Alys Beach???

I don't think Alys can be compared to WaterColor. Alys is much higher end than WaterColor.

The storm surge that would wipe Alys off the face of the Earth would bankrupt the insurance companies as it would completely destroy everything in about 20-50 miles in each direction and about 5 miles inland. Think Homestead, but with predominately million dollar plus homes.

I think Alys is simply great marketing, nothing more, nothing less.

The business of home sales and town building in SoWal includes marketing. And it better be great.

Ever hung out at Caliza pool? Looked closely at a house under construction? Seen plans for the Beach Club? Watched the Video? I guess you could call all of it marketing right now. It might take awhile for it to catch fire, but it will. I'm glad the developer has the financial ability to to continue to market and add amenities. Think of the alternative.


YouTube- Alys Beach Movie

If I had gazilliions of dollars and had to live in one of the high-end communities along 30A, I don't know which one I'd choose. But I don't have that problem so I'm not taking the time to think about the trade-offs.

But I can say that I'm very happy that our cottages at the Cottages at Camp Creek are only 1/2 mile from Alys Beach. We love going to the restaurants (Calyza pool, George's, donut truck, Fonville Press). Someday we'll also benefit from outdoor concerts, movies, etc. I've been to a few of the Friday late afternoon wine events, and they've been awesome (about a year ago, maybe even before that).

What I REALLY like about Alys Beach is that despite it's high end appeal, it is VERY family friendly - playgrounds, photos of kids, inclusion of kids in events. And, regardless of whether one likes the architecture, it sure is architecturally well done and consistent with the Alys Beach vision from what I can tell. I, for one, am glad that Ebsco can keep Alys Beach going despite the downturn for the long-run.

I went to the Calyza restaurant last Easter with my daughters and it was such a fine experience. We paid attention to all the little architectural details and choices the architects made. Even the little chains that hang from the rafters to separate the restaurant from the pool were carefully thought out so that they would have a certain "look" and make a particular sound in the wind. It was fun to have my daughters learn about how attention to the smallest details and being consistent with a vision is a big part of excellence. We'll go back this Easter as well.

The business of home sales and town building in SoWal includes marketing. And it better be great.

Ever hung out at Caliza pool? Looked closely at a house under construction? Seen plans for the Beach Club? Watched the Video? I guess you could call all of it marketing right now. It might take awhile for it to catch fire, but it will. I'm glad the developer has the financial ability to to continue to market and add amenities. Think of the alternative.

Open spaces, larger lots, year round community, affordable housing, .. I'm thinking! I'm thinking! 😀

The business of home sales and town building in SoWal includes marketing. And it better be great.

Ever hung out at Caliza pool? Looked closely at a house under construction? Seen plans for the Beach Club? Watched the Video? I guess you could call all of it marketing right now. It might take awhile for it to catch fire, but it will. I'm glad the developer has the financial ability to to continue to market and add amenities. Think of the alternative.


YouTube- Alys Beach Movie

Events is all they have. Why hasn't it caught fire yet? How many houses and lots sold in Watercolor last year- How many in Alys? How many in Watersound-how many in Alys?

Maybe a realtor could tell us how many properties sold in Alys 2007-2009 compared to all the other major developments along 30A.

I would say Watercolor is on fire. Alys hasn't even sparked as the other developments along 30A continue to sell modestly to well.

There is a reason they aren't selling anything in Alys--overpriced and not appealing to the vast majority of buyers compared to the products in Rosemary, Watersound, Seaside, Watercolor, etc. If the product was appealing, they would be selling alot more than they have.

I don't think Alys can be compared to WaterColor. Alys is much higher end than WaterColor.

The storm surge that would wipe Alys off the face of the Earth would bankrupt the insurance companies as it would completely destroy everything in about 20-50 miles in each direction and about 5 miles inland. Think Homestead, but with predominately million dollar plus homes.

Then why isn't the product selling? And, what makes the product in watercolor lower quality? I disagree with the quality statement.

I have never experienced Alys Beach from the perspective of the events they offer but I can say that it has been interesting to see it develop. First of all driving east on 30A through Alys Beach is beautiful with the backlit kiosks. My sisters and I have noticed for years that it doesn't seem to be really taking off. It has a Grecian look, sort of Santorini like. So beautiful but don't y'all think that the flaw may be it is too far removed from the water which is what (in my opinion) draws people to the area. You have to be able to pop out of your rental, house, condo or whatever and immerse yourself in that absolutely gorgeous crystal clear water without walking that far??? Just an opinion. Hopefully it will take off at some point but at least it isn't Prominence!

I think Alys is simply great marketing, nothing more, nothing less.

Agreed. But, the great marketing has not resulted in success in the sales department. When the rubber meets the road, only sales will make the place a success. Great events, pretty pictures, a nice website, a cool pool, etc. are only window dressing.

So far, not so good compared to the other developments along 30A.

Which other developments are you talking about? The ones full of foreclosures and short sales? Or the ones that have been completely abandoned?

... but at least it isn't Prominence!

I was wondering yesterday just what it would take to have the developers at Prominence fill in that horrible "waterfront" they dug? Anyone?

Then why isn't the product selling? And, what makes the product in watercolor lower quality? I disagree with the quality statement.

How many poured concrete structures are there in WaterColor? WaterColor was not designed down to the street level to be hurricane proof as Alys was.

I'm not saying that WaterColor is a dump, but it is of a lower quality construction (stick and beam) than Alys.

As to the sales perhaps you could enlighten us? I'm venturing the guess that you are/were a Realtor there and feel somehow slighted.

I think Alys Beach is the proverbial "tortoise" of Sowal real estate/development.

Slow with well planned growth is much better than a half-assed "boom" IMO.

I think Alys Beach is the proverbial "tortoise" of Sowal real estate/development.

Slow with well planned growth is much better than a half-assed "boom" IMO.

That could be their tag line. The only problem with this is that boom was anything but half ass!

Alys Beach
Slow with well planned growth is much better than a half-assed "boom"

I believe the current mortgage crisis, bubble popping, clear cut lots full of weeds and utility stubs, and number of foreclosures/short sales certainly qualifies as "half assed". :roll: