About the Emerald Grande...
A year or so ago, Peter Bos said people shouldn't judge the Emerald Grande until contruction was complete. He likened it to waiting until a woman has put on her makeup.
Well, contruction is now largely completed. The 13-story twin-tower condo development towers over the east end of the Destin Bridge. It is by far the largest building on the harbor.
So, what do you think of Emeralde Grande? Do you think it's spectacular? Or, do you think it's something other than that?
As always, I welcome your thoughts.
posted by Patrick Rice @ 7:35 AM
35 Comments
35 Comments:
I think it looks awful! Looks very out of place at the tip of Destin Harbor and ruins the atmosphere of the area! We came back to the area after 2 yrs away, by boat this time, and that is the first thing you see traveling by ICW when you get past the MidBay Bridge! Developers won't stop until this place looks just like So Florida
I just have to ask one question. As you know ole Pete makes no secret of using our south of the border felones on his projects, very open I might add. How many of these employees do you think he invited to attend the grand open house that was in the newspaper a week or so ago. I'm pretty sure I know the answer but???
I can’t afford to live at the Emerald Grande or anywhere else in Destin, so I don’t care. We do have private property rights in this country though, so he’s free to do what he wants with his land as long as it conforms to the laws and zoning requirements. If you didn’t want it there you should have bought the land and used it the way you wanted it used. If you weren’t willing to do that you have no authority to instruct others what to do with their property.
If it’s as bad as some say then the units wouldn’t sell, but since they’re selling that means there’s a demand for those types of condos. If people want to live there that’s their choice. If you don’t want to live there you don’t have to, but you have no authority to tell others what to do with their money.
It seems that too many people these days are getting far too involved in other people’s affairs when they have no right to. He can use his land the way he wants, he doesn’t have to accommodate you or consider your preferences when developing his land.
It's ugly and her daddy dressed her funny.
Finally a building that has some character. It's exterior is visually appealing, and the buildings occupants are going to have a spectacular view of the harbor. Hope they put in a walkover bridge to the opposite side of Hwy 98. Thanks Pete for a truly upscale development.
That will not be the last large building on that corner. The landscape on the other side of 98 will probably change more dramatically. And yes there will be a walkway as well as a digital sign over the road.
To those who oppose development: Move out of your homes and give it back to the environment. Or quit griping because believe it or not you are part of the problem too.
It is not a coincidence that wildlife is knocking on our doors and sometimes eating our cats.
But you know what? I have no problem with Emerald Grande because I needed a place to live when I moved down here and so do millionaires.
Having moved back into the area recently I must say how impressed I was to see how much Destin has grown. When I left it was a dank fishing village with littered with cheesy metal buildings and sea oats. Now it’s home to some of the most beautiful architecture the kind of hustle and bustle that would have its founders beaming with pride. As I cross the bridge into Destin and see this magnificent monument to the great men that have resurrected Destin standing tall at the mouth of the harbor, it’s almost as though I’m overlooking the harbor of a other great cities like San Francisco and Hong Kong. Thank you Destin planners and Mr. Bos for putting Destin back on the map.
she looks like a REAL expensive call girl.
I guess the only people that think it looks good have written here. I have heard well over 50 negative comments about it. Anyone who knows anything about architecture has to question the diamonds painted on the side of the wall - some sort of reference to a German walled city? In Florida? It's out of place completely, it blocks the view, it will contribute to traffic. If this is not my business because it's HIS property, please let Mr. Bos pay for the new roads we already need. I am amazed that the Daily News constantly wants less government and lower taxes, but doesn't seem to add up the cost of building a new roads and sewage vs. the amount of property taxes we will reap from this. It is by far the ugliest building on the coast and just ridiculous to look at.
It`s there. Except it for what it is. OUT OF PLACE!!
Wait till the second set of towers goes up if you think this is bad.
Mr. Bose has every right to put up this building that has taken so much out of the quaint little village atmosphere.
However, I wonder how much he wants to put back into the public coffers that many of the workers utilized while building his "masterpiece". I doubt many were tax payers, we most lkely educated their children and provided emergency medical care.
The only real winners are Mr. Bose and his subs that paid low wages without workers comp etc.The ecomomy of building wouldn't be passed onto the buyers.
The worst aspect is all this illegal activity is allowed under the watching eye of our public officials.
The average person who has a rental cannot even get a permit to change a roof on his own property without lying and saying he won't rent or sell the property for two years.
"WHAT A HOOT"!
Phase II is already approved, folks, only a few feet away, and just as big second set of twin towers!
And rumors are that another "competitor" is going to build one where the WhatABurger now and it's eastward neighbor lots now sit.
Get a grip, people. Your town council approved all of this; and you believe they have YOUR interests a heart?
In the meetings, approval for these behemoths get through because they are presented in leagalise-double-speak; and then are quickly vote-approved.
Notice who is taking your favorite town council members to dinner, and out on their big boats for fun and entertainment.
How do ya think it works!
Yes, you can be heard at the meeting, but is anyone really listening to you and me?,
or is the facad of hearing you just so much manure; then they vote the way they were going to before you spoke. All in return for the perks.
The architecture is confrontational to the landscape. There is no harmony to the development of Destin. Therefor, the new Tower(s) is in conformance.
It's too bad the St Joe Company's theme for development never caught on in Destin, or its ghetto, Ft Walton Beach. The unique NW Florida coast is turning into another Jersey Shore.
anonymous wrote, at 8:37 AM on 6 July, "He can use his land the way he wants, he doesn’t have to accommodate you or consider your preferences when developing his land." Absolutely correct, dear correspondent, but just out of curiosity, where do you live? How 'bout some of us buy the homes around your residence, then build a hog rendering plant and a crematory on the land? I'm sure the county's very accomodating commisioners and zoning officials will see it your way and allow us to do what we want, without any consideration of your preferences, and I'm sure you'd be perfectly happy too.
Destin Grande is an eyesore. Mr Bos could build it because the county said he could and he had the money - that doesn't make the project fit the character of the area. It's an ugly POS, no matter how much it cost, and money can't buy class.
It's not "Grande", It's GROTESQUE.
maybe some planes will crash into them.
...too much?
Hey Bob
I live in Fort Walton, and as long as you act in accordance with the zoning laws you can build anything you want. Besides a hog farm would be preferable to the criminal illegal aliens that are starting to infest the area.
I grew up poor in a dirty part of a bad town, so there’s nothing you can do that will be any worse than some of the places I’ve lived in my life, so go ahead an build anything you want.
Please tell me the names of the Destin City Council. I can't believe they are allowing another one like that. How is it that Destin doesn't have to pay for the ROADS???? We are all going to get whacked with higher water costs, higher taxes to pay for roads and higher sewage - who said what you build is your business? That is ridiculous. Please tell me who the morons are on the Destin City Council.
The only thing missing are gargoyles and lizard-like creatures winging out over the (now) tiny lagoon. Disney couldn't have done better, but nature can. And just maybe will...
All that "beautiful architecture" is blocking my view of, well, the REAL beautiful architecture.
It looks like it should be the Mosque at Disney World!
Soon, in maybe 5 years, the drive along 98 will be a city and not a scenic drive. Not long now and this area will be developed, or overly so with no plans for upgrade or expansion of accompanying infrastruture to go along with said development, ie sidewalks, city/county street lights-not traffic, etc.Partisan
This is sad...once the view from flying or driving over the Destin bridge was one of the most beautiful in the world. Now...it looks as though a budget theme park is going up in Destin...all the money in the world can not buy what was there before all the money in the world invaded.
I had expected more from Peter Bos; but I guess money can't buy class either
As a native I said the same thing when YOU moved here. I learned from my grandfather who was also born in Destin, our opinions mean little. Stay focus on the real treasure, the water and natural resources, Keep your back to the Hog-dominums. who cares what's the landscape looks like, If that's your interest you've missed the entire essence of Destin....
The pathetic part is that Bos thinks what he did IS classy.
Peter Bos was spotted Thursday 7/5 evening having dinner at Ciao Bella, gawking upon his Grandiose piece of Gluttony! While dining with his party of 8, he made a point of sitting in just the right spot where he could stare at his monstrosity in awe for his entire dining experience. No matter who was attempting to converse with him (waiter or one of HIS table companions), he was unable to peel his eyes from his most disgusting addition to the skyline of Destin whom I now refer to as Crewilla Deville and her two thugs!
Looks like the building belongs in a Mexican resort somewhere...hey now...just wait a darn minute here!!!!
BP
High priced call girl! I'm there dude. Really didn't have a reason to go to that crap hole you call Destin, but with this tacky out of place piece, I'm on my way.
Developers don't pay for the increased cost of infrastructure improvments. The City of Destin, and Okaloosa county taxpayers must provide these services. Not to mention the increase in traffic, and congestion in the city. We all have to contend with this inconvenience. When we are all paying a TOLL to visit Destin, you can thank all of these developers.
It has been a long time since Destin has been a Mom and Pop town. Most the tourists that come here have lots of money and are quite high maintenance. With all our snooty guests from the north, this builing should make them happy, and us. As obnoxious as those tourists may be, they are job security for many of the locals in Destin and surrounding areas.
After taking a tour of the builing last week, I commend Peter Bos on his work. There is absolutely nothing that was overlooked or done halfway in the entire building. It is very beautiful and I look forward to recommending it to family and friends who visit the area.
There is an old saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure" Vice versa when it comes to Mr Bos.
Destin is becoming an ugly town with nothing to offer but concrete. The emerald grande just took it over the top! Everytime I see that monstrosity I want to cry. Destin was once such a beautiful place and now we have ruined it! It was all done in the name of GREED!! Sooner or later a hurricane will come and it will find the emerald grande. I just hope the owners are smart enough to get out.
Its a beautiful building but in the wrong area...it blends with nothing,obstructs sunlight, will be a traffic disaster waiting to happen (when it opens).It seems that his trophy is just that ..the ONLY trophy sitting on the mantle.
Its a beautiful building but in the wrong area...it blends with nothing,obstructs sunlight, will be a traffic disaster waiting to happen (when it opens).It seems that his trophy is just that ..the ONLY trophy sitting on the mantle.
Man! I am shocked at the comments posted here. I understand some of them but not all of them. Were there comments like this when they built the other condos along the coast? Majestic Sun? Sun Destin? The condo at June's Dunes? Jade East? I suspect there were just as many negative and positive comments about those places as well. But the internet wasn't as large as it is now so most of those comments were probably not as well known. So I guess this controversy is nothing new. It will surely always be here. You can't please everyone...ever!
As a person who has been coming to Destin for the past decade, I purchased a unit at the Emerald Grande. I did this to be able to have a wonderful place to stay in what I consider Paradise! Destin is the most beautiful place on the planet. Peter Bos built a spectacular building that will do nothing but help Destin. I now pay property tax along with all of the other dollars that I spend every year when I come to Destin as do all the other owners. I think Destin and the Emerald Grande is wonderful and will continue to coming back year after year until I finally am able to move there permanently!
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