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JOHN McCABEWatching Destin Growby Karen MacGroganCoping with the “endless rigamarole” of the development business is what Destin developer John McCabe enjoys. He doesn’t play golf or tennis or have any real hobbies, he says.“I’m too busy. This is all we do and what we like to do.”Since 1977, when he came to Destin to build the Beach House with Wayne Dawson, McCabe has produced the Grand Mariner, Sunchase, Sea Shadows and the new townhomes at Mossy Cove.*mi.■JPvv - ■ ,v/1lt;y% *.MrJohn McCabeHe is currently doing the Destin Beach Club and is a partner in a Gulf Breeze project called Bay Bridge. McCabe is also an organizer of the Destin Savings and Loan.“We re in business to stay,” he said. “We love this area and our ambition is to continue to develop here. Our present intention is to diversify, and we have purchased property in Tallahassee to develop this year.’’While Worldwide Designs does most of McCabe’s architectural work, he says “We all contribute to the design.” Gulf front condominiums tend to have the same basic design, he said, except the unique and elaborate Edgewater Beach.“I’m proud of Edgewater,” McCabe said. “It adds sophistication to our area.”Just what is a developer?“A developer is the person inspired to do a project,’’ McCabe said. “He assembles and coordinates the many people required to do it, the professional people, technicians, sales personnel, financial assistance and so on.”A few minutes in his office,once the McCabe residence on Indian Bayou Drive, reveals that a lot of a developers work is on the phone and at meetings. His “right handy secretary Joanne White „reminds him that floor plans are on the way for his perusal. Roof tile samples are stacked against the wall, for materials selection is another of his responsibilities. Desks and tables and a huge chart table are piled high with paperwork for his attention.McCabe says he is not a “big” developer, or a “little” one, but medium-sized. His dad, John McCabe Sr., is a retired architect who works with him. His mom sells real estate here. His brother Sam is the superintendent on the Destin Beach Club. His bookkeeper is Nan Franklin, another invaluable member of his small staff.Originally from northern Alabama, McCabe went to school in Ohio, where he met his wife, Beth. He went to the University of Miami, earn-continued on Page 2D
Newspaper Details
Destin Log
Destin, Florida, US
Sat, Apr 14, 1984
Page 35
Full Page
Clipped by
Daniel M.
USA 05 Feb 2023
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