DUNEDIN - The elegant wrought-iron gate unveils a vista of towering oaks, a custom waterfall and a breathtaking view of the gulf at St. Joseph Sound.
Inside, a red brick walkway leads to two floors of condominiums with wrought-iron balconies, window plant boxes and European-style patio furniture. A cursive V graces the front door of every home.
Welcome to the Victoria, which claims to offer "Relaxed Florida Living at Its Finest."
The 26-unit waterfront condominium's grand opening is at noon today at 1101 Victoria Drive in historic downtown Dunedin. It is the first time the waterfront condos have been open for public viewing.
"I have been inundated with phone calls," said Deborah Scott, a Realtor with Van Hook Properties. "There's nothing comparable for this location at this price."
The condos range from $158,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom to $250,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on the water. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit runs $215,000. Monthly maintenance fees are $195 and include cable, water/sewer and flood insurance.
The Victoria is one of at least three waterfront condominiums scheduled to open in Dunedin over the next two years. Ballast Point Homes is planning to break ground on the first building of Seagate at St. Joseph Sound next month. The condos, located across from Caladesi Island, will range in size from 2,480 to 4,800 square feet and cost between $735,000 and $1.4-million.
The following month, developers are planning to begin constructing the six-story Dunedin Grand condominiums on Edgewater Drive. Condos in the 18-unit building will cost between $750,000 and $1.6-million.
Steve McAuliffe, vice president of sales and marketing for JMC Communities in St. Petersburg, said the trend toward waterfront condominiums is mainly in response to a demand for maintenance-free living and a scenic view.
The company has been developing condos on the Intracoastal Waterway for about 20 years, including Belle Harbor and Mandalay Beach Club on Clearwater Beach.
Most of his condo buyers are single professionals or empty-nesters between the ages of 40 to 65 who are willing to shell out roughly 15 percent more to be on the water.
"You're able to be on the water, have tremendous views and great amenities all right there," McAuliffe said. "So it's really an opportunity to get away from the high maintenance of owning a home without giving up a lifestyle."
Jeff Ricketts, a managing developer of Victoria Apartments, purchased the Victoria property last year when it was nothing but a plain apartment building. He thought the location was ideal, because it was within walking distance of the marina, downtown Main Street and the Pinellas Trail. He also found the view of the open water to be spectacular.
Ricketts left the units the same size, 620 and 940 square feet, but replaced everything else: roofs, doors, windows, bathroom fixtures and kitchen appliances. Future residents can choose cabinetry and certain upgrades, such as ceramic tile and stainless steel appliances.
Scott said there have been no presales or contracts on any of the condos. There is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom model available for viewing today. The other condos will be completed once a customer signs a contract.
Scott already is searching for another waterfront property for Ricketts to build condos on. More people are retiring in Florida for the warm weather and to be near the water, she said.
"There are certain people who want to live in a house and want to work in a yard," she said. "But a lot of people don't want that. This epitomizes the best of Florida."
