Day: November 10, 2008

Shores of Panama Selling at Near Auction Prices

In an effort to drop inventory levels, The Shores of Panama Condominiums in Panama City Beach are selling brand new condos at like-auction prices.

Just to save you some time scrolling (since that is inevitably what you will do first to find the price), I’ll just give you the price up front:  $253 per square foot, on average.  Now, let me tell you about why I think this is a great deal.

If you haven’t been to Shores of Panama, you really have to check it out to appreciate it.  Short of going to Edgewater or Boardwalk, it really is one of the few ‘true’ resorts in Panama City Beach.  Featuring resort amenities such as 2 full service spas with massages, facials, steam rooms, and saunas, two tiki bars serving lunch and dinner, conference areas, a 14,000 square foot pool, indoor heated pool, and tons more.

The sense of arrival is spectacular as you pull into the covered grand portacache.  The scene includes elegant fountains and a quaint cafe with the entrance being accessed through oversized solid doors.  The colors are warm and the mood relaxing.

As you walk into the large lobby, you have a view directly onto the lushly landscaped pool area and out into the emerald green Gulf of Mexico.  The lobby is finished off with huge chandeliers and large-tile floors.  The granite counter tops are large and majestic, and the furnishings look and feel expensive.

This expensive look and feel isn’t just skin deep, either.  The entire709  condominium building was constructed using concrete tunnel form, firmly planting the entire structure on the beach.  With an all concrete structure, residents can stay, and own with the peace of mind that their property is safe.

As you walk out into the pool area, you are greeted with palm trees and other native plants to this area.  The 14,000 square foot pool weaves in and out of the various nooks and crannies that give this huge pool character.  Flowing under two bridges, the pool gives the swimmer constant views of the Gulf of Mexico and is serviced by two tiki bars.

The 2 full service spas, separated for men and for women,  provide massages, facials, steam rooms and saunas and are available to guests and residents.  There is a spa located on each side of the U-shaped building. The fitness center features high-end Life Fitness brand cardio equipment, fitted with individual flat panel TV’s.

The large indoor heated pool and hot tub offers residents and guests an opportunity to enjoy a swim regardless of the weather.

With 3 elevator systems, you never have to walk too far to get up to your floor.

Centrally located in Panama City Beach, Pier Park, restaurants, Wal-Mart, and pretty much everything else you’d want while you were on vacation are just a few short minutes away.

Ok, so we’ve established that the Shores of Panama is a true resort, but lets talk numbers.

Recently, beachfront condos have sold for around $200/sq ft at auction.
The price here is $253 per square foot, but you get so much more.  I walked around some of the other condos that have sold at auction, and they simply just don’t compare to the package you get at the Shores of Panama. Others that have recently sold, really are just a building with a pool.

As far as rentals, the pros at Oaseas Resorts have you covered.  Last season, 65% of the guests who visited the property re-booked for next year.  With an Oaseas Resorts office on site, getting in touch with them should be no problem.

For more information:

Painting Streets of Pier Park

For the first time, Madonnaro 2008, Emerald Coast’s Street Painting Festival will be held at Pier Park on Panama City Beach.  Painting will be November 14 – 16 and is sponsored by the Visual Arts Center of Panama City.

Street painting has been popular all throughout Europe since the 16th century.  Street painters in Italy were known as madonnari because they often created pictures representing The Madonna, one of the central icons of Christianity.

Madonnari were nomad artists who traveled from town to town, festivity to festivity to cover the streets with their art.  Historically, using bits of broken roof tiles, charcoal and chalk, the artists would paint images, sometimes larger than life that would wash away at the first rain.  When the festivities were over, the artists and paintings would vanish.

Today, “street-artists” use varying shades of chalk to depict their creations and several forms of media, including digital photography, video and blogs to share their work with the world.

Be sure to support this unique form of art at Pier Park in this weekend.