By: Bob Lang Of The Post and Courier
Staff
Originally Published on: 4/14/01
Page: G 4
GOLF COURSE LIVING: Homeowners are
snapping up units before they're built. File photos- Golfers have
views of the Stono River from some of the holes at The Links
course. (1499) The entrance to The Plantation at Stono Ferry
(2733) Wade Spees/Staff- Horse race fans watch and cheer the
horses at a recent running of the Charleston Cup, which is held
each November at Stono Ferry. (92150) There is also a Post and
Courier map, floor plans and an info box HOLLYWOOD-Opportunities
for condominium-style living on a golf course don't come around
too often in the Lowcountry.
Maybe that's why the early response to
IronWood at Stono Ferry has been so strong.
IronWood is a developing 76-unit
townhome community situated in the middle of The Links at Stono
Ferry, the subdivision's 18-hole course. Even though the first
units won't be ready for occupancy for about a year, a half dozen
units are already spoken for.
"We're a bit surprised at how
quickly word is getting around, and we haven't done any
advertising yet," said Ann J. Gillespie of AgentOwned Realty
at 902 Savannah Highway, the project's marketing agency.
"People are really excited about this development."
Gillespie said it's one of the first new
golf-related condo communities in the area in about 15 years.
Prices start at $199,900. Contract sales begin today.
IronWood is being developed by LandFall
LLC, a company established by three Charleston-area businessmen:
John Manzi, Carl Beck and Richard Beck. Just about everybody
involved with the project is based in the Lowcountry, including
the contractor, Gulfstream Construction Co.; the architect, Bill
Huey; and the project's lender, BB&T.
"It's totally local and we intended
it to be that way," Manzi said. "Our philosophy was to
put together a quality equestrian/golf community right in the
middle of Stono Ferry."
Although surrounded by Stono Ferry
property, the land on which IronWood is being built initially
didn't fall under the subdivision's regime. It was also zoned for
as many as 136 multi-family units. In essence, LandFall could
have proposed a higher density project that might not have fit
well with the rest of the subdivision.
But LandFall didn't want that. So
density was kept low and the townhomes were designed with a
country/equestrian look, keeping with the theme of the
subdivision. Stono Ferry is known for its equestrian trails and
the Charleston Cup, a horse race held each November. "We
voluntarily placed ourselves under the Stono Ferry architectural
review board," Manzi said. "We're very pleased with the
design." Stono Ferry has since made IronWood a part of its
regime, which means IronWood residents will have access to Stono
Ferry's pool, tennis courts, polo fields, riding trails and other
amenities. IronWood, which will have a gated entry, will have a
pool of its own as well a homeowner's association.
The townhomes are available in one- and
two-story designs with drive-under enclosed garages. Units range
in size from 1,755 to 2,145 square feet. All come with three
bedrooms and at least three baths.
Three floorplans are available,
including two that offer an elevator option. All plans include a
covered front porch and screened back porch. The backs of every
unit offer views of golf fairways and greens.
Each unit comes with an extensive list
of standard interior features, including three ceiling fans, a
microwave oven, 9-foot ceilings on the main floor, and ceramic
tile on the kitchen floor. All garages are extra large and come
with electric door openers. There is an enclosed separate entry
into the house from the garage level.
"The garages are so big that people
who move from a large home will still have plenty of storage
space," Gillespie said.
Besides elevators, other options include
hardwood floors, Corian or granite countertops, and a fireplace.
One plan offers an optional porch gazebo extension off the front
porch.
Because IronWood is a condo-style
community, all exterior maintenance and landscaping will be
handled by IronWood's homeowner's association. The monthly regime
fee, which includes Stono Ferry's regime fee, will be $170, Manzi
said.
Gillespie said she expects IronWood will
appeal to young professionals, near-retirees and retirees. She
added that she doesn't expect the units will last long.
"These townhomes offer all the
advantages of country living in a gated community while being
only minutes from the malls, the airport and downtown
Charleston," she said. "People want to come to a place
where they can get away from the traffic and experience golf the
way it was meant to be experienced - from their backyard."
Lang covers automotive and real estate
news. Contact him at 937-5594 or at blang@postandcourier.com.
NEIGHBORHOOD
IronWood at Stono Ferry
DEVELOPER
LandFall LLC
MARKETING AGENCY
AgentOwned Realty, 902 Savannah Highway
MORE INFO
Sales office: 769-5100
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9
a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
PRICE RANGE
$199,900 to $244,900
SQUARE FOOTAGE
1,755 to 2,145
STANDARD FEATURES
Golf views
2- or 3-car garage
Electric garage door opener
Ceramic tile floor in kitchen
Screened porch
Walk-in closets
Microwave oven
PROPERTY TAXES
$1,297 a year on a $220,000 home
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Stono River, The Links at Stono Ferry
golf course, Caw Caw Interpretive Center County Park, ACE Basin
national wildlife refuge, horse-riding trails within Stono Ferry
DISTANCE TO CHARLESTON
About 15 miles to downtown area.
SCHOOLS
BLANEY ELEMENTARY
Grades K-5; 889-3992; enrollment, 233;
certified staff, 19; PACT results, 6.7 percent of fifth graders
scored above basic on the English/language arts portion, 6.5
percent scored above basic on the math portion.
R.D. SCHRODER MIDDLE
Grades 6-8; 889-2391; enrollment, 412;
certified staff, 26; PACT results, 6.6 percent of eighth graders
scored above basic on the English/language arts portion, 4.9
percent scored above basic on the math portion.
BAPTIST HILL HIGH
Grades 9-12; 889-2276; enrollment, 498;
certified staff, 32; SAT results, 351 verbal, 335 math. The 686
combined score is well below the state average (966) and national
average (1,019).
HOUSING TRENDS IN CENTRAL WEST ISLANDS
AREA
Area includes parts of Charleston County
bounded by the Stono River, Bohicket Creek and the Kiawah River.
Number of sales in fourth quarter of
2000: 19 (down from 23 in the fourth quarter of 1999).
Average sales price in fourth quarter of
2000: $267,300 (up from $240,900 in fourth quarter of 1999).
Median sales price in fourth quarter of
2000: $233,000 (up from $195,000 in the fourth quarter of 1999).