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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