By: BOB LANG Of The Post and Courier
Staff
Originally Published on: 4/21/01
Page: G 4
Condominium community off I-526 offers
marsh views and central location WADE SPEES/STAFF- Etiwan Pointe,
a new toenhome community off I-526, offers low-maintenance living
along the Wando River. (456336) For an added fee, buyers can
choose a floorplan with a sunroom instead of a screened porch.
(456337) Main entrances at Etiwan Pointe feature wooden steps and
cement-capped decorative walls. (456338) Etiwan Pointe is
bordered by I-526 to the south, the Wando River to the west,
Ranhall Creek to the north and a natural wooden buffer to the
east (456335) There is also a Post and Courier map showing
location of Etiwan Pointe and an Info box about the neighborhood.
MOUNT PLEASANT-A number of condominium projects are going up in
Mount Pleasant, most of them on the northern end of town.
But if you're looking for something a
little closer to Charleston, Etiwan Pointe is worth checking out.
Located on land that used to be part of
Belle Hall Plantation, Etiwan Pointe is situated along the Wando
River on the north side of I-526. It's easily visible from the
expressway as you head across the river to Daniel Island.
Workers are putting the finishing
touches on the first phase of 38 units, some of which will be
ready for occupancy by the end of the month. Construction is
scheduled to start on the second phase in May.
A total of 169 units is planned. They're
going up in groups of four- to eight-unit buildings. Most units
will have river/marsh views, while others will overlook lagoons.
The one- and two-story townhomes range
in size from 1,616 to 1,870 square feet and in price from
$187,000 to $330,000. Prices vary depending on the chosen floor
plan, features and view.
Prudential Carolina Real Estate's New
Homes Division is handling the marketing.
The developer is H. "Dusty"
Wiederhold of Opus Development Group in Atlanta. Wiederhold's
primary partner in the project is Alec Chaplin of Columbia, a
major player in the development of Mount Pleasant's Towne Centre.
"We think we have an ideal location
and an excellent product," Wiederhold said. "It's a
secure neighborhood with only one way in and out. And you don't
have to be concerned about people building something next to you.
What you see today is what you'll see 50 years from now."
Wiederhold said that more than three
dozen units are under contract. "It's been
well-received," he said. "We're finding that there is a
strong market for housing geared toward young professionals,
retired people or soon-to-be-retired people."
Buyers can purchase a unit in inventory
from among four floor plans, or wait on a unit to be built with
the desired features. All units include at least three bedrooms,
two full baths and a two-car garage. Some units have garages
large enough to fit four cars.
Among standard features are screened
porches and decks, 9-foot ceilings throughout, ceramic tile
floors in bathrooms and deluxe appliances. Hardwood flooring
comes in the living room, dining room, kitchen and foyer.
Buyers have numerous upgrade choices,
including an option to change the screened porch into a sunroom.
Fireplaces are also extra.
Designed by Liollio Architecture of
Charleston, the buildings are reminiscent of a bungalow style
that became popular in the United States in the early 1900s.
Defining elements of the style include projecting eaves accented
with braces, and large roof extension porches across the front
facade.
As close as Etiwan Pointe is to I-526,
the developer has taken steps to soundproof the units. For
example, exterior walls are framed with 2-by-6-inch studs instead
of 2-by-4-inch studs, allowing for a thicker wall of insulation
than in most projects of this type, Wiederhold said. All windows
are double-paned and Argon-gas filled. Private docks aren't
permitted, but there will be a community dock on Rathall Creek
where boats will be able to tie up temporarily. Other amenities
include a pool, open-air clubhouse and nature trails. There also
will be an on-site boat storage facility.
The regime fee will be $155 a month,
which includes all exterior maintenance, landscaping and
insurance on the structure itself. Access to Etiwan Pointe is via
Wando Park Boulevard, a road that runs parallel to I-526 between
Long Point Road and the river. Once you turn onto Wando Park
Boulevard off of Long Point Road (the intersection is about 100
yards south of I-526), drive 1.8 miles to Etiwan Pointe. A sales
trailer is on site. Lang covers automotive and real estate news.
Contact him at 937-5594 or at blang@postandcourier.com.
NEIGHBORHOOD Etiwan Pointe
DEVELOPER Opus Development Group LLC
MARKETING AGENCY Prudential Carolina
Real Estate - New Homes Division
MORE INFO Sales office: 216-6787 Office
hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.
WEB SITE www.etiwantownhomes.com (Site
scheduled to be operational by the end of April)
PRICE RANGE $187,000 to $330,000
SQUARE FOOTAGE 1,616 to 1,830
STANDARD FEATURES Hardwood floors in
living room Cement fiberboard siding Screened porch 9-foot
ceilings Tile floors in bathrooms Enclosed 2- or 3-car garage
PROPERTY TAXES $1,396 a year on a
$250,000 owner-occupied home
AREA ATTRACTIONS Wando River, Mount
Pleasant recreation complexes (separate pool and tennis
facilities), Palmetto Island County Park, Mount Pleasant Library,
Daniel Island Tennis Center, shopping centers, restaurants,
soon-to-be-built multiplex movie theater at I-526 and Long Point
Road
DISTANCE TO CHARLESTON About 7 miles to
downtown area.
SCHOOLS BELLE HALL ELEMENTARY Grades
K-5; 849-2841; enrollment, 583; certified staff, 45; PACT
results, 60.8 percent of fifth graders scored above basic on the
English/language arts portion, 61.2 percent scored above basic on
the math portion.
CARIO MIDDLE Grades 6-8; 856-4595;
enrollment, 631; certified staff, 37; PACT results, 31.6 percent
of eighth graders scored above basic on the English/language arts
portion, 31.3 percent scored above basic on the math portion.
WANDO HIGH Grades 9-12; 849-2830;
enrollment, 2,079; certified staff, 121; SAT results, 508 verbal,
496 math. The 1,004 combined score is above the state average
(966) but below the national average (1,019).
HOUSING TRENDS IN SOUTHERN MOUNT
PLEASANT Area includes parts of Mount Pleasant south of S.C.
Highway 41. Number of sales in fourth quarter of 2000: 206 (down
from 221 in the fourth quarter of 1999). Average sales price in
fourth quarter of 2000: $254,200 (up from $199,200 in fourth
quarter of 1999). Median sales price in fourth quarter of 2000:
$205,000 (up from $178,000 in the fourth quarter of 1999).