Upscale new Centex neighborhood set apart from rest of Carolina Bay

Mention the Carolina Bay development, and people familiar with it might cite the main, lighted entrance off U.S. Highway 17 or that the 1,800-home village stretches from Savannah Highway to Glenn McConnell Parkway.

But they may not realize that just one neighborhood at the present time can be reached via Glenn McConnell. It is Essex at Carolina Bay, which at least for now is not connected to the rest of the community.

"It's kind of tucked back here," says Dana Mager, sales counselor with Centex Homes' Charleston division. "People didn't know we were here until recently."

The community, which broke ground last year, will have 98 dwellings. They include 54 homes valued from $279,400 to $457,900 and 44 townhomes from $261,900 to $293,900. In recent sales and marketing moves, Centex came down $30,000-$50,000 or more on home prices, and the builder changed a collection of styles — known as two-car, detached-garage homes — to Charleston single homes, ranging from 1,530 to 2,739 square feet. Buyers also can choose from "drive under" houses with two-car garages on the first level from 1,537 to 2,739 square feet and townhome designs from 1,812 to 2,044 square feet.

The two-story drive-under homes are the Hayfield, Hutton, Pinckney, Belleview, Clarendon, Radcliffe, Milwood, Ravenwood and Archdale. They have three or four bedrooms and, depending on the plan, come with wrap-around porches, formal dining rooms and great rooms.

Charleston singles are the Ashley, Dorchester, Santee, Pinckney, Wentworth, Magnolia, Clarendon, Radcliffe, Berkeley and Colleton. The single homes are slightly smaller and lower in price overall than the drive-under models.

Some homes are on surrounding marsh and wetlands, while others are on interior lots. Many houses come with decks and screened porches.

The "Sullivan" townhome collection comes in four styles, the Cooper, Edisto, Savannah and Wando. They are all two-story, 2 1/2 bath and three bedroom.

With 23 house or townhome options, Essex at Carolina Bay draws a mix of purchasers. "It is such a variety of people, retired folks, primary residence, families," Mager says.

Community perks include walking trails and sidewalks on both sides of streets. The master plan calls for an amenities center, but that's on hold currently. Essex residents can use the Carolina Bay amenities center off Savannah Highway, she says. The homeowners association dues are $450 a year; townhome fees are $250 a month.

The village has its share of natural attractions. "I think what makes the neighborhood quite charming is we have a lot of oak trees," Mager says. "We kept it very natural looking." As an example, "we have a bald eagle living in Essex," she says, and agents hand out guides for "protecting the bald eagles in Carolina Bay."

Essex at Carolina Bay is in a central spot, close to Interstate 526 and the parkway and a few miles from Bees Ferry Road. There likely will be a cut-through to the Savannah Highway side of Carolina Bay, but it's as much as three years away. "This is going to be a quiet, private location," Mager says.

To access Essex at Carolina Bay from downtown Charleston, cross the Ashley River bridge and merge right onto St. Andrews Boulevard (S.C. Highway 61). Follow the highway (which becomes Ashley River Road) past Sam Rittenberg Boulevard. Bear left onto Paul Cantrell Boulevard, which becomes Glenn McConnell Parkway. Continue through the Magwood Road traffic light at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital.

The Essex entrance is a mile ahead on the left. An alternate route is to head west on Interstate 526 to exit 11B. Turn right onto Glenn McConnell. The turn to Essex is just ahead.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Essex at Carolina Bay.

LOCATION

Charleston County.

DEVELOPER, MARKETING

Centex Homes.

MORE INFO

PHONE: 296-5711.

HOURS: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday.

WEB SITE: carolinabaycharleston.com, centexhomes.com.

TOTAL HOMES, TOWNHOMES

54 homes, 44 townhomes.

PROPERTY TAXES

$1,467 on a $330,000 home.

HOME, TOWNHOME SIZES

1,530-2,739 square feet (homes); 1,812-2,044 square feet (townhomes).

BASE HOME, TOWNHOME PRICES

$279,400-$457,900 (homes); $261,900-$293,900 (townhomes).

TYPICAL FEATURES

-- Smooth ceilings.

-- Crown molding in living, dining and family rooms and foyer.

-- Stainless-steel kitchen range, microwave, dishwasher and granite countertops.

-- Landscaped front and backyards.

-- Cultured marble garden tub.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Ashley River, Citadel Mall, historic plantations and gardens off S.C. Highway 61, Charles Towne Landing, Stono River, Interstate 526.

DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON

8 miles.

SCHOOLS

Oakland Elementary

Grades K-5; phone, 763-1510; enrollment, 470; certified staff, 37; PACT results, 13.6 percent of fifth-graders scored proficient or advanced on English/Language Arts, 26.5 percent on math, 14.7 percent on science and 11.7 percent on social studies.

St. Andrews Middle

Grades 6-8; phone, 763-1533; enrollment, 457; certified staff, 42; PACT results, 11.2 percent of eighth-graders scored proficient or advanced on English/Language Arts, 7 percent on math, 10.5 percent on science and 1.6 percent on social studies.

West Ashley HighGrades 9-12; phone, 573-1201; enrollment, 1,915; certified staff, 145; SAT results, 471 verbal and 471 math. The 942 combined score is lower than the state average (984) and the national average (1017).

HOUSING TRENDS

West Ashley outside Interstate 526:

Number of sales in the fourth quarter of 2007: 87 (down from 135 in the fourth quarter of 2006).

Average sales price: $271,900 (up from $234,500).

Median sales price: $225,000 (up from $195,000).

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.

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