When it comes to resort-oriented, new urbanist, communities, the neighborhoods of Seaside, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach, Florida are the poster child’s of success. After all, the strip of road along the ocean, known as 30-A, in the panhandle of Florida is where new urbanism got its birth. And it has inspired a number of award-winning communities world-wide. In fact, Breakaway was originally conceived as a “Seaside in the mountains,” says Founder Steve Martin.
To get a feel for the planning and quality of construction that is required to build a world-class town, the Breakaway development and construction team spent a few days along 30-A this week. The group included Brandon Quinn, Steve Martin, Eric Seals, Mike Riffert, Bruce Anderson, and Dustin Sigler.
As a part of the visit, the group had an opportunity to meet with architects and builders, and see the high level of construction taking place in these communities. In addition, they met with the town architect of Rosemary Beach, as well as some of the initial realtors for the communities, to discuss their experiences when these neighborhoods were first getting their start.
The group took what they learned back to North Carolina, and are gearing up to move Breakaway forward into the future.
A new house is under construction at Breakaway. Eric Seals is building a carriage house on lot 65. The house represents the first new construction since since Breakaway Development Company took over the project.
Designed by Allison Ramsey, the carriage house is approximately 1200 square feet, and offers some of the best views from phase 1 of the development. A main house will be built on the lot at a later date.
A development group has entered into a contract to acquire the Breakaway traditional neighborhood development. Founded in 2005, Breakaway struggled to make significant progress following the financial crisis. However, after a number of years, the project is moving forward again.
Breakaway Development, L.L.C., which expects to purchase the project in early June, includes principals who have a long history of prior experience with the project. Brandon Quinn was one of Breakaway’s first builders. Eric Seals has also been involved with the project for many years, having purchased some of the community’s first lots. Finally, Steve Martin was the neighborhood’s initial developer and founder.
Quinn, Seals, and Martin have joined forces to bring the original vision for the community to fruition. “Eric, myself, and a small group of investors bought the project two years ago,” said Quinn. “Shortly after, the ski resort was purchased, and is being upgraded significantly. It is great to see the energy on the mountain again.”
The three have stated that they intend to move forward with the original plan for the project, and plan to adhere to the new urbanism design principles it was based on. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding finishing the project,” said Martin. “Breakaway was an excellent concept, with all of the pieces to be an amazing community. I have been disappointed for many years that it lost its way, during the financial crisis. I couldn’t be happier to come back to finish it.”
The first new house in a number of years is under construction at Breakaway. And the developer group expects to begin infrastructure construction this summer.