BRADENTON — On a sunny Thursday morning, Minto Communities President Michael Belmont arrives at the Harbour Isles sales center to survey the work being done to bring one of the company’s latest ventures, One Particular Harbour, to life.
“This is a very special place,” he said during a June 15 discussion with The Sun.
One Particular Harbour, a marina slated to have two restaurants along with retail space overlooking Anna Maria Sound on the northwestern tip of Perico Island, is only a portion of the planned development. In conjunction with Margaritaville Holdings, Minto is bringing a bit of island escapism to the area with the planned commercial space and island-themed residences in the Marina Walk neighborhood of Harbour Isles.
Construction on the residences and marina is occurring simultaneously with some residences already available for move-in. Recently completed is the Marina Walk clubhouse with a lounge area, pool, grill area and playground. The two- and three-bedroom condominiums have either community or waterfront views. They also have one perk owners can’t get anywhere else in the Harbour Isle community — they can be rented weekly. Belmont said the short-term rental option was designed to help defray the cost of unit ownership, allowing more people to be able to buy their own slice of paradise.
Construction on additional residences in the Margaritaville-themed neighborhood is expected to continue through the end of the year.
Belmont said the marina construction also is expected to continue through the end of 2017 with an opening tentatively scheduled for spring 2018.
Marina construction is the company’s first priority, he said, followed by the restaurant and retail space. While no commercial tenants have been confirmed, Belmont said Minto is in discussions with several possible candidates, including the addition of a Margaritaville restaurant.
“We’re very proud of the community and happy to be doing this with Margaritaville,” he said, adding that the Jimmy Buffet-inspired company is a “well-established brand with a very loyal following.”
Belmont said there is a lot of synergy between the two companies and he’s hopeful the partnership will continue beyond the three projects already in the works.
In addition to One Particular Harbour and Marina Walk, Minto and Margaritaville also are partnering on two other projects, Latitude Daytona Beach, an age-restricted community, and Latitude Hilton Head. Both communities are currently under construction.
For the Perico Island version of Margaritaville, Belmont said he had a vision of creating a community with a tropical island feel that would attract both locals and property investors looking for a bit of an island escape.
“It’s a perfect location,” he said.