The Colony at The Grand: Porches, Pergolas and Outdoor Rooms for Point Clear Homes

ByJacob Toler
Fairhope Alabama Feature 7

The Colony at The Grand is a walkable community near the historic Grand Hotel in Point Clear, just south of downtown Fairhope on Mobile Bay’s Eastern Shore. Residents have access to golf, tennis, pickleball, croquet and several pools, and homes range from cottages and townhomes to larger estates. With that much resort-style amenity close by, homeowners here often want outdoor space that feels like an extension of the same lifestyle: a shaded porch, a courtyard pergola, or a screened room for evenings by the bay.

Here’s how to plan an outdoor project that fits the community and lasts in the bay climate.

Design Standards Come First

Planned communities like The Colony have design guidelines that keep the neighborhood’s look consistent. They typically cover materials, colors, rooflines, and the size and placement of additions. Before building, expect to submit drawings for review. To make approval straightforward:

  • match the home’s roof pitch, roofing, trim and column style
  • choose colors from the existing exterior palette
  • show the committee a 3D design of the finished project against your home

We provide drawings and 3D designs as part of our process, and we build to the approved plan.

Making the Most of a Courtyard or Small Yard

Cottages and townhomes often have courtyards or compact yards rather than big lawns. Small spaces benefit from careful design:

  • Pergolas: define a courtyard as an outdoor room and give filtered shade without closing it in.
  • Covered porches: add weather protection to an entry or back porch so it’s usable year-round.
  • Built-in features: benches, planters and storage save floor space.
  • Lighting and fans: make a small space comfortable after dark and on humid evenings.

Screened Rooms for Bay Evenings

Evenings on the Eastern Shore are beautiful, and mosquitoes know it too. A screened porch or screened pergola lets you enjoy sunsets and bay breezes without the bugs. See how screened and open designs compare in our guide to covered porches and screened decks.

Built for Bay Air

Being near Mobile Bay means salt air, humidity and summer storms. We choose materials and details that hold up:

  • capped composite or PVC trim and decking that won’t rot or need yearly sealing
  • stainless or coated hardware to resist corrosion
  • wind-rated connections on roofs and pergolas

Red Branch is a FORTIFIED Gold provider. If your home carries a FORTIFIED designation, we can build attached structures to the same standard. Read about materials in top composite decking materials for Fairhope homes.

Respecting a Resort Community

A walkable community with neighbors close by needs a considerate job site. We plan deliveries, keep work areas tidy, and follow community rules on work hours and parking, so the project doesn’t disrupt the neighborhood.

Popular Projects at The Colony

  • Courtyard pergolas and outdoor dining areas
  • Covered and screened back porches
  • Composite deck and porch floor replacements
  • Compact outdoor kitchens with a grill and counter space

Other Fairhope Neighborhoods We Serve

We also work in Rock Creek, Old Battles Village, Firethorne, the Fruit & Nut District and across Fairhope. Learn more about our outdoor living services in Fairhope and what to look for in a Gulf Coast deck builder.

Plan Your Project

Contact Red Branch Outdoor Living to talk about a porch, pergola or outdoor room for your home at The Colony at The Grand. We’ll help you design a space that fits the community and your home.