March 2017   |   67 

A Place at the 

Top of the 

Charts

story by

 

Liesel Schmidt

  |   

Tim Kramer

T

hough a quick rise to fame at the top of the pop charts 

has a tendency of sending many newly shining stars on 

a spending spree in search of the perfect pad for living 

the high life, when Britney Spears banked her fi rst bucks 

after the release of “(Hit Me) Baby One More Time” during the last 

gasp of the nineties, she did something quite unexpected, forgoing 

impressive ostentatiousness for something simple on the beach. 

It wasn’t so much size or luxury that topped Britney’s chart, but 

something much more down to Earth—it had to be private and 

homey, somewhere to escape from the mad frenzy of fame and share 

time with her family. “It was important to her that, wherever it was, 

it would be elegant without sacrifi cing coziness, because we want our 

family and friends to feel comfortable and relaxed when they spend 

time here with us in Destin,” explains Britney’s mom Lynne, who 

was tasked with fi nding an investment property and seaside sanctuary 

while her daughter was on tour. “This place really hits the mark for 

that, and the moment we step out of the hustle and hurry of everyday 

life to come back here, we feel peace, inspiration and tranquility all 

around us. It’s become our perfect escape,” she says. An escape that 

all of them have come to crave, as their lives are increasingly busy 

maintaining the successful music careers not only of Britney, but also 

of her younger sister Jamie Lynn. 

Having originally been built in 1983, the condo was somewhat 

dated; so when Britney purchased the 3,500 square foot condo in 

2001, there were some changes to be made, as the décor was not quite 

in line with her vision—though the view most certainly was. It was 

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2/23/17   4:00 PM