This Tiny New Town is Turning Buyers’ Heads

The Town of Prominence

Emerald Homes, D.R. Horton’s luxury brand, is attracting the attention of real estate buyers with its latest development, aptly named The Town of Prominence.

Launched in March 2014, The Town of Prominence, purchased by D.R. Horton for $25 million, is expected to be an essential part of the 30A community — a desirable destination for coastal living and entertainment between Deer Lake State Park and Camp Creek, just east of Seagrove Beach in Walton County.

Prominence residents will enjoy easy access to a beautiful town center, a 5,000-square-foot, resort-style pool house and private shuttle service to the beaches of 30A. What’s more, the commercial side of the project promises a new entertainment-destination option for locals and visitors to this section of 30A.

Craig Baranowski, a team-leader Realtor with Keller Williams Luxury International, says the new development is a welcome addition.

Open concept floor plans, high coffered ceilings and high-end finishes are just a few of the selling features drawing buyers to the many options within The Town of Prominence.

Courtesy KW Luxury Homes International/Craig Baranowski

“They are building a nice community of amenities which we desperately need to help alleviate the 30A tourism crowds that currently gravitate to Seaside and Rosemary Beach,” he said.

The development and construction of the planned residential project is under way and is expected to include 577 residences built in phases on both the north and south sides of 30A. The first phase of Prominence South includes 23 row-style townhomes and 25 single-family residences. Phase two includes 41 single-family residences and phase three includes 83 single-family residences, a luxurious pool and town center. Prominence North will feature 135 triplex buildings totaling 405 townhomes and will be home to the main Prominence pool house. Each residence, including all townhomes, will have a one- or two-car garage.

With a variety of property types and price points that start from $300,000 triplex units on up to $1.2 million luxury townhomes, Baranowski says The Town of Prominence has a broad appeal to everyone from first-time homebuyers to luxury second-home investors.

“It’s definitely getting a positive response,” he said. “Offering a $400,000 price point on 30A is hard to beat.”

Prominence is definitely turning heads. Baranowski recently sold a $700,000 property to a young, professional couple who relocated from Connecticut to the Emerald Coast a year ago.

“When they saw it, they sold their home in Panama City Beach in order to get into a single-family home in Prominence,” he said. “They wanted to be on 30A and decided a home on New Whales Street was the perfect place to raise their 2-year-old daughter.”

The Prominence Town Center will span about 3 acres with approximately 700 feet fronting 30A. Plans include a large, covered event pavilion — a central gathering place with a cinema screen as well as a stage for concerts and other events. There is also a fireplace nestled in the corner of the pavilion area and picnic tables that offer a place to eat and watch events. The pavilion and town lawn are surrounded by retail shops as well as restaurants, cafés and coffee shops. There is also space for a 4,000-square-foot restaurant tucked on the eastern edge of the property.

The project is doing well. At press time, 85 percent of the luxury townhomes on the south side of 30A were sold, 60 percent of the triplex units were sold and 40 percent of single-family homes were either sold or under contract. There is still availability, but Baranowski, who specializes in real estate on 30A and in the Panama City Beach area, encourages interested buyers not to delay.

“They are selling fast, and price points on single-family homes are ticking up,” he said.