The Colonnades, To Be 'Unlike Anything Else' In Gulf Shores, AL
The Colonnades, a new luxury condominium development with an
old-world, Romanesque flavor, is planned for
Gulf Shores
at the site of the old Oleander Inn on East Beach Boulevard.
Kenny Larkin, who has owned and operated the Oleander Inn
for the past 15 years, is the driving force behind Colonnades, according to
project manager Rod Peevy. "JCL Investments LLC is the
company doing this project, but Mr. Larkin is very excited about bringing the
Colonnades to gulf shores. I'm pleased to be involved with
it, too. I grew up in Gulf shores and left to work in the hotel and condo
business with several large firms. I've been back for some
time, but I'm very exited to be part of this project now, which is going
to be unlike anything else in Gulf Shores.
A total of 53 units will be available in the 20-story
development, with pre-construction prices starting at $ 500,000. the Colonnades
will
feature ground level covered parking and a variety of
private owners-only amenities on the second floor, including a library, an
extensive
fitness center, a lounge and a theater. "The theater
will have comfortable, overstuffed leather chairs and raised seating in the
back of the
room, kind of like what you would see in a
Las Vegas showroom, so everyone will have a
good view of the large screen," Peevy said.
"A full-time concierge will be on hand to take care of
the library and theater among other things."
An indoor/outdoor pool is planned for the second floor. It
will have a retractable Pyrex glass dome that can be closed in the winter at
the push of a button. "The dome separates in the center
and retracts to each end of the deck,” Peevy
explained. "This will be the first
one in Gulf Shores, but they are fairly common in South Florida and on the East Coast. The glass is
designed to withstand wind and sand yet
still provide a clear view of the beach. We also decided to
put the pool on the second floor because that makes for a much better view of
the beach and the gulf."
Peevy said the time is right for a project of this magnitude
in Gulf Shores. "The market is doing well,
and this type of complex is popular
in areas like Destin FL. East Beach
offers so much. The Colonnades will be within walking distance or a short drive
of downtown Gulf shores
as well as the state park pier. It's just beautiful stretch
of beach and the perfect spot for this type of development."
Each floor will have three units, two four-bedroom corner
units and three-bedroom center unit. The top floor will have two 2,900-square
foot
penthouse units with fireplaces in the living rooms and
master suites. "Ann, of course, everything in all the units - the
appliances, fixtures,
flooring, baths - will be very luxurious," Peevy
said."We are contracting with
Malouf Interiors as the designated designer for the whole project.
Their work is typically very high to be
impressive."
The building will also include one two-story unit
on the second and third levels. "This is going to be a very distinctive,
3,100-square-foot unit with a wide curving staircase and all top-quality amenities. It will be one-of-a-kind."
Peevy said The Colonnades project moved through the Gulf shores City permitting process
with no trouble. "Everything went smoothly. Demolition of the Oleander Inn is expected in December, and construction
on The Colonnades should begin by March. We hope to be ready for occupancy by April or May 2005. I'm so proud to be
able to work with this project for my hometown," Peevy said. "The Colonnades is going to be a beautiful new additon to the beachfront."
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