Where Water Meets Momentum

How New Infrastructure Is Elevating the Coastal Alabama Market in 2026

By late winter on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the shift is subtle but unmistakable. February days in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Ono Island are cool and clear, with a salt-edged breeze moving across the Intracoastal and the Gulf. By March, afternoons stretch a little longer, boat traffic picks up, and you can feel both the season and the real estate market leaning into a new chapter.

Nowhere is that more evident than in Gulf Shores’ Waterway Village district. The new pedestrian bridge rising over the Intracoastal is more than a structure; it is the backbone of a walkable, connected waterfront that functions as a true downtown. When complete, it will link the north and south sides of Waterway Village and anchor new pedestrian plazas designed for shade, rest, and gathering.

Thoughtful infrastructure on the Gulf Coast acts like a rising tide, quietly lifting the streets, homes, and districts it touches.

For nearby properties, that matters. Homes within an easy stroll or bike ride of Waterway Village are drawing increased attention from buyers who want restaurants, boutiques, and marina views close at hand without sacrificing a peaceful residential setting. Investors are watching, too, knowing that walkability and civic investment often correlate with long-term value.

Just up the road, Gulf Shores International Airport is becoming another key driver of demand. Allegiant’s commercial service and a planned terminal expansion with improved gate space, baggage claim, and curbside access will shorten the perceived distance between Alabama’s beaches and major feeder markets. When travel becomes easier, owning a second home or weekend retreat feels more attainable.

In Orange Beach, the construction rhythm continues with fortified new homes and refined residential projects near both the Gulf and the Intracoastal. Buyers who once focused only on established properties are increasingly drawn to new construction for its structural strength, energy efficiency, and modern design.

Across the bridge on Ono Island, custom homes respond to both waterfront and interior settings. There are no towers here—only single-family residences ranging from canal and bayfront homes with docks to quiet interior, wooded lots a short ride from the private boat launch. With controlled access, private waterways, and limited shoreline, Ono Island remains an irreplaceable enclave where value is tied to both location and a protected lifestyle.

Taken together, these threads—the bridge and plazas, a maturing Waterway Village, the evolving airport, and a new generation of refined construction—signal a coastal Alabama market growing with intention. I work with buyers and sellers every day who are drawn to this balance of momentum and preservation, and I would be happy to help you explore what it could mean for your next move.

Meredith Folger Amon helps buyers and sellers navigate the Gulf Coast real estate market and is licensed in both Alabama and Florida. To learn more or explore current opportunities, visit her at https://www.searchthegulf.com