Where the Sky Meets the Sea

By Jordan Staggs | Photography by Tim Kramer

Tucked into the white sands near Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, Florida, lies a sleek, contemporary tower called 1900 Ninety Eight. This brand-new high-rise embodies the term “state of the art,” with its rooftop pool deck, two penthouses, and fourteen residence-style units with sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. Named for its address just off the area’s main thoroughfare of Highway 98, the development is the first new beachfront condominium in Destin since 2007. Luxurious finishes and top-of-the-line appliances in every unit reflect the development’s novelty.

“In today’s market, people want new, clean lines, and this place checks all the boxes,” says listing broker Chris Abbott of Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty. Twelve of the building’s sixteen units have already sold. “Style and design trends have changed since other buildings in the area were completed over a decade ago. This building encompasses the simplistic, contemporary design elements that people want, with a midcentury modern style.”

Porcelain tile floors in all the common areas, quartz countertops in the kitchens, and marble vanities in the master bathrooms along with huge walk-in showers are enviable qualities in vacation homes or rental properties—but it’s the view that sets 1900 Ninety Eight apart. East-facing units overlook miles of white sand and the coastal dunes of Henderson Beach State Park, while western units boast magnificent Gulf views. Even the master bathrooms have shoji doors that open to unobstructed views of the sparkling blue water and distant horizon. Each standard unit also has a 347-square-foot private balcony overlooking the beach and Gulf of Mexico.

“With only two units on each floor, owners and guests can really feel like they’re coming home to a secure, private place,” Abbott says. “People like that it’s more intimate than most developments.”

The two penthouses include 422 square feet of private balcony space and eighteen-foot ceilings, truly bringing land and sky together. Each residence floor plan has three bedrooms (the penthouses have four) and exclusive access to the building’s rooftop heated and cooled fitness center, swimming pool, hot tub, and spa. “From the top floor, you’ve got the best panoramic views of the Gulf, Henderson, and even the Choctawhatchee Bay to the north,” Abbott states.

The brainchild of developers Walt Chancey and Ricky Rookis, 1900 Ninety Eight was created with comfort, style, and privacy in mind; there are even climate-controlled elevators to stave off Florida’s sweltering summer heat and humidity. Rookis’s relationships with the highest-caliber designers and architects for over twenty years have benefited many of his clients but perhaps none more so than the owners and guests of 1900 Ninety Eight, who enjoy the building’s unobstructed balcony views and cutting-edge rooftop lounge area. Meanwhile, Chancey’s values of “creativity, dedication, passion, and fun” bring community spirit and a distinctive style to the building. Chancey’s wife, Sandra, was integral to creating the serene yet modern interiors with glass-tile backsplashes, custom cabinetry, and globe lighting in every kitchen, along with other sophisticated touches throughout each residence.

Those who remember the 2008 housing market crash and subsequent BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 know that Destin’s first all-new beachside development is a big step forward for developers and investors alike. Those looking to make their home away from home at the beach can’t go wrong with one of 1900 Ninety Eight’s cutting-edge residences, while those seeking an investment property can expect a generous annual rental income from the Emerald Coast’s newest Gulf-front high-rise. Either way, the promise given by Chancey and Rookis, along with Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty, is a pristine high-end home at the beach with the best of the best amenities—and even better views.

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For more information, visit 1900-98.com.