Grand Opening of the Emerald Grande

[BeachyQueen]

Wow. I am all about the laid back, low profile, anti-condo building along our beautiful coastlines. That said, we just returned from the Grand Opening Celebration at the Emerald Grande on the Destin Harbor. It has been built whether we like it or not and we were invited. I wasn't expecting too much but all I can say is WOW. What a great night. Crazy cirque-de-soliel type entertainers (I especially liked the guy in the big "bubble" on the pool!), food everywhere, lots of drinks, and a great fireworks show accompanied by a live orchestra. Pretty impressive. I got a special sneek peak at the Spa and Fitness Center (not completed yet) and it is going to put all the other places in town to shame. Amazing. The pool decks overlooking the harbor are really fantastic. It will be a great place for weddings (a special sun deck area with a big grand staircase would be perfect for a ceremony and the rest of the decks could accommodate a huge reception!).
Just thought I'd pass it along for those who may be curious.

[goodwitch58]

Glad to hear you had a good time. It must be nicer inside than it looks outside. IMO, it is one ugly building!

[SHELLY]

IMO, it is one ugly building!

Ditto. The building is a monstoruous out-of-place Toontown condo caricature that transforms the Destin Bridge Crossing from what once was an idyllic "Oh my goodness" experience into a jarring "What in the Hell is That?" episode.

Excerpts from the Area Mullet Wrapper adds to the condo's Fellini-esque aura:

----------------------------
Bos, the CEO and president of Legendary Inc., said the event was designed to make a permanent impression.

“It doesn’t get any better than this, worldwide,” Bos said after shaking hands with an entertainer parading around the pool deck on stilts.

“The goal here is to make something beautiful that’s also significant,” said Bos, this time standing underneath an elevated platform with a dancer on it.

Meanwhile, a costumed employee inside a giant hamster ball rolled himself across the surface of the outdoor pool.

“It sets a standard and it’s my way of giving back.”

-------------------------

I understand Bos' next condo theme centers around "a lady and her donkey show."


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[30A Skunkape]

Giving back what to whom?http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sick/sick0013.gif (http://www.arlingtonhotelgroup.co.uk)

[30A Skunkape]

I couldn't resist this lead from the NW Florida Daily News:funn:


DESTIN - Makeup, hair and pearls are in place. All she needs is a handbag and heels.

Emerald Grande, the high-rise condo that developer Peter Bos has likened to a woman just out of the shower, is finally ready for her night on the town.

The twin towers, which loom over HarborWalk Village and East Pass, are largely finished and set to host a lavish grand opening next week.

"We're the hood ornament of the area," said Bos, president and CEO of Legendary Inc. "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. We really wanted to make a statement."

[rdelong43065]

They made a statement for sure. It says "Look at me ruin the beautiful landscape!" It kinda reminds me of a big nasty wart on the backside of that woman getting out of the shower.

[yippie]

That building is just horrible. Just horrible. I would hate to know someone who has bought one of those unite. PB has never been known to build a solid building, in fact, all his buildings leak like crazy.

However, this specidic building, none of the woodwork etc is guaranteed by the people who did it because it was not climatized (no windoes, etc) before they began installation.

The construction site is so bad that they are offering rewards to the contractors who see the "undocument workers" not using the port a potties. That is a HUGE problem. Just HUGE.

But, I guess you could look at it in a positive way... In 20 years, maybe someoen will open up the walls and announce they have Pablo's poop preserved!!!

[Miss Kitty]

Ditto. The building is a monstoruous out-of-place Toontown condo caricature that transforms the Destin Bridge Crossing from what once was an idyllic "Oh my goodness" experience into a jarring "What in the Hell is That?" episode.

Excerpts from the Area Mullet Wrapper adds to the condo's Fellini-esque aura:

----------------------------
Bos, the CEO and president of Legendary Inc., said the event was designed to make a permanent impression.

“It doesn’t get any better than this, worldwide,” Bos said after shaking hands with an entertainer parading around the pool deck on stilts.

“The goal here is to make something beautiful that’s also significant,” said Bos, this time standing underneath an elevated platform with a dancer on it.

Meanwhile, a costumed employee inside a giant hamster ball rolled himself across the surface of the outdoor pool.

“It sets a standard and it’s my way of giving back.”

-------------------------

I understand Bos' next condo theme centers around "a lady and her donkey show."


.

This is probably one of your best quotes...ever.

[Smiling JOe]

When Peter was designing planning the building, he noticed the lack of restrooms in the public areas of other condo buildings. After a long drive to the beach, that is the first thing that people really notice. His statement was that he wanted to have the bathrooms in the public area so nice, that people would say, "oh, sh_t!" when they walked in the door.

[John R]

clasic stuff shelly, thanks for sharing. guy sure like the embellishing adjectives a lot. akin to a used car salesman.

[goodwitch58]

this place looks like a low end theme park on a limited budget. The place is an eyesore in paradise...wish there was some way this could have been stopped!:bang:

[SHELLY]

.
Room "with a view" at Emerald Grande

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/01/d9/27/our-living-room-with.jpg


Trip Report posted on TripAdvisor Website: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g34182-i111-k1282477-Emerald_Grande_Trip_Report_Warning_Very_very_long-Destin_Florida.html

Ole Pete didn't mentioned the reason the "Lady stepped out of the shower" was because it flooded and the water never gets hot." :D


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[goofer44]

beachyqueen

Aren't you glad you posted ? :roll:

[BeachyQueen]

beachyqueen

Aren't you glad you posted ? :roll:
ummm, yeah. Somewhere in the back of my brain I knew it was a bad idea. But then the post seemed to slide by barely noticed....
Yeah, I agree with everyone's posts on how the place looks. I just thought I'd share about how the opening went.
If that is the direction Destin is headed (which I do believe it is) then that is why there will always be SoWal for the rest of us old-schoolers!

[dunelover]

Shelly---that trip report is too funny. I think that guest had much more patience than I. Pretty risky staying somewhere when it first opens anyway. But, omg that is an incredibly bad trip report. :yikes:

[yippie]

And to top it off, everyone told her not to book that place to stay. I mean, one person even went and took photos to show this woman that she should look elsewhere. But.... she just wouldn't listen!!:idontno:

[jdarg]

I noticed one thing about this place- it looks like it will fall right into the water if there is a big storm. It literally sits on a sliver of sand. From the water it looks scary.

[Allifunn]

It belongs at Disney World....:angry:

[beachmouse]

I used to go past the construction site every day when I was working in FWB, and I ended up dragging Mr. Mouse on the condo tour during Parade of Homes because I was just too curious about the fine Mexican craftsmanship I saw going up across the road. As Benny Fraser used to say "Oh dear!"

The first thing we noticed when we were walking out of the car was the massively out of place Corinthian columns on the entranceway. Mr. Mouse was muchly annoyed that the architects didn't seem to know the purpose of a column- when you've got something else bisecting what's supposed to be a supporting structure, it's like a giant red flag that it's totally fake and all for show.

We go inside, sign up for the tour, and I totally make something up when asked for my vital statistics. (Hey, considering the traffic delays they used to cause on my commute, Emerald Grande owes me about $10 in gas, no questions asked) We jump in with a tour group. Mr. Mouse, me, and the perky interval ownership agent (and dang I was tempted to call it a time share to her face) were the only ones in the group under the age of 60.

We are sternly lectured about how we are not to leave the group under any circumstances. What the consequences are, I'm not quite sure, but I will be tempted to find out. Then we are told that they've spent $1.8 million on art for the complex. And dang did they ever get ripped off. For that kind of money, they should have gone with some Wylands- it would be less cheesy that what they've got there now, scary as it sounds, and unlike the artists they went with, Wyland understands basic drawing and composition.

We are offered the chance to tour the super luxe bathroom. Mr. Mouse and I decline and wait outside the glorious porcelain thrones. They've got some nice pictures of Old Destin in the hallway there, and those pictures were probably the nicest thing about the whole building. We are herded past the members-only restaurant and bar and out onto the pool deck. Time Share Lady informs us that there are something like three aditional bars on the pool deck area. Maybe the building looks better if you're totally sloshed. The pool is finished, and there are small children frolicing within to the merry tunes of Mexican Top 40 being played by the workers rushing to finish the east building.

The view is quite nice from there. I'm not sure if I'd want to hold a wedding on the deck unless they promised to kick all the kids out of the pool during the ceremony. Because wet tulle is just nasty. They're using Norriego Point for beach access. For now, it's a bus shuttle that loops all the way around Holiday Isle, but they've got plans to start running a water shuttle between here and there. The shuttle will have its own bathooms, changing rooms/showers, and yes, another bar. (I'm sensing a theme here)

There is a brief glance at the indoor pool, and the planned exercise area. Time Share Lady admits the only reason they put in the indoor pool was because they needed it to get their resort ratings stars. Maybe they'll do something with it loser to winter, but for now, it really does look like a half-hearted contractual obligation deal. If you've got to have an indoor pool element to water activities, the Majestic Sun's set-up is so much nicer.

Then it's upward to the actual model unit. Once you get away from the public areas, the carpeting goes from being picked to impress to what looks like the same carpet that Mariott uses for the hallways in Courtyard Inns.

As we walk into the '3 bedroom' unit, I find myself wondering why they put bunk beds into a 7'x8' closet. Oops. Turns out that is the alleged third bedroom. (I thought it needed a window to be allowed as a bedroom according to code, but I guess not) One of my fellow sheep asked about customization options for the unit. Time Share Lady says that all kitchen cabinets, carpet, tile, fixtures, are identical in every unit, but if you want to change them later, you can probably get permission to do so. When you're talking $800/sf I would think that at least you'd get to pick out your own darn wall sconces.

We wander through the rest of the unit. Fit, finish, and build quality are all pretty mediocre. The view is still nice. I overhear that condo fees are going to run between $700-$1200 per month. :yikes:

After what seems like forever, we are finally allowed to leave, and are herded back to the main lobby, where Time Share Lady keeps up the sales pitch in hopes of closing the sale. We break for the parking lot, and just as we clear the doors, Mr. Mouse and I look at each other and have one of those moments of perfect understanding.

"I give it five years before they're dealing with some serious problems, and at minimum repainting the entire thing to try to reduce the ugly."

"And it's a 100% gut job within the first 20 years."

[goodwitch58]

Thanks, BeachMouse, this makes me feel better in some kind of twisted way...I have thought all along this was a horror, your post confirms my intuition....a fine example of just how awful it can get!

So sad!

[SHELLY]

BRAVO Beachmouse! Outstanding "person on the street" reporting...I like your style. It was a joy to read. :cool:

I guess "interval ownership" is the new 'IT' word for fractional/timeshare ownership. I loved your masterful use of the "Time Share Lady" zinger throughout your report.

A hat-tip to BeachyQueen for starting this thread...don't blame you for enjoying a 70K evening of free "entertainment" and snacks. Destin Realtors who attended the opening reported the 'spread provided by Bos' beat the hell out of the Communion wafers and wine they were served at the Prayer Meeting. :D

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[beachmouse]

The thing that gets me it that for close to the same costs, they could have had something that was so much nicer. It didn't have to end up that ugly, but I guess that's what happens when you get a half billion dollar project designed by a committee with zero artistic talent.

If I had that kind of money I was planning to spend on a high rise condo, I'd really go for Silver Shells instead. It's just so much more aerthetically pleasing, and has a much better beach access situation.

[SHELLY]

The thing that gets me it that for close to the same costs, they could have had something that was so much nicer. It didn't have to end up that ugly, but I guess that's what happens when you get a half billion dollar project designed by a committee with zero artistic talent.




Ya know..:scratch: Over the last 10-12 years Destin has become the butt of much criticism of how it evolved from a fairly decent vacation destination into a crappy, congested condo/concrete/asphalt beachtown. Just when everyone thought it couldn't possibly get any worse, along comes Pete Bos--developer/visionary extraordinaire--and slaps up this gaudy eyesore at Destin's doorstep. Thanks to Pete Bos, if Florida ever decides to give Destin an enema...now they know were to stick the nozzle.




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[BeachyQueen]

A hat-tip to BeachyQueen for starting this thread...don't blame you for enjoying a 70K evening of free "entertainment" and snacks. Destin Realtors who attended the opening reported the 'spread provided by Bos' beat the hell out of the Communion wafers and wine they were served at the Prayer Meeting. :D

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:funn: :clap: :lol: :roll: :funn: :clap: :lol: :roll:

[beachmouse]

At least the Air Force smacked down the plans for version 1.0 of Bos' Turnberry project over by the Mid Bay Bridge, and I suspect we won't be seeing version 2.0 for a long time, if ever, because of changes in the housing market.

[SHELLY]

At least the Air Force smacked down the plans for version 1.0 of Bos' Turnberry project over by the Mid Bay Bridge, and I suspect we won't be seeing version 2.0 for a long time, if ever, because of changes in the housing market.

.

Maybe Emerald Grande is Bos' Revenge?? :shock:


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[Hop]

if Florida ever decides to give Destin an enema...now they know were to stick the nozzle.

:funn: :funn: :funn:

[Hop]

hmmm....

[Smiling JOe]

Peter said that he wanted a design which would not look dated with time. He didn't want a "trendy" look. I'm not sure if he got what he wanted exactly.

[scooterbug44]

Peter said that he wanted a design which would not look dated with time. He didn't want a "trendy" look. I'm not sure if he got what he wanted exactly.
Well, he should have been more careful what he wished for - he got "ugly for all seasons"!

I don't know yet what to call this "style" or lack thereof. Beach Baroque is all I've come up with so far............I noticed with dismay that you can even see it's patent ugliness as you curve over the bay flying out of VPS!

[goodwitch58]

yes, it just makes me want to cry: no matter how far away in the world I've been, I have only had to close my eyes and envision the view flying or driving over the Destin bridge, to feel "home".

Now, the view whether flying or driving has been totally destroyed.

:angry: :cry:

[JB]

hmmm....

Good God. That is the first time I've seen this thing.

Horrific doesn't even begin to describe it.

[SHELLY]

Good God. That is the first time I've seen this thing.

Horrific doesn't even begin to describe it.

Check out photos: http://www.emeraldgrande.com/photos.htm Click on "Progress Photos" on the right side.

<Cover your keyboard and monitor with Saran Wrap and have a trashcan close by.>


They do have a great webcam shot of the harbor though (mostly since it's looking OUT AWAY from the joint). Click on the "Webcam" link at the bottom of the window.


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[elgordoboy]

"fine Mexican craftmanship" huh? Makes me all warm and fuzzy.

[DD]

Kurt, Can I change my screen name??????:eek: :eek: :eek:

[NoHall]

Kurt, Can I change my screen name??????:eek: :eek: :eek:

Awww...no. You're the Dream. We'll hold on to you and forget the Ugly Reality. (Or, in this case, Ugly Realty.)

[DD]

Awww...no. You're the Dream. We'll hold on to you and forget the Ugly Reality. (Or, in this case, Ugly Realty.)

:wub: It just breaks my heart to look at that thing....:cry:

[kathydwells]

When I first saw the picture of Emerald Grande I thought of Fitzgerald's Casino in Tunica. I swear it looks just like it. This isn't a great picture, but you might can get the idea.

http://www.fitzgeraldstunica.com/images/tun_pic2thome.jpg

[DD]

When I first saw the picture of Emerald Grande I thought of Fitzgerald's Casino in Tunica. I swear it looks just like it. This isn't a great picture, but you might can get the idea.

http://www.fitzgeraldstunica.com/images/tun_pic2thome.jpg

Yep.

[dunelover]

When I first saw the picture of Emerald Grande I thought of Fitzgerald's Casino in Tunica. I swear it looks just like it. This isn't a great picture, but you might can get the idea.

http://www.fitzgeraldstunica.com/images/tun_pic2thome.jpg

Flags and all!! What is up w/ the flags? That is a HUGE monstrosity (sp?)...Now I see how it is the first thing you see over the bridge....How sad.....I wonder how many units have presold (how many people have that same mentality is the better question).

[Miss Kitty]

Thank goodness the website is way too slow on my computer. I stopped while I was ahead.

[ShallowsNole]

I hear Peter Bos's unit is awesome....:blink:

[audie]

we like to eat at mcquires pub which is directly behind this behemoth. they had (had being the key word) a stunning view of the harbor and all. haven't seen the view now, we were sickened at seeing that thing go up so we eat inside now.

[NoHall]

I hear Peter Bos's unit is awesome....:blink:

giggle. giggle-giggle. (SNole is talking about Bos' unit!)

snicker-snicker giggle....:blush:

[DD]

giggle. giggle-giggle. (ShallowsNole is talking about Bos' unit!) snicker-snicker giggle....

:biggrin:

[BeachyQueen]

UGH.....why do get a feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I get on this board and see this thread STILL open?? I am having Post-Thread-Starting Guilt (PTSG)!!!
Sorry to hit such a sour note with so many peeps. I really am. I know MOST of us DON'T like the E.G. but I still hate that I opened what is clearly a fresh wound!! :cry:

Perhaps forging ahead and continuing to post, albeit more non-disturbing subjects, will somehow cure my PTSG! :blush:

[goodwitch58]

BQ, do not feel bad for posting. I am glad you did. It gave all of us an opportunity...more people need to speak out when things are so awful, maybe the awareness can help prevent similar things from happening.

Controversy is not a bad thing. If we all agreed, life would be boring.

Just my 2Cents

[beachmouse]

Maybe I spoke too soon about Turnberry 2.0. There are now signs for a sales center on the south end of the Mid Bay Bridge.

Though how well that one will sell when the Kelly Plantation condos right across Danny Wuerffel now seem to be listing far below original contract price remains to be seen.

[Hop]

giggle. giggle-giggle. (SNole is talking about Bos' unit!)

snicker-snicker giggle....:blush:

leave it to nohall...:roll:

[Hollibird]

we went to the restaurant that is open inside. Just felt weird, like a living room... people walking back and forth next to you, going to the elevators. The food... where to start... the kids chicken fingers.. not too bad. but their version of honey mustard was horseradish-mustard. too spicy for kids. Fries were good.

Fried grouper... stick to Tommy bahamas. More money and worth every bite. Emerald grande was a small portion, but only $9.00. Not bad, but there are better all over the city.

I ordered shrimp salad sandwich. i got 4 fried shrimp on a sandwich. I sent it back and got the salad I ordered... mostly mayo & chopped celery. the few shrimp I could find tasted good, but not enough for the price ($9.00).

The building... while waiting for food, we walked around to check out the tub.. i mean indoor pool. The doors to the outside pool were locked with tons of towels stuffed at the base. They were leaking from the rain. Fancy that. ;-) The gym looks awesome..really nice equipment. no one was there. In fact no one checked us to see if we were staying there or not, we could have just used the facilities and no one would have known.

[windrift]

I appreciate reading everyone's opinion. I agree with each of you 100%.
It's a terrible eye sore for Destin. To me it looks like its been planted there by some visionary their eye of our future. Glad I'm getting older and will not be here forever to see all the mistakes humans make.
It's a shame... a developer with oodles of $ can talk a committee into THAT!

[goodwitch58]

...and isn't a shame that a developer with oodles of $$ doesn't have any more taste that this?

It is simply horrible. Gives me another reason to avoid driving into/through Destin. This building has forever ruined the most gorgeous view in the world.

[Tupelo Honey]

Is their spa open yet? Anyone seen it?

[John R]

I drove across the bridge the other day in and out of Ft.Walton. I must say that that is the ugliest, out of place building I have seen in quote a long time. It's a shame that it's the first thing people see after crossing the Island. A huge mistake.

[DD]

I drove across the bridge the other day in and out of Ft.Walton. I must say that that is the ugliest, out of place building I have seen in quote a long time. It's a shame that it's the first thing people see after crossing the Island. A huge mistake.

What he said

[raven]

it's just tragic how tacky and wrong all the developers in destin are. they can't do a thing correctly! i love how he compares it to developments "worldwide" as though any of these idiots have been beyond south alabama. vile and tacky. all they would have had to do is stay in keeping with indigenous architecture and build community and tourist programming around the ecosystem and they would have been billionaires. instead they are small time operators who only know how to con a buck out of their guests instead of build a legacy of goodwill and a fortune.

[Bob]

It's the future of 30a ?

[scooterbug44]

Only if we don't get an ironclad countywide height restriction! :bang:

[TooFarTampa]

It's the future of 30a ?

This is what I'm thinking the whole time I'm reading this thread. (Except when I am laughing out loud at SHEL -- who is a guy, only guys talk about enemas -- and beachmouse. You two have a way with words.)

BeachyQueen, don't feel bad about starting this thread. If it puts the fear of God into SoWallers, then it is well worth it. :D We have to stay on our toes.

[beachmouse]

If anyone feels any additional need to cringe in horror, they're working on the, ahem, dramatic front entrance to Turnberry Harbor right between Destin Commons and the middle school.

I think it might be even more special than Emerald Grande by the time they're through, provided that the project gets off the ground. (Lots of resales at no gain in the complexes that I'd consider to be the competition)

[jdarg]

If anyone feels any additional need to cringe in horror, they're working on the, ahem, dramatic front entrance to Turnberry Harbor right between Destin Commons and the middle school.

I think it might be even more special than Emerald Grande by the time they're through, provided that the project gets off the ground. (Lots of resales at no gain in the complexes that I'd consider to be the competition)

:floor:That entrance gets bigger and uglier every time I pass it. Yes, when it is finished, jaws will drop, but not in a good way.

[seaside2]

Anybody though about putting a gate on the west end of 30A, and killing every developer that tries to enter?:idontno:

This thing is just plain ugly. We drove past it coming over in Sept from our friend's place in Orange Beach, and ms Seaside almost upchucked.:pissed:

Makes Fitzgerald's look good. At least they admit to what they are up to (Stealing your money).:biggrin:

OK put a gate at the east end too. Stop the PC and PCB issues from migrating.:bang:

[Babyblue]

UGH.....why do get a feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I get on this board and see this thread STILL open?? I am having Post-Thread-Starting Guilt (PTSG)!!!
Sorry to hit such a sour note with so many peeps. I really am. I know MOST of us DON'T like the E.G. but I still hate that I opened what is clearly a fresh wound!! :cry:

Perhaps forging ahead and continuing to post, albeit more non-disturbing subjects, will somehow cure my PTSG! :blush:

Don't be hard on yourself. If someone can find a flaw in anything this group can. :bang:

[30A Skunkape]

I think it looks sophisticated.

[Miss Kitty]

I think it looks sophisticated.

You are full of baloney. :wave:

[scooterbug44]

Got pics?

[SHELLY]

Got pics?

http://www.athenasweb.com/img/DarkCastle.jpg

http://www.mythfolklore.net/3043mythfolklore/images/oz/oz_movie_monkey.jpg

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[dude]

you people sure do like to bash! while it may not be amicable to the 30-A society, emerald grande has apparently sold very well - so a lot of someones must think highly of it.

[Joe Mammy]

This happened just a couple of weeks ago. I was showing property to a lady from Nashville who was visiting Destin for the first time.

We came up Calhoun and the EG loomed on the horizon.

Me, "What do you think of that condo?"

Her, "What's the difference between that one and all the rest?"

Me, "Uh, not much except it is very controversial because of it's appearance and location."

Her, "Oh."

To each his own...

[Babyblue]

http://www.athenasweb.com/img/DarkCastle.jpg

http://www.mythfolklore.net/3043mythfolklore/images/oz/oz_movie_monkey.jpg

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Shell, show me what you think it should look like. This is not Never, never land. :idontno:

[fisher]

Shell, show me what you think it should look like. This is not Never, never land. :idontno:

EG looks better than the Hilton place. :D

[goodwitch58]

Dude, some people just have no taste....if it is a choice between what used to be there: beautiful water and white sand, and this.....it hardly seems like a choice.

[dude]

actually, i think it was a fat tuesdays that was there. but i can't argue against personal taste....everyone is free to think what they will. but people must also understand if there was no demand their would be no project.

[SHELLY]

you people sure do like to bash! while it may not be amicable to the 30-A society, emerald grande has apparently sold very well - so a lot of someones must think highly of it.

:idontno: All condos "sold very well" during the investulator era.

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[dude]

shelly, this is true - but not all projects that had presales actually had closings.

[SHELLY]

Shell, show me what you think it should look like.



http://www.shafferfineart.com/Destins-Bridgeweb.jpg



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[SHELLY]

shelly, this is true - but not all projects that had presales actually had closings.

And everyone who "bought in" at EG closed?


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[dude]

shelly, again not realistic...you have a bridge but nothing around it....didn't they already build the bridge to nowhere?

[dude]

And everyone who "bought in" at EG closed?


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maybe so maybe not...look at public records. I would suggest Emerald grande is fairing better than any other project in this market.

[SHELLY]

maybe so maybe not...look at public records. I would suggest Emerald grande is fairing better than any other project in this market.

How many factionals have you bought?


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[dude]

not about me...its about the facts - that was a quick review of the public records

[SHELLY]

not about me...its about the facts - that was a quick review of the public records

Do share.

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[dude]

google okaloosa county clerk of courts - then do a public records search for warranty deeds with a cross reference of emerald grande

[SHELLY]

google okaloosa county clerk of courts - then do a public records search for warranty deeds with a cross reference of emerald grande

@260 units x 8 (1/8 fractionals) = 2080 sales. I still reckon they've got a little ways to go to fill'er up.

(Left out 21 for "whole" units that might be purchased)


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[Miss Kitty]

EG looks better than the Hilton place. :D

Uh, no.

[InletBchDweller]

EG does not bother me at all,

I did not sell any units in this development
I do not own any in this development
I have stayed at this development and thoroughly enjoyed it. good service, nice pool bar, friendly staff, great bar across the street and
what a view.

But to each his own, that is why there is chocolate and vanilla ice cream!!!:clap:

[30A Skunkape]

EG looks better than the Hilton place. :D

Hilton's house at least has some interesting design elements. EG looks like they expanded a mini-golf castle obstacle to massive proportion.:lol::lol:

[fisher]

EG does not bother me at all,

I did not sell any units in this development
I do not own any in this development
I have stayed at this development and thoroughly enjoyed it. good service, nice pool bar, friendly staff, great bar across the street and
what a view.

But to each his own, that is why there is chocolate and vanilla ice cream!!!:clap:

I agree. To each his own. Some people will love EG, just like some will love Alys. IMO, EG is no worse than all the other high rise sprawl/eyesores along the panhandle, in Naples, in Miami, in Ft. Lauderdale, etc.

[TooFarTampa]

I agree. To each his own. Some people will love EG, just like some will love Alys. IMO, EG is no worse than all the other high rise sprawl/eyesores along the panhandle, in Naples, in Miami, in Ft. Lauderdale, etc.

This is true. Which is why I love SoWal. :wave:

[SHELLY]

I agree. To each his own. Some people will love EG, just like some will love Alys. IMO, EG is no worse than all the other high rise sprawl/eyesores along the panhandle, in Naples, in Miami, in Ft. Lauderdale, etc.

I would tend to agree with you if they didn't stick it right "there." I've lived in this area a long, long time, and watched the panhandle morph from idyllic to concrete/stucco/vinyl-condo-stripmall-fastfood-sprawl. But through it all, driving over the Destin bridge was something I always enjoyed--oh well. :idontno:


.

[scooterbug44]

Ugly is ugly, no matter where it is!

Ugly right on the bridge and dominating the aerial view of the coastline... :puke:

I'm sure it isn't that much worse than ugly buildings in other locations, but that doesn't make it any more aesthetically pleasing!

[goodwitch58]

I agree with Shelly. This is home to me as well and the morphing is especially sad--what I dislike most about the EG is that the developer had it all: a beautiful spot and plenty of money and could have built a beautiful building to add to the environment.

(I am of the Frank Lloyd Wright mindset: buildings need to look as though they come up from the environment--not that they have been imposed upon it).

Instead, he built this.....

It's not that it is necessarily any worse than other things, but that such an opportunity was lost--and for what:idontno:

[hnooe]

hmmm....

Thank God I don't leave 30A too often--YUCK to that id one ugly building...and hey, that comparison photograph between it and Disneyland is enough of an example to make folks on 30A be very vocal about what is allowed to be built here on 30A--if you want to keep property values on 30A high--don't follow Destin's lead!

[hnooe]

Thank God I don't leave 30A too often--YUCK to that id one ugly building...and hey, that comparison photograph between it and Disneyland is enough of an example to make folks on 30A be very vocal about what is allowed to be built here on 30A--if you want to keep property values on 30A high--don't follow Destin's lead!

....OOoooopps, I guess I misspoke, I mean , there is that Hilton house monstrocity on 30A, so somehow ugly things do get approved on 30A....

[scooterbug44]

The Hilton house at least has architectural merit and innovation on its side. It creates interest instead of solely cringes and eye trauma. ;-)

[seacrestkristi]

I :wub: its uniqueness! It screams freedom too. Freedom fom developmentitis. ;-)

[Pirate]

Only if we don't get an ironclad countywide height restriction! :bang:


No worries here. All of our beachfront is going to be bathrooms and beach access for inland development. ;-)

[TooFarTampa]

I agree with Shelly. This is home to me as well and the morphing is especially sad--what I dislike most about the EG is that the developer had it all: a beautiful spot and plenty of money and could have built a beautiful building to add to the environment.

(I am of the Frank Lloyd Wright mindset: buildings need to look as though they come up from the environment--not that they have been imposed upon it).

Instead, he built this.....

It's not that it is necessarily any worse than other things, but that such an opportunity was lost--and for what:idontno:

Bingo.

Which is why I don't consider the Hilton home's design to be an insult to the landscape -- it kind of looks like a ship from 30-A, after all, and before Alys Beach halfway clear-cut everything, it was pretty well hidden from view (strange but not really imposing). I find it to be a curiosity, not a monstrosity. In many ways, depending on one's tastes, it does meld with its environment quite well. I believe it melds much better than the house next door.

[goodwitch58]

Too Far, I agree.

I always smile when I drive past Charlie's Boat...unlike when I drive past EG and want to cry and throw up all at the same time.

The Boat it does have a certain design charm. It looks as though it could be a beached whale, or a ship dumped by the last hurricane...it sorta "fits" on the sand there...unlike the EG, which looks as though a builder just kept adding oddities to the outline of the building...just because they could...

[goodwitch58]

Too Far, I agree.

I always smile when I drive past Charlie's Boat...unlike when I drive past EG and want to cry and throw up all at the same time.

The Boat -- it does have a certain design charm. It looks as though it could be a beached whale, or a ship dumped by the last hurricane...it sorta "fits" on the sand there...unlike the EG, which looks as though a builder just kept adding oddities to the outline of the building...just because they could...

[seaside2]

Hilton's house may be somehwat different but at least it has architectural integrity. It rather respects the site, iand t doesn't stick up out of the site like a big you know what.:pissed:

Plus, he built it for himself, not as a means of making a profit. Big difference in my mind.

[John R]

I had the misfortune of getting to drive past the emerald grande twice this am. I have to say. It is still, the ugliest, most out of place building I've seen in a long time. friggin' eyesore.

[SHELLY]

I had the misfortune of getting to drive past the emerald grande twice this am. I have to say. It is still, the ugliest, most out of place building I've seen in a long time. friggin' eyesore.

I actually had the pleasure of talking a young couple "down off the ledge" of pulling equity out of their home and becoming investulators in Bos' House of Horrors....it's my proudest achievement to date. :biggrin:

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[Miss Kitty]

I actually had the pleasure of talking a young couple "down off the ledge" of pulling equity out of their home and becoming investulators in Bos' House of Horrors....it's my proudest achievement to date. :biggrin:

.

I am proud of you. I hope you continue talking with this couple. They need all your help. ;-)

[AAbsolute]

I actually had the pleasure of talking a young couple "down off the ledge" of pulling equity out of their home and becoming investulators in Bos' House of Horrors....it's my proudest achievement to date. :biggrin:

.

Sometimes this can be construed as Tortious in Florida. Please renew good faith every chance you have. I only mean this in peace.

[SHELLY]

Sometimes this can be construed as Tortious in Florida.

:funn:


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