Dunes has the best view down here. A great amenities center that you can walk too, with an infiniti pool, great workout room, outdoor fireplace,etc. As far as beach access, it is no different than owning a home in watercolor and having to drive to the beach. To me, it is alot less crowded, (i.e., you don't have to worry about bike riders), more convenient to Sandestin, etc., and the view is unbelievable. Hope everything works out.

**30A Skunkape** · 08-24-2006, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by dgjohn

I think Cypress Dunes has the best view down here. A great amenities center that you can walk too, with an infiniti pool, great workout room, outdoor fireplace,etc. As far as beach access, it is no different than owning a home in watercolor and having to drive to the beach. To me, it is alot less crowded, (i.e., you don't have to worry about bike riders), more convenient to Sandestin, etc., and the view is unbelievable. Hope everything works out.

I agree. Cypress Dunes is great because it is secluded and quiet. Nice houses as well.

**Sailor** · 09-06-2006, 08:23 PM

New house on lot 137 sold last week. It is close to the recently opened amenity center.

**Cil** · 09-07-2006, 04:17 AM

Looks really nice.
Ashwood Development also did the development (Jubilation) that we came <this close> to buying into out here. Quality homes, nice amenities, landscaping with native plants.

**TOliver** · 09-07-2006, 10:34 AM

As a homeowner and current resident of Cypress Dunes I have a couple of observations. I have never noticed anyone using the Topsail property to access the beach and we were the first full-time residents in CD. Besides, it would be a daunting hike through the scrub oaks and rolling dunes. Secondly, the distance to the public beach access is no further than it would be from parts of Phase 2 and all of Phase 3 in Water Color. Last time I checked, the prices in Phases 2 & 3 were quite a bit higher than non "gulf front" homes in CD. In addition to that, there is a shuttle service that is provided to homeowners in Cypress Dunes that will taxi them to the public beach access. The amenities center is second to none and affords some of the best views on all of Hwy 30A. The good thing about these views is that they will always be there since the property does back up to Topsail Park. The low monthly dues which include use of the pool, fitness center, and lawn maintenance are extremely attractive. Just some observations and facts from someone who "knows" the development rather than an outsider expressing their opinion.

**Sailor** · 09-07-2006, 07:28 PM

Thanks for a great first hand report on Cypress Dunes. You're right about the negative comments on distance to the beach - sure is a lot closer than many new developments on 30A including 2nd & 3rd phases of Watercolor, and the gulf views at CD from many lots and the amenity center are gorgeous.

**prospector** · 09-08-2006, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Sailor

New house on lot 137 sold last week. It is close to the recently opened amenity center.

Is this the first recent sale in Cypress Dunes? According to the Walton County Appraiser's site, the last sale they show is from March. Have there been any other sales since then?

**Richard Jabbour** · 06-23-2012, 09:06 AM

Re: Private beach. Sounds like you are talking about the homes that front the beach at Stallworth Lake. The beach in front of those homes is NOT private. They own to the High tide line only which is way high...otherwise like all beachfront it is private only to a point. There is a public beach access point at that location and a few people in the know go there a bunch particularly during the summer when the relationship between the amount of algae and tourists is at its peak!!!