A new resort development has officially broken ground in coastal Alabama, marking the beginning of construction on the Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach at The Wharf. The $300 million project is expected to significantly expand the tourism footprint along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Located on an 83-acre site across from The Wharf entertainment district and along the Intracoastal Waterway, the resort will include a mix of accommodations, entertainment venues, dining options, and recreational facilities. Once completed, it will offer more than 400 residential units and serve as a multi-generational destination.
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Art Favre, owner of The Wharf and founder of Performance Contractors, is leading the project in partnership with Margaritaville Holdings. Representatives from both groups joined local officials for the ceremonial groundbreaking. Among those in attendance were Margaritaville CEO John Cohlan and Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon.
“This development represents more than just a resort,” Kennon said during the event. “It’s a significant investment in the future of Orange Beach’s tourism and economy.”
Plans for the resort include four distinct districts: a Waterfront District with a 43-slip marina and ferry access to The Wharf; an Amenity District featuring a six-acre recreation area with pools, slides, a lazy river, and a kids’ zone; a residential section with 150 custom-designed cottages; and a variety of luxury accommodations including condominiums and waterfront villas.
Sales for resort residences are expected to begin in the fall of 2025, with prices starting in the mid-$500,000s. The first phase of construction, which includes the Waterfront District, condominiums, and the amenity area, is scheduled for completion in 2027. Full buildout is projected for 2029.
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The development is also expected to generate over 350 jobs and accommodate more than 2,000 guests at full capacity. A Resort Discovery Center, which will open later this year, will provide additional information to potential buyers and the public.
The site’s location provides access to multiple transportation options. Gulf Shores International Airport is about six miles away, while Pensacola International and Mobile Regional airports are each about an hour’s drive. To improve connectivity for guests and visitors, a private ferry will operate every 30 minutes between the resort and The Wharf.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
