Vantage Apartments Will “Lead the Market”
By PATTI SMITH
Job growth, good schools and ease of transportation are what Clermont Development Group looks for when planning a new Vantage Apartments community.
Developers say Panama City Beach was an attractive location to build, in part, because of the planned sports complex and new businesses moving in. Companies such as GKN Aerospace, for example, will bring many jobs and a major boost to the Bay County economy.
“We like to get out in front of a growth pattern,” said Developer John Condit. “This one fit all of the criteria we were looking for.”
The company has developed more than 20 Vantage properties in Texas suburbs since 2007. The new project, currently under construction just West of the Hathaway Bridge, is the first Vantage community established outside of Texas.
Condit said residents can expect luxury in this new community they will call home. It will consist of 288 spacious apartments on 20.5 acres off Highway 98.
“Vantage will have a resort feel to it,” Condit described. Apartments will be spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom units with carpet in the bedrooms and faux wood flooring throughout the rest of the space. Baths are all full size with washer and dryer strategically placed outside in an enclosed space on the balcony.
On the grounds will be a fitness center, clubhouse, swimming pool and two dog parks – one for large dogs and one for small ones. “Anything that you would see in a resort, that’s what we are trying to do here. I fully expect that this one is going to lead the market,” Condit said. /p>
According to a 77-page traffic study on roadways lining Vantage, traffic flow in and out of the complex should be smooth. There will be a right-hand turn into the property and a right-hand turn out of the property onto Highway 98. Also, a full access entry will be built on Wildwood Road
To help traffic flow, Bay County Planning Manager Ian Crelling said timing will be adjusted on the traffic light at Thomas Drive and Highway 98.
Crelling believes Vantage and other new housing projects planned for the beach will provide more options for people who want to work and live on the beach instead of commuting back and forth to town. He added that companies planning for development on the West end of the beach will bring more jobs. So, adding more housing options makes sense.
Condit said the clubhouse will be completed in the next three to four months and the leasing process for phase one will begin around February.
“It takes about 14 months to build it, but we start delivering it in phases so we can start occupying one part while the other part is still under construction,” Condit said. The entire project should be completed by summer 2018.
