GRANDE MER
At the northeast corner of Hammock Dunes on the Atlantic Ocean, a most prestigious
30-lot sub-neighborhood was platted in 1993. Twelve of the thirty lots have frontage
directly on the ocean and the remaining 18 lots share walkovers to the beach. The
oceanfront lots are 115 feet 
wide allowing a house width of 75 feet. The depth of the lots are also several
hundred feet, allowing placement of the house to the west of the Coastal
Construction Control Line (CCCL), which avoids the permitting requirements of the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FL-DEP). Property owners who wish to
build east of the CCCL would have to make application to the FL-DEP, which may not
approve advancement of house placement nearer the ocean. Houses built east of the
CCCL require auger-cast piling foundations, although some homes west of the CCCL
have also used piling for added security against storms. All lots were sold by the
Developer in Grande Mer by 1994.
To the east of the individual lots, the dune and beach area to the mean-high-water
line are common property of Hammock Dunes and the walkovers and dune are maintained
by the community for uniformity of look as well as preservation of the dune. Just
south of Grande Mer is the oceanfront 18th hole of the Links golf course and the
Hammock Dunes Club. Just in front of the clubhouse are two world-class croquet
courts.
The first home in this sub-neighborhood was
completed in 2000. By 2014, 16 houses have been constructed. Minimum air-conditioned
space required is 3500 sq. ft. with the houses built to date ranging from 3,700 sq.
ft. to 9,100 sq. ft., and total space including terraces of over 13,100 sq. ft. Most
homes built to date include elevators, and all include pools in their designs. This
enclave is the most protected area from community traffic and is served by a small
bridge within the community. Imagine your best oceanside vacation at a hotel on the
beach, and project this to a way of life where you can observe ospreys catching
fish, dolphins cresting in the ocean, sea turtles making nests on the beach, and
whales passing in winter, and where strolls on the beach can easily be a part of
your daily routine.
Excluding the lot cost, property owners should anticipate spending between $2.5 and
$4.0 million for carrying costs, design, permitting, and construction and more than
two years before occupancy on oceanfront lots, and between $1.0 and $2.0 million on
2nd and 3rd row homes. The Hammock Dunes “Design Review Committee” can assist
property owners on all requirements for construction. If you seek oceanfront
tranquility, Grande Mer should certainly be on your list for further research.
