Orange Beach to Sell Event Center to The Wharf

City plans to build new, smaller venue after sale to popular retail development

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:58am

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A vibrant, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a colorful beach umbrella, conceptually representing the coastal entertainment and tourism focus of Orange Beach, Alabama.The sale of Orange Beach's event center to The Wharf signals a shift towards more focused, community-oriented entertainment offerings in the coastal Alabama city.Pensacola Today

The city of Orange Beach, Florida is looking to sell its 18,000-square-foot event center, which hosts over 100 events per year, to the nearby retail and entertainment complex known as The Wharf. After the sale, the city plans to construct a new, smaller event venue.

Why it matters

The event center has been a key part of Orange Beach's tourism and entertainment offerings, but the city believes a smaller, more focused venue will better suit its needs going forward. The sale to The Wharf, a popular destination, could help drive more visitors and events to the area.

The details

Orange Beach's current event center is an 18,000-square-foot facility that hosts over 100 events annually. However, city officials feel the space is larger than necessary and are looking to sell it to The Wharf, a nearby retail, dining and entertainment complex. After the sale, the city plans to build a new, smaller event venue to better match its needs.

  • The event center currently hosts over 100 events per year.
  • The city is looking to sell the event center to The Wharf.

The players

Orange Beach

A coastal city in Alabama known for its tourism and entertainment offerings.

The Wharf

A popular retail, dining and entertainment complex located near Orange Beach.

Tony Kennon

The mayor of Orange Beach.

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What they’re saying

“We believe a smaller, more focused event venue will better suit our needs going forward.”

— Tony Kennon, Mayor of Orange Beach

What’s next

After the sale to The Wharf, Orange Beach plans to construct a new, smaller event venue to replace the current 18,000-square-foot facility.

The takeaway

Orange Beach's decision to sell its large event center to The Wharf and build a new, more appropriately-sized venue reflects the city's efforts to optimize its tourism and entertainment offerings to better meet the needs of residents and visitors.