Myrtle Beach: Hotel-condo-retail complex OK'd

Style™ · November 7th, 2005, 06:10 PM

Sea Mist site to get hotel, retail, more

By Emma Ritch

The Sun News

A 12-acre oceanfront project on the south end of Myrtle Beach approved Tuesday could spur redevelopment and transform downtown with one of the city's largest developments, council members say.

City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday in favor of the Sea Mist Planned Unit Development, a condominium, hotel and retail project that will span 11th Avenue South to 13th Avenue South at the current site of the 51-year-old Sea Mist Resort Hotel. The tallest building in that complex will reach 203 feet.

All existing structures will be demolished and replaced with new structures except for the Tides and Driftwood buildings, which will receive a "facelift," said J. Patrick Lowe of Strand Capital Group, which is developing this project and worked on the Anderson Ocean Club.

"I expect the Sea Mist to be the anchor, the cornerstone of downtown redevelopment," Councilman Phil Render said. "[Because of] the sheer magnitude and the quality of the old family ownership that has brought this project forward, this will set the standard for projects small and large."

A planned unit development is an agreement that gives special zoning to an area, often in exchange for the developer funding public improvements. The exceptions to zoning rules sometimes involve height or setback restrictions.

The developers of the Sea Mist complex Tuesday increased their contribution to public projects from $6 million to $7 million, including an oceanfront park at 13th Avenue South, parking, sidewalks and utility burial.

Councilwoman Susan Grissom Means called the development "the most beautiful project that we've ever had brought to the city" during the last council meeting, and Councilwoman Judy Rodman praised the green space.

Developers say 40 percent of the land will be used for recreation areas and green space.

The project's 1,839 units could be completed within seven years, said Larry Timbes of Timbes Architectural Group. The design maximizes open space to prevent a wall effect along the oceanfront, he said.

The Sea Mist's projected construction cost is $380 million, and developers estimate the value of the project at $800 million at completion.

Mayor Mark McBride was the sole vote against the project. He said he thought the taxpayers, not the developers, should fund the public improvements because he disagreed with the planned unit development process.

"Frankly, that's not going to make my life any better" to have underground utilities in that area, he said.

Councilman Chuck Martino said the residents deserved to get "something of value" from the developers, such as the parks and additional parking spaces.

"There are residents that will benefit even if the mayor doesn't," he said.

Loyd Daniel, managing partner with Strand Capital Group, said he found the planned-unit development agreement and the developer-funded public improvements "very fair."

iamnorthcarolina · November 10th, 2005, 08:20 PM

Myrtle Beach needs some different style development as opposed to the now dominated condo/hotel highrises. Mixed-use best suits this resort town now as traffic worsens and walkability between resorts (like in Las Vegas) is much more attracive to vacationers. Myrtle Beach has the ability to grow excessively in the future out from the oceanfront as storm surge from hurricanes is less of a threat here than in other large beach towns.

StevenW · November 25th, 2005, 04:12 PM

Awesome news!

Can't wait to see it complete!

StevenW · November 25th, 2005, 04:29 PM

BTW, look what I found:

ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION
The local architectural firm, Timbes Architectural Group, has been engaged to create the master plan and design all aspects of the proposed new resort. Several highlights of the Timbes’ master plan include:
• 7 new highrise condominium structures occurring in up to 8 phases.
• 1,570 new oceanfront and oceanview condominium units.
• Remodeling of 269 existing hotel rooms.
• A common theme for all residential, commercial, and parking facilities inspired by the colors and movements of the ocean.
• Over 1 acre of indoor pools and activities space.
• Over 2-acres of exterior plazas, pools decks and water parks.
• Over 1-acre of elevated plazas and pool decks.
• 20,550 square feet of retail & commercial space.
• Public parks, widened sidewalks, and enhanced landscaping and streetscaping throughout the PUD district.

Careful consideration has also been given to preserving open space, preserving views of the ocean, and to creating a master plan with an overall density less than seen in other recent oceanfront PUD projects in the City of Myrtle Beach. Maximum proposed building heights range from 184 feet to 187 feet with one centrally located building proposed to reach 203 feet.

At a recent public hearing, several Planning Commissioners stated that the Sea Mist proposed master plan is the finest PUD proposal they have ever received.

Architectural renderings and elevations are included in this document.

And here's the link: http://www.seamistcondos.com/seamist/contact.html

uptownliving · November 25th, 2005, 05:24 PM

wow...looks like something from Ft Lauderdale.

November 7th, 2005, 06:10 PM	#1
Style™ King of the Queen Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,146 Likes (Received): 0	Myrtle Beach: Hotel-condo-retail complex OK'd Sea Mist site to get hotel, retail, more By Emma Ritch The Sun News A 12-acre oceanfront project on the south end of Myrtle Beach approved Tuesday could spur redevelopment and transform downtown with one of the city's largest developments, council members say. City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday in favor of the Sea Mist Planned Unit Development, a condominium, hotel and retail project that will span 11th Avenue South to 13th Avenue South at the current site of the 51-year-old Sea Mist Resort Hotel. The tallest building in that complex will reach 203 feet. All existing structures will be demolished and replaced with new structures except for the Tides and Driftwood buildings, which will receive a "facelift," said J. Patrick Lowe of Strand Capital Group, which is developing this project and worked on the Anderson Ocean Club. "I expect the Sea Mist to be the anchor, the cornerstone of downtown redevelopment," Councilman Phil Render said. "[Because of] the sheer magnitude and the quality of the old family ownership that has brought this project forward, this will set the standard for projects small and large." A planned unit development is an agreement that gives special zoning to an area, often in exchange for the developer funding public improvements. The exceptions to zoning rules sometimes involve height or setback restrictions. The developers of the Sea Mist complex Tuesday increased their contribution to public projects from $6 million to $7 million, including an oceanfront park at 13th Avenue South, parking, sidewalks and utility burial. Councilwoman Susan Grissom Means called the development "the most beautiful project that we've ever had brought to the city" during the last council meeting, and Councilwoman Judy Rodman praised the green space. Developers say 40 percent of the land will be used for recreation areas and green space. The project's 1,839 units could be completed within seven years, said Larry Timbes of Timbes Architectural Group. The design maximizes open space to prevent a wall effect along the oceanfront, he said. The Sea Mist's projected construction cost is $380 million, and developers estimate the value of the project at $800 million at completion. Mayor Mark McBride was the sole vote against the project. He said he thought the taxpayers, not the developers, should fund the public improvements because he disagreed with the planned unit development process. "Frankly, that's not going to make my life any better" to have underground utilities in that area, he said. Councilman Chuck Martino said the residents deserved to get "something of value" from the developers, such as the parks and additional parking spaces. "There are residents that will benefit even if the mayor doesn't," he said. Loyd Daniel, managing partner with Strand Capital Group, said he found the planned-unit development agreement and the developer-funded public improvements "very fair." __________________ Queen City Pulse

November 25th, 2005, 04:12 PM	#3
StevenW Born in Baltimore Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Newberry, SC Posts: 10,626 Likes (Received): 12	Awesome news! Can't wait to see it complete! __________________ Baltimore, my hometown.

November 25th, 2005, 04:29 PM	#4
StevenW Born in Baltimore Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Newberry, SC Posts: 10,626 Likes (Received): 12	BTW, look what I found: ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION The local architectural firm, Timbes Architectural Group, has been engaged to create the master plan and design all aspects of the proposed new resort. Several highlights of the Timbes’ master plan include: • 7 new highrise condominium structures occurring in up to 8 phases. • 1,570 new oceanfront and oceanview condominium units. • Remodeling of 269 existing hotel rooms. • A common theme for all residential, commercial, and parking facilities inspired by the colors and movements of the ocean. • Over 1 acre of indoor pools and activities space. • Over 2-acres of exterior plazas, pools decks and water parks. • Over 1-acre of elevated plazas and pool decks. • 20,550 square feet of retail & commercial space. • Public parks, widened sidewalks, and enhanced landscaping and streetscaping throughout the PUD district. Careful consideration has also been given to preserving open space, preserving views of the ocean, and to creating a master plan with an overall density less than seen in other recent oceanfront PUD projects in the City of Myrtle Beach. Maximum proposed building heights range from 184 feet to 187 feet with one centrally located building proposed to reach 203 feet. At a recent public hearing, several Planning Commissioners stated that the Sea Mist proposed master plan is the finest PUD proposal they have ever received. Architectural renderings and elevations are included in this document. And here's the link: http://www.seamistcondos.com/seamist/contact.html __________________ Baltimore, my hometown.

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November 10th, 2005, 08:20 PM	#2
iamnorthcarolina I Am North Carolina Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 59 Likes (Received): 0	Myrtle Beach needs some different style development as opposed to the now dominated condo/hotel highrises. Mixed-use best suits this resort town now as traffic worsens and walkability between resorts (like in Las Vegas) is much more attracive to vacationers. Myrtle Beach has the ability to grow excessively in the future out from the oceanfront as storm surge from hurricanes is less of a threat here than in other large beach towns.

November 25th, 2005, 05:24 PM	#5
uptownliving Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,172 Likes (Received): 0	wow...looks like something from Ft Lauderdale.