Author: Mount Pleasant

Situated in one of the Lowcountry’s most beautiful and secluded locations at the very edge of the Wando River, Mount Pleasant’s Etiwan Pointe feels far away from the hustle and bustle of city life but is just minutes from the beaches. And Etiwan Pointe’s close proximity to I-526 just adds to the convenience, providing easy access to the entire tri-county area.

There are 84 luxurious town homes in Mount Pleasant SC‘s Etiwan Pointe, many offering spectacular views of the Wando. With no through traffic and no nearby development, this neighborhood is ideally suited for those seeking a peaceful haven. Etiwan’s homes, all built in the style of old Charleston, are spacious and inviting and range in size from 1,650 to 1,900 square feet. Five different floor plans – including two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath and three-bedroom, three-bath designs – provide plenty of versatility for home buyers, according to Stephen Carroll, a real estate agent with Blanchard and Calhoun, the company that is marketing Etiwan Pointe.

The exteriors of the homes are brick and HardiePlank, and the first level of each is an oversized, two-garage with plenty of storage space.

Inside, there has been plenty of attention to detail, with oversized baseboards and moldings, hardwood floors, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, including the refrigerator. Other extras include walk-in closets and soaking tubs. A fireplace is an option for those who enjoy crackling fires on chilly nights.

The amenities are similar to those more often found in larger communities and include a club-sized pool with a lap lane and a pool house complete with full baths and a changing room. Residents have the use of a fitness center, the clubhouse, banquet room, a large lawn for community gatherings and a community dock.

Perhaps the most important amenity, however, is the natural beauty that surrounds Etiwan Pointe. Not only are there lovely river, lagoon and marsh views from the town homes, but there also are trails that invite you to come outside and experience the wonder of nature.

The homes are beautiful and well-built in a quiet and convenient location with tantalizing scenery and views.

But the best part is the price, with townhomes ranging from $195,000 to $275,000.

The Battery at Park West in Mount Pleasant is a new gated condominium community that literally has something to offer for every lifestyle. Idyllically nestled on a gorgeous 30-acre wooded site, it is common to see a hawk casually performing an aerial ballet against a pristine blue sky or a group of turtles sunning beside one of the many picturesque landscape ponds.

Developed by The Wrenn Group, the inspiration for The Battery comes from visionary Chairman and CEO Ray Wrenn, who longed to create “an intimate walkable community that is suited to accommodate the many divergent lifestyles our residents lead.”

As you enter the community’s striking clubhouse, the sun streams through the cathedral ceiling’s oversized windows. A fitness room, game tables, refreshment bar and magnificent media room help make the clubhouse the social center of The Battery.

Around the cleverly designed pool, which is reminiscent of a jigsaw puzzle, is a popular outdoor grilling station. There is plenty of cement skirting around the pool for sunbathers and beautiful landscaping, and a stunning fountain provides soothing sounds to those seeking respite from a hectic day.

Offered in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, each unit is built with attention to quality and detail that is second to none. If you search for homes in Mount Pleasant you may find The Battery at Park West is suited to your lifestyle.

“I wanted to provide a community that is absolutely first-rate and that any owner can be proud of,” Wrenn says. “We have used premium materials and our buildings even offer elevators. We are also extremely proud of the custom fittings, top-brand appliances, crown molding, hardwood floors and heavy amenities we offer at The Battery.”

On-site realtor Kerri Mahoney points out that “as you can see, our homes all have screened-in porches, which is such a part of Lowcountry life. One great thing about the Battery is that the owners can use gas barbecues without leaving the comfort of their homes.”

Wrenn says the main reason he chose this area to develop The Battery was its “location inside Park West and all the shopping, amenities and services it offers. Plus, we are just a few miles from downtown Charleston, Towne Centre, the beaches and the rest of Mount Pleasant.”

Several of the other amenities offered at The Battery include Aunt Bea’s Garden, where residents with – and without – green thumbs are encouraged to enjoy the fun of gardening; the Bark and Bubbles pet cleaning area; and Wrenn’s favorite, the Oyster Pavilion, which features a large outdoor grill.

Two years after the gleaming new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge opened for business, carrying vehicles, walkers and bicyclers between Charleston and Mount Pleasant, the massive structure began casting its considerable shadow across the area’s most impressive condominium complex.

In the summer of 2007, residents began moving into the first of three six-story buildings that make up Tides on Charleston Harbor, which was built to blend seamlessly with the contemporary lines of the nearby bridge while at the same time adhering to Charleston’s time-honored architectural standards. As the end of the year neared, Building Two residents prepared for their much-anticipated move to their new home. It would have been difficult to find a more suitable spot for the most expensive condo complex ever constructed in the Charleston area.

Tides, located at the base of the bridge in Mount Pleasant, offers magnificent views of the Wando and Cooper Rivers and Charleston Harbor. It’s within easy driving distance of the beaches at Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms and of downtown Charleston. You can even walk or pedal to the heart of the Holy City; a trail leads from the complex to the bike lane of the bridge.

Other pluses include a waterfront park, which will be built next door by the city of Mount Pleasant and include a 1,250-foot fishing pier, and the Tides Club and Fitness Center, which offers cutting-edge exercise equipment, a sauna, a steam and massage room, a therapeutic whirlpool and a juice bar. A curvilinear pool, patterned after those at Caribbean resorts, features a sloping beach entry.

The most impressive thing about Tides, though, is its rock-solid construction, according to Peggy Trenker and Kitti Mullins, brokers with Properties of the Carolinas. “They were built like no other condominiums in the Charleston area,” Peggy comments, pointing out that soundproofing was attained through the use of eight-inch concrete floors, suspended ceilings and dual wall systems. She says the buildings were constructed to withstand both wind and moisture with an architectural cast-stone exterior and curtain-wall system. In addition, impact glass and a support system consisting of more than 750 concrete pilings buried more than 60 feet in the ground provide the basis for top-of-the-line Lowcountry construction.

Kitti points out that the entire complex will be ready for occupancy by spring 2008 and that units are still available for sale in all three buildings. Condominiums ranging in size from 1,240 square feet to 3,775 square feet are selling from the $650,000s to more than $3.5 million. Some buyers have purchased more than one unit, combining them to create homes of nearly 4,500 square feet. “Tides is almost like an oasis,” Peggy comments. “It has 80 acres of marsh front owned by the homeowners association, a magnificent amenities center, stunning architecture, luxurious appointments and incredible views.”

In the beautiful Charleston National Country Club, “As you like it” refers to more than a Shakespearean play. At The Retreat, a community of 130 custom town homes, it means you design your living space to suit your personality and needs.

Just a 20-minute drive from historic downtown Charleston and 10 minutes from the pristine beaches of Isle of Palms, the Retreat excels both in flexibility of design and location.

“The homes are being built by one of Charleston’s premier custom home builders, and they’re not intimidated by floor plan variations or special requests,” says Becky Morrissey, marketing representative for The Retreat. “The maintenance-free lifestyle at The Retreat appeals to those looking to simplify their lives to allow more time for travel and leisure and those looking for a second home in a resort community. Consequently, many of our owners have previously designed luxury single-family homes and are accustomed to fine interior appointments and options not typically found in town home communities.”

The Retreat offers flexible floor plans and nearly every conceivable optional feature and upgrade. Owners especially love the “as-you-like-it” area, which can be configured as a formal dining room, home office, third bedroom with full bath or something else entirely.

Additionally, a variety of optional features are available to further personalize the homes, including three-stop elevators, custom cabinetry, butler’s pantries, gas-log fireplaces, granite counter tops, hardwood floors and up to two 10 x19-foot sun rooms. The extensive list of standard features includes two-car garages, zoned fire suppression systems, expansive covered porches off the gathering room and master retreat, 9-foot smooth ceilings and soaking tubs.

“There are so many choices that no two town homes we’ve built are exactly the same,” Morrissey says.

The Nantucket-inspired exteriors feature large porches, elevating nature to center stage. Homes are located on the fifth and sixth fairways of the club’s Rees Jones-designed golf course or back up to wooded, saltwater marshes for the ultimate in privacy.

“Ownership in The Retreat represents a lifestyle choice,” says Morrissey.

The low monthly regime fee covers exterior maintenance and lawn care, which gives owners ample time to explore Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry. At home, they enjoy swim and tennis club privileges, and golfers are granted preferred membership packages. The facilities include a clubhouse, driving range, pro shop and putting green. Membership in an on-site fitness center is also available, and nature trails and a 5.5-acre lake provide additional recreational opportunities.

The Retreat is just minutes from everything you need, but, when you are home, you’ll appreciate the serenity of owning your own personal retreat. Homes range from 1,600 to 2,220 square feet and start at $297,900.

Located close to the beach community of the Isle of Palms and just minutes from Towne Centre, Mount Pleasant’s sprawling shopping area, is an exclusive gated condominium community, The Legends at Mount Pleasant.

Originally built as a Class-A apartment complex, the 200-unit development was completed in March 2001. The Legends, currently going through a gentle conversion, offers discriminating buyers a choice of spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium units, some of them with connected garages.

Situated adjacent to the 18-hole Rees Jones–designed golf course at Charleston National Country Club and Golf Course, The Legends beckons to those who love the game. The Lowcountry offers golfers many excellent choices, but Charleston National, which backs up to the Intracoastal Waterway, remains a favorite.

Just four miles from Towne Centre, The Legends offers owners a convenient location from which to launch shopping, dining and beach excursions, yet provides a tranquil, intimate setting to return to when the day’s activities are done. The 13 two-story buildings are designed around courtyards featuring native oaks, dogwoods and magnolias, or picturesque ponds with fountains. Being surrounded by the beautifully landscaped grounds, as one resident states, “is like living in a garden.” Another important factor that distinguishes this development is that continuous ownership and attentive management by the original developer have produced excellent maintenance of the facilities and pristine grounds.

Other special amenities of The Legends, in addition to being a gated community, are an award-winning pool with a fountain, a lighted tennis court, a well-equipped fitness center and a car-care center. Just across the street at Park West is the Mount Pleasant Recreation Center, which features a host of playing fields, bike paths, walking trails and other outdoor activities. Three highly rated Mount Pleasant schools—Pinckney Elementary, Cario Middle School and Wando High School—are nearby. The Legends is also just minutes across the Cooper River from Charleston’s history, charm, cultural amenities and world-class shopping and dining amenities.

Its proximity to the beach also draws thousands of people to Mount Pleasant. The Legends, only 10 minutes from the Isle of Palms, offers the best of both worlds: It’s close to the ocean but also affordable. For approximately the same cost as a timeshare at a beach property, owners can enjoy their private home year-round. With prices ranging from $149,900 for a one-bedroom unit to $322,900 for a three-bedroom, two-bath condo with an attached garage, The Legends at Mt. Pleasant offers both quality and value. The seller is offering special financing incentives to make buyers’ dreams a reality, including a one-year home warranty.

A high-end condominium community that has for six years basked in the benefits of its premier waterfront location is enjoying a renaissance that portends a meteoric rise to the top levels of the Charleston-area real estate market.

Renaissance on Charleston Harbor has offered spectacular views since its two eight-story buildings rose into the South Carolina sky on the Mount Pleasant side of the Cooper River in 2002. Its residents can watch the sun set over Charleston Harbor as vessels large and small glide effortlessly between the busy port and the endless Atlantic Ocean. Their anoramic views include the timeless skyline of Charleston, the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, historic Fort Sumter and the USS Yorktown.

The location of Renaissance, within shouting distance of Patriots Point, is equally difficult to beat. Charleston is just a short drive away, as are the beaches at Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms. You can also get to the Holy City by walking or biking across the nearby Ravenel Bridge. The area around Renaissance is expected to be developed sometime soon, offering an array of restaurants and shops within easy walking distance.

Despite the views and location, however, property values at Renaissance on Charleston Harbor didn’t rise appreciably until owners of many of the 100 units took matters into their own hands, upgrading their homes and investment properties with top-of-the-line amenities such as high-quality hardwood floors and bathroom fixtures that reach beyond the realm of the ordinary. By putting their own personal signature on their homes, they also added greatly to their value, according to Kathy Sweet, an agent with Carolina One Real Estate. Her interest in the condominium building is more than professional; she also lives there.

“It’s really a nice place now, and people who have upgraded are getting a good return on their investment,” she says.

Sweet points out that she recently sold a Renaissance unit for $3 million, well over twice its original price. She adds, however, that at around $328 per foot, Renaissance homes are still selling for less than other waterfront condos in the Charleston area.

Asking prices at Renaissance on Charleston Harbor, which offers six different floor plans from 2,044 square feet to 4,166 square feet, range from under $1 million to $4.289 million. According to Sweet, bargains are still available, especially among units that have not yet been upgraded.

“You can still put your personal touches on these units,” Sweet says. “This is a wonderful place to live. I feel blessed every day to be able to get up and look at downtown Charleston and the harbor. And there’s only so much waterfront property.”

Article Sponsor: For information about Renaissance: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and the surrounding area contact Kathy Sweet of Carolina One Real Estate Longpoint office Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 Phone: 843-343-7882 Visit my site: http://www.highendcharleston.com/ Email Me: [email protected]