DD Partners, LLC of Birmingham, Alabama, and Marietta, Georgia, Peachtree Group of Atlanta and Woodbine Development Corporation of Dallas celebrated the topping out of Embassy Suites Gulf Shores, a full-service resort overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and its renowned white sand beaches – located in Alabama’s No. 1 tourism destination, the City of Gulf Shores.
The topping out ceremony represents a significant milestone with the placement of the final steel beam, signifying the structural completion of the project.
“Today’s topping out serves to celebrate our contractors and construction teams for their efforts to bring this resort to life,” said King Scovell, managing partner and chief development officer at Woodbine. “Since the groundbreaking, these crews have shown up day after day to construct the vision that was cast years ago. We are thankful for their efforts, and we look forward to this being a destination for people to enjoy.”
Embassy Suites Gulf Shores is a joint venture among the three firms. DD Partners and Woodbine are leading development and asset management efforts, and Peachtree will manage operations for the resort upon completion in summer 2025. The architect of record for the project is PFVS, and the contractor is Robins & Morton.
The eight-story property will have 257 all-suite beachfront guestrooms; a lobby bar and restaurant; a rooftop amenity terrace inclusive of a bar and grille, pool deck and an outdoor entertainment venue; and 13,620 square feet of enclosed meeting and pre-function space, including a 7,800-square-foot ballroom. The resort will also have a three-story parking garage and 7,618 square feet of leasable retail space that will include a Starbucks.
“We are thankful for all the people who have come together to make this project happen, including the folks at the City of Gulf Shores, our partners at Woodbine and Peachtree, and the local community – but especially the crews whose skills, strength and dedication have built the bones of this resort. Today, we celebrate their hard work and what lies ahead for this incredible destination,” said Ron Durham, co-founder of DD Partners, a joint venture he formed with Ron Day.
Durham and Day have strong backgrounds in commercial real estate development in the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast, and they joined forces with Woodbine and Peachtree to pursue the Embassy Suites Gulf Shores opportunity. The team’s collective track record in hospitality and development – as well as DD Partners’ strong relationship with the City of Gulf Shores – resulted in the group closing on the project and beginning construction after many years of pursuit.
“The topping out of Embassy Suites is a testament to what can be achieved through vision and partnership,” said Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft. “This transformative project is exactly what we envisioned for our beach area when we adopted Vision 2025. The hotel’s high-end amenities and substantial conference space will bolster our shoulder seasons, support local businesses year-round and serve as a catalyst for even more quality redevelopment in Gulf Shores,” said Craft.
Peachtree Group’s CEO and Managing Principal Greg Friedman said, “The next milestone, the opening of our Embassy Suites Gulf Shores, the area’s newest full-service resort, will be more than just a grand opening – it will be a game-changer for this local economy. This stunning property will not only attract visitors but will also inject new spending into the community, creating jobs and supporting local businesses. The economic impact will ripple through the city and region, benefiting everyone from the workforce to public services. In Gulf Shores, tourism isn’t just about being a top destination – it’s about fueling economic growth and creating lasting opportunities for our communities.”
While it boasts plenty of its own amenities, Embassy Suites Gulf Shores will offer guests a great deal of options within the area. The property is situated footsteps from the beach as well as the Hangout Music Festival, National Shrimp Festival and NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships. It is also located adjacent to the city’s $15 million beachfront revitalization project, which was completed in 2018 as part of a master plan to enhance the area. Other nearby attractions include Gulf State Park, the Wharf at Orange Beach, Tanger Outlets, more than a dozen championship golf courses and easy access to the sports complexes in Foley.
