Village Park Proposed For Fairhope

A large parcel of land just outside of Downtown Fairhope was sold to 181-Fairhope Avenue 2023, LLC, a subsidiary of 68 Ventures, in December 2023, for $7.5 million. It envisions a village-style mixed-use development combining commercial, residential and greenspace called Village Park, Gulf Coast Media reports. The 76 acres sit between Fairhope Avenue and Gayfer Road Extension and Highway 181. Investors in the project include U.S. Sen. Katie Britt. The proposed development “is designed to have a village feel with a 1-acre event lawn with a band shell and central business district with shops and restaurants and a four-story hotel with short-term stay residences. Along with tree-lined sidewalks, trails and amenities, the village will include two large ponds,” wrote Gulf Coast Media. It will have a density of nearly 700 dwelling units made up of 94 townhouse lots, 62 cottage lots and 272 multifamily rentals in standalone buildings and above commercial spaces in the mixed-use area. One section was presented as an “active adult multifamily” area with 134 apartments and 17 cottages geared toward residents aged 55 and older. Half of the overall dwelling units will be rentals, and half will be for-sale properties built in phases. There was no date given on when Park Village would officially come before the Fairhope Planning Commission.