Brick Solid: Builder stacks up initial sales in quiet western Summerville neighborhood
A few new lots from Dan Ryan Builders in River Birch back up to the Ashley River. Pretty cool, but the builder notes it more as an afterthought.
You see, the Summerville neighborhood is near the headwaters of the Ashley, which would hardly be confused at that point with the Mighty Missisip.’
No worries. Dan Ryan Builders has plenty more to offer in the community near Boone Hill Road. Notably, the company is framing brick-façade and all-brick homes with sizable yards and amenity-filled interiors. The houses are 2,402-2,695 square feet and priced from $229,990 to $252,990.
Dan Ryan is the second builder to raise houses in River Birch; most of its homes will be on the west side of the neighborhood. One exception is the Waccamaw sales model, a popular design with the master bedroom downstairs. It is located near the community entrance off Dorchester Road.
The builder is planning to construct at least 42 residences, and four houses are completed. The construction time is usually three to four months. Chris Everett is the new community sales manager.
Sales started in late fall. Home shoppers include employees at the new Boeing plant and Charleston Air Force Base personnel.
Dan Ryan showcases posh features in its half-dozen home designs: the Saluda, Arlington, Middleton, Hawthorne, Drayton and Waccamaw.
Choices are five two-story models and a ranch plan. Available with some styles are three car garages, which makes it easier for instance to store a boat, says Brian Wagner, general sales manager in the Charleston area.
“We are very excited to build in River Birch," Wagner says. “The community has a great, high end, custom feel. The brick homes, the rich landscaping and the wooded home sites make the community stand out as the place to live in Summerville,” he says.
“We are taking extra steps to preserve as many of the existing trees as possible to keep a mature, custom look in the community,” Wagner notes. “We believe that our quality construction practices along with our value-based pricing structure presents a great opportunity for our buyers to get in a high-end home and community for a reasonable amount of money.”
Upscale standard features are stainless steel kitchen appliances including refrigerator, smooth top stove and dishwasher; hardwoods in the foyer; and Corian countertops. Among energy-efficient perks are tankless water heaters.
All homes come with brick fronts and fiber-cement sides, although buyers can request brick throughout on the outside. Properties are landscaped with 70 percent pine straw; 30 percent sod and include 10-12 shrubs. Most of the lots look out on woods.
Dan Ryan Builders is flexible and can work in many options. For instance, 120-square-foot patios are the norm, but the builder adds screened-in porches. Other options are living room fireplaces, extra bedrooms and built-in sound systems.
Features of the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath Waccamaw sales model are a great room with vaulted ceiling, eat-in kitchen, separate dining room and a two-car garage.
Other typical features in the Dan Ryan homes are 9-foot ceilings on the first floor, large closets, laundry, five-and-a-quarter-inch baseboard trim and tray ceilings with bead board in the bedrooms. Depending on the design, models can have second-floor lofts, owner’s suites and additional baths.
River Birch is in a semi-rural area toward the edge of new neighborhoods on the western fringe of Summerville. At the same time, it is close to major arteries such as Dorchester and Boone Hill roads. Just a few miles away is Bacon’s Bridge Road, which crosses the Ashley River and ties into S.C. Highway 61.
To reach River Birch from downtown Charleston, travel west on Interstate 26 to Ashley Phosphate Road, which is exit 209B. Turn left on Ashley Phosphate and follow it to Dorchester Road. Bear right on Dorchester and proceed 12 miles, crossing Bacon’s Bridge Road about three-quarters of the way there. Turn left on Blockade Runner Parkway. The model is on the left.
Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.
Neighborhood: River Birch
Location: Dorchester County
Phone: 843-901-9937
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday and Monday
Website: www.danryanbuilders.com
