Ernest Shahid
Encyclopedia
Ernest Shahid a pioneering Florida commercial real estate developer, helped transform Destin
and coastal Okaloosa County into a major tourist vacation destination. Shahid built the first major highrise condominium complex on the Emerald Coast
in 1971. Its success sparked a flurry of resort complexes and economic development.
immigrants. He spent his childhood in Timmonsville before leaving to attend Presbyterian College
where he played on the football team. Shahid married Margaret Pharo of Birmingham, Alabama in 1942 and served in the Army Air Corps between 1943 and 1945. Following his military service the Shahids moved to Birmingham where Ernest worked at his father-in-law's five-and-dime store. There he had three children, Ernest Jr, Wayne, and Cary and three more once he relocated to Destin; Mark and the twins (Lisa and Lynda).
Moving to Florida in 1952, Shahid purchased the Riviera Hotel in Destin and built the Shoreline Hotel in 1955.
It was in 1971-72 that Shahid made his most significant contribution to Destin by building the town's first highrise condominium, the Shoreline Towers. At the time there were no other major condominium complexes or resorts in Walton or Okaloosa counties. The construction of the Shoreline Towers heralded the beginning of Destin's transformation from a sleepy fishing village into one of the most significant holiday locations on the Florida panhandle.
Shahid went on to develop other major coastal projects in Destin, including Shoreline Towers West in 1978 (renamed The Tides) and Regency Towers in 1982. He has been called "the man who...has done more to change the face of Destin", in part because Shorline Towers "brough a world of money into Okaloosa County."
Destin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
and coastal Okaloosa County into a major tourist vacation destination. Shahid built the first major highrise condominium complex on the Emerald Coast
Emerald Coast
The Emerald Coast is an area in the US state of Florida on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico which stretches about 100 miles through four counties, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay, from Gulf Breeze on the east side of Pensacola Bay to Panama City on the east side of the St...
in 1971. Its success sparked a flurry of resort complexes and economic development.
Early life
Ernest Wadere Shahid was born in South Carolina in to a family of LebaneseLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
immigrants. He spent his childhood in Timmonsville before leaving to attend Presbyterian College
Presbyterian College
Presbyterian College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, South Carolina, USA. Presbyterian College, or PC, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. PC was founded in 1880 by William Plumer Jacobs, a prominent Presbyterian minister who also founded the nearby Thornwell Home and...
where he played on the football team. Shahid married Margaret Pharo of Birmingham, Alabama in 1942 and served in the Army Air Corps between 1943 and 1945. Following his military service the Shahids moved to Birmingham where Ernest worked at his father-in-law's five-and-dime store. There he had three children, Ernest Jr, Wayne, and Cary and three more once he relocated to Destin; Mark and the twins (Lisa and Lynda).
Career
Shahid began his career as a builder when the contractor he hired to construct his home quit. Shahid hired the construction crew, completing the home under budget. From there he went on to build homes throughout Birmingham from 1946 to 1952.Moving to Florida in 1952, Shahid purchased the Riviera Hotel in Destin and built the Shoreline Hotel in 1955.
It was in 1971-72 that Shahid made his most significant contribution to Destin by building the town's first highrise condominium, the Shoreline Towers. At the time there were no other major condominium complexes or resorts in Walton or Okaloosa counties. The construction of the Shoreline Towers heralded the beginning of Destin's transformation from a sleepy fishing village into one of the most significant holiday locations on the Florida panhandle.
Shahid went on to develop other major coastal projects in Destin, including Shoreline Towers West in 1978 (renamed The Tides) and Regency Towers in 1982. He has been called "the man who...has done more to change the face of Destin", in part because Shorline Towers "brough a world of money into Okaloosa County."