Friday, June 12, 2009

Local buzz about topless sunbathing, drink specials and light fare at the Southernmost House on Duval Street apparently were premature.

Adam Levin on Wednesday told The Citizen he was the manager of the property's pool area, which was being called the Southernmost Shores in reference to the former clothing-optional resort at Simonton and South streets.

Levin said Southernmost Shores would be topless optional, but not clothing optional, and he had planned a soft opening party for Sunday for 70 to 80 sunbathers willing to pay $15 for a pool and a towel.

The stately, historic property, which features 15 luxury guest rooms and a first-floor museum, can accommodate 70 to 80 sunbathers, and Levin said Southernmost Shores would be open daily, with the pool available for a $15 daily membership fee.

An angry Michael Halpern, the attorney who manages the property for owner Matilde Ramos, on Wednesday said he had no intention of operating anything known as the Southernmost Shores, and is in fact planning a scholarship fundraiser on the property for Sunday.

Halpern said he hadn't decided what he will do after this Sunday, but that he plans to reopen the museum and include use of the pool with the price of admission. That admission price likely will be high, Halpern said.

"We don't want it crowded like it was before," he said. "We used to have problems with hotel guests not being able to get a chair. But under no circumstances will this place be topless or clothing optional," Halpern said. "We are an elegant resort. We don't even have the bar configured right now."

He demanded that Levin immediately remove the Facebook online networking page that was promoting the new event and venue. The page was unavailable as of Thursday afternoon.

Halpern added that he has not applied to the city for any permits to change the use of the building.

Months ago, during an ongoing feud with neighbor and fellow attorney Hugh Morgan about noise from the property, Halpern threatened to convert the property into a 150-seat restaurant.

"I haven't applied for any city licenses," he said Wednesday.

mbolen@keysnews.com