Idea House tours to wrap up

The Idea House Tours of the Idea House sponsored by

Southern Living magazine will be open to the public for less than two weeks, ending on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Located in the Cinnamon Shore residential development, it is one of two Idea Houses built for the magazine this year. The other is in Georgia.

Admission for tours is $5 per person, $2 of which will go 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, lead the tours.

The house is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Built by Keystone Company of Port Aransas, the home was the subject of a 30-page feature in the magazine’s August issue.

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.

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 • Multi-story 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