General discussion & info about South Walton, Florida.

All About SoWal

Advertise or find a business, discuss business.

Business & Services

Jobs

Festivals, classes, gatherings, activities.

Events & Music

Food & Dining

Marketplace

property, realtors, builders, development, infrastructure ...

Real Estate

For Sale

Wanted

Other

Commercial

Long Term Rentals

Vacation Rentals

SoWal Lounge

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert

Matt J

SWGB

I'm betting since they are clearing land that the contracts are probably all bid out.

I&#039;m betting since they are clearing land that the contracts are probably all bid out.

Kurt

Admin

There are at least 2 phases and complete buildout isn't scheduled until around 2020.

There are at least 2 phases and complete buildout isn&#039;t scheduled until around 2020.

lancelf08

Beach Comber

Anyone know what is going up next to Walmart in Santa Rosa Beach?

lauralbardin

Beach Lover

There were plans for residential and commercial development there put in place years ago. They are clearing quite a large bit of it now. Not sure what is going in next or if the plan has changed.

[QUOTE]
St Joe has unveiled it's conceptual PUD master plan for 183.5 acres on hwy 98, beginning at the intersection of 30-A and continuing west past W. Hewett Rd. Get this... the plan not only includes a massive 80,000 sq. ft. big box, but 5 more in the range of 25,000 to 45,000 sq. ft.

Here's the basic breakdown:
Phase one- 80,000 sq. ft. BIG BOX store.
Phase two- directly behind the big box, 4 apartment bldgs for seniors, 190 units and a 110 unit assisted living facility.
Phase three- TWO 25,000 sq. ft. retail bldgs. with a 10' setback on W. Hewett Rd. A 5,400 sq. ft. gas station and a 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant.
Phase four- A 45,000 sq. ft. retail with an additional 12,900 sq. ft. attached. A 5,000 sq. ft. office bldg., 2 restaurants @ 6000 or so sq. ft. each and a 13,225 sq. ft. pharmacy.
Phase five- Another 3 big retail stores @ 35,000, 28,000 and 11,836 sq. ft. plus a bank and another restaurant @ 6000 sq. ft.
Phase six- 10 apartment bldgs. with 310 units.
[/QUOTE]

There were plans for residential and commercial development there put in place years ago. They are clearing quite a large bit of it now. Not sure what is going in next or if the plan has changed. 
 
<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="">St Joe has unveiled it&#039;s conceptual PUD master plan for 183.5 acres on hwy 98, beginning at the intersection of 30-A and continuing west past W. Hewett Rd. Get this... the plan not only includes a massive 80,000 sq. ft. big box, but 5 more in the range of 25,000 to 45,000 sq. ft. 
 
Here&#039;s the basic breakdown: 
Phase one- 80,000 sq. ft. BIG BOX store. 
Phase two- directly behind the big box, 4 apartment bldgs for seniors, 190 units and a 110 unit assisted living facility. 
Phase three- TWO 25,000 sq. ft. retail bldgs. with a 10&#039; setback on W. Hewett Rd. A 5,400 sq. ft. gas station and a 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant. 
Phase four- A 45,000 sq. ft. retail with an additional 12,900 sq. ft. attached. A 5,000 sq. ft. office bldg., 2 restaurants @ 6000 or so sq. ft. each and a 13,225 sq. ft. pharmacy. 
Phase five- Another 3 big retail stores @ 35,000, 28,000 and 11,836 sq. ft. plus a bank and another restaurant @ 6000 sq. ft. 
Phase six- 10 apartment bldgs. with 310 units.</blockquote>

Published: Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 17:18 PM.
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Construction of a 250-unit, $23 million apartment complex has begun.

The tentatively named Topsail Apartments at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road is the first project in Northwest Florida for Birmingham, Ala.-based Dominion Partners. Site work began about two weeks ago.

“You look at all of the jobs that are created there for the retail, the restaurants and the service industries, and quite frankly there’s just not enough quality multi-family housing to support the labor force,” said Al Worthington, CEO of Dominion Partners. “We felt like we would be able to capture those folks that work more on the eastern side of Destin and even the western side of Panama City and (Walton County Road) 30A.”

A final name for the complex has not been decided yet.

The first 30-unit apartment building and the clubhouse are expected to be completed in April. The entire project is expected to take a year to finish.

Units will range from one-bedroom, 643-square-foot apartments for $750 a month to three-bedroom, 1,332-square-foot apartments for $1,366 a month, Worthington said.

Dominion Partners will have a leasing office onsite or nearby in early January and will begin accepting reservations then.

When the 250 units are filled, Worthington said Dominion will begin the second phase of the project, which will include an additional 60 apartments.

“We’re building a traditional Mediterranean-style Floridian product that hasn’t been done there in quite some time, and we’re very excited about doing that,” Worthington said. “I think our amenity package will be a real winner for us in that area, particularly with that age group that will be working those jobs and wanting an apartment.”

In addition to the clubhouse, the complex will boast a resort-style pool with outdoor grills and a fireplace and bar, and a 1,500-square-foot health club with workout equipment and locations for aerobics and Pilates.

Published: Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 17:18 PM. 
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Construction of a 250-unit, $23 million apartment complex has begun. 
 
The tentatively named Topsail Apartments at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road is the first project in Northwest Florida for Birmingham, Ala.-based Dominion Partners. Site work began about two weeks ago. 
 
“You look at all of the jobs that are created there for the retail, the restaurants and the service industries, and quite frankly there’s just not enough quality multi-family housing to support the labor force,” said Al Worthington, CEO of Dominion Partners. “We felt like we would be able to capture those folks that work more on the eastern side of Destin and even the western side of Panama City and (Walton County Road) 30A.” 
 
A final name for the complex has not been decided yet. 
 
The first 30-unit apartment building and the clubhouse are expected to be completed in April. The entire project is expected to take a year to finish. 
 
Units will range from one-bedroom, 643-square-foot apartments for $750 a month to three-bedroom, 1,332-square-foot apartments for $1,366 a month, Worthington said. 
 
Dominion Partners will have a leasing office onsite or nearby in early January and will begin accepting reservations then. 
 
When the 250 units are filled, Worthington said Dominion will begin the second phase of the project, which will include an additional 60 apartments. 
 
“We’re building a traditional Mediterranean-style Floridian product that hasn’t been done there in quite some time, and we’re very excited about doing that,” Worthington said. “I think our amenity package will be a real winner for us in that area, particularly with that age group that will be working those jobs and wanting an apartment.” 
 
In addition to the clubhouse, the complex will boast a resort-style pool with outdoor grills and a fireplace and bar, and a 1,500-square-foot health club with workout equipment and locations for aerobics and Pilates.

steel1man

Beach Fanatic

any ideas what will be built on the large parcel being stripped of trees on this land.....

L.C. Bane

I was wondering about this too. They brought in a lot of dirt and there is a permit/job box.

A
[QUOTE="L.C. Bane, post: 872732, member: 33232"]I was wondering about this too. They brought in a lot of dirt and there is a permit/job box.[/QUOTE]
another very large clear parcel across from post office.....

A 
<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="L.C. Bane">I was wondering about this too. They brought in a lot of dirt and there is a permit/job box.</blockquote>another very large clear parcel across from post office.....

Dawn

[QUOTE="steel1man, post: 872728, member: 22770"]any ideas what will be built on the large parcel being stripped of trees on this land.....[/QUOTE]
St Joe property.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="steel1man">any ideas what will be built on the large parcel being stripped of trees on this land.....</blockquote>St Joe property.

Truman

The project is called "Topsail West" - it is by St. Joe Company. It stretches all the way to West Hewitt Rd. Walmart was part of phase 1. Plans include more than 1 million square feet of residential and commercial. 
Assisted Living Facility, banks, restaurants, pharmacy, stores, etc. 19 acres of preservation.

The project is called &quot;Topsail West&quot; - it is by St. Joe Company. It stretches all the way to West Hewitt Rd. Walmart was part of phase 1. Plans include more than 1 million square feet of residential and commercial. 
Assisted Living Facility, banks, restaurants, pharmacy, stores, etc. 19 acres of preservation.

Monster clearing undertaking on this site.. Anyone know the game plan for this new developed site?

Abby Prentiss

Plans are to construct more than 1 million square feet of retail and residential units on the site. Walmart consisted of 80,000 square feet of the development.

Motorists traveling U.S. Highway 98 and especially those exiting County Highway 30A’s west end have noticed land being cleared at the northern point of that intersection and might have wondered what is going on.

As it turns out, St. Joe Company is beginning work on property that it owns and has had Planned Unit Development approval for the project since 2012.

The tract of land reaches as far as West Hewett Road and includes the tract on which Walmart was built, which was Phase I of the PUD known as Topsail West.

“This is an extensive PUD,” said Walton County Planning Commissioner Danny Glidewell. [USER=7079]@Danny Glidewell[/USER] 

Plans are to construct more than 1 million square feet of retail and residential units on the site, he said. Walmart consisted of 80,000 square feet of the development.

Yet to be built are several stores, restaurants, pharmacies and banks, along with an assisted living facility and preservation area consisting of 19 acres if the original plan stays intact.

“The St. Joe Company has held entitlements on this piece of property for many years,” said Dan Velazquez, vice president of asset management for St. Joe. “The work currently underway is simply intended to get the property closer to being pad ready for future development.”

Under Walton County’s current Land Development code, each individual project would have to go back before the Planning Commission for approval if it is projected to exceed 5,000 square feet. For now, none have gone back through planning.


[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

Plans are to construct more than 1 million square feet of retail and residential units on the site. Walmart consisted of 80,000 square feet of the development. 
 
Motorists traveling U.S. Highway 98 and especially those exiting County Highway 30A’s west end have noticed land being cleared at the northern point of that intersection and might have wondered what is going on. 
 
As it turns out, St. Joe Company is beginning work on property that it owns and has had Planned Unit Development approval for the project since 2012. 
 
The tract of land reaches as far as West Hewett Road and includes the tract on which Walmart was built, which was Phase I of the PUD known as Topsail West. 
 
“This is an extensive PUD,” said Walton County Planning Commissioner Danny Glidewell. <a href="https://sowal.com/forum/members/7079/">@Danny Glidewell</a> 
 
Plans are to construct more than 1 million square feet of retail and residential units on the site, he said. Walmart consisted of 80,000 square feet of the development. 
 
Yet to be built are several stores, restaurants, pharmacies and banks, along with an assisted living facility and preservation area consisting of 19 acres if the original plan stays intact. 
 
“The St. Joe Company has held entitlements on this piece of property for many years,” said Dan Velazquez, vice president of asset management for St. Joe. “The work currently underway is simply intended to get the property closer to being pad ready for future development.” 
 
Under Walton County’s current Land Development code, each individual project would have to go back before the Planning Commission for approval if it is projected to exceed 5,000 square feet. For now, none have gone back through planning.

beachmouse

IIRC, that parcel has been 'under development' so long that the original tenant was supposed to be an Albertson's grocery store.

IIRC, that parcel has been &#039;under development&#039; so long that the original tenant was supposed to be an Albertson&#039;s grocery store.

SoWal Staff

Serving the Community!

Approved:
Change the use in Phase III of the PUD from shopping center to hotel and change the parking rate from shopping center to hotel on 11.07 acres with a future land use of Mixed Use and a zoning category of Coastal Center Mixed Use.

Previous:
The Topsail West PUD was approved via Development Order #09-00100011 on March 19, 2012.  An Addendum to Development Order #09-00100011 for phasing of the PUD was approved on June 26, 2012.  The Topsail West Conceptual PUD Overlay District was established on July 12, 2016 via Ordinance #2016-20.  An amendment to Phase II and III was approved on November 1, 2018 to change the use in Phase II of the PUD from senior living to assisted living and changing the parking standard from senior living to assisted living and change the uses in Phase III of the PUD from convenience store gas station to restaurant and shopping center.  In addition, First Watch was approved via Development Order #MIN18-000027 on February 1, 2019; High 5 was approved via Development Order #MIN19-000028 on October 22, 2019 and a multi-tenant commercial building was approved on March 22, 2020.

Phase III of the PUD was approved for 6,625 square feet of restaurant use and 54,300 square feet of shopping center use.  The parking rate for shopping center use is 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet.  The applicant proposes to change 50,000 square feet of shopping center use to a 107 room hotel and change the shopping center parking rate to the hotel parking rate of 1.1 spaces per room.  

[ATTACH type="full"]89069[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH type="full"]89070[/ATTACH]

Approved: 
Change the use in Phase III of the PUD from shopping center to hotel and change the parking rate from shopping center to hotel on 11.07 acres with a future land use of Mixed Use and a zoning category of Coastal Center Mixed Use. 
 
Previous: 
The Topsail West PUD was approved via Development Order #09-00100011 on March 19, 2012. An Addendum to Development Order #09-00100011 for phasing of the PUD was approved on June 26, 2012. The Topsail West Conceptual PUD Overlay District was established on July 12, 2016 via Ordinance #2016-20. An amendment to Phase II and III was approved on November 1, 2018 to change the use in Phase II of the PUD from senior living to assisted living and changing the parking standard from senior living to assisted living and change the uses in Phase III of the PUD from convenience store gas station to restaurant and shopping center. In addition, First Watch was approved via Development Order #MIN18-000027 on February 1, 2019; High 5 was approved via Development Order #MIN19-000028 on October 22, 2019 and a multi-tenant commercial building was approved on March 22, 2020. 
 
Phase III of the PUD was approved for 6,625 square feet of restaurant use and 54,300 square feet of shopping center use. The parking rate for shopping center use is 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet. The applicant proposes to change 50,000 square feet of shopping center use to a 107 room hotel and change the shopping center parking rate to the hotel parking rate of 1.1 spaces per room. 
 
<img src="https://sowal.com/forum/attachments/89069/" alt="Screenshot_2021-04-28 Buffer 7 - BOCC Insert Topsail West PUD Master Plan Markup pdf.png" /> 
 
 
 
<img src="https://sowal.com/forum/attachments/89070/" alt="Screenshot_2021-04-28 Buffer 7 - BOCC Insert Topsail West PUD Master Plan Markup pdf(1).png" />

Thank God, that could have been a bowling alley, now it's more hotel rooms.

Thank God, that could have been a bowling alley, now it&#039;s more hotel rooms.

leeboy

I heard there was a nude bowling alley in Inlet Beach.

LJ123

:idontno: 
 
Does anyone know who to contact about the apartments and assisted living projects and commercial/office space planned along with the Walmart development? We are a builder interested in finding out about bidding for some work.

:idontno: 
 
Does anyone know who to contact about the apartments and assisted living projects and commercial/office space planned along with the Walmart development? We are a builder interested in finding out about bidding for some work.

Topsail West Development - Walmart, Hotel, Assisted Living, Restaurant

Grayton BeachCam

Dune Allen BeachCam

Seagrove Beach SkyCam

Inlet BeachCam

Miramar BeachCam Majestic Sun

Santa Rosa BeachCam

Walton County Fair

Sounds of Seaside

2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton

No beachcams yet

More cams

Include enough context for a reply on the first pass: who you are, what this is about, and anything time-sensitive we should know.

Write a clear note and we will route it fast

SoWal Contact Form

What helps the SoWal team reply on the first pass

Use these links when your request already has a clear destination.

Prefer a direct route before you write?

Use this when you are not sure where your request belongs and need the SoWal team to route it.

Questions, corrections, and quick help

Share newsworthy updates, corrections, community tips, or photography that can improve SoWal coverage.

Story tips, local leads, and photos

Reach the team for business visibility, partnership planning, or other commercial opportunities.

Listings, sponsorships, and business requests

Use this path for media coordination, press follow-ups, or requests that need a communications contact.

Press outreach and interview requests

Tell us what you need and how to reach you.

Send your note here and the SoWal team will route it appropriately.

Choose the quickest route for your message

Forum account areas

Log in to view member profile, alerts, messages, watched content, bookmarks, preferences, and staff tools.

Member-only forum areas use your SoWal forum account.

Use your forum username or email to post, reply, follow threads, and manage your account.

Log in to the forum

Log in to the SoWal forum

Find people and visit their public forum profiles.

Members

Enter the six-digit code sent to {email}.

Check your email

Join the conversation

Welcome to SoWal

Sign in to SoWal

Signature preview

Ads support our local stories, BeachCams, and community guides. If you use an ad blocker, allow SoWal, then check again.

Help keep SoWal local

Your feedback helps us make SoWal better.

How was this story?

Get local stories, events, and South Walton highlights in your inbox.

Stay close to the coast

Choose whether SoWal may use optional cookies. Necessary cookies keep the site working.

Your privacy, your choice

Site navigation

Submenu

Bite-sized stories, curated itineraries, and community events delivered to your inbox on the regular.

Topsail West Development - Walmart, Hotel, Assisted Living, Restaurant

Latest conversations

Write a reply

2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026