Alluring Alys Beach
This Northwest Florida community surprises with its stunning architecture and style
There is no community in Florida quite like Alys Beach. Twenty-foot-high white butteries on lush green grass sit at the entrance of a palm tree-lined section of the highway known as 30A, signaling your arrival as well as your departure. A hidden gem between Panama City and Destin, Alys Beach resembles a community you might expect to find along the Mediterranean coast rather than the Florida Panhandle.
Every building, without exception, is white, crisp and seems to glow against the blue skies. Alys Beach is among a group of communities that fall under the category of New Urbanism, a movement to reestablish “community.” Towns are designed to encourage social interaction through shared spaces, and residents are within walking distance to all their needs.
Andrés Duany, the modern-day founder of New Urbanism, is master planner of the 150 acres composing Alys Beach. He and his firm, Duany Plater-Zyberk and Co. in Miami, first came to international prominence in the 1980s after designing Seaside, Florida, six miles to the west of Alys Beach. Duany is the same planner hired by city leaders in 2002 to help breathe new life into downtown Fort Myers.
Duany took on Alys Beach in 2003, not long after completing nearby Rosemary Beach. “The original idea for the architecture came from Duany’s travels to Bermuda and the British Virgin
Homes must be white, have a water feature such as a fountain, and an interior courtyard.
Islands,” says Alys Beach marketing director Alyssa Walker. The butteries at the town’s entrance, for example, were inspired by the minaret-shaped structures used in Bermuda before refrigeration to preserve butter and other perishable items.
It’s nearly impossible, however, to succinctly describe what Alys Beach has become. The architecture is different at every turn; Mediterranean, modern, minimalistic, Moorish, with rooftop overlooks, spires, terraces and more.
“Duany’s big deal here is the way the town is lined up with homes front facing pedestrian paths so people don’t have to interact with traffic,” says Walker. Parking is behind. The direction of the paths also helps the flow of the Gulf breeze coming off the picture-postcard, award-winning beach. Common areas and green spaces intersect pedestrian paths, creating a peaceful, tranquil vibe.
While homeowners have design freedom, plans still need approval from town architects. Homes must be white, have a water feature such as a fountain, and an interior courtyard. There are no streetlights, so gas lanterns dot the exteriors of many homes, emitting low-wattage glows.
Alys is the first community in Florida requiring homes to be certified as green and the first in the world to require they be fortified, “meaning they are built above and beyond codes, to withstand the most severe weather. It’s a big deal,” says Walker.
Halfway through the 30-year plan, 200 of the possible 799 home sites have been developed. With more homes come more amenities. Caliza was first: a 100-foot saltwater infinity pool surrounded by cabanas, flowing curtains and luxurious alcoves, with a chic bar and upscale restaurant serving local coastal cuisine.
The thriving art scene is nurtured by the Alys Foundation, which purchases outdoor sculptures, installations, and plans events. The most prestigious annual festival is Digital Graffiti, named by Smithsonian as one of the top five immersive art experiences in the world (see sidebar).
Alys is sandwiched between Seacrest and Rosemary Beach, which offer a variety of shopping and dining choices. Inlet Beach is at the eastern edge of 30A, while WaterSound, Seagrove, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton and Sandestin are west, each with its own inviting personality.
Florida is a fascinating state, dotted with cities and towns with an eclectic range of personalities. The charm, beauty, culture and peacefulness of Alys Beach and its neighboring 30A communities are truly unique.
Gina Birch is a regular contributor, a Florida native who loves exploring the state to uncover good food, good drinks, beautiful beaches and a fun time.