Seabrook in the News
Duplexes, triplexes at gated Salt Marsh townhomes showcase fancy kitchens, large porches and natural vistas
By: Jim Parker of The Post and Courier Staff
Originally Published on: 4/12/08
Quiet, upper-crust Seabrook Island has its share of large, plush homes both new and older, and plenty of luxury condos built awhile back. But the 30-year-old community, largely built out, has for a number of years lacked one thing: a new neighborhood. Salt Marsh is filling the void.
The 63 duplex and triplex townhomes, less than half the number that would have been allowed under current zoning, were built on one of the last undeveloped tracts in the original planned Seabrook Island community, just off Landfall Way outside the gatehouse. Salt Marsh will be gated as well, with owners given a security code to enter and exit. An amenities center with a pool, cabana and putting green is expected to open in the summer.
All dwellings are three stories, including a first-level garage and are 2,058-2,400 square feet in size. They're valued at $595,000 to $1.25 million. About 15 of the units have been sold. Salt Marsh at Seabrook I LLC is the developer, and Seabrook Island Real Estate is involved with marketing and sales.
"I think about 30-40 percent (of buyers) are full-time residents," says Meredith Hastings, director of sales and marketing for Salt Marsh Villas. Another 60-70 percent are second-home purchasers or investors.
Most buyers are middle age to seniors, and there are a number of families. "The average age is 50," says Joe Salvo, executive director of Seabrook Island Club, which oversees the real estate company.
While from Columbia, the developer is plenty familiar with the Charleston area.
"What we liked about it is Seabrook has never been hit by a hurricane. (Hurricane Hugo grazed the island, which is southwest of Charleston.) All the (tree) canopies are still intact," says Edward C. "Bud" Mann III, managing partner of Salt Marsh at Seabrook.
His group has been involved in commercial and residential real estate for 30 years. It has built houses at the Isle of Palms, but Salt Marsh villas was the first venture into Seabrook Island. LTC Associates is the architect, and ECM the builder.
Top-end finishes and furnishings highlight the townhomes. Kitchens come with custom cabinets in cherry, maple and other grains, as well as granite countertops and Bosch brand refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher. Hardwood floors are in the foyer and living room, carpeting in bedrooms and tile in bathrooms. Each of the three-bedroom, three-bath units has an elevator, covered porches and hurricane windows. Extra touches range from crown molding to mahogany front doors. Units sport either pond or marsh views. Options are available, such as hardwood floors all around.
As a sign of the pent-up interest in a new community, Salt Marsh Villas promoters attracted 470 people to a "Lowcountry boil" at midday March 22.
Located in the Seabrook Island town limits, Salt Marsh is being built at an opportune time: The town is launching its ambitious "Horizon" redevelopment plan, moving away from its resort and conference center roots to become a relaxed beachside community with a new racquet club and the Palmetto Lake and Island House clubhouses, shops and restaurants. The island has two top-notch golf courses, and its tennis center and equestrian ranch will be upgraded.
Salt Marsh is well-situated to take advantage of the new town attractions. "It's going to have a community center feel to it," Salvo says.
To visit the villas from downtown Charleston, cross the Ashley River Bridge on U.S. Highway 17, bearing left onto Folly Road. Stay on Folly across the Wappoo Bridge, then turn right on Maybank Highway. Follow Maybank for several miles to Bohicket Road and turn left. Take Bohicket for about 10 miles to Seabrook Island Road. Turn right onto Seabrook Island Road, then after about a mile, turn right on Landfall Way. An alternate route is to take Highway 17 (Savannah Highway) west to Main Road and turn left. Follow Main, which becomes Bohicket Road when it crosses Maybank Highway, to Seabrook.
Neighborhood: Salt Marsh
Location: Charleston County.
Total duplexes, triplex townhomes: 63.
Townhome sizes: 2,058-3,000 square feet.
Typical features
--Gated community.
--Elevators.
--Screened-in porches.
--Gourmet kitchens.
--Mahogany front doors.
--First-floor garages.
--Granite countertops.
Townhome prices: $595,000-$1.25 million.
Property taxes: $2,247 on a $750,000 townhome.
Area attractions:
Atlantic Ocean, Freshfields Village retail center, area golf courses, Charleston Executive Airport, Edisto River, Bohicket and Kiawah creeks, Angel Oak.
Distance to downtown Charleston: 22 miles.
Seabrook Island Through the Years
By Sue Holloman and Bob Giuffreda
As you drive onto Seabrook Island and admire the beauty, do you ever wonder what the Island was like in early times and how it has changed over the years? Seabrook Island has a rich history and was part of the historical events that helped shape our nation.
The Island was inhabited by coastal Indians as early as 1400 BC and the ocean, forest, and wildlife provided an abundant harvest of food, clothing, and shelter. Their tribal designations, Kiawah, Stono, and Bohicket, are still evident as place names in surrounding areas.
The Island was sold to Thomas Jones who named the island after himself, Jones Island. He had to agree to keep Haulover Creek (now a small waterway visible just before the turnoff to Kiawah) dug out so that goods could be transported between the Kiawah and Bohicket Rivers.
The area around the islands was a great place for ships to hide, and Privateer Creek on Seasbrook was a favorite place for boats to lie in wait for unsuspecting ships to pass.
Indigo, rice, and finally cotton began to be planted on the Island. Ebenezer Simmons purchased the property around 1753 and changed the name to Simmons Island. Black slaves were imported to do the manual labor to support plantation life. At one time, 158 African slaves toiled in the fields or worked about the plantation. By 1710, a road was built on Johns Island, but travelers still had to take a ferry across the river to reach Charleston. Most residents still used the water to move goods and people to Charleston. Large barrels of rice, weighing 350 to 500 pounds, were transported by barge from the plantation.
The Revolutionary War brought British and Hessian soldiers to our Island. In 1779 they landed on the beach and began to build flat-bottomed boats to be used to go up the Bohicket River. The Americans formed a militia to fight the British, but were defeated and Johns Island was occupied by the British from 1780 to 1782. General Nathaniel Green liberated Charleston in 1782 and the British quickly left the Island. After the way, cotton became king on the island and plantation life continued.
William Seabrook bought the Island in 1816 and changed the name once again. This time to its current designation, Seabrook Island. He owned the property until the start of the Civil War.
The Civil War, and eventually reconstruction, changed life on Johns and Seabrook Islands. General Robert E. Lee ordered the evacuation of Johns Island and the adjoining sea islands because he could not defend them. The Seabrook family was forced to leave their plantation house(which was located near Haulover Cut on the Johns Island side) and moved inland.
In 1863 the Seabrook family sold the Island to the Gregg family for $150,000 Confederate money. Seabrook became a staging area for Union troops. These troops came into ports at Privateer Creek on Seabrook and occupied Seabrook Island. The Stono Scouts, a South Carolina militia, sent a scouting patrol onto Seabrook Island to determine what Federal troop activity was taking place here. These troops used a road that roughly paralleled the current Haulover, and traces of this old road are still visible on the Stevenot property. “The Battle of Haulover Cut,” which lasted three days and saw 34 men killed, was fought on the land right across the Haulover Cut on what is now the property of the Andell family.
The Civil War changed forever the way of life on the Island, and in 1880 William Andell bought the property from the Greggs for $16,500 and by the early 1900’s cattle, hogs, and horses roamed the Island. The Andell family loved the trees and refused to allow the land to be logged, which accounts for some of the very large and significant trees still visible on the Island.
Seabrook Island entered a period of quiet with very little change until 1938, when the Andells sold a large portion of the Island to Victor Morowitz, from New York City. After Mrs. Morowitz’s death, the land was left to the Episcopal Church, which was running Camp St. Christopher. The church was not allowed to use their tax exempt status for all of the property. In 1970, the church sold all but 230 acres (the current Camp St. Christopher) to the Seabrook Island Development Corporation, which also purchased an additional 600 acres from the Andells. This development corporation began extensive planning for a community that combined residential and resort living in a secure, gated environment.
Modern Seabrook Island
|
November 1970 |
Seabrook Island Corporation owned and developed by W.C. Whitner was formed. |
| June 1972 | Seabrook Island Company, a limited Partnership owned by the Gerry Brothers & Co. was formed. |
| November 1972 | The Seabrook Island Property Owners Association was Incorporated but was completely under control of the Developer with property owners having very little say in the operation of the Island. |
| 1973 | Ocean Winds Golf Course was completed and ready for play. |
| 1974 | The first families began moving into homes on the Island and construction began on High Hammock Villas, which were the first villas built on the Island. |
|
1974-1991 |
During this period, 1032 Condos/villas were constructed on the Island. |
| 1976 | The Seabrook Island Company came under operational control of the Thistle Corporation General Partnership, owned by J.W. Kessler with the Gerry Brothers still controlling the limited partnership. |
| October 1981 | The Crooked Oaks Golf Course was completed and opened. |
| 1981 | Seabrook Island Company, owned by J. W. Kessler and others, purchased the assets from the Gerry Brothers. |
| March 30, 1984 | Developer, Jack Kessler, turned the POA over to the property owners in an amicable and cooperative arrangement. Bob Johnson was elected the first president under these new terms. |
| June 1984 | An election for the POA Board was held and new By-laws were written. Prior to this, board members were selected by the Developer controlled board. |
| 1986 | The Seabrook Island Company donated the land for the Community Center, pool, and parking lot. They constructed and paid for most of these amenities for the use of the property owners. |
| 1986 | The Seabrook Island Company sold the amenities and the remaining real estate to Robert Russell, who renamed the corporation, the Seabrook Island Ocean Club. The formerly cooperative relationship between developer and the POS changed and the Ocean Club withdrew their positions from the board. They had formerly held two voting positions on the board and had 18% of the vote. The board was then totally free of developer influence. |
| 1987 | The first municipal election was held in May, and in August Joel Thompson was elected as the Town’s first mayor. |
| Sept. 20, 1988 | The Seabrook Island Ocean Club filed for bankruptcy with approximately $21 million in debts. |
| Sept. 21, 1989 | Hurricane Hugo strikes! |
| 1990 | Foreclosure actions were initiated against the Seabrook Island Ocean Club with eventual takeover of the amenities by Bank South, the principal mortgage holder. |
| April 1991 | The Club at Seabrook Island was formed upon the purchase of the amenities from Bank South by about 900 property owners. This milestone allowed owners of property at Seabrook Island to control their own destiny, in that roads, rights-of-way, beach trust, amenities, etc. were now owned and controlled by the property owners. |
| 1992 | The SIPOA purchased 1.55 acres of land for the Administration building. |
| 1994 | The SIPOA Administration Building was completed. |
| 1995 | The Town established the Water/Sewer Commission. |
| April 30, 1996 | After litigation, the Commission negotiated the purchase of the water and sewer facilities from Minnesota Power and Light. |
| 1996 | The SIPOA purchased 14 acres of the Lake Entry tract for use as a future Community Center/Recreation area. |
| 1998 | “Palmetto Lake,” a 7 acre lake, was constructed adjacent to the SIPOA 14 acre site for eventual turnover to the Association. |
| January 2000 | The Seabrook Island Community Foundation was incorporated to provide a way, primarily, to improve the environment and green space of the island by accepting donations which could then be taken as a tax deduction by the giver. |
| 2000 | Construction of the remainder of Seabrook Island Road commenced. |
While change is inevitable, Seabrook Island remains a natural, unspoiled environment that allows people to live securely, in harmony with nature. This is an island whose lovely beaches are home to residents and visitors alike. It is a haven for those who love the outdoors and enjoy the silence. It is a never-ending story of beauty, wildlife and nature.
Seabrook Beaches are Growing
By: The Seabrooker
Originally Published: April 2004
REPORT SAYS THAT SEABROOK BEACHES ARE GROWING, IN “EXCELLENT SHAPE”
Dr. Tim Kana, president of Coastal Science & Engineering, reports that Seabrook’s beaches are in “excellent shape” and recommends that the Property Owners Association (POA) continues to move some sand from the growing North Beach to that area between Renken Point and The Club. The POA Board of Directors have agreed with this recommendation.
Coastal Science & Engineering and Kana have long been Seabrook’s beach consultants. They resurveyed the beach in November and observed the positive efforts on the Seabrook beaches of Hurricane Isabel passing off shore. After the annual survey, they concluded that the North Beach remained stable with little impact on the dunes and that the beach below Renken Point continued to gain sand.
In the report Kana said “We are particularly optimistic about the long-term health of the beach south of Renken Point because the rebuilding has occurred gradually. Sand is accumulating in the northern channel (between Renken Point and the Beach Club) and is building a substantial base for the visible beach. The better this base is, the longer the dry beach will last. Additionally, we have good news concerning the re-cut of Cap’n Sams inlet. Because of its slow south-westerly movement, indications are that we will not have to re-cut the inlet until 2009 or 2010”.
In addition, the firm reported that “we love storms that are near misses like Hurricane Isabel was. Their long period waves tend to push sand on shore and break or ‘swash’ up onto the dry beach. This leaves a new layer of sand right where we want it and this happened on Seabrook beaches when Hurricane Isabel passed seaward of us.”
At their consultant’s recommendation, the POA has authorized that North Beach sand continue to be moved to the growing beach between Renken Point and The Club. It is hoped that this will result in a high-tide dry beach in the area.
Kana concluded his report to the POA by saying “In the meantime, we hope you are enjoying the widest beach in South Carolina”.
On the Horizon
Seabrook Island reinventing itself with $30 million in new amenities, focus on property owners
...Granted, Seabrook Island is nowhere near experiencing a housing boom. But there’s enough activity to make some noise.
January was “a pretty good month” for home sales, says Joe Salvo, broker-in-charge of Seabrook Island Real Estate. And there’s been an encouraging number of transactions in February.
“We had a guy who had been looking for a year, who just bought a house,” says Salvo, “This is good news,” he says.
The sales uptick is of interest to Charleston area real estate observers seeking to gauge the market for 2009 and beyond. Seabrook Island’s housing activity serves as one sign of how local resort properties will fare in the upcoming year.
While important to the local real estate outlook, the housing indicators — even sketchy and anecdotal ones — take on even more significance for Seabrook Island itself. It is in the midst of its most ambitious overhaul in decades, a project that will be bankrolled indirectly by the strength of the housing market.
Seabrook Island calls its redesign the Horizon project. Like a youngster getting a new tooth, it will be a hallmark even if there’s some discomfort involved. The plan maps out the island’s transition from a convention-resort center to a beachside village with low key tourist niches such as rental villas and oceanside weddings. It’s supported by many property owners but questioned by some as financially suspect in a slowing real estate market.
Notably, the renewal includes:
-- Construction of the two-level 36,000-square-foot Island House Clubhouse, replacing an aging 15,000 square foot center. The new clubhouse, with oceanfront and golf course views, a large banquet hall, the upstairs Bohicket dining room and private dining areas, two fireplaces, golf pro shop and locker rooms, is expected to be complete by Oct. 1.
-- Raising a new 5,000-square-foot Beach Club, hugging the Atlantic Ocean, to include two sizable swimming pools and expansive boardwalk and decking areas for sunbathing, and the new Pelican’s Nest outdoor restaurant and lounge with Brazilian ipe wood decks. It is set to open Memorial Day weekend and typically will be staffed from late March to early October.
-- Remaking transportation routes, such as designing a rotary circle at the island house and beach club to help with traffic flow along Seabrook Island Road and laying out parking zones for the island house and beach club.
-- Building the 24,000 square foot Lake House community center, located a few miles from the beachfront attractions near the main gate. Situated overlooking a pond, the island Property Owners Association-developed facility will have a 6,000-square foot fitness center with cardio equipment and circuit training, indoor and outdoor pools, kids playground and events lawn. It should open by August 1.
Salvo says the three-pronged development has one highlight in particular. “This is really a local project,” he says. The general contractor, Trident Construction; architect Glick Boehm and consultant Three Oak Landscaping are all from the Charleston area.
Even without the new amenities, the gated island has alluring features. Existing amenities include two golf courses, tennis courts and an equestrian center and riding stables as well as Atlantic Ocean access. People can ride bikes or horseback on miles of trails.
Then there’s housing stock. “Our inventory is not extremely high historically,” Salvo says. “It’s the same at spring 2004,” right before the recent three year runup in home sales and values.
Home sizes vary, but most are in the 2,500 to 4,500 square foot range. Prices are from $400,000 to more than $4 million. There are also townhomes, condos and villas that can be rented. Most home lots are sizable, at 1/2 acre or more, and have lush plantings and healthy yards. There are about 500 lots yet to be built on.
On Sunday noon to 4 p.m., Seabrook Island Real Estate will present an "Open House" extravaganza with more than 30 houses open for inspection.
Some residents, such as Jim and Carol Fehon, visited the island before moving. The couple put their 3,600-square-foot home on the golf course up for sale for $1,279,500.
“We’ve been coming to Seabrook since 1989,” Jim Fehon said. The Fehons have lived in a number of homes on the island. “We love it here — all the amenities, the beach, Charleston, the people,” he said.
To get to Seabrook Island from downtown Charleston, cross the Ashley River Bridge onto Savannah Highway. Veer left onto Folly Road, cross the Wappoo Bridge and turn right on Maybank Highway. Follow Maybank for about five miles to Bohicket Road. Turn left on Bohicket at the signs to Seabrook and Kiawah islands.
Continue on Bohicket for about 12 miles — it becomes four lanes a few miles from the beach. At a roundabout, steer right. The main Seabrook Island gate is ahead about a mile, and the sales center on the right just before the gate.
Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com
Community:
Seabrook Island
Location: Charleston County
Copyright © 1997 - 2008 the Evening Post Publishing Co.
Audubon Designation: Seabrook Island Recognized as Environmentally Friendly
Originally Published in: Island Life Newsmagazine, December 2006/January 2007
Seabrook Island - The Club at Seabrook Island for years has been recognized for its environmentally friendly nature and has enjoyed its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), the educational division of Audubon International.
The Club at Seabrook Island was first designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 1996. It is one of 431 courses in the world to receive the honor and it was the first to be so designated in South Carolina.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to golf courses to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Australia, Canada, Central American, Europe, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program.
“The Club at Seabrook Island has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property,” said Joellen Zeh, staff ecologist for the Cooperative Sanctuary System.
“To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas,” explained Zeh. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management Courses go through a recertification process every two years.”
“The unspoiled beauty of Seabrook Island is one of the advantages that set us apart from other Oceanside resorts and clubs,” John Wilderman, managing director for The Resort at Seabrook Island has said in a past press release.
“A lot of places talk about their commitment to the environment. The Resort at Seabrook Island’s years of certification by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary system demonstrate just how committed we really are. We are proud that Seabrook Island is part of this outstanding program and look forward to continued improvement in the years ahead.”
In addition to golf courses, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System also provides programs for schools, individuals and businesses.
For more information contact Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them via the Internet at acss@audubonintl.org, or visit their website at www.audubonintl.org. (Seabrook Island Web Report.)
