Admiralty Point’s rocky beachfront will be replaced by a 640ft seawall this summer
By Pam Nicholls, GSAC Board Member
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Following significant property and infrastructure damage caused by Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton, Admiralty Point’s Board of Directors have been taking action to enhance the community’s resilience against future high-water events. Last year they implemented several protective measures, including the deployment of giant trap bags and the installation of flood panels, to harden the property.
However, the most ambitious initiative undertaken to date is the planned installation of a 640-foot seawall along the beachfront of its 10-acre property. The 144-unit condo association, bordered by Moorings Bay to the east and Doctor’s Pass to the south, saw the $1m plus seawall project approved by owners in February, marking a significant step forward in long-term coastal protection.
Unlike many other buildings along the Gulf, Admiralty Point was originally constructed without a seawall on its beachfront. Instead, a barrier of boulders, which over time became covered by sand and vegetation, served to hold the land together. The true state of the rip rap was only revealed when Hurricane Milton’s surge scoured the beach. Despite the need for restoration, regulatory bodies—including the State, County, City, and the Department of Environmental Protection—would not permit Admiralty Point to simply rebuild its existing coastal earthworks.
Seeking a viable and permittable solution, Admiralty Point collaborated with neighboring properties, The Shores and The Billows, both of which had also sustained irreversible seawall damage. Together, they engaged the expertise of coastal engineering firm Humiston & Moore. After months of analysis, discussions, and navigating the permitting process, all three properties successfully obtained the necessary permits at the end of January.
Earth Tech, a coastal construction specialist frequently employed by both City and County authorities, was selected as the contractor for the project. Construction is scheduled to commence in April, with an anticipated duration of four months, provided there are no unforeseen complications or adverse weather events.
A component of the overall project will be the construction of stairs at the base of the public beach access walkway that runs along Admiralty Point’s northern property line.
