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WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. – The Shell Island Resort, which sits at the north end of Wrightsville Beach, has started undergoing a $10 million renovation project to give the resort a new look.

For many years, the resort was in danger of falling into the Mason Inlet because of beach erosion, which caused concern among Wrightsville Beach residents.

“There were some people that were very nervous and that were running from the building. They didn’t want to be part of it, they were very concerned” condo owner Michael Harben said.

But several years ago, a project was put in place to relocate the inlet back to its original location where it would stay for at least the next 30 years.

“The north end of Wrightsville Beach is now a beautiful bird sanctuary. We have a lot of sand and the area in front of the beach out to the ocean, we have a huge beach,” Mary Jaye McGowan, manager of the Shell Island Homeowners Association, said.

McGowan said she expects the resort’s renovations will have a profound effect.

“You’ll see stone around the elevators, you’ll see a brand new front desk configuration, new ceiling, new hallways, the indoor pool is completely redone, the exterior pools have been completely redone,” McGowan said.

All 169 units inside the resort are individually owned, and during the reconstruction phase, many of the owners are taking some time to do renovations of their own.

“The condo has been fully renovated. Currently, I am updating it again with the furniture,” Harben said.

Now members of the Shell Island Homeowners Association said they hope the public’s impression will also be improved.

“The inlet is a success story. We’re going to look brand new and we really do think that we’re going to be a premier place on Wrightsville Beach for people to come visit,” McGowan said.

The renovations are being paid for by the condo owners. The public renovations are expected to be complete by March.