A mere 8 miles east of
Seaside, is another resort town developed under the rules of new urbanism,
Rosemary Beach. Developed 10 years later than Seaside, the same team got together to develop a town which would not be a copy of
Seaside, but rather a reaction to it and its faults.
Named for the wild rosemary which naturally grows here, Rosemary beach was planned as an urban village in the style of a European colony. Originally planned to be about the same size as neighboring Seaside, just south of the 30A towards the beach, acreage became available during planning north of the highway which was quickly acquired and integrated into the scheme.
Funding was easier the 2nd time around due to the success of Seaside and the popularity and market demanded a more upscale venue.
The style is very different than Seaside, as you can see. Water features abound in the town tying you to the beach even in the heart of the village.
The first buildings to be completed were the post office and town hall, seen above and below, which became style markers for future development.
The center strip is quite dense, with apartments and townhouses above shops and restaurants. This isn't a sleepy little village.
Some of the most well known houses below, which you may recognize by
Bobby McAlpine, lie close to the white sandy beaches. These flank the main common green area which faces the gulf.
The houses along the beachfront are magnificent; more than mere seaside cottages here.
Wood construction on masonry bases with wood porches are the requirements by the town code, which allows for a number of different styles to be used architecturally.
I loved this house set back behind a gravel courtyard.
This white stucco house was another of my favorites.
These very similar houses stand out from one another by color treatments. Paint is not allowed here, rather the wood is stained. As in Seaside natural, honest materials are a requirement.
Not everything is traditional, a good bit of the architecture has modern detailing.
The streets have sidewalks, unlike Seaside, putting focus on the pedestrian. Alleys lie behind each house for use by cars, with guest cottages above garages.
These were some of my favorite views of Rosemary beach, the charming alleys. Strange, no?
I could very happily settle into one of these apartments with wide porches.
A mere 8 miles east of Seaside, is another resort town developed under the rules of new urbanism, Rosemary Beach. Developed 10 years later than Seaside, the same team got together to develop a town which would not be a copy of Seaside, but rather a reaction to it and its faults. 
The streets have sidewalks, unlike Seaside, putting focus on the pedestrian. Alleys lie behind each house for use by cars, with guest cottages above garages.
These were some of my favorite views of Rosemary beach, the charming alleys. Strange, no?
I could very happily settle into one of these apartments with wide porches.
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