Views lure residents to Longborough
Sales in October were "lousy," admits David Nelson, broker with The Beach Co., which is developing the community. "All of a sudden (about 45 days ago), the floodgates opened up."
The company sold all but four lots in the 30-unit first phase, then released another 19 more that were gobbled up in a week and a half. A third offering is planned for early spring. Lots range from $82,000 to $250,000. "It's your typical downtown lot, 45 to 55 feet wide," he said.
Nelson isn't sure the exact reason for the recent buying binge, but "interest rates are still down." Also, Longborough prices -- $380,000 to $685,000 for 1,600-square-foot to 3,400-square-foot homes -- are attractive.
"You get a lot of home compared with other parts of downtown," he said.
Billed as "Charleston's newest 'old neighborhood,' " Longborough will include 82 homes in the semicircular, palmetto- and live oak-lined Mary Ellen Drive and environs. The houses, expected to be two stories and a few three stories, are American bungalow design "with a few Charleston single homes thrown in," Nelson said.
"We are trying to keep with what (adjacent neighborhood) Wagener Terrace is," he said.
The company also has space to construct 50 townhomes in the $200,000 range, although there are no immediate plans to do so, he said.
The single-family houses will all be custom-built or "spec" homes. Contractors include Opus Devel-opment, Custom Homes of Carolina, Palladio Homes, JAC 2000 and Integrity Homes. Front porches, marble-framed fireplaces and detailed woodwork are popular features. Architectural shingle or metal roofs top the homes, which typically include 10-foot ceilings downstairs and 9-foot ceilings on upper levels. The development permits detached garages that are large enough for an efficiency apartment.
Since the homes are custom-designed, buyers can choose from a host of features. Custom Homes of Carolina is finishing up one home that includes Australian cypress floors and splashes of Italian tile and Brazilian cherry, builder A.J. Conger said.
He has a special interest in the project. His grandfather, Lawrence Conger, was the barber for 30 years at the Francis Marion Hotel. One of his regular customers was developer J.C. Long, who founded The Beach Co. and is Longborough's namesake.
"It shows Charleston is a small town," Conger said.
Longborough's chief amenity is its up-close views of scenic marsh and the winding Ashley River. Homeowners do not have direct access to the tributary, but "there is still talk about a common dock" that can be used by the neighborhood residents, Nelson said. The developer also plans to set aside open space for a passive park.
Other attractions: Sidewalks on both sides of the streets make it easy for neighbors to walk or stroll around the community, and granite curbs accent driveways.
Thus far, builders have completed one home and a handful are in various stages of construction. Another dozen home starts are planned shortly.
Early purchasers were specialists at the Medical University of South Carolina or other mature professionals who wanted to reside downtown. In the past few weeks, the community has lured younger families, including the owner of a local restaurant chain.
The project is a long-awaited unveiling of The Beach Co.'s plans for the Shoreview Apartments property. The developer two years ago stirred controversy when it demolished the lower-income complex, leaving residents without a place to live, in order to design the subdivision.
The company muted concerns when it agreed to set aside some of the proposed townhomes as affordable housing.
Longborough can be reached from downtown Charleston by taking Ashley Avenue north to Hampton Park. Travel around the park to Tenth Avenue and make a right. Follow Tenth to the Longborough sign and turn left.