The much-anticipated Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach at The Wharf has officially broken ground—and it’s bringing a whole new level of tropical chill to Orange Beach! Sitting on over 80 acres along the shores of the Intra-Coastal Waterway, this resort destination will mix Margaritaville’s laid-back island lifestyle with the vibrant entertainment, shopping and dining offered at The Wharf.
The groundbreaking celebration took place in early May at the waterfront site. Leading the ceremonial “first dig” was Art Favre—the man behind The Wharf and founder of Performance Contractors. He was joined by John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings, who helped bring the signature beach lifestyle brand into this new adventure on Alabama’s Beaches.
“This project represents a new chapter for Orange Beach,” said Favre. “By bringing together a Margaritaville resort and The Wharf, we are creating a destination that amplifies the appeal of both properties and elevates the entire Orange Beach experience.”
Cohlan added, “Given Jimmy Buffett’s long-standing connection to the area, this iconic project is especially meaningful to everyone in Margaritaville.”
Once open, the property will feature over 400 residences—including luxury waterfront condos, resort cottages, bungalows and villas. It will also feature 43 deep-water boat slips, a six-acre water recreation area with a lazy river, swim-up bar, adult serenity pool and waterslides, tons of places to eat, drink and relax, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a family-friendly arcade, kids’ camp, meeting and event spaces, and more!
Located at the heart of the resort is the Waterfront District which will include multiple food and beverage destinations, activities for guests of all ages, resort retail, group meeting space, and transient boat parking. And don’t worry about a car—the resort will have a private ferry that will whisk guests back and forth between the resort and The Wharf. Guests will be able to board the ferry to head to The Wharf to enjoy a concert at the amphitheater, shop, eat, ride the Ferris Wheel or take in the nightly laser light show along Main Street. A short three-minute walk from the Waterfront District is the sprawling six-acre amenity oasis deck with pool, waterslide complex, activity area and poolside entertainment.
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon summed it up perfectly: "This development represents more than just a resort, it's a significant investment in the future of Orange Beach's tourism and economy,"
When it’s all said and done, the resort will host over 2,000 guests and offer optional rental management for that “no worries” lifestyle. The first phase of the resort opening is currently set for 2027, with the full resort planned to be complete by spring of 2029.
So whether you're a long-time Parrothead or just someone who loves the idea of cold drinks, warm sun, and easy living—Margaritaville Orange Beach is about to become your new favorite escape. For more information or to be the first to learn about future ownership opportunities, visit www.ownmargaritavilleresortorangebeach.com.
About Margaritaville
Margaritaville, a state of mind since 1977, is a global lifestyle brand inspired by Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation.
Margaritaville features over 40 lodging locations and over 20 additional projects in the pipeline positioned across a variety of full-service and boutique hotel and resort brands, branded real estate, premium RV destinations, and gaming properties, all complemented by an extensive suite of food and beverage concepts, including Margaritaville Restaurant, award-winning JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, and LandShark Bar & Grill. Hotel brands include Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts, Compass by Margaritaville, Margaritaville Beach House, Margaritaville St. Somewhere, and the all-inclusive product, Margaritaville Island Reserve. Further elevating experiences, Margaritaville's branded real estate includes Latitude Margaritaville, "55 and better" active adult brand; Margaritaville Cottages, Villas and Residences; One Particular Harbour by Margaritaville; and Margaritaville Vacation Club.
The newest brand additions to Margaritaville's properties includes the rapidly growing Camp Margaritaville and Margaritaville at Sea, which recently debuted a second ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Additionally, consumers can escape every day through a collection of lifestyle products including apparel, footwear, frozen concoction makers, home décor, a SiriusXM radio station, a podcast and more.
More than 20 million travelers and consumers every year change their latitude and attitude with Margaritaville. For more information, visit www.margaritaville.com and follow Margaritaville on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About The Wharf
Located in beautiful Orange Beach, Ala., The Wharf is an official entertainment district with hundreds of family friendly events throughout the year. Enjoy shopping, drinks, and dining at 60+ unique stores, bars, and restaurants. Stay onsite at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel or Levin’s Bend Condominium, catch a movie at the 15-screen AMC Theatre, experience a trip around one of the Southeast’s largest Ferris wheels, take a train ride down Main Street, explore all that nature has to offer on a boating excursion, or catch a nightly SPECTRA Laser Light Experience show—the options are endless. The 10,000-seat Wharf Amphitheater hosts a variety of well-known entertainers, and The Wharf Marina is home to some of the largest in-water boat shows and saltwater fishing tournaments on the Gulf. Life happens here. Let yours be a part of it. For more information or to book a reservation, visit alwharf.com.