Taking Wing

In terms of moderately priced houses, Eastwood Homes arguably is offering customers blanket coverage in the Charleston area.

The company has neighborhoods in Summerville, Hanahan, Moncks Corner and Johns Island. Houses range from 1,100 to 2,700 square feet and are priced from the $120,000s to the $180,000s.

But the North Carolina builder believes, figuratively, it had left one corner of the blanket uncovered.

That would be the townhome market. It’s aimed at individuals, couples or small families who desire interior space, don’t care about a big yard and are looking for a good deal.

Eastwood Homes, which has built townhomes in Greenville and elsewhere, remedied the local shortcoming this summer by unveiling Monarch Plantation in Goose Creek. The company is designing at least 100 townhomes in the community off Montague Plantation Road.

While sharing walls, the up-and-down units resemble two-story houses, according to Jason Esposito, regional manager for Eastwood Homes.

“It doesn’t feel like your typical townhome,” he says. “They certainly show well.”

The first townhomes were completed a couple of months ago, and some units have already sold. “We’ve seen a need in the market,” Esposito says. “We have buyers.”

Eastwood Homes tailored four floor plans from 1,452 to 1,812 square feet and priced from $110,990 to $125,990. The designs are the Anderson, Boone, Jackson and Durham.

Designed with open layouts, the dwellings all come with two to three bedrooms and one to two baths. Other standard features are 9-foot smooth ceilings, two-panel colonial doors, brushed-nickel hardware, crown molding, attic storage and covered patios, which are “a big hit,” Esposito says. Kitchen fixtures include a cooktop, oven and dishwasher.

Alluring options are stainless kitchen appliances, extra-large 42-inch cabinets and hardwood floors.

“People have choices,” says Melissa Guggisberg, new home specialist with Eastwood Homes. Even with a slew of extras, the dwellings still cost “definitely less than $150,000.”

The units vary by floor plan, too. Large living rooms, spacious kitchens and oversized bedrooms are highlights of particular models. Buyers can select plans with the master bedroom upstairs or down. The Jackson sports a formal dining room, the Boone a breakfast nook, the Anderson a large pantry and the Durham a vaulted ceiling in the family room.

The townhomes feature “green” highlights, notably low-flow toilets and showers and Kenmore high-efficiency appliances. Property lots are small but include back and front lawns.

Residents pay $75 a month in homeowners association dues. At this point, the neighborhood does not have amenities. But a pool and clubhouse are proposed if plans move ahead for a second construction phase in two years.

Monarch Plantation also benefits from its location, not far from major employers and centers of higher learning such as Charleston Southern University.

“We have seen Berkeley County school employees as well as SPAWAR (Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center) guys,” Guggisberg says.

Also close by is a planned shopping plaza along Montague Plantation Road. “You can walk to the retail space,” Esposito says.

The strongest selling point about Monarch Plantation is it offers larger-than-normal townhomes at moderate prices. “We have been getting good feedback,” Esposito says. “It’s a value deal.”

To get to Monarch Plantation from downtown Charleston, travel west on Interstate 26 to exit 209 at U.S. Highway 52. Follow Highway 52 into Goose Creek and continue through the intersection with U.S. Highway 176. Go about three miles and turn right on Montague Plantation Road. The complex is a mile or so ahead on the left.

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

Neighborhood: Monarch Plantation

Location: Berkeley County

Phone: (843) 296-4501

Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday

Website: www.eastwoodhomes.com