ORANGE BEACH — Between thunderstorms and rain showers, The Wharf hosted an official groundbreaking on June 16 to celebrate its coming expansion.

Portside on Main, the new development, will consist of over 33,000 square feet of retail, office and entertainment space with an additional 26,000 square feet of open green space, including an outdoor stage.

The event included comments from Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennen, The Wharf's owner, Art Favre, general manager, Jason Clabo.

“The Wharf has seen a consistent 95-99% occupancy rate over the last five years. Couple that with Baldwin County being the fastest growing county in the state, this expansion fits nicely at this time into the overall plan for the property,” Favre said. "Our vision for this space is to bring the same family friendly environment that we are already known for and add an outdoor gathering space for additional events and concerts with a stage and lawn.”

The expansion, which has been in the development stages for the last two years, is expected to be completed in summer 2024 with a second phase of the project being planned for the corner of Main Street and Canal Road.

It was announced in May that Culver's, a fast food chain that serves burgers, would join the expansion, and according to The Wharf there will also be a brewery on the first floor and office suites coming to the second floor ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet.

According to a Gulf Coast Media article from August 2022, The Wharf announced the purchase of property known as the Bama Bayou on the north side of the Intracoastal Waterway.

It was announced at the event that there will be progress soon on that property, which will be rebranded as The Wharf Landing, as the existing buildings continue to be demolished.