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Welcome to Henry Norris, Architect for Abaco

April 18, 2017/in News /by jarendall

DRG Development has enlisted the architectural design firm of Henry Norris & Associates to design Abaco and introduce features never before seen in Gulf Shores. Between the unique design of interior units that offer a more panoramic feel to the 7,000 square feet of flowing water features, Abaco will be Gulf Shores Like You Have […]

Abaco Announces Partnership with Vince McConnell to Design Gym

April 1, 2017/in News /by jarendall

Abaco is pleased to announce a partnership with Vince McConnell of McConnell Athletics in Fairhope, Alabama to design a fully functional and fully stocked gym that will accommodate everyone from the professional athlete to the beginner level resident. “The gym at Abaco will be overlooking the Gulf, so it will be awesome,” McConnell said. “I […]

Welcome to Henry Norris, Architect for Abaco

April 18, 2017/in News /by jarendall

Abaco Announces Partnership with Vince McConnell to Design Gym

April 1, 2017/in News /by jarendall

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Welcome to Henry Norris, Architect for Abaco

April 18, 2017/in News /by jarendall

“Working with Henry on the design of Abaco has been a gift,” DRG Development partner David Head said. “He has a unique vision for this development, and he has worked hard to see that this vision come to fruition.”

From the beginning of this project, Norris had an idea to make each residence have a wide, panoramic view of the Gulf so that every unit feels like an end unit.

“A lot of projects are built parallel and straight across the setback line so that each unit is the same distance from the beach view. Most projects are built this way,” he said. “With Abaco we allowed the interior units to capture a more panoramic view by being pushed further south toward the water than the end units. With that, you feel like you are more surrounded by water and nature.”

Norris also described the interior units as having a “splayed” view creating a bi-directional balcony. While the unit itself is 36 feet wide, the balcony, with its curvature toward the Gulf has a total of 46 feet in width. Additionally, the interior walls angle outward as they get closer to the Gulf giving the feeling that everything is opening toward the water.

“This is a concept we had from the very beginning,” Norris said. “I am so pleased to see it come through in the final design.”

Another unique aspect of Abaco is the water feature. Designed to give the feeling of a flowing and never-ending oasis, Abaco will offer more than 7,000 square feet of pool features with a lazy river and a spa whirlpool.

Norris said Abaco is the only development in Gulf Shores to have water features that integrate pools to flow into one another as much as these will.

“What makes this pool special is that it meanders in and around the first level’s support walls and columns while integrating the water feature designs,” Norris said. “The Lazy River flows from the indoor pool to the outdoor pools and throughout the building. This reflects the flow of the waves, the natural beach forms, and scenes in nature.”

Henry Norris & Associates is based in Pensacola, FL and has more than 30 years of experience in award-winning residential and commercial architectural design. Their portfolio includes Caribe, Mandolay Beach, Bella Luna, Atlantis, Mediterra, San Carlos and Grand Harbor to name a few.

You can see more of Henry Norris & Associates’ work at their website.

Abaco Announces Partnership with Vince McConnell to Design Gym

April 1, 2017/in News /by jarendall

“The gym at Abaco will be overlooking the Gulf, so it will be awesome,” McConnell said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to design a gym that will be functional and user-friendly for all fitness levels as well as have a beautiful beach feel and an unbeatable view.”

McConnell said he plans to stock all of the equipment needed for a full body workout from the standard cardio machines – ellipticals and treadmills – to weight stacks, multi-functional trainers, resistance bands and workout balls.

“If you are a seasoned athlete, you will have all of the state-of-the-art equipment you need to conduct your self-guided workout,” he said. “But if you are new to working out or need some guidance, we will provide user-friendly software or workout sheets that will guide you in a workout specific to your fitness level and goals.”

McConnell added that it is important to him that the gym is welcoming and warm.

“I want to design into the luxury feel that Abaco is bringing to Gulf Shores so that it is an inviting space while ensuring that functionality is the focus.” he said. “It’s going to be a great project.”

McConnell has been an athletic performance coach since 1983 and is a sports and fitness writer. He owns McConnell Athletics in Fairhope, Alabama.

“We are excited to have Vince on board with Abaco,” DRG Development Partner David Head said. “He has decades of experience in the fitness industry and understands the quality and atmosphere we are bringing to Abaco. We are really looking forward to working with him.”

For more information on McConnell Athletics, please visit them on Facebook.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Welcome to Henry Norris, Architect for Abaco

Abaco Announces Partnership with Vince McConnell to Design Gym

Welcome to Henry Norris, Architect for Abaco

Abaco Announces Partnership with Vince McConnell to Design Gym

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Welcome to Henry Norris, Architect for Abaco

Abaco Announces Partnership with Vince McConnell to Design Gym

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