Grand Clam

Arriving from a landlocked region, some recent visitors – two parents and four grown kids – were instantly intrigued.

They could fish, and they liked all the parking. Besides, the beach and downtown aren’t far away.

Lynn Callison says that’s the type of interest springing up at The Preserve at The Clam Farm, a townhome village off Folly Road near the ocean that eventually will have 62 dwellings three- and four-stories high.

“This is perfect for a person scaling down,” who is looking for low maintenance but not wanting to compromise on luxury, she says. “It’s a fabulous second home, too,” says Callison, broker associate for ERA Tides Realty who is handling the neighborhood’s listings.

Even more appealing is that the developer and marketer have sliced up to 10 percent or more off the original purchase price. The units now cost $554,250 to $675,000.

The 2,177- to 2,700-square-foot mid-rises are available in four floor plans, the three-bedroom Sandollar and Conch and four-bedroom Abalone and Bull’s Eye. The dwellings come with two-and-a-half or three-and-a-half bathrooms. Some of the townhomes overlook marsh with Sol Legare Creek in the distance, while others have views of the woods including live oaks.

Developing the property is a Columbia-based “development consortium,” Callison says. The consortium is a “very strong group, very financially sound.” Orangeburg-based C.F. Evans is the builder.

Marketing efforts started not long ago. Seven townhomes have been built, clustered in a pair of two-unit buildings and one three-unit structure. One townhome is under contract, says Wilson “Bud” Poston, Realtor with ERA Tides Realty.

The neighborhood has a few amenities, notably a swimming pool and cabana, natural saltwater lake and 10 boat slips to be built and sold on Sol Legare Creek, Poston says.

Options can be added to the high-end townhomes, such as wood floors instead of carpeting in the bedrooms, but they are “pretty much decked out now,” he says.

The townhomes offer plenty of upscale features, including open kitchens with recessed and pendant lighting, granite countertops, custom wood cabinets and stainless refrigerator, double oven, stove and dishwasher. In some dwellings, the kitchen faces opposite ways, both into the living room and into the dining area.

Hardwood floors are in most of the living areas except for carpeted guest bedrooms and ceramic tile in bathrooms. Extra-wide stairs link the levels. The master suite, which has hardwood floors, is comprised of a spacious bedroom and large bathroom with whirlpool tub and separate shower.

Two-and-a-half-car garages on the ground floor are standard as are elevators connecting every level. Balconies are found on the main levels, and Romeo and Juliet perches jut from bedrooms. Metal “plantation” shutters complement insulated glass windows.

The four-bedroom models are laid out inversely with the bedrooms on the second level and the living quarters above. The four-story plan parks the master suite on the top floor.

Other perks include “on demand” gas water heater and a fire suppression sprinkler system in each townhome.

The nine-acre property, which gets its name from being built on the site of the former Atlantic Littleneck Clam Farm, overlooks tidal creeks on the south side. “You can kayak through here at high tide,” Callison says. Sol Legare Creek is a little ways in the distance, on the road to Folly Beach. “That’s one of our biggest things, only two miles from the beach,” Callison says.

To reach The Preserve at The Clam Farm from downtown Charleston, travel west on Calhoun Street to the James Island Connector. Follow the connector to its terminus at Folly Road. Turn left on Folly and continue for about six miles. The community is on the right.

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

Neighborhood: The Preserve at The Clam Farm

Location: Charleston County

Phone: (843) 814-2324

Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday

Website: www.ThePreserveAtTheClamFarm.com