Neighborhoods

There are so many distinct areas that it’s not easy to describe neighborhoods in the Greater Wilmington area. With growth averaging about 20 percent every 10 years and forecasted to continue at a rapid pace in this hot residential construction area, new neighborhoods become old neighborhoods fairly quickly as even more new neighborhoods are developed.

Construction, both residential and commercial, is one of the largest employers in our area and has a huge impact on our economy. Retirees, employees transferred into our area because of industrial and commercial expansion and entrepreneurs seeking a better quality of life are some of the newcomers fueling the demand for additional housing.

Of course, it’s not possible to list all of the neighborhoods, but we’ll mention a few that are new or continuing to develop in three basic areas: New Hanover County, which includes Wilmington; Brunswick County, which includes Southport and Leland; and Pender County, just north of Wilmington.

Brunswick County Explodes    back to top

We’ll start with Brunswick County, which experienced a 43.5 percent population growth during the ’90s and is expected to have a 5.6 percent growth between 2005 and 2007. As one of North Carolina’s fastest growing counties now, Brunswick County was not always so.

Fifteen years ago, the fishing village of Southport plus a few other sleepy communities were about all there was in Brunswick County. St. James Plantation south of Southport, probably the first of the major developments in the county, had just gotten underway. St. James today, actually a town now, is just one among many communities in the burgeoning Brunswick County real estate development scene.

Today, numerous, relatively new developments and neighborhoods exist in Brunswick County, many along North Carolina State Routes 133 and 211 from Southport, and along U.S. Highway 17. A number are gated communities, sometimes called plantations, and quite a few have golf courses.

New In Southport    back to top

Relaxed Southern living, historical setting, friendly neighborhood charm - these and many more delightful descriptions portray the lifestyle to be found at Cades Cove, located in Southport, a quaint 200-year-old fishing village situated at the mouth of the Cape Fear River as it flows into the majestic Atlantic Ocean.

Cades Cove, a planned community of 100 homes in the low-country, classic coastal style with front porches, is positioned about midway between historic Wilmington, N.C., and the excitement of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The seven diverse home styles, ranging from 1,400 to 2,600 square feet and two to four bedrooms, have rear-entry garages and sidewalks, which complement the community’s friendly neighborhood feeling.

Water Everywhere     back to top

Not far from Cades Cove is RiverSea Plantation, which offers residents the best of three worlds. RiverSea Plantation’s location on the Lockwood Folly River allows access to the Cape Fear River, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean - truly a water lover’s paradise. Nearby are beautiful, sandy beaches, great seafood dining, exciting fishing and a wealth of golf courses.

With a strong emphasis on nature preservation amid the dogwoods, 200-year-old pines and massive live oaks, homes in this gated community offer an unusual sense of privacy and seclusion not often found. Metal roofs, spacious porches and bay windows are just a few of the features that characterize the available home styles ranging from 2207 to 2828 square feet, all designed with the homeowner’s enjoyment of beautiful, natural surroundings in mind.

Commuting Distance    back to top

Palmetto Creek, a community of all-brick homes about half an hour from Wilmington, features patio homes, town homes and custom homes in a setting of lighted streets, sidewalks, lakes and a beach. There is a nature trail along the creek, boardwalk through a preserved Palmetto Palm grove, clubhouse, tennis courts, swimming pool, fully equipped fitness center and a putting green.

Located within a reasonable daily commuting distance of Wilmington, Palmetto Creek is just beginning to develop now. Small lakes, ponds and pocket parks are scattered throughout the community and Brunswick beaches are just 15 minutes away. Homes from 1700 to more than 3000 square feet, built by some of North Carolina’s best builders, will be available.

Winding River Plantation features the 27-hole championship Carolina National Golf Course designed by Fred Couples. Located on the upper reaches of the Lockwood Folly River about half an hour from Wilmington, Winding River Plantation offers individual homes, town homes and condos and has its own private boat launch.

Near Oak Island    back to top

A few miles north of Oak Island on picturesque Mill Creek that flows into the Lockwood Folly River, you’ll find Mill Creek Cove, a charming development of rolling hills, marsh grasses and wooded areas. This enchanting waterfront community features 292 delightful homesites nestled along Mill Creek among pines, old oak trees, and nature trails.

The nature pond surrounded by tall hardwoods is an exceptional treat, and the nearby tennis courts, swimming pool, canoe launch, putting green and spacious clubhouse offer an appealing group of amenities for all lifestyles. Nearby, Holden Beach and Oak Island beaches provide access to a wealth of oceanfront activities. Sunset Harbor allows access to the river, Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean, and golf courses abound in the area.

Sunset Beach Beauty    back to top

For those who can afford the very best in an idyllic, exclusive lifestyle, Palm Cove of the Carolinas has only four remaining of ten homesites in this gated community. Exquisitely set amongst rolling, high dunes and studded with palm trees, the more-than-an-acre homesites extend from wide sand beaches on the Atlantic Ocean to Jinx’s Creek, a spur off the Intracoastal Waterway.

Palm Cove homesites, sited at the east end of Sunset Beach, feature breathtaking views of the sparkling blue Atlantic. With downtown historic Wilmington only 40 minutes away, the excitement of Myrtle Beach less than half an hour south and a wealth of golf courses nearby, Palm Cove is ideally situated for those who want to enjoy the really good life.

Oyster Harbor, on the Intracoastal Waterway near Holden Beach, features generous-sized lots up to an acre or more, and offers tennis courts, boat access and storage, clubhouse, pool, nature trails and bike paths. The development is midway between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, and has 30 golf courses within an easy drive.

Lockwood Folly Country Club, located where the Lockwood Folly River joins the Intracoastal Waterway, perhaps 45 minutes from Wilmington, is a community surrounding the Willard Byrd Championship Golf Course. Homesites range from $100,000 to $300,000 or more, and homes are from $300,000 to $1 million.

Massive Development    back to top

Brunswick Forest is a 4,500-acre community continuing to develop on Towne Creek near Leland, about 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington. There are several neighborhoods within the development: Parkview, Jefferson Landing, Evangeline and Walden, a private gated neighborhood of 100 homes, some bordering lakes. Choices vary from cottages and town homes to spacious residences.

Brunswick Forest’s 27-hole Cape Fear National golf course, featuring clubhouse, pro shop and bar and grille, was designed by Tim Cates and will open in 2009. Many amenities will be part of the development including the River Club boating and fishing center, the Ocean Club outdoor pavilion and beach, wellness center, community garden, nature trails and Village Center with shops, restaurants and professional services at the entrance to Brunswick Forest.

Closest To Wilmington    back to top

Waterford of the Carolinas, also in the Leland area on 575 acres, has a host of features and amenities almost too numerous to mention - but we’ll take a stab at it. With most of the 900 homes and home sites located on the creeks, lakes and waterways, Waterford prices range from $74,000 to $250,000 for lots; brick patio homes are priced from $170,000 to $300,000; and custom individual homes range from $265,000 to $800,000.

Scenic walking trails wind throughout the community, there are four lighted tennis courts and the lakes are large enough for small boat sailing, fishing, kayaking and rowing. The Amenities Center, or Homeowner’s Clubhouse, has a sports events lawn for outdoor activities and parties, fitness facility, media room and library and gathering area with kitchen for parties. The large, resort-style swimming pool and walk-up beach are connected with the Clubhouse by a poolside screened porch.

Although Waterford of the Carolinas does not have its own golf course, Magnolia Greens, a four-and-a-half star course, is located within walking distance, and dozens of courses are within easy driving distance. At the entrance to Waterford, the Village Shops include a comprehensive medical center, restaurants, bank, animal hospital, pharmacy, dentist and much, much more, all only about five minutes from Wilmington.

New Hanover County    back to top

Although New Hanover County geographically is next to the smallest county in North Carolina, it’s far from the smallest in residential development. Downtown Wilmington continues to enjoy an upsurge in people living there as new condo developments spring up. This increase in downtown residency is a great part of what is fueling the continued growth and strength of the downtown area.

A fair amount of residential construction is taking place on the north side of downtown where the new headquarters building for PPD Corporation opens in 2007. Still other development is taking place in the center and southern areas of downtown, and large scale condominium projects are planned for the west side of the Cape Fear River. Add to all this the continued renovation of old homes and the growth of living quarters above shops and offices, and you have a recipe for a vibrant downtown Wilmington. Let’s take a look at some of downtown’s developments.

Downtown Evolves    back to top

212 Walnut Street, on the near north side, is typical of several developments downtown, which have commercial space on the ground floor and condominiums on the upper floors. 212 Water Street’s eight condos feature views of the Historic District and are just three blocks from the river.

Courtyard Condominiums and Riverwatch Apartments, located on Red Cross Street near Second Street and Cape Fear Community College, are all one-bedroom units with patios and balconies overlooking a courtyard.

Clarenden Park is a new development of single-family homes on the north side along Smith Creek. About 120 home sites are in the development which is within two blocks of a city park and hiking trails.

Bannerman Station, at Second and Walnut Streets, is a five-story building with 38 condominiums above retail and private parking areas plus a secured lobby. Units range from one to three bedrooms and have balconies or terraces with views of the city or the river.

Governor’s Landing, on Nun Street just south of Chandlers Wharf, has its own marina and features luxury, 3,000 square foot town homes on the river. Six units are completed in Phase One, and more units will be available in Phases Two, Three and Four.

Changes On Castle    back to top

The area on Castle Street from Fifth to Seventh continues to change. Numerous antique dealers, more than 30 at last count, have located there and groundbreaking on a new building, The Village at Newcastle, will occur in April 2007. Six new stores plus 14 condos are being built and the demand is so great that before ground is broken, the condos are almost sold out.

Wilmington Grows    back to top

Getting away from downtown, growth of new neighborhoods is taking place all over the city and outlying areas, with much of it being concentrated along several corridors: the east side near Wrightsville Beach, especially along Military Cutoff Road; the south side along River Road all the way to Carolina Beach; the southeast side along Carolina Beach Road down to Pleasure Island; the northeast side along Market Street through Ogden.

On the east side of the city near Wrightsville Beach, quite a few neighborhoods have developed. Landfall, a private gated community off Eastwood Road begun in 1985, consists of 2,200 acres and 1,900 home sites along the Intracoastal Waterway. A few of the amenities of this staid, upscale community include two clubhouses, 45 holes of golf designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus, 14 tennis courts in a sports complex designed by Cliff Drysdale and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Self-Contained Village    back to top

Not far from Landfall, along Eastwood and Military Cutoff Roads, is The Village at Mayfaire, a 31-acre site offering 204 luxury condominiums ranging from 1260 to 2037 square feet. There are six floor plans from which to choose and each unit has a private terrace ranging in size from 86 to 225 square feet.

Amenities include a 5,500 square foot clubhouse with 24-hour cardio center, a 25-seat movie theater, library, lighted tennis courts, pool with huge sunning deck and much more. Prices begin at $324,000.

The Village at Mayfaire is located one-half mile from Mayfaire Town Center, where nearly everything a resident might need can be found without leaving the complex. A big draw is that Wrightsville Beach is less than three miles away.

Northern New Hanover    back to top

About two miles north of Military Cutoff Road on U.S. Highway 17 (North Market Street), you’ll find Marsh Oaks, a community of 450 acres of wooded home sites. Amenities include a swimming pool, tennis and a clubhouse. Prices for lots begin at $100,000 and completed homes start at $400,000. An architectural committee ensures harmony of homes and landscaping. Marsh Oaks is less than thirty minutes from downtown Wilmington and about 15 minutes from the ocean.

A bit further north on Market Street is Porters Neck Plantation and Country Club, on the Intracoastal Waterway about four miles north of Wilmington. Porters Neck is one of New Hanover County’s more venerable, upscale developments. The 18-hole golf course at Porters Neck, designed by Tom Fazio, has been named “the #1 coastal course” in North Carolina by Golf Digest, and a pool, tennis courts and a sports and fitness complex are some of the amenities. Lots in Porters Neck range from well over $100,000 to more than $500,000, and homes are priced from $350,000 to $1 million or more.

Pender County Grows    back to top

Grand Oaks is a new community in Rocky Point in Pender County that is in a country setting yet a very easy commute to Wilmington’s new businesses. Homeowners can reach General Electric in less than 10 minutes and, by going out the back entrance to the new bypass, can be at PPD downtown in 15 minutes. Grand Oaks has a family on-site driving range and huge, old oak trees grow throughout the community.

Homes in the gated community are built on more than one-acre lots and begin at $300,000. When Phase II and III are completed, there will be approximately 150 homesites.

Where Eagles Soar    back to top

Eagle’s Watch in Hampstead is an upscale development on the Intracoastal Waterway emphasizing the protection of nature and wildlife. A gated community, Eagle’s Watch features two ponds with cypress trees and a three-acre lake, plus a 350-foot bald eagle’s preserve. Amenities include tennis, putting green, swimming pool, nature trail, and pavilion housing a variety of facilities plus a bird watching area.

The 134 homesites, ranging from about half an acre to over an acre, are beautifully sited along both Nixon’s Mill Creek and Old Topsail Creek. Wooded lots with stately pine, cypress and cedar trees are available, as are lots on the high bluff overlooking marsh grasses and a winding tidal creek. For seven months a year, Knotch and Serrata, a protected pair of bald eagles, nest in the bluffs, helping to make Eagle’s Nest a true nature lover’s paradise. Remaining lots range in price from the lot $200s to $1 million.

Building Still    back to top

Castle Bay Country Club in Hampstead is a private community developed around a golf course with acres of protected wetlands, numerous ponds and lake with scenic beaches. A Scottish links golf course, sidewalks, pool, tennis, and fitness center are some of the amenities. There will be 300 home sites when Castle Bay is fully built out and patio homes as well as custom homes are being built.

Whatever your residential preferences and financial resources, you can find a home to meet your needs and satisfy your desires in the Greater Wilmington area.