A PLACE TO HANG YOUR HAT

Three years ago, developer Eden purchased the Arbors at Branch Creek in Tampa to sell conventional condos. Then the market slowed. Now Eden has a new and naked marketing strategy – “We have two fabulous swimming pools here. We are taking one of them, building cabanas and lush landscapes, and completely privatizing it,” says Christine Pirkle, Eden’s director of sales. “It will be clothing optional. The promotional literature is more provocative: “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.” Developers hold most of the units and the change is legal, Pirkle says. “We do have public nudity laws that we have to comply with. We will make sure our people don’t violate that.”

Source: Tampa Tribune, Keith Morelli (06/18/08)
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