What Is Lagoon Tower Like?

Lagoon Tower is a 19-story, low-density condominium development with approximately 32 residences. It was built around 2005 and stands apart because most residential floors contain only two condominiums.

That design gives the building a noticeably different character from many larger Gulf Shores vacation properties. Instead of stepping out of the elevator into a long corridor lined with doors, owners generally share their floor with only one neighboring residence.

Elevator access is controlled, and many residences enjoy a private or semi-private arrival experience. Lagoon Tower still offers resort-style amenities and rental flexibility, but its low unit count creates a more intimate, residential atmosphere.

Where Is Lagoon Tower Located?

Lagoon Tower is located on the western portion of West Beach Boulevard, approximately three miles west of the intersection of Highway 59 and Beach Boulevard.

I appreciate this part of Gulf Shores because it offers a sense of separation from the activity near the center of town while remaining convenient to restaurants, shopping, entertainment and everyday services.

For many buyers, Lagoon Tower offers that desirable balance. You can enjoy dinner, shopping and entertainment in Gulf Shores and then return to a quieter setting overlooking Little Lagoon.

The building is on the north side of West Beach Boulevard, directly beside the lagoon. The Gulf is across the two-lane road, where owners have access to a privately deeded and gated beach parcel.

Lagoon Tower is therefore best described as lagoon-front with deeded Gulf beach access, rather than as a building constructed directly on the Gulf-front sand.

What Are the Condominiums Like Inside?

The standard Lagoon Tower residence is unusually spacious for a Gulf Shores condominium. The predominant floor plan offers three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and approximately 1,800 to 1,860 square feet.

Features commonly associated with these residences include:

• Open living and dining areas
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• High ceilings
• Large or wraparound balconies
• Wet bars and ice makers
• Granite countertops
• Stainless steel appliances
• Split-bedroom arrangements
• Spacious primary suites
• Double vanities and separate showers
• Walk-in closets
• Interior storage
• Laundry or utility areas
• Private or semi-private elevator entry

The floor-to-ceiling glass is one of Lagoon Tower’s defining architectural features. In many residences, the view is not confined to the living room. Water and sky become part of the experience throughout the condominium.

The three-bedroom, three-bath configuration is also practical. Each bedroom having convenient access to a full bathroom provides privacy for owners, visiting guests and vacation renters.

The larger floor plans may work especially well for buyers who want to spend several weeks or months at the coast. There is room to unpack, entertain, work remotely and enjoy everyday life without feeling as though you are living in a compact vacation suite.

What Are the Lagoon Tower Penthouses Like?

The Lagoon Tower penthouses offer an entirely different scale of ownership. These residences contain approximately 3,700 square feet and may be configured with four or five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.

Each penthouse occupies an entire residential floor, creating an impressive level of privacy.

• Private, key-controlled elevator access
• An entire residential floor
• Multiple oversized balconies
• Gulf and Little Lagoon views
• Distant coastal and bay views
• Expansive entertaining areas
• Chef-style kitchens
• Walk-in pantries
• Wet bars, ice makers and wine coolers
• Generous primary suites
• Substantial closet and storage space

They may appeal to someone who wants the space and privacy of a detached home without assuming every exterior maintenance responsibility that accompanies a waterfront residence.

How Is Lagoon Tower Constructed?

Lagoon Tower is understood to incorporate:

• Poured-in-place reinforced concrete
• Concrete-block components
• Pilings
• Slab and pier construction
• Stucco, glass and concrete-board exterior finishes

Together, these elements indicate a substantial reinforced-concrete coastal tower supported by a piling or pier foundation system.

Lagoon Tower should not automatically be described as a conventional structural-steel building. Reinforced concrete generally incorporates steel reinforcement within the concrete, but that differs from a freestanding structural-steel frame.

In my opinion, the reinforced-concrete construction, piling foundation and low-density design are attractive physical characteristics. Construction type alone, however, does not tell us everything about the present condition of a coastal building.

I encourage buyers to investigate:

• Structural and engineering inspections
• Concrete-restoration history
• Exterior waterproofing
• Balcony and railing inspections
• Roof age and maintenance
• Window and sliding-door specifications
• History of storm damage or water intrusion
• Elevator maintenance and modernization
• Fire-protection systems
• Reserve funding
• Proposed capital projects
• Association insurance and deductibles

What Amenities Does Lagoon Tower Offer?

• Lagoon-side outdoor swimming pool
• Heated indoor swimming pool
• Spa or hot tub
• Fitness room
• Outdoor grilling area
• Outdoor shower
• Fishing pier
• Pier house or waterfront sitting area
• Fish-cleaning station
• First-come, first-served boat slips
• Common lobby and covered entrance
• Controlled elevator access
• Deeded and gated Gulf beach access
• Outdoor pet area
• Storage associated with certain residences

The indoor pool is a particularly nice feature for owners who enjoy Gulf Shores throughout the year. It provides another option during cooler weather, rainy days and the peaceful off-season months.

Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed at Lagoon Tower?

Short-term rentals are generally permitted at Lagoon Tower, with a reported minimum rental period of approximately three nights. Because condominium rules can be amended, the current rental policy should always be confirmed through the association’s governing documents.

The generous floor plans and three full bathrooms may make Lagoon Tower attractive to larger vacation groups. Rental performance, however, will depend on the individual condominium’s floor level, views, furnishings, condition, photography, availability, pricing and management.

Are Pets Allowed at Lagoon Tower?

Pets are generally permitted subject to association limitations, and the property includes an outdoor pet area.

Buyers should confirm:

• The maximum number of pets
• Weight limits
• Breed restrictions
• Whether rental guests may bring pets
• Pet-registration requirements
• Applicable fees
• Leash and common-area rules

If bringing a pet is essential to your decision, the current written policy should be reviewed during the buyer’s due-diligence period.

How Much Are the Lagoon Tower HOA Dues?

Approximate monthly condominium dues may be:

• Approximately $1,200 per month for a standard three-bedroom residence
• Approximately $2,400 per month for a penthouse residence

Fees can change, and buyers should request a current association statement before relying on a specific amount.

Depending on the current budget, dues may cover:

• Association management
• Common-area maintenance
• Common-area insurance
• Cable and internet
• Water and sewer
• Trash and pest control
• Custodial services
• Security
• Pools and recreational facilities
• Common-area taxes
• Reserve-fund contributions

The amount of the dues matters, but adequate insurance, maintenance and reserve funding may matter even more. Dues that initially appear low can become less attractive if owners repeatedly face unexpected special assessments.

Are There Special Assessments?

Current and pending special assessments should be confirmed directly through the condominium association.

The most useful documents to review include:

• Current annual budget
• Year-to-date financial statements
• Reserve-fund balance
• Reserve study, if available
• Board and owner meeting minutes
• Current or proposed assessment disclosures
• Schedule of capital improvements
• Structural and engineering reports
• Association insurance policies
• Claims and litigation disclosures
• Written confirmation of the individual unit’s account status

Meeting minutes can be especially valuable because they may reveal discussions about elevators, balconies, docks, waterproofing, concrete work or insurance before a project becomes a formal assessment.

What Should Buyers Know About Insurance?

The condominium association maintains insurance for certain common elements, but owners generally need individual condominium coverage for interiors, contents, personal liability, loss assessment and other personal responsibilities.

Important questions include:

• What does the association’s master policy cover?
• Are windows and exterior doors the responsibility of the owner or association?
• What are the wind and named-storm deductibles?
• How is flood insurance handled?
• How much HO-6 coverage is recommended?
• How much loss-assessment coverage should an owner carry?
• Does rental activity require a different policy?
• Have previous claims affected the building or residence?

Insurance is one of the most important parts of coastal condominium due diligence. I prefer to address it early rather than waiting until a few days before closing.

What Are the Advantages of Lagoon Tower?

Is Lagoon Tower Right for You?

Lagoon Tower may be a particularly good fit if you are asking:

• Do I want more privacy than a large resort tower provides?
• Would I enjoy having only one neighboring residence on my floor?
• Do I need three full bathrooms?
• Do I want enough space for extended stays?
• Would I use Little Lagoon for boating or fishing?
• Is deeded beach access across the street acceptable to me?
• Do I want short-term rental flexibility?
• Would I prefer the quieter western portion of Gulf Shores?
• Have I budgeted comfortably for HOA dues?
• Am I prepared to review the association’s insurance, reserves and maintenance history?

Lagoon Tower will not be the right choice for everyone. A buyer who insists on walking directly from the building onto Gulf-front sand may prefer another development. A buyer who values space, privacy, Little Lagoon access and a quieter setting may see Lagoon Tower very differently.

That is why I enjoy helping buyers look beyond photographs and amenity lists. The goal is not simply to find a beautiful condominium. It is to identify the building that genuinely complements the way you want to live, vacation and invest on the Gulf Coast.

My Personal Impression of Lagoon Tower

What I appreciate most about Lagoon Tower is that it has a distinct identity. It does not feel interchangeable with every other condominium along the beach.

The architecture is vertical and dramatic, but the limited number of residences keeps the experience intimate. The floor plans are spacious enough to feel like homes. Little Lagoon creates a sense of calm, while the Gulf remains only a short walk away.

There is something especially appealing—and wonderfully Southern—about slowing down and enjoying both sides of the water: coffee overlooking Little Lagoon in the morning, a leisurely afternoon on the beach and a glowing sunset from the balcony before dinner.

If you are considering Lagoon Tower, I would be delighted to help you compare available residences, study recent sales, discuss rental possibilities and gather the condominium documents necessary for thoughtful due diligence.

I believe buyers deserve more than a list of bedrooms, bathrooms and amenities. They deserve honest guidance about how a building lives, which questions to ask and whether the property truly aligns with their coastal goals.