Growth Continues North

Residential communities are being developed on the U.S. Highway 17 corridor all the way to Sneads Ferry and beyond, and are becoming part of the rapidly growing Greater Wilmington area.

Not so long ago, commuting into Wilmington from southern Onslow County and Pender County was difficult. Traveling on congested U.S. 17 and then going onto slow-moving city streets to downtown or to GE just north of the city in Castle Hayne was the only option. However, with the opening of the I-140/U.S. 17 bypass, downtown, the new PPD headquarters and GE are much more easily accessible from Onslow and Pender counties.

For example, Dogwood Lakes just south of Holly Ridge in northern Pender County now has easy access to Wilmington. About 20 miles north of the city, this mid-sized development has 92 acres of single-family homesites with amenities including a 28-acre lake, tree-lined sidewalks, community clubhouse and pool, numerous green areas plus a gazebo and boat launch on the lake.

Summerhouse Developing

Located directly across from Topsail Island on the Intracoastal Waterway, another enticing gated community is currently being developed. Summerhouse on Everett Bay promises to be an extraordinary community of luxurious homes. Among the lot offerings are many with spectacular views of Everett Bay and Night Heron Pond. Marsh view properties are also available for nature lovers and bird watchers. Currently, pre-development pricing is still in effect for the lots that are surrounded by natural woodlands and water.

Well under way in the Sneads Ferry area is Mimosa Bay, consisting of 370 lots on 350 acres. A clubhouse and tennis courts are completed and a swimming pool will be built in 2008; home prices range from $125,000 to $350,000. Other developments planned and/or underway in the area include Creeks Edge, Royal Palms and Old Millstone Landing.

Further north on U.S. 17 well into Onslow County, plans are being finalized for two large developments in the Sneads Ferry locale. The larger, Jubilation, consists of 888 acres which will be divided into 1,461 lots, while the smaller development, Oyster Landing, is 321 lots on 468 acres.