Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Residents of ritzy project prepare for move-in date

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published January 21, 2007

After more than two years of planning and another two years of site development and construction, moving vans are pulling into the Redington Shores Yacht & Tennis Club, a $150-million, 24-acre luxury mixed-used development.

The property, 17715 Gulf Blvd., is the site of the former Parsley's By the Gulf mobile home park, where more than 300 people, mostly elderly, lived over 60 years.

Park residents first learned that they would have to move in 2003. Many were helped financially to find new homes or mobile home parks by the property owners and developers.

In 2004, the developers, who paid $28-million for the land, agreed to be annexed into the town and subsequently received town approvals for the project through a lengthy planned unit development process. Construction started in late 2005.

When the project is finished, it will include four seven-story condominium buildings containing 126 units, ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet, as well as 69 single-family homes and a small shopping center on Gulf Boulevard.

The towers facing north overlook a wide inlet on Boca Ciega Bay. Some have views as well of the Gulf of Mexico. All of the units feature wide balconies, custom island kitchens and full baths and walk-in closets in each of the three bedrooms. Larger units also have half baths and a den or study. Double elevators serve each building.

Many of the single-family homes are on the water with access to the Intracoastal Waterway. All home sites have been sold, either to individuals, real estate agents or other developers. Construction has begun on several homes, including a model home for Nohl Construction, which owns 19 home sites.

Amenities for the complex include a clubhouse, five heated swimming pools, two tennis courts, a minipark and a gated and secured entrance. The nearly finished clubhouse includes a swimming pool, a spa and a fitness center. Two swimming pools under construction overlook the bay and planned boat docks. Private cabanas are built into the ground floor of the condominium buildings.

On the west side of Gulf Boulevard, a smaller, 2.37-acre property - once beach access for mobile home park residents - is the site of the 54-unit La Vistana condominium towers. A narrow beach access was retained for Redington Shores Yacht & Tennis Club residents and the public.

Town building official Steve Andrews recently certified the project's first building, the 36-unit Las Palmas, as ready for occupancy.

Three condominium buildings are still under construction, with Las Flores expected to be completed in April, Las Brisas in August and La Bahia in December.

Real estate broker Evelyn Page, who is a "small investor" in Sun Vista Development Group LLC, the company that is developing the complex, said all units in the first three buildings have been sold, as well as half of the units in the fourth building.

Although no one has actually moved in, Page said moving vans are already delivering future residents' furniture.

At least one new resident will be instantly recognizable.

"Congressman (C.W.) Bill Young has purchased one of our condominiums and will be moving in within the next 60 days," Page said.

Although most of the condominium buyers are from the United States, Page said, a "surprising number" are from Ireland, England and Scotland.

Condominium units, which sold for $700,000 a year ago, are selling for as much as $1.25-million. The only remaining units are in La Bahia.

[Last modified January 21, 2007, 00:07:30]