to our Press Kit

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to our Press Kit

For Immediate Release
Contact: Randi Tucker
(404) 432-6680; (770) 442-9741
randitucker@bellsouth.net

Cinnamon Shore New Urbanism Development Announces Its First Restaurant
The Casual Dining Establishment Featuring Full Bar is Part of Phase 3 Construction
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; Jan. 11, 2012 – The developers of Cinnamon Shore, the first wholly
master-planned New Urbanism development on Texas’s Coastal Bend, announce a major milestone in Phase
3 construction—the completion of Lisabella’s restaurant, the first piece of retail property in the mixed-use
community. Lisabella’s is a casual dining establishment celebrating fine coastal cuisine that serves three
meals a day plus fresh pastries and desserts baked by an in-house pastry chef and features gourmet coffee
and a full premium bar offering an extensive wine list along with premium beer and liquor. The restaurant
serves as the start of the developer’s vision of a town center replete with convenient shops, charming
restaurants, workspaces and gathering places coming to fruition.
Jeff Lamkin, a native Texan and CEO of the Atlanta-based Sea Oats Group, the project’s developer,
envisioned a development that combines diverse housing, work places, and retail and recreational amenities
into one walkable, beachfront resort community like Seaside and Rosemary Beach on the Florida Panhandle.
His dream became reality when Cinnamon Shore began infrastructure construction in spring of 2007, on
64-acres of land on Mustang Island, with 1,200 feet of beachfront property.
Cinnamon Shore’s success has surpassed many expectations in light of the Great Recession and current
economic downturn. Phase 1 homes are nearly sold out with Phase 2 lot sales and home construction
underway.
According to Lamkin, “This young community on the beach appears to be where the well-healed of
Texas are choosing to buy a second or third home. The fundamentals of the local real estate market are solid
low foreclosures, steady job growth, increasing population and a strong diversified economy. Texas has
seen almost 800,000 new jobs in the last 10 years, as compared to 90,000 jobs added to the next closest
growth state.”
To be exact, The Business Journals reports, “The inventory of private-sector jobs in Texas increased by
732,800 between April 2001 and the same month this year [2011]…Texas avoided the real-estate bust that
decimated the economies of several large Sunbelt states, including California and Florida, during the 20082010 recession. It consequently was positioned for a faster takeoff once the national economy began
improving, allowing it to create 251,700 new jobs in the past year alone.”
In fact, in Chief Executive‘s seventh annual report, it is the seventh time in seven years running that Texas
has led the nation on the best states in which to do business, with California at the low end of the list at
number 50. Texas’s number one ranking even came in two spots above Florida’s number three.
And the future for Texas looks bright, according to Forbes. It says, “Texas leads the way when it comes
to states that will add the most jobs over the next five years on a percentage basis. Total employment in
Texas is forecasted to expand 2.9 percent annually through 2015 according to research firm Moody’s
Analytics. That represents 1.6 million new net jobs for the state over five years.”
Lamkin continues, “In addition to serving as second homes and eventually primary retirement residences,
Cinnamon Shore’s real estate makes for the perfect investment property. With home and condo rentals
booked solid for spring break, summer and Thanksgiving holidays, our homeowners are grossing eight to
12 percent rental income regardless of price. We have $600,000 homes with $60,000 in gross income.
That’s seven percent net cash generation, plus appreciation. It’s better than a bond or money market
account, plus you get to enjoy the investment.
“Sea Oats Group is hurrying to develop its next phase of Cinnamon Shore due to Texas’s positive
economic factors. We see exponential potential for continued growth of this community,” Lamkin says.
Cinnamon Shore’s Phase 1 construction was complete by the second half of 2009. Phase 1 included:
paved roads, native landscaping, two fresh-water lakes fully stocked with fish, the Lake Colby Boardwalk
and Fishing Pavilion and the South Dune crossover—a golf-cart accessible bridge traversing the protective
dunes from the community directly to the beach. It also included custom and spec homebuilding featuring
the 2009 Southern Living Idea House. Additionally, Phase 1 included the Keira’s pool facilities, comprising
a salt-water infinity swimming pool, a multi-functional clubhouse and a fitness center.
In late 2009, Phase 2 construction began and included more home building featuring a Susan Castor
Collection Beach House, highlight of the 2010 Cinnamon Shore Home Tour; completion of One Town
Center, the first of several condominium units; and creation of the Great Lawn, a one-acre community green
space. In addition to Lisabella’s, mid 2011 also saw the construction of the Social Circle streets and creation
of the community’s amphitheater and stage where live music events and movies on the Lawn take place.
Additional Phase 2 plans for 2012 include construction of the Three Town Center condominiums, an artisan
village, a second community pool (Dune Park Pool) and North Dune Crossover, providing secondary access
directly to the beach.
The remainder of Phase 3 plans involves the build-out of the Town Center, including the construction of a
general store and spa, addition of more restaurants and dining facilities, and completion of the community’s
social circle that will serve as a center of cultural events in the community like plays, recitals and music
festivals.
When complete, the community will comprise approximately 250 homes and condominiums; a town
center with shops, restaurants and office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional
grid of pedestrian-friendly streets that interconnect the entire community.
Located less than four miles from the city of Port Aransas (“the fishing capital of Texas”) and a fiveminute golf cart ride to a new Arnold Palmer Links golf course, Cinnamon Shore features 1,200 feet of
beachfront on Mustang Island, Texas, a Gulf Coast barrier island located 30 minutes from Corpus Christi.
For more information, visit www.cinnamonshore.com or call (888) 893-0656.
###

(404) 432-6680

Cinnamon Shore Offers Destination Beach Weddings and Honeymoons on Texas’s Mustang Island
Beach, Lakeside and Poolside Ceremonies of Any Size, As Well As White Tent Weddings on Great Lawn
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; July 14, 2011 – The developers of Cinnamon Shore, a picture-perfect
second-home community featuring 1,200 feet of beachfront on Mustang Island, on Texas’s Coastal Bend,
have opened its facilities to the public for all types of events, including destination weddings and
honeymoons. The New Urbanism, mixed-use community now offers options for indoor, outdoor and
waterside weddings of any size, and brides are already booking their special day there, into 2012. To
showcase its wedding facilities, Cinnamon Shore will host a wedding expo on October 16, 2011, for
prospective brides, wedding planners and vendors alike.
Throughout the property, there are numerous locations with breathtaking vistas that will handle weddings
of various sizes. Waterside outdoor options include, of course, beach weddings, but there are also two freshwater lakes and a tranquil infinity pool that provide beautiful backdrops. Intimate indoor ceremonies can be
held in Keira’s Pool Clubhouse that comes complete with a gourmet kitchen and space for dancing.
In addition, other outdoor options include at the Lake Colby Boardwalk and Fishing Pavilion or on the
open, meticulously manicured Great Lawn, a one-acre expanse framed in by lush landscaping and stone
pavers. The Great Lawn is also perfectly sized to accommodate a large “White Tent Wedding”.
The goal of the staff at Cinnamon Shore is to ensure each wedding is afforded every option of style and
customization. In fact, for beach weddings, Cinnamon Shore offers a customized sand vow kit containing
glass vials embossed with the resort’s logo and authentic Mustang Island sand—an integral part of the
ceremony and a sentimental keepsake for any happy couple.
Jeff Wilkinson, resort manager of Cinnamon Shore, explains that the resort is truly “Luxury Defined. This
is the pinnacle of accommodations, amenities and services.”
And the luxury extends beyond the wedding day. Cinnamon Shore can host rehearsal dinners and
Sunday brunches in its C Bar Café and can accommodate overnight guests in its many rental houses and
condos*, sleeping up to 14 people in the larger homes. Plus, what a perfect place to host a honeymoon!
With the city of Port Aransas— “the fishing capital of Texas”—just a few miles away, and the new Arnold
Palmer-signature Links golf course next door, there are plenty of activities to keep the newlywed couple
busy, besides the sun, sand and surf.
There is also a two-night “Romantic Get-Away” package to start any romance off right, perhaps for an
elopement. For more information on this package, weddings and events at Cinnamon Shore, visit
www.cinnamonshore.com or call (888) 893-0656. *Minimum of three residence rentals required.
###

(404) 432-6680

New Sales Team Announced for Cinnamon Shore Project on Mustang Island
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; March 28, 2007 – Principals of Cinnamon Shore, the first New Urbanism
development on Texas’s Coastal Bend, announced today that Terry Peters and Lee Ann Peters will serve as
the new onsite sales team for the project. Both will have the title Director of Sales, and be responsible for
selling the approximately 250 home sites and residences in the seaside resort community.
“Terry and Lee Ann bring to Cinnamon Shore nearly 26 years of combined experience in real estate
brokerage and sales, with particular knowledge in the secondary housing market,” said Jeff Lamkin, CEO of
the Sea Oats Group, the project’s developer. “We are thrilled to have such seasoned, successful professionals
on our team.”
According to Lamkin, the Peters were chosen after an extensive search of top-producing agents. “They
have consistently achieved sales numbers in the top one percent of all realtors in the country,” he said of the
Peters, “and from 2000 to 2006, were recognized for Most Listings, Most Sales and Highest Gross
Commission Income in their marketplace.”
The Peters are founding partners of Keller Williams Realty’s Chattahoochee North Market Center in
Norcross, Ga., an Atlanta suburb, and were instrumental in growing the office’s sales to $213 million in
2006. They also are accredited relocation specialists and designated sales trainers for agents in the office.
Married for 33 years and “Baby Boomers” themselves, the couple has personal, as well as professional,
experience in the second and vacation home market.
Lee Ann said, “Mustang Island is much like the Gulf Coast of Florida was 20 years ago – virtually
undiscovered, with some of the best beachfront real estate values in the country. The community of
Cinnamon Shore offers an extraordinary living opportunity here, and we look forward to working with all
of the island’s agents in making it a huge success.”
Cinnamon Shore comprises 64-acres, including 1,200 feet of beachfront, on Mustang Island, a Gulf
Coast barrier island located 30 minutes from Corpus Christi. The area’s first master-planned New
Urbanism development, it will feature approximately 250 single-family and condominium homes; a
town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and office space; and numerous parks and recreational
amenities all within one pedestrian-friendly community. To learn more, visit www.cinnamonshore.com.
###

(404) 432-6680

Jeff Lamkin, CEO of Sea Oats Group, Named #7 2008 Top 25 Entrepreneur by Catalyst Magazine
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; Oct. 12, 2008 – Jeff Lamkin, CEO of the Atlanta-based Sea Oats Group,
recently won a 2008 Top 25 Entrepreneurs Award from Catalyst Magazine. Lamkin cites the success of his
current real estate development project Cinnamon Shore, the first New Urbanism community on Texas’s
Coastal Bend, for coming in seventh place out of the award winners.
Although many developers are struggling in the failing real estate market, Lamkin is enjoying a steady
rise of success at Cinnamon Shore. Sales in the beach community have more than doubled over the past
year. Lamkin, an Alpharetta resident, attributes this growth to undiscovered beaches, accessibility and
affordability. He says of Cinnamon Shore, “Lot prices here start at $125,000, and home prices start in the
high $300,000’s, which is a bargain among comparable offerings in Florida and California.”
The Sea Oats Group and Cinnamon Shore are just two of Lamkin’s accomplishments since he began his
career 16 years ago. Lamkin is a serial entrepreneur and success enabler who possesses a passion for
business and serves as a catalyst for growing companies. After running three other successful businesses, in
addition to his position at Sea Oats Group, he currently serves as Chairman/CEO of simplifyMD Instant
Digital Chart Room, on the Board of Advisors for Insight Sourcing and as investor in PetDoc.com and
Influent Corporation.
Released each year, Catalyst's Top 25 Entrepreneurs recognizes those who are leading Atlanta's small-tomid-sized business community. After conducting field interviews, reviewing financial data and compiling
evaluation results, the selection team considered four equally weighted factors to rank this year's honorees:
growth, profitability, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Sea Oats Group (www.seaoatsgroup.com) is an investment group focused on real estate, especially
early-cycle coastal resort development, and private equity. The company plans to launch Skipperling,
located on the Boliver Peninsula, in 2009. The company is also planning a third project, on South Padre
Island, to launch in 2010.
Located near Port Aransas (“the fishing capital of Texas”) and a new Arnold Palmer-signature Links golf
course, Cinnamon Shore (www.cinnamonshore.com) features 1,200 feet of beachfront on Mustang Island,
Texas, a Gulf Coast barrier island located 30 minutes from Corpus Christi. When complete, the community
will comprise approximately 250 homes and condominiums, a town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and
office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional grid of pedestrian-friendly streets
that interconnect the entire community.
###

(404) 432-6680

Renowned Florida Firm Selected to Design Interiors of Cinnamon Shore’s Keira Pool House
PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS; July 15, 2008– Tracery Interiors, located in Rosemary Beach, Fla., was
selected to design the interiors for the Keira Pool House at Cinnamon Shore, a new beachfront resort on
Mustang Island and the first master-planned New Urbanism development on Texas’s Coastal Bend. The
firm’s principal, Paige Sumblin Schnell, will be the lead designer.
Paige said, “Tracery is excited about the opportunity to work in the new community of Cinnamon
Shore, where the Keira Pool will be a hub of activity. We will create a beautiful and family friendly
environment that will be a place where owners and guests will come to relax and play.”
Tracery Interiors, and Paige herself, are well-known throughout Florida and the Southeast. Tracery
designed a Coastal Living “Idea House” last year, and also has been featured in the New York Times
Sunday Magazine, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Portico Magazine
and other notable publications.
“In addition to being an amazing designer with a flourishing business, Paige also happens to be the
wife of Mark Schnell, our Land Planner. We see this as kismet, since the pair will be able to work
together to ensure that the entire design for Cinnamon Shore is cohesive, from the grand scheme of the
placement of the amenities to the detailed design of them,” said Jeff Lamkin, CEO of Sea Oats Group,
Cinnamon Shore’s developer.
In business since 2003, Tracery Interiors was launched to offer clients true harmony in interior design
to match the quality of architectural design. As a result, Tracery has a unique approach to interiors. The
goal is to integrate every component of a home’s artistry, from architecture, woodworking and finishes
to well-appointed furnishings. To learn more, visit www.traceryinteriors.com.
Cinnamon Shore comprises 64 acres, including 1,200 feet of beachfront, on Mustang Island, Texas, a
Gulf Coast barrier island near Corpus Christi. When complete, the New Urbanism community will
feature approximately 250 homes and condominiums; a town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and
office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional grid of pedestrian-friendly
streets that interconnect the entire community. For more information, visit www.cinnamonshore.com.
###

(404) 432-6680

Presentation Brochure for Cinnamon Shore New Urbanism Development Wins PIAG Excellence Award
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; May 27, 2008 – The Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia (PIAG)
gave a 2008 Print Excellence Award to Cinnamon Shore, the first wholly master-planned New Urbanism
development on Texas’s Coastal Bend, for the community’s large format presentation brochure. The
accolade was given for the “Best of Category” which includes “booklets, large format, 32 pages or less.”
Jeff Lamkin, a native Texan and CEO of the Atlanta-based Sea Oats Group, the project’s developer, said,
“We are proud of this prestigious award. Our brochure is a stunning representation of my vision for a
pedestrian-friendly, seaside village comparable to those on the Florida Panhandle that my family and I
enjoyed for years. Short of viewing the scenic vistas at Cinnamon Shore in person, flipping through our
brochure is the best way to get a sense of the waterfront community that offers homes, shops and offices all
within walking distance of one another and all adjacent to several perfectly-placed parks, ponds,
playgrounds and other green spaces.”
Located in Port Aransas (“the fishing capital of Texas”) and adjacent to a new Arnold Palmer-signature
Links golf course, Cinnamon Shore features 1,200 feet of beachfront on Mustang Island, Texas, a Gulf
Coast barrier island located 30 minutes from Corpus Christi. The 64-acre, mixed-use community began
infrastructure construction in spring of 2007 and is currently undergoing Phase 2 construction due for
completion in 2010.
When complete, Cinnamon Shore will comprise approximately 250 homes and condominiums, a town
center with shops, restaurants, hotel and office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a
traditional grid of pedestrian-friendly streets that interconnect the entire community. For more information,
visit www.cinnamonshore.com.
The Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia is the voice of the printing and imaging industry,
advocating industry interests and offering members the resources they need to achieve business success. To
learn more, visit www.piag.org.
###

(404) 432-6680

New Urbanism Community of Cinnamon Shore Breaks Ground on Home Construction
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; April 26, 2007 – With infrastructure construction well underway at the
first master-planned New Urbanism development on Texas’s Coastal Bend, Cinnamon Shore’s exclusive
Builder’s Guild – Bart Braselton, Gregg Turicchi and Thaxton Kypke – broke ground this week on
home construction by pouring the foundation for the community’s first Braselton Homes' residence. In
the next two months, the three builders will complete several more homes on the 64-acre, mixed-use
property that combines diverse housing, work places, and retail and recreational amenities into one
walkable, beachfront resort community.
Residences will range from small cottages and condominiums to large custom homes. While each
home will vary in type and size, all will feature Cinnamon Shore’s signature Gulf Coast architectural
style, plus adhere to a strict design and building code that ensures quality, integral construction for the
community. As a New Urbanism development, housing also will be denser than in conventional
neighborhoods to encourage pedestrianism, social interaction and a sense of community among
residents.
“It is so exciting to see our plans for a true, traditional village community begin to take shape,” said
Jeff Lamkin, CEO of the Sea Oats Group, developer of Cinnamon Shore. “Like New Urbanism
communities along the Florida Panhandle, Cinnamon Shore will offer homebuyers an extraordinary
Gulf-front living opportunity – yet at much more affordable prices.”
According to Lamkin, lots at Cinnamon Shore start in the low $100,000’s; homes in the high
$300,000’s. Braselton’s family business Braselton Homes, Turicchi’s firm Keystone Company and T.
Kypke Builder, Inc., will construct the residences in two phases. By the end of the year, all 81 lots for
Phase I should be sold and about half of those should be under construction or complete.
course, Cinnamon Shore features 1,200 feet of beachfront on Mustang Island, Texas, a Gulf Coast barrier
island located 30 minutes from Corpus Christi. When complete, the community will comprise approximately
250 homes and condominiums, a town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and office space; numerous
parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional grid of pedestrian-friendly streets that interconnect the
entire community. For more information, visit www.cinnamonshore.com.
###

(404) 432-6680

Award-Winning Austin Architect Brings Innovative Design to Cinnamon Shore
PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS; April 5, 2007–Austin’s own Jay Corder, AIA, founder and principal
partner of the architectural firm Designhouse, serves as Village Architect of Cinnamon Shore, a new
beachfront resort on Mustang Island and the first master-planned New Urbanism development on
Texas’s Coastal Bend. Corder will design Cinnamon Shore’s key amenities, including a 16,000-squarefoot retail plaza for shops and restaurants, a flagship restaurant in the community’s Town Center, beach
boardwalks, pool-area facilities and a central observation tower that will provide panoramic views, as
well as be an icon for the community.
According to Corder, the amenity structures will showcase the Gulf Coast architectural vernacular he
created for all homes and buildings within the mixed-use property. “It’s a distinctive yet timeless style
that fits Cinnamon Shore’s New Urbanism concept and seaside setting,” he said. “Clean lines, simple
massing, attention to architectural details and colors that complement the coastal landscape are its
signature elements.” He added, “Phase I of the community is well underway, with completion scheduled
by 2008.”
“Jay and his staff bring over a decade of design, management and construction experience to our
project,” said Jeff Lamkin, CEO of Sea Oats Group, Cinnamon Shore’s developer. “As a Port Aransas
native, he has particular expertise in Gulf Coast architecture – giving our community a look and
personality all its own.”
Corder has designed a variety of residential and commercial buildings, including custom singlefamily homes, restaurants, concert venues, spas, golf course facilities, offices and swimming pools.
Some of his residences received the cover story of Tribeza Magazine (2006) and Custom Home
Magazine (2002), and were featured on Designing Texas, a syndicate television show. In 2002, his was
also the AIA Tour of Home’s Premier Home. Corder has won numerous awards, such as the AIA Honor
Award in 2002, and five Design Awards at the 2004 Parade of Homes, including: Most Innovative
Design, Best Floor Plan and Best Master Suite. For more information on Corder, visit www.designhousetx.net.
Cinnamon Shore comprises 64 acres, including 1,200 feet of beachfront, on Mustang Island, Texas, a
Gulf Coast barrier island near Corpus Christi. When complete, the New Urbanism community will
feature approximately 250 homes and condominiums; a town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and
office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional grid of pedestrian-friendly
streets that interconnect the entire community. For more information, visit www.cinnamonshore.com.
###

(404) 432-6680

New Urbanism Community of Cinnamon Shore Announces Four More Exclusive Homebuilders
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; Sept. 12, 2008 – Principals of Cinnamon Shore, the first master-planned New
Urbanism development on Texas’s Coastal Bend, announced today that Jodi Steen, Jerry Buckley, Steve McLaughlin
and Zach Turicchi have each signed a formal agreement to join the development’s exclusive Builder’s Guild. These
builders join prior Guild member Gregg Turicchi.
These four homebuilders will construct residences ranging from small beach cottages to large custom homes. While
each home will vary in type and size, all will feature Cinnamon Shore’s signature Gulf Coast architectural style, plus
adhere to a strict design and building code that ensures quality, integral construction for the community.
“These builders are renowned for their superior craftsmanship, attention to detail and experience in the nuances of coastal
construction,” said Jeff Lamkin, CEO of the Sea Oats Group, developer of Cinnamon Shore. “We are proud to have them on
our team and look forward to the unique talents they each bring.”
Steen, who learned to craft fine custom homes three decades ago from her father, owns Newport Custom Homes. Early in
her career, she established herself as a leader among Corpus Christi's finest custom builders. Her mission is to build energy
efficient and environmentally friendly homes that are a tailored expression of her clients’ dreams.
Premier Coastal Homes, Inc. is owned and operated by McLaughlin who started the company after a 20-year naval career.
He personally oversees every job and applies his keen attention to detail to every home. One client said of McLaughlin, “He
takes a tremendous amount of pride in his homes and always keeps our best interest in mind.”
Buckley, owner of Buckwild Builders Inc., began his work in the construction industry 37 years ago. In addition to
building custom homes, Buckley has built condominiums, townhomes and commercial projects. Over the past two years, he
completed The Moorings @ Mustang Island—a 21-home townhouse project. Superior craftsmanship and excellent client
communications are Buckley’s trademarks.
Keystone Company, the Turicchis’ firm, has been based in Port Aransas for 10 years and specializes in upper-end, custom
home construction. Keystone Company has been building Texas homes for 30 years, including award-winning projects on
Mustang Island in the Developments of Beachwalk 1 and 2. The Turicchis take a “hands on” approach and keep a keen eye
to detail in every crafted project.
Cinnamon Shore features 1,200 feet of beachfront on Mustang Island, Texas, a Gulf Coast barrier island located 30
minutes from Corpus Christi. When complete, the community will comprise approximately 250 homes and condominiums,
a town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional
grid of pedestrian-friendly streets that interconnect the entire community. For more information, visit
www.cinnamonshore.com.
###

(404) 432-6680

New Urbanism Finds Texas Coast, “Last Frontier”
With Cinnamon Shore Project on Mustang Island
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; Feb. 7, 2007 – Construction is now underway on Cinnamon Shore, the
first wholly master-planned New Urbanism development on Texas’s Coastal Bend. The mixed-use
community will occupy 64 acres and 1,200 feet of beachfront on Mustang Island, a Gulf coast barrier island
located 30 minutes from Corpus Christi and called “the last frontier” in affordable waterfront property.
“Cinnamon Shore is the result of years of research and planning,” said Jeff Lamkin, a native Texan and
CEO of the Atlanta-based Sea Oats Group, the project’s developer. “Now the state of Texas will have a
traditional beachfront community like Seaside, Rosemary Beach and others across the Florida Panhandle –
but with more affordable lots and homes.”
According to Lamkin, New Urbanism development represents a return to the close-knit, pedestrianfriendly neighborhoods of past generations, while incorporating modern-day conveniences. Design
characteristics include mixed land use, a distinctive architectural vernacular, diverse housing types,
walkability, minimal environmental impact, and public spaces or “realms” that provide neighborhood
connectivity.
“Market research indicates a real need for real communities that offer residents a sense of place and
belonging, and a better quality of life,” said Lamkin. “New Urbanism neighborhoods like Cinnamon Shore
are a response to that need.”
Lamkin said he chose Mustang Island because of its unspoiled and virtually undiscovered beaches,
accessibility and affordability. “This really is the ‘last frontier’ in coastal real estate,” he said. “Lot prices
here start at $150,000, which is a bargain among comparable offerings.”
Cinnamon Shore’s infrastructure is currently underway, with home construction starting this Spring.
When complete, the community will comprise approximately 250 homes and condominiums, a town center
with shops, restaurants, hotel and office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional
grid of pedestrian-friendly streets that interconnect the entire community. For more information, visit
www.cinnamonshore.com.
# ##

(404) 432-6680

Texas’s Cinnamon Shore New Urbanism Development Selects Realtor Advisory Board
MUSTANG ISLAND, TEXAS; March 28, 2008 – The developers of Cinnamon Shore, the first wholly
master-planned New Urbanism development on Texas’s Coastal Bend, has hand-selected a Realtor Advisory
Board to gain insight into Texas’s real estate trends and create ambassadors in the feeder markets of Austin,
Dallas, Houston, Port Aransas and San Antonio. The Board will meet in person as a group once yearly, at
Cinnamon Shore, and developers will travel the advisors’ offices to present to their real estate teams at least
once.
The Board, comprised of 16 of Texas’s top five percent of realtors, will meet for the first time on April 22
and 23, when developers fly everyone in on private jets to tour Cinnamon Shore and Port Aransas and meet
with Jeff Lamkin, CEO of Atlanta-based Sea Oats Group, the project’s developer. According to Lamkin,
“This is like a Board of Directors in that their only responsibility is to share their knowledge with us so that
we can make Cinnamon Shore the BEST development of its type in Texas.”
The inaugural Cinnamon Shore Realtor Advisory Board consists of: from Austin—Kathryn Scarborough
Bechtol of Turnquist Partners, Dawn Krantz of Owner-Exit Exceptional Properties, Drew Tate of Mary Nell
Garrison Realtors and Dee Shultz of Keller Williams Realty; from Dallas—Eleanor Mowery Sheets of
Eleanor Mowery Sheets & Associates, Nicky Sheets of Eleanor Mowery Sheets & Associates, Jennifer Miller
of Dave Perry-Miller & Associates and Ellen Terry of Ellen Terry Realtors c/o Ebby Halliday Realtors; from
Houston—Tim Surratt of Greenwood King Properties and Laura Sweeney of John Daugherty Realtors; from
Port Aransas—Becky Corder of Port Aransas Realty and Jana Snow of Mark Grosse Realty; and from San
Antonio—Bill Graves of Phyllis Browning Company, Wendi Harrelson of Keller Williams Realty, Ron
Bonner of Keller Williams Realty and Jean Gross of Realty Executives of San Antonio.
course, Cinnamon Shore features 1,200 feet of beachfront on Mustang Island, Texas, a Gulf Coast barrier
island located 30 minutes from Corpus Christi. When complete, the 64-acre, mixed-use community will
comprise approximately 250 homes and condominiums, a town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and
office space; numerous parks and recreational amenities; and a traditional grid of pedestrian-friendly streets
that interconnect the entire community. For more information, visit www.cinnamonshore.com.
###
Community Fact Sheet
Overview: Cinnamon Shore is a vibrant master-planned New Urbanism (or neo-traditional)
development on Texas’s Coastal Bend, combining diverse housing, work places, retail amenities,
parks and recreational facilities into one highly livable, walkable, seaside resort community.
Location: Mustang Island, a barrier island located off the Texas Gulf coast, 30 minutes from
Corpus Christi and 40 minutes from its international airport.
Development Type: Mixed-use, including single family homes, Town Center Residences
(condos); shops and restaurants
Size: 64 acres, including 1,200 feet of beachfront.
Product Offerings:
• 300 (approx.) single-family homes and condominiums.
• Retail shops and restaurants
Planned Features and Amenities:
• Direct access to Mustang Island’s beaches.
• Distinctive architecture in the unique Gulf coast vernacular.
• Diverse housing types/sizes, ranging from efficient live/work condos and small cottages to
large custom homes.
• Exclusive homebuilders’ guild and design code.
• Pedestrian-friendly, interconnecting street design, paver stone sidewalks throughout!
• Town Center with shops, restaurants, office space, artisan’s village, and a park for social
gatherings.
• Numerous parks and recreational facilities, including a full-acre lawn for outdoor events, “Tots
Lot” playground, fishing ponds, swimming pools, dune preserve and fitness center. Beach
access via two golf cart-accessible dune crossovers.
• Golfing 1 mile away at Arnold Palmer’s new links course, Newport Dunes.
• Vacation Rentals.
Price Range:
• Home sites – $130K-$700K+
• Condominiums – from the $200K’s
• Single-family homes (1500-5500 sq. ft.) – $400K’s-$2M
Development Team:
• Developer – Jeff Lamkin, Sea Oats Group; Atlanta, Georgia.
• Land Planner – Mark Schnell, LLC; Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
• Village Architect – Jay Corder, AIA; Designhouse; Austin, Texas.
• Engineering – Jim Urban, PE; Urban Engineering; Corpus Christi, Texas.
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Backgrounder
Cinnamon Shore began with the singular vision of Jeff Lamkin, a native Texan who sought to
create in his home state a traditional seaside village community like those he and his family had
enjoyed for years on the Florida Panhandle. After discovering a 1,200-foot stretch of untouched
beachfront on Mustang Island, Texas, he set to make his dream a reality.
Lamkin assembled a renowned team of experts in “New Urbanism” (or neo-traditional) design
and coastal construction, including: Mark Schnell, Cinnamon Shore’s land planner; Jay Corder,
the community’s lead architect; Jim Urban, infrastructure engineer; and Robert Gignac, landscape
designer. Together, their mission was to create a New Urbanism community that would provide
residents with the highest possible quality of life, while also preserving the integrity of the
landscape.
New Urbanism is a movement to reform real estate development to create more livable and
sustainable communities. Essentially, it is a reordering of the built environment into the form of
complete, compact and connected neighborhoods like those of past generations where families used
to live, work and play. These neighborhoods of yester-year had real character, with distinctive
homes and architecture, pedestrian-friendly streets, great parks and all of life’s everyday essentials
nearby. People knew their neighbors as friends, and had a true sense of place and belonging. And,
they enjoyed a better way of life.
New Urbanism developments build on that tradition, combining the timeless look, close-knit
charm and simple pleasures of yesterday’s neighborhoods with all of today’s comforts and
conveniences. They comprise diverse housing, work places, shops, entertainment, parks and
recreational amenities all within easy walking distance of each other. Pedestrian-friendly street
design and public spaces or “realms” provide neighborhood connectivity. Architecture is
distinctive yet classic, and complementary of the surrounding natural landscape. In addition, the
development has minimal impact on the environment.
The Florida Panhandle communities of Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Watercolor are all
examples of New Urbanism communities. Cinnamon Shore will be the first such community on
Texas’s Coastal Bend. It has been designed – from the ground up, and with meticulous attention to
every detail – to not only be a wonderful place, but also a wonderful place to live.
When complete, Cinnamon Shore will weave together beautiful homes, a vibrant Town Center,
peaceful parks and ponds, and numerous recreational facilities into one village community that’s in
complete harmony with its seaside setting. Unlike the cul-de-sac design of conventional
neighborhoods, Cinnamon Shore will feature a traditional grid of pedestrian-friendly streets that
connect the entire community. Rather than “cookie-cutter” residences, each block will showcase a
variety of distinctive home types – ranging from condos and cozy cottages to stately custom homes
and villas – yet all in the unique Gulf Coast architectural style that gives the community a charm
and personality all its own. Nearly all homes will have front porches that encourage neighborly
visits, and all will provide village, park, pond or Gulf views.
The heart of the village will be the Town Center, replete with shops, restaurants, hotel, office
space and gathering places. Numerous parks, walking trails, swimming pools and fishing ponds
will be within the community, as will amenities like a fitness facility, “Tots Lot” playground and
putting green. Beach walkovers and a dune-preserve park will protect the property’s majestic
dunes, and landscaping will complement and respect the coastal terrain. And everything in the
community will be just a short, picturesque stroll from every home.
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MUSTANG ISLAND
Facts & Figures
Mustang Island is a barrier island called “one of the best-kept secrets in Texas,” perhaps best
known for its unspoiled, expansive beaches that feature massive dunes cresting up to 30 feet.
Location: Just off the Texas Gulf coast, 30 minutes from Corpus Christi and 40 minutes from its
international airport. Surrounding waters include Corpus Christi Bay, Gulf of Mexico, Lydia Ann
Ship Channel, Corpus Christi Ship Channel and the recently opened Packard Channel.
Size: 18 miles long and roughly five miles wide (at widest point). Nearly half the island is
dedicated to a state park and wetland sanctuaries.
History: The first known inhabitants here were the Karankawa Indians, who occupied the island
until the 1850s. Spanish explorers came ashore in 1528, probably the first Europeans to meet the
tribe. The island’s name derives from the “mestanos” or Mustang horses brought by the
Spaniards, and which wildly roamed the island for centuries. Pirate brigades also sailed the
surrounding waters, including the infamous Jean Lafitte. Legend has it that Lafitte buried a
treasure chest somewhere on the island in the 1820s, still waiting to be discovered.
Cities: The only established town is Port Aransas, a historic fishing village that pre-dates the Civil
War. Occupying eight miles of the island’s northern tip, “Port A” is today a hub for coastal
activity, offering shops, restaurants, art galleries, marinas and community theatre as well as a small
airport.
Population: 3,370 (2000 Census).
Climate: Annual average temperature – 72° F; annual average rainfall – 32 inches.
Activities & Accolades:
• Beaches – Ranked among America’s top-ten beach getaways in 2006 by Outside magazine.
• Bird-watching – More than 500 species of birds home or migrate on Mustang Island, “The
Nest of Texas,” making it one of America’s top birding destinations.
• Fishing and boating – The island offers some of the country’s best bay and deep-sea fishing.
Port A, the “Fishing Capital of Texas,” hosts extensive marina facilities and numerous fishing
tournaments throughout the year.
• Golfing – an Arnold Palmer signature golf course will open to the public in late 2007.
• Mustang Island State Park – a 3,954-acre sanctuary for wildlife and nature lovers.
Key Events:
• Celebration of Whooping Cranes and Other Birds (February 23-25, 2007)
• Texas Sand Fest Sand Sculpture Competition (March 30-April 1, 2007)
• Powder Puff Fishing Tournament (June 16, 2007)
• Deep Sea Fishing Round-Up (July 5-8, 2007)
• Harvest Moon Regatta (October 25-27, 2007)
• Old Town Festival (November 25, 2007)
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