“Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering, ‘It will be happier’…”
-Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892, British poet)
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice.” – T.S. Eliot (1888-1965, U.S.-born British poet, essayist, literary critic, playwright and editor)
Musings on the beauty of Alys Beach from the photo files of Alys Beach Marketing, including photos by Kurt Lischka of Moon Creek Studios, Lily & Sparrow Photo Co., Dear Wesleyann, and Allison Pedigo.
This visual exploration of the details found in the design of Alys Beach is a continuation of our “of Alys” series. We closed 2020 with the “Chimneys of Alys” noting the functional architectural detail that plays such an important role in the iconic skyline of Alys Beach, and also got some use during the chilly December days. As we start the year, we explore yet another detail of Alys in the urns that have become consistent stylistic elements throughout the town.
Urns vary in size and function throughout town, from the grandiose, iconic urns atop the bathhouses on Gulf Green, to the bulbous, bubbling urn fountain that sends water down the runnel (narrow stream of water) along the South Sea Garden pedestrian path. Once you take stock, you’ll notice urns of every shape and size at every turn. Housing century plants and succulents, citrus trees, rosemary and other edible herbs, urns flank entryways and zaguans, line courtyards and cluster along pedestrian paths and at the axis of walkways.
Like most of the details found throughout Alys, there’s more to these urns than meets the eye. Most of these publicly visible works of art are engineered and crafted by Phid Lawless and partners’ Maine studio, Lunaform, where his background in architecture and product design influences the creation of these beautiful and incredibly functional vessels. The handmade, all-weather pieces consist of concrete hand-turned on wheels, layered over steel reinforcements, and finished in a variety of textures and colors for a unique, high-quality interpretation of an ancient artform. Our Spring 2019 issue of the Gazette delves further into Lawless and Lunaform, found here.
Whether a major design feature for iconic common spaces, an architectural “gift to the street,” or a decorative display, urns have become an Alys Beach mainstay. The urns provide opportunities for color, and vessels for plantings and water features, to compliment facades and add compositional interest while maintaining the “fortified” qualities of the town’s architecture. On your next stroll, we hope you’ll enjoy taking note of all the different uses and presentations of urns in Alys Beach.
While inventory for properties in Alys Beach is limited, we still have a few owner homes offered for resale, with new Somerset Homes currently under construction. Our newest offering, Gulf-front condominium residences, The Selene & Easterly, are now under construction with a few residences still remaining for purchase. We also look to the newest releases from our real estate sales team including the recent release of homesites located south of 30A (beachside) in the XX Block, to be followed shortly by releases of Somerset Homes north of 30A in the BB and CC Blocks, fronting the Turtle Bale pedestrian path, park, and the Nature Preserve.
Quest Hospitality Concepts LLC’s much anticipated 30A coastal tavern and restaurant, prominently located at the northeast corner of Alys Beach’s Town Center, is now open.
We welcome the newest CITIZEN of Alys Beach, the thoughtfully elegant restaurant positioned on the ground level of The May condominium, facing the Amphitheatre to its east and overlooking 30A to its south. Open to the public as of Friday, January 22nd, The CITIZEN is guided by long-time industry veteran and member of the Alys Beach community, Jeremy Walton. Walton brings more than 25 years of experience in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry, having worked with luxury hotel groups Auberge Resorts, Montage International, and Sea Island prior to his time with Alys Beach. He has also served as a consulting partner for James Beard Award-winning chef, Chris Hastings.
The CITIZEN features approachable, yet innovative cuisine with a menu that centers around locally and regionally sourced foods and draws inspiration from coastal communities near and far. Land- and sea-driven dishes highlight such focal points as Gulf shrimp and grouper, filet of beef and house made Tagliatelle with Benton’s bacon, vegetables, and herbs, each with beautiful preparations and accompaniments both familiar and exotic. The CITIZEN will initially offer an evening experience, with expansion into lunch and brunch offerings on the horizon.
The cocktail menu is comprised of inventive, seasonal libations organized by flavor profile and featuring reimagined classics alongside familiar favorites. The “Zero Proof” section of the cocktail menu offers elevated mocktail creations based on distilled, non-alcoholic spirits. A thoughtfully curated wine and beer list will round out the menu.
The CITIZEN is conceptualized in a celebration of food and community, a gathering space for neighbors and friends old and new. Khoury-Vogt Architects designed the space, replete with thoughtful details, functional vintage character pieces, and exquisite modern accents. The space comes together around an expansive bar, a stand-alone custom raw bar, a mixture of booth and table seating, an open kitchen featuring a seven-foot wood burning hearth, and expansive views of the Alys Beach Amphitheatre and Scenic Highway 30A.
Currently, The CITIZEN is following social safety protocols including facial coverings worn by employees, social distancing including limited capacity seating, and increased sanitation procedures. The CITIZEN will also follow Alys Beach’s standard of operations.
Packing away the holiday plaids and shimmery velvets, we look to the Alys Shoppe to help us refresh our style outlook for 2021.
As we eagerly head into the New Year, hopeful for a year of productivity and joy, we look to our wardrobes for a boost. Small changes and pops of color worked into a winter wardrobe can offer a welcome break in an otherwise dark palette. With heaviness of the events and tone of 2020, Pantone has released its Colors of the Year for 2021 in thoughtful response: 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + 13-0647 Illuminating. Pantone calls this selection “A marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting…A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination…is aspirational and gives us hope.” Executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman says, “The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.”
The Alys Shoppe has everything you need to incorporate the Pantone Colors of the Year into your cold and warm weather wardrobes. A cheerful yellow Swole Panda scarf livens up a warm gray Bugatchi blazer, and a Linda Richards fur pom-pom hat makes a bold, fun statement paired with a Revive Cashmere grey cardigan for cold days. For the warmer days just around the corner, a gold floral Sarah Bray Bermuda caftan is beautifully accessorized with her “Dahlia” sun hat, Krewe’s COLLINS NYLON sunglasses and Shana Gulati gold hoops with a grey, raw diamond inlay. For men, a yellow quarter-zip logo shirt with grey shorts, both by Bugatchi, and OnCloud sneakers is a smart spring pairing.
Coming soon to the Alys Shoppe, we’ll be honoring additional colors from the Spring/Summer 2021 Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report with fun, new logowear t-shirts, hoodie sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, rash guards and activewear for the family, plus expanded logowear lines for men and women. Fun new koozies and beach gear in Pantone’s new palette of colors will also perk up your beach bags!
Whether you need a little dose of “optimism” for your 2021 wardrobe, or some grounding elements of “stability,” the Alys Shoppe has the accessories and staples you need to get the year off to the right start. Come by and let the Shoppe team help you find just the right balance for the New Year and be sure to check back in regularly for the new spring colorways and products.
Did you know that, while The Alys Foundation is responsible for funding the Alys Beach signature events and artwork, it also supports local nonprofits? Let us give you the lowdown on the Foundation so you know the important role it plays in our town and the larger community!
Since inception, one of The Alys Foundation’s most prominent services has been the underwriting of Alys Beach signature events. For the Foundation as for us all, the impact that the pandemic has had on the ability to hold events as we’ve known them has been truly challenging and, in all honesty, disappointing. Here at Alys Beach in 2021, we continue to adjust our approach to events and gatherings with the health and safety of our families and guests as our highest priority. Therefore, the annual, beloved, large-scale 30A Wine Festival event has been paused and, in its place, Alys Beach will hold Intermezzo.
Intermezzo will honor the annual festival with a series of small, intimate, beautifully curated dinners, lunches and mixology sessions that reflect the original festival format. The pocket parks of Alys Beach will be the setting for these experiences, which aim to celebrate and embody the rich and diverse collective of food, drink, and community which the larger event holds paramount.
30A Wine Festival – Intermezzo will be held the weekend of February 19, 2021 and, as it would seem that we are all eager for something special to look forward to, sold out entirely after first releasing to our Alys Beach homeowners and very shortly after remaining seats sold to our public audience. Please know that Intermezzo will hold the place of the annual festival but will not replace it.
Additionally, the 30A Wine Festival Silent Auction, hosted online via GiveSmart, is a crowd favorite each and every year, with Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) as the beneficiary of 100% of the proceeds. The auction’s contribution to CVHN is of great importance and will be conducted in conjunction with Intermezzo, available online beginning Monday, February 15 at 10AM CST, ending Sunday, February 21 at 3PM CST. The 30AWF Silent Auction is open to the public, no ticket is required for participation, and Alys Beach’s Claire Wright will coordinate the collection of items won beginning Monday, February 22, for local pickup or shipping. Auction items include works of art, magnums and special collection wines, service certificates and gift cards from local businesses, and more. Special submission auction packages will be revealed soon, so stay tuned. These will be curated experiences that you won’t want to miss! If you happen to have an auction item that you’d like to submit, please email Claire Wright at claire@alysbeach.com. We extend a warm invitation for you to join us in this vital extension of the Intermezzo festivities, bringing much-needed assistance to CVHN and their valuable community health services.
We eagerly anticipate the day when we can safely gather with all of our extended family and friends once again, and therefore look forward to a big celebration in 2022 in recognition of our 10th annual 30A Wine Festival. An event to be held in the grand scale in which we prefer to celebrate!
*Note: Photographs represent past 30A Wine Festival experiences as captured by photographers Alena Bakutis, Michael Booini, and The Happy Bloom.
Intermezzo plans to employ Alys Beach’s social safety protocols including limited capacity for each event, facial coverings to be worn by staff and guests, cleaning and sanitation procedures, and social distancing.
Since our last issue, we’ve had several new stories and mentions hit the newsstands.
Travel + Leisure included the Gulf Coast, with specific mention of Alys Beach, in their annual list of “The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021.” This list garners a lot of attention, including that of other media outlets (Jacksonville Free Press and Vacation Inspire, to name a few) which continue to pick up the list for their audiences as well.
Milieu Magazine published the digital version of their article “A Couple’s Retreat,” which ran in the Fall 2020 print magazine and beautifully, extensively covers the Alys Beach home of architect Glen Oxford and interior designer Rozanne Jackson.
The Nashville Edit ran a beautiful pictorial on an Alys Beach home interior recently updated by Nashville interior designer April Tomlin in an article titled “Refined Retreats,” appearing in Volume 5 of the print magazine.
Veranda has included Alys Beach homes in several recent round-ups including one on Kitchen Backsplash Ideas, and another on Modern Bedroom Ideas, which was also picked up by Yahoo.com.
Alys Beach Town Architects, Khoury Vogt Architects (KVA) have been recognized by the Urban Guild for their work on Caliza Courts. Their receipt of a 2020 Merit Award for Design Excellence was celebrated locally by Emerald Coast Magazine, The Destin Log and others.
Local media also covered the Alys Beach Job Fairs, which took place December 10, 2020 and January 7, 2021. https://sowal.com/event/alys-beach-job-fair-11, https://www.850businessmagazine.com/alys-beach-job-fair/, https://30a.com/events/alys-beach-job-fair-3/, and more
Out Coast included Alys Beach along with Scenic Highway 30A on a story covering the “Best Holiday Light Displays in Florida,” a light and fun story to be a part of this holiday season.
Finally, a band called Passive Progressive put out an “ambient instrumental track” named “Alys,” after its inspiration from Alys Beach. Have a listen here: https://mixitallup.com/2021/01/04/passive-progressive-alys/
Thank you for joining us for the Seventh Edition of The Alys Journal, the first of the 2021 year. We are grateful that you’ve chosen to start your year with us, whether here in person, planning your next visit or simply experiencing it from afar. As Helen Keller (1880-1968, American author and activist) wisely said in a quote so applicable as we step from the challenges of the past year into the hope of this one, “Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”
