Lakefront Lookout

The first step for the new developers at The Gardens of Whitney Lake was to wrap up what had been started by others.

Now Blanchard & Calhoun Charleston LLC is unveiling its completed offerings, a series of well-appointed, moderately priced townhomes on Johns Island overlooking a broad lake.

The builder, connected to an Augusta-based company, took over the stalled development late last year. One of the first projects was to complete framed but unfinished townhomes.

“It took some effort and expense bringing them up to standard,” says Ron Schulz, of Blanchard & Calhoun Charleston. “We just put them back on the market March 1,” he says.

Located off Murraywood Road on Brittlebush Lane, the townhomes are conveniently placed. “We are only a few minutes from downtown,” he says. With five or so townhomes grouped per building, they are close together. “It’s neighbor-friendly,” he says.

The dwellings, which are available in the two-story Primrose and three-story Aster floor plans, are 1,640-1,740 square feet and priced from $158,990 to $171,990. Each style has three bedrooms, while the Primrose has two-and-a-half baths and the Aster, three-and-a-half baths.

Townhome prices vary even among like-sized units, Schulz says, because the builder installed a mix of features as it rallied to complete properties left unfinished by the previous developer.

Seven units come with fireplaces. Most kitchens include stainless appliances but several have white appliances. Nearly all kitchens showcase granite countertops; a couple have Formica tops.

Standard features include 9-foot ceilings on the first floor; kitchen stove, microwave and dishwasher; polished chrome faucets; crown molding in the entryway and dining room; architectural shingles; fiber-cement siding; mold protection for the interior shell of the structure; sodded front yard; and concrete patio.

Among the available upgrades are 42-inch wall cabinets, refrigerator and washer and dryer. In another perk, “we are offering detached garages,” Schulz says. The garages, priced at $10,000 apiece, would be constructed behind the townhomes adjacent to existing driveways and would be in clusters of four.

The Gardens of Whitney Lake had 183 completed homes and townhomes when Blanchard & Calhoun Charleston took over. Schulz says the first objective was to complete 60 townhomes in various states of construction on the south side of the lake. “We have finished 46 of them,” he says.

Eventually, the developer plans to construct townhomes on another 88 lots. And there’s an additional 45 lots for single-family homes, he says.

In the next few weeks, the company plans to build a dock and gazebo stretching out into the lake. “It’s sort of a party dock,” Schulz says. Canoe-goers and kayakers can tie up next to the gazebo and come ashore, he says. Walking trails are also planned.

Another proposal involves constructing a lakeside amenities center with swimming pool, workout facility and clubhouse. The Gardens of Whitney Lake homeowners association is expected to meet this month to decide on whether to move forward with project. If owners approve it, the center should be underway by next spring, Schulz says.

While on the market just a month, the townhomes are attracting interest. Blanchard & Calhoun Charleston sold five dwellings in March alone, he says.

“We priced them right,” Schulz says.

To get to The Gardens of Whitney Lake from downtown Charleston, traverse the Ashley River Bridge and veer left onto Folly Road. Cross the Wappoo Bridge and turn right on Maybank Highway. Follow Maybank Highway across the Stono River bridge to Johns Island. Turn right on River Road. After a mile, take a left on Murraywood Road. Go one-half mile or so and the neighborhood entrance is on the left. The new townhomes are near the rear of the property.

Reach Jim Parker at jparker@postandcourier.com

Neighborhood: The Gardens of Whitney Lake

Location: Charleston County

Phone: (843) 812-6649

Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday

Web site: www.bccharleston.com