Grand Boulevard article

[SoWalSally]

Diversity and tropical elegance promised at new Grand Boulevard town center
Shops and restaurants to open spring 2007


The unincorporated area of South Walton is taking on the look of a full-grown city with the construction of the new Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.
In spring 2007, Grand Boulevard will celebrate the grand opening of a major portion of the town center, including P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Caf? & Emporium, The Orvis Company, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Coldwater Creek, J. Jill, Aveda Salon, Cantina Laredo Gourmet Mexican Food and Brooks Brothers Country Club.
Its new retail tenants will include Viking Lifestyle Store, Fusion Glass Art Gallery, Learning Express Toys, Sunglass Station and Billabong.
“As a major vacation destination, Walton County merited an exciting town center for the residents and visitors of our beautiful beaches. Grand Boulevard will include a fresh new mix of retailers and signature restaurants; many of which are opening their first location in Northwest Florida as well as a beautiful park for cultural events and entertainment,” said Elaine Ashman, marketing director for Grand Boulevard.
Based on a mixed-use architectural model, Grand Boulevard will offer convenient access to a multitude of shopping and dining options, entertainment, professional services, corporate offices, residential and hotel space in a pedestrian-friendly layout.
The town center also includes a large, centrally-located public green space named Grand Park which will host year-round events.
Developer Keith Howard said Grand Boulevard will be reminiscent of a less complicated time.
“When we were growing up, we went downtown to the grocery store, to shop for clothes, to the bank or doctor. Grand Boulevard will be a more modern and dynamic version of the town square model. You won’t have to leave the property,” said Howard.
Howard spent more than 10 years acquiring the 52 acres upon which Grand Boulevard is located, just north of Topsail Hill State Park and Preserve adjoining the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
The eastern-most end of the property is home to the Sacred Heart Hospital and Publix supermarket, both of which opened in 2003.
Marriott Courtyard and Marriott Residence Inn opened only this year and border the western end.
Built along two miles of U.S. Highway 98 in Walton County, the Howard Group said Grand Boulevard will ultimately have diverse retail and dining options.

P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO
In describing its tenants, a spokesman for the Howard Group said, “P.F. Chang’s is a unique combination of Chinese cuisine, attentive service, wine and delectable desserts and truly reflects the evolving Chinese culinary landscape in a stylish high-energy bistro.”
Striving for harmony in taste, texture, color and aroma, P.F. Chang’s balances the Chinese principles of fan and t’sai. Fan foods include rice, noodles, grains and dumplings while vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood are t’sai foods.

CANTINA LAREDO
Cantina Laredo Gourmet Mexican Food to be located in the east end of Grand Park. Its Mexico City-style menu includes grilled fish, chicken and steaks complimented by signature sauces such as chipotle-wine with portobello mushrooms or saute?d artichoke hearts and roasted red bell peppers. Guacamole is made fresh at the table to a diner’s exact specifications.
Cantina Laredo will serve lunch, dinner, drinks, Sunday brunch and also offer full service catering.

TOMMY BAHAMA’S
Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Caf? & Emporium is a marriage of signature apparel, accessories and home d?cor items and a casually elegant restaurant.
A large veranda for outdoor dining lends itself to the island-themed food, drinks and atmosphere and is sure to become an ideal place to people-watch.

THE ORVIS COMPANY
The Orvis Company describes itself as offering a “distinctive country lifestyle.” The 13,000 square foot store will be filled to the gills with some of the world’s fi nest fl y fishing equipment, men’s and women’s clothing, gifts for the home as well as its famed dog beds and other pet supplies.

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR
Since opening in 1998, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has captured awards from all over the country for food, wine and service. Most recently, Fleming’s was the recipient of 37 awards of excellence from Wine Spectator.
Wine selections are recommended with menu items or may be chosen from the “100 wines-by-the-glass” selection or from the extensive wine list which includes hardto-find Reserve bottles.
Their signature Discovery Dinners offer three fourcourse menus with wine pairings for parties of six or more.

Approximately $4.2 million dollars is being spent on landscaping. More than 50 types of trees, bushes and plants are being used and include Medjool Date Palms, Live Oaks, Bird of Paradise, Bamboo varietals, Crepe Myrtles and 600 oversized planters of seasonal varieties.
“It’s spectacular to have a project with all of these layers melded together – retail, dining, entertainment, outdoor lifestyle, lodging and even residential down the line,” Howard said.

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[SoWalSally]

Grand Boulevard aims to use the best of new and old

It has taken hundreds of construction workers, engineers, carpenters, roofers, electricians and plumbers, a dozen architects and one visionary to launch Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. It turns out building a town center really is as arduous as it sounds, but you would never know that from talking to Keith Howard, a developer who says he is committed to responsible development within his community.
Emanating a palpable energy and optimism, Howard said Grand Boulevard is the natural progression for his work in the community. After the success of the Market Shops at Sandestin and the nationally-recognized Silver Sands Factory Stores, he said he knew the land and location warranted something special that would endure the test of time. Howard opted for a sustainable town center development based on the principles of New Urbanism.
?We asked ourselves how we could take the retail lifestyle experience to the next level. We knew what we wanted to do years ago, before town center models came to the forefront. Now there is a name for it,? said Howard.
Intent and determined to meet the growing lifestyle needs and desires of an expanding community of residents and visitors, for 10 years Keith Howard collected parcels of land along Emerald Coast Parkway in South Walton County. The success of his previous area retail ventures convinced him that a distinctive mixed-use project - shop, play, work, stay ? would be a valuable asset to, and desirable destination along, the Gulf Coast region.
?We wanted to build a place with all of the depth and components of a thriving town center and to make sure it will still be here 50 years from now. We will not sacrifice the quality of materials. We?ve built it to last,? said Howard.
A place designed and built to withstand the test of time takes time and patience. A long-time area resident and successful developer along the Gulf Coast of Florida, Howard?s approach to business can be described as pleasant, persistent and patient. He has been deeply committed to taking the time necessary to make Grand Boulevard a truly special destination and meaningful experience.
Opting for the highest quality building materials, from solid masonry block frames and authentic traditional stucco exteriors to walnut stained fl oors in the luxurious offi ce space lobbies, space in Grand Boulevard ? whether for a professional business, a specialty retailer or fine dining ? will offer premium standards and a sophisticated and thoughtful approach to the aesthetic.
According to Howard, easy access to the town center and a definitive connectivity to the community are two important elements in developing a sophisticated town center.
Located between Pensacola and Panama City ? approximately 45 miles to either ? at the entrance to Sandestin?s Golf and Beach Resort, the town center incorporates premium lifestyle goods and services and offers a broad range of deliverables in a compelling setting that complements the dense natural surroundings.
Howard Group is a development company recognized for building responsible and sustainable projects incorporating significant community interface. Established in 1988 in Northwest Florida, Howard Group is responsible for the development of The Market Shops at Sandestin, the acclaimed Silver Sands Factory Stores, several upscale gulf-front resort and residential communities such as Vizcaya at Dune Allen and Stallworth Preserve, as well as Heron Harbor in Destin, Florida. Heron Harbor is being designed as a mixed-use community that will include retail, office, residential and marina components. For more information, call (850) 837-1886.
Information in this article was contributed by the Howard Group.