Villas of Margaritaville at Wharf Landing Nears Final Approval, Plus Coastal Alabama Real Estate News

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The Villas of Margaritaville at Wharf Landing, a gated subdivision of 12 single-family lots, is expected to receive final approval, according to the Orange Beach Planning Commission. The villas are one piece of the much larger Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach at The Wharf, which is under construction off the Intracoastal Waterway and scheduled to open in late 2027.

The project leads a busy stretch of real estate and development news across coastal Alabama, with recent activity ranging from a land sale in Daphne and a nonprofit lease in Mobile to a new coffee shop planned along the Foley Beach Express and a proposed second phase of homes near Fairhope.

What the Villas of Margaritaville Will Include

The Villas of Margaritaville at Wharf Landing will be a gated community of 12 lots for single-family homes. It is part of the overall Margaritaville resort plan, which also calls for 149 condominium units and 150 single-family cottages.

Final approval of the subdivision would mark another step forward for one of the most closely watched developments on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Subdivision approval typically covers how land will be divided into individual lots, along with access, streets, utilities and drainage, before homes can be built and lots sold.

Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach at The Wharf

The Margaritaville resort is being built on more than 80 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway near The Wharf, the popular Orange Beach dining, shopping and entertainment district. The project is a partnership between Margaritaville Holdings and Art Favre, owner of The Wharf, and construction officially began with a groundbreaking in May 2025.

Plans for the resort include a marina, an amenity area with pools, waterslides and a lazy river, and a lineup of signature Margaritaville bars and restaurants. Those include:

• Salty Rim Bar
• Lah De Dah Bar & Grill
• 5’Clock Somewhere Bar
• Nautical Wheelers Prime
• Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions

The resort is scheduled to open in late 2027. The Margaritaville brand, inspired by the music and laid-back lifestyle of the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, has a special connection to the area: Buffett grew up in Mobile, and his songs often drew on Gulf Coast life.

Why Orange Beach Draws Big Projects

Orange Beach and neighboring Gulf Shores are among Alabama’s top tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year to their white-sand beaches, waterways and attractions. The Wharf, located along the Intracoastal Waterway, has become a hub for concerts, dining, boating and shopping, making the surrounding area attractive for resort and residential development.

Daphne Lot Sells for Medical Building

On the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, a local investor has paid $415,000 for a 1.05-acre lot on Papa George Street in Daphne, according to Jeff Barnes of Stirling, who represented the buyer.

The new owner plans to build a medical building on the property. Daphne, one of Baldwin County’s larger cities, has seen steady residential and commercial growth in recent years, adding to demand for nearby health care services.

Alethia House Leases Space in Mobile

Across the bay in Mobile, Alethia House has leased 1,443 square feet at 600 Bel Air Blvd., according to Natalie Dodson of CRE Mobile, who represented the tenant. Gavin Bender of Bender Real Estate Group represented the landlord.

Alethia House serves people with limited financial resources, helping them through on-site job training and job placement support.

PJ’s Coffee Planned on Foley Beach Express

Coffee drinkers heading to and from the beach may soon have a new stop. PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans plans to build a coffee shop on almost an acre along the Foley Beach Express just east of Coastal Gateway Boulevard in the Gulf Shores and Foley area, according to Baldwin County planners. The shop would include a drive-thru window.

PJ’s Coffee was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan in New Orleans’ Carrollton neighborhood, and the company takes its name from her initials. The chain has grown to roughly 190 locations and is known for its iced coffee and New Orleans-style drinks.

The Foley Beach Express is a major north-south route connecting Foley with Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and includes a toll bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. It is a heavily traveled alternative to Alabama 59, especially during the busy summer tourist season.

Point Clear Golf Club Developers Seek Phase 2 Approval

Near Fairhope, the developers of the Point Clear Golf Club residential community are seeking Planned Unit Development approval for Phase 2. The proposal calls for 80 residential lots on 92 acres off Greeno Road, south of Wagner Road and near Baldwin County 24.

A Planned Unit Development, or PUD, is a zoning tool that allows a developer to propose a master plan for a larger tract of land, often with flexibility on lot sizes, setbacks and open space, in exchange for review and approval of the overall design. Greeno Road is part of U.S. 98, a key route through the Eastern Shore.

Point Clear, an unincorporated community on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay just south of Fairhope, is known for its historic waterfront and the Grand Hotel, a landmark resort on the bay.

Growth Continues Across Coastal Alabama

Taken together, the latest projects reflect the continued growth across Baldwin and Mobile counties. Baldwin County has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, and demand for new housing, health care, retail and services has followed.

For residents, that growth brings new options for places to live, shop and dine, along with ongoing discussions about traffic, infrastructure and how best to manage development along the coast.

How Residents Can Follow Development Decisions

Most subdivision, zoning and site plan proposals go before local planning commissions or county planning bodies in public meetings, where residents can review plans and offer comments. Agendas are typically posted in advance on city and county websites. Residents who want to weigh in on projects in their area can:

• Check the City of Orange Beach, City of Fairhope, City of Daphne or Baldwin County websites for upcoming planning meeting agendas
• Attend public hearings and sign up to speak during public comment periods
• Contact local planning departments with questions about specific applications

What Comes Next

With final approval expected for the Villas of Margaritaville at Wharf Landing, work on the broader Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach will continue toward its planned late-2027 opening. The Point Clear Golf Club Phase 2 request and the PJ’s Coffee site are among the other proposals moving through the local review process.