Windjammer Property- Biloxi

[tombarnes]

Windjammer Condo Site to be Developed

The Wilton Group is in negotiations to purchase the site of the now demolished Windjammer Condominium. The site, a small waterfront parcel between the Beau Rivage and the new Hard Rock Casino is one of the hottest properties on the Coast at the moment. So far, the Wilton Group remains mum with regard to their plans. New Orleans entrepreneur Al Copeland had put together a proposal to buy the land and combine it with his property across the street to build a casino resort. This plan, which made sense as far as land use is concerned, was rejected by the condominium association. I would be very surprised if this is not used for a casino hotel or for a high-rise condominium/hotel project. This is a parcel to watch.

WLOX TV 13

[richyb83]

Thanks for the heads up Tom. I'll keep my eyes open on this prime property.

Do you think Biloxi/Miss. Gulf Coast undergoing a "mini"Mahattanization" with the high-rise projects??

I can not believe how nearby Orange Beach AL has blossomed full of high-rises!

[tombarnes]

One could easily say that there has been a mini-Manhattan syndrome going on in Biloxi. As long as the quality of the buildings is good, I see nothing wrong with this. There are ways in which it could be done that would be attractive. If Point Cadet is developed in this manner, it would actually be good for Biloxi to have an established district for high-rise buildings. The dangers of allowing them everywhere, however, are manifold. First, the Coast would be filled with a wall of high-rises and would begin to have the walled-off appearance that parts of Destin have acquired. Second, the addition of too many tall buildings could cause the Air Force to reevaluate its mission at Keesler AFB. I seriously doubt that Biloxi wishes to jeapodrize the future of Keesler.

In short, the high-rise buildings are inevitable, at least to some extent. The Coast should embrace this fact of life and run with it. Design control is the key issue here. I'm not entirely sure that the powers that be in the City Council fully understand what could happen on the Coast if they are not careful. All development is not always good development, but it is foolish of anyone to think that the Coast is going to be rebuilt without an urban footprint.

[tombarnes]

Hard Rock to Purchase Windjammer Property for Expansion

While there are few details at this point, it appears as though the parcel where the Windjammer condominium once stood will be purchased by the primary investor in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. While specific plans will likely not be released for some time, it is likely that the property will be used for additional hotel rooms and perhaps more meeting andd restaurant space. The hotel has only about 300 rooms, making it less competitive than it would be with a higher room count. The property was considered as a possible site for a separate casino development by the late Al Copeland. Copeland, however, could not pull together enough property nearby to make his plans workable.

WLOX Channel 13 News