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Palmilla Beach Has Come A Long Way

Look How Far We’ve Come!

Making it better for generations of Texan families to enjoy for years to come. This has been Red’s goal – to improve our great state of Texas, create economic opportunity, and build special places (like Palmilla Beach) for families to enjoy the best moments of their lives…for this generation and the next. In his words, “ Much like people, land has its own DNA and none of it is exactly the same. We take pride in finding unique land and creating the best possible experience for anyone who sets foot on it.”

Red McCombs is well known in Texas, especially for cars, bringing the Spurs to the Alamo City, Formula 1, and his generosity in support of the University of Texas at Austin and the MD Anderson Cancer Center. What few people know is that Red McCombs spent many of his formative years living in the Texas Coastal Bend area and has always believed the Texas Coast was an under-valued and under utilized national treasure.

Red had a vision that Mustang Island could be home to a new, transformational development that encompassed the stunning local beauty of the Gulf Coast married with the new urbanism and luxury homes that have
made communities like Seaside and Rosemary Beach, FL so successful… but with a Texas twist. He also knew it could be a sound business investment. But like everything Red does, he had a higher purpose than mere investment. His love of the Coastal Bend area, his pride in Texas, his passion to provide economic opportunity, and his understanding that Texans want a beach escape within driving distance from their homes all came together to create Palmilla Beach.

Early on Red knew to bring in experts to plan a beach community that would be a haven for families. This included hiring renowned community planner Mark Schell, champion of ‘new urbanism’. Mark’s plan for Palmilla channeled the best of the charming, lush, luxurious and family friendly beach villages across Florida’s 30A while integrating the heritage of Texas architecture and a collection of world-class resort amenities.

Today, Palmilla Beach is 150 families strong (and growing, fast with over 70 new properties under contract) with gorgeous streetscapes lined with palm trees and dotted with manicured parks that invite play and neighborly friendships. It’s a small-town atmosphere and a pocket of serenity… yet just minutes from the fun, shops, and restaurants of downtown Port Aransas. In addition to the gorgeous beach homes, Palmilla also boasts the largest stretch of beachfront in  Port A, the only True Links style golf course in Texas, award winning coastal dining, incredible resort amenities, and stunning beach and Gulf of Mexico views.

Palmilla started with a resort pool and Seagate, a building of 20 luxury condominiums. But it was the addition of the single family homes that made Palmilla so popular. “ The evolution of Palmilla has been  incredible” said Tiffany Holmgren Zuniga, Director of Sales. “ In our first year we only had 10 employees and 6 homeowners. Today we have over 100 employees and 150 homeowners.”

Within a 3-hour drive for many Texans, families jumped on the opportunity to have a luxury beach retreat they could get to almost any time. The multitude of townhomes, cottages, custom homes, and their families have now brought Palmilla to life. In fact, in the past year, every new release of homes or homesites has been claimed by new families in record time.

Earlier this summer, all nine of Palmilla’s Casitas sold out within one hour, prompting the Palmilla team to offer an additional eight Casitas, which also promptly sold out.

Among Palmilla’s most coveted homesites are those directly overlooking the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. The views are spectacular, which is why many have been claimed as families build their ultimate beach dream home, often four stories high and with additional views clear to the Corpus Christi Bay. (With only a limited amount of undeveloped Texas beach front, don’t miss the opportunity to own your piece!)

Where do we go from here? Harry Ben Adams IV, McCombs Properties Managing Executive, describes Red’s vision as a 20 to 25 year development. The next significant step is building Palmilla’s new Oasis resort pool plaza. Much more than a pool, the 5,000 square foot Oasis will be more like a water lounge. It will feature Port A’s only swim-up bar, a charming cross-over bridge, interactive bubblers, loads of quiet places plus a zero-slope ‘beach’ area for kids. The Oasis is already under construction with plans to open by Memorial Day, 2022.

“ Red’s legacy is truly coming to life. Just look how far we’ve come!” says Greg Carr, Palmilla’s Vice President of Development, “ Watching Palmilla evolve from raw land with no buildings into the premier resort beach community in Texas has been phenomenal. I have never been associated with a community that proved so popular so quickly.” Harry adds, “ With sales up 500% year-to-date, it’s rewarding to see the hard work pay-off!”

But it’s seeing families come together and enjoy their time at Palmilla Beach that truly makes Red smile.

“ It’s time spent together that matters most,” says Red, because he understands that creating family traditions and lifetime memories is what really matters.

Palmilla Beach has come a long way in the past few years. “With Red’s vision we have transformed Palmilla into a Texas crown jewel” says Adams. “ And we are just getting started… we have more amenities planned, lush landscaping, lagoons, and of course, stunning beach homes for families to come together and celebrate life. The best is yet to come.”

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