ResortQuest Real Estate Celebrates the Groundbreaking of Blu, a New Condominium Development on Okaloosa Island

Blu, an upscale coastal contemporary development, features a prime location in Okaloosa Island, a scenic barrier island situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the inter-coastal waterway in Fort Walton Beach on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. It is the first residential condominium community to be built on Okaloosa Island in a decade, marking an exciting opportunity for homebuyers.

This stunning six-story condominium development featuring 47 private residences is nestled on one of the last vacant parcels fronting the Gulf in the three-county area. Overlooking 300 feet of sugar-white sand beach, tucked away on Okaloosa Island behind a private, gated entry, Blu amenities will include two Gulf-front pools (one heated), a jetted hot tub, a fitness center, and covered parking spaces. Residences' interior appointments will range from quartz countertops and high-end kitchen appliances to porcelain tile flooring and private terraces up to 10 feet deep.

"On behalf of the entire team at ResortQuest, we congratulate Rick Olson and the development team on their latest project along the Emerald Coast," said Lino Maldonado, vice president for Wyndham Vacation Rentals North America. "Our very first office was established right here on Okaloosa Island 44 years ago, so we are especially proud to bring such a first-class development to market in this community."

"We are so pleased and excited this day has come. It's a dream come true," said Rick Olson, managing partner of Olson Land Partners, LLC. "We have worked diligently over the past three years to bring this highly-appointed condominium development to this amazing Gulf-front location. With more than 300 feet of white sand beach frontage along the Okaloosa Island shoreline, the Blu site truly speaks for itself and the name is apt. We could not be prouder to bring Northwest Florida this real estate opportunity."

"With its close proximity to Destin, Florida, and nearby restaurants and attractions, the value in developing this land was clear to us," said Randy Moore, managing partner, Crossgate Partners, LLC. "While the building and grounds will be aesthetically beautiful and offer exceptional amenities, the solid concrete and steel construction will help drive value in the future for interested buyers. We designed the development around the growing market demand with something that's unique in price, size and style."

Leading the sales and marketing efforts for Blu are Cindy Blanton and Janette Klein, top sales associates from the ResortQuest Real Estate team, which comprises more than 100 licensed realtors.

"We are going into our construction phases having pre-sold more than 50 percent of the units in Blu, which is a clear indication of the excitement surrounding this beautiful development" said Carmela Bell, broker, ResortQuest Real Estate. "Blu provides a contemporary twist on coastal living unlike other opportunities currently offered along the Emerald Coast."

Blu offers four floor plans ranging in size from three- to four-bedrooms, spanning 1,837 to 2,203 square feet, each with Gulf-front or coastline views. Pricing is from the high $700,000s. For more information, visit ownblu.com or call Cindy Blanton at (850) 428-2306 or Janette Klein at (850) 585-7872.

About ResortQuest Real Estate
ResortQuest Real Estate, a division of Wyndham Vacation Rentals, has been a real estate leader in Northwest Florida for more than 40 years. ResortQuest Real Estate provides comprehensive real estate services, including residential and resort sales, long-term rentals, and property management. ResortQuest also offers vacation rentals and homeowner association management through Wyndham Vacation Rentals. Wyndham Vacation Rentals, the world's largest professional manager of vacation rental properties providing access to more than 117,000 vacation rental properties in nearly 650 unique destinations worldwide, is part of Wyndham Destination Network and the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN). For additional information, visit our media center or wyndhamvacationrentals.com. Wyndham Vacation Rentals also can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+.

About the Developers
Crossgate Partners, LLC is a private real estate investment and development firm that invests, manages, and develops a diverse group of real estate products, including multifamily, retail, medical, luxury residential and mixed-use developments. In addition to blu, Crossgate has created distinct communities in Florida including Infinity, Longboat Key, The Next, Pensacola, Bay Street Village and Town Center, Osprey, and Madeira Bay, Madeira Beach. Crossgate Partners emphasizes teamwork, local market knowledge, and most importantly personal integrity. Crossgate Partners is led by Randy Moore and his 25-plus years of experience in the world of real estate.

Olson Land Partners (OLP), is a private real estate investment and development firm that invests, manages and develops a diverse group of real estate products with its strategic investment partners throughout the Southeastern United States. Olson Land Partners is led by Richard Olson and his 35-plus years of real estate development, marketing, and sales experience. With Mr. Olson at its helm, OLP is uniquely qualified to perform through its development experience including a unique understanding and proven capability of adding value to all property types. Mr. Olson has developed a wide variety of highly successful projects throughout his career, including: mid and high-rise waterfront condominium projects, retail centers, free standing restaurants, RV resorts, single family residential subdivisions, award-winning master planned residential communities, student housing and senior living facilities. Olson Land Partners is also well known for their successful local condominium developments that include Beach Retreat, Beach Resort, and Beach Retreat Cottages among others.

SOURCE ResortQuest Real Estate