A new restaurant concept is on its way to Destin harbor.
“From the water, its three levels, but from the street you’ll be looking at two levels because of the slope,” said Joe Dougherty of Dougherty Architecture. “It will really stand out from what’s on the harbor now.”
The project, which is currently labeled under the title Johnny O’Quigley’s Ale House & Marina, would be located at 172 Harbor Boulevard at the old Tipsy Turtle property next to Galati Yacht sales. According to records from the city, the three-story restaurant would total 8,876 square feet and include a two-slip marina.
Sitting down with The Log, Dougherty said the project, which may still be called Tail Fins, would feature three separate venues, each with its own character. There would be a walk-up bar and seating area along the docks, a more family-style eatery on the second floor and a live concert venue on the restaurant’s third floor.
Johnny Fuller, who previously operated the O'Quigley's restaurant off of Crystal Beach Drive, is the backer behind the project. He has declined interviews related to the property.
The parcel was purchased by Dixie Lady LLC in February for $2.8 million. Ashley Rogers and the Carol J. Moody revocable life trust are listed as affiliated parties of Dixie Lady LLC, according to records from the Florida State Division of Corporations website.
Dougherty said construction on the restaurant would take about 10 months to complete and developers would ideally like the new eatery to be open by spring/summer of 2015.
“It’s really coming along,” he told The Log. “Site work should begin this month.”