Demand for nudist housing creates new sales pitch
The large concentration of nudists in Pasco County may be having an effect on the housing market in nearby Tampa. The massive growth in demand for nudist housing in the area has spilled over the county line.
Real Estate experts say the nudist housing market is stronger than ever and the demand far outstrips the supply of available clohing optional housing areas. Here is the full article on the new sales gimmick as reported in the Tampa Tribune.
Condo Company Plans Clothing-Optional Pool
By KEITH MORELLI
The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 18, 2008TOWN ‘N COUNTRY - Swimmers will have the option of wearing nothing at all at the Arbors at Branch Creek, a complex of 390 homes that landed on the idea to help move units in a down market.
One pool is being set aside for nude swimmers, sunbathers and hot-tub users, said Christine Pirkle, director of sales with Eden condominiums, the project’s developer.
It will be several months before the nudity rules are put in place, Pirkle said. Landscaping is needed to keep out prying eyes, for one thing, plus condo owners must approve. But there are few owners among all the renters; developers hold a number of units.
Eden purchased the property three years ago with a condo conversion plan in mind. It encompasses 76 acres, half of it undisturbed wetlands, on West Hillsborough Avenue between Race Track and Sheldon roads.
Then, said Pirkle, “The market went in the toilet and nothing was selling.”
Eden came up with a new strategy, “to set us apart from the thousands of other condos out there,” she said. “We have two fabulous swimming pools here. We are taking one of them, building cabanas and lush landscapes, and completely privatizing it and it will be clothing optional.”
A legal search revealed that Eden has the right to make the change, Pirkle said, as long as no one in the pool strolls out naked into the parking lot.
“We do have public nudity laws that we have to comply with,” she said. “We will make sure our people don’t violate that. If somebody tries that, we will be the first ones to call the cops.”
No one younger than 18 will be allowed in the pool area, she said.
Rumors spread that the whole complex was going clothing optional, sparked by a provocative posting under Lifestyle in the developer’s online promotional material:
“You’re going to be very comfortable with our dress code,” it says. “Our residents are welcome to shed more than their inhibitions as they enter the gates of Eden. Because when our residents come home after a busy day in the working world, they want to completely unburden themselves, shed the trappings of the outside world … and be totally free.”
That’s not true, Pirkle said, and the language is being tweaked.
Some residents of the complex were unaware of the plans.
“I think that’s something they should probably … let us know,” said Justin Gralnick.
Resident Leslie Hill agreed.
“Every morning, this is where the school bus picks up 10 or 15 kids,” she said. “They are going to have a European-style, clothing optional pool. No, that’s not appropriate for the family lifestyle that lives here.”
Hill will be moving.
David Reese, president of the Countryway Homeowners Association, which represents residents of the nearest subdivision, also was unaware of the plans.
“My personal position,” Reese said, “is that there are some things people do on their property they should be allowed to do and we should not really infringe on it.”
That view would change if property values fall or crime rises.
“I don’t know if this will lower property values here,” he said, “and it’s not like a business that brings in crime. I don’t know if we really have a right to tell them what they can do on their own property.”
WFLA News Channel 8 reporter Jeff Patterson contributed to this report. Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.
