Southern Living Idea House open for tours this summer

The Southern Living Idea house is nestled behind the dunes in the Cinnamon Shore new urban development on the southern edge of Port Aransas off State Hwy. 361. There's something new to do this summer in Port Aransas: Tour one of only two Idea Houses sponsored by Southern Living magazine. Southern Living's other Idea House is in Georgia.

The Port Aransas Idea House is in the Cinnamon Shore development in Port Aransas.

Built by Keystone Company of Port Aransas, the home will be the subject of a short feature in the June edition of Southern Living. A 30- page feature on both the Port Aransas and Georgia Idea Houses will appear in the magazine's August issue when an online feature will also be posted on the magazine's Web site.

Tours of the home will be offered beginning June 6, with $2 of the $5 admission price going to the Port Aransas Education Foundation. Volunteers for the organization, which raises private money to fund programs, activities and equipment for Port Aransas Independent School District teachers and students, will lead the tours through Sept. 27.

Estimates by the magazine are that some 12 million people will see the house either in the magazine, in person or online.

Derick Belden, executive editor of Southern Living Homes and Gardens, said among reasons Cinnamon Shore was chosen for the Idea House was because its editors recognize and appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of Port Aransas, the beach and the Cinnamon Shore project.

Cinnamon Shore, near the southern city limits of Port Aransas off State Hwy. 361, is a master-planned New Urbanism development. Jeff Lamkin, CEO of Sea Oats Group, is the developer.

New Urbanism refers to neighborhoods designed to reduce traffic and sprawl, with residential, business and recreational points within walking distance.

A 64-acre mixed-use community, Cinnamon Shore, upon completion, will include about 300 homes and condominiums, a town center with shops, restaurants, hotel and office space, parks and recreational amenities, and pedestrian-friendly streets that interconnect the entire community.

About the house • Views of the Gulf of Mexico from all floors - located 300 feet from the beach • Accommodates several families, sleeping up to 16 people • 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths plus loft. Approximately 3,700 sq ft. • Wood walls, ceilings and floors • 2 master suites; all bedrooms with a private bath • 3rd story loft area with built-in bunks open to a game room • Multistory ceiling in the family room open to kitchen for family living • Multiple porches with Gulf views • 2 outdoor fireplaces in the courtyard and on screened porch • Separate canoe house with guest quarters above • Viking appliances throughout

Southern Living Idea House Tours

June 6 - Sept. 27 11 a.m - 5 p.m. Wednesday - Saturday 2 - 5 p.m. Sunday Closed Monday and Tuesday Admission $5 A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Port Aransas Education Foundation