Duplexes, triplexes at gated Salt Marsh townhomes showcase fancy kitchens, large porches and natural vistas

Quiet, upper-crust Seabrook Island has its share of large, plush homes both new and older, and plenty of luxury condos built awhile back. But the 30-year-old community, largely built out, has for a number of years lacked one thing: a new neighborhood. Salt Marsh is filling the void. The 63 duplex and triplex townhomes, less than half the number that would have been allowed under current zoning, were built on one of the last undeveloped tracts in the original planned Seabrook Island community, just off Landfall Way outside the gatehouse. Salt Marsh will be gated as well, with owners given a security code to enter and exit. An amenities center with a pool, cabana and putting green is expected to open in the summer. All dwellings are three stories, including a first-level garage and are 2,058-2,400 square feet in size. They're valued at $595,000 to $1.25 million. About 15 of the units have been sold. Salt Marsh at Seabrook I LLC is the developer, and Seabrook Island Real Estate is involved with marketing and sales. "I think about 30-40 percent (of buyers) are full-time residents," says Meredith Hastings, director of sales and marketing for Salt Marsh Villas. Another 60-70 percent are second-home purchasers or investors. Most buyers are middle age to seniors, and there are a number of families. "The average age is 50," says Joe Salvo, executive director of Seabrook Island Club, which oversees the real estate company. While from Columbia, the developer is plenty familiar with the Charleston area. "What we liked about it is Seabrook has never been hit by a hurricane. (Hurricane Hugo grazed the island, which is southwest of Charleston.) All the (tree) canopies are still intact," says Edward C. "Bud" Mann III, managing partner of Salt Marsh at Seabrook. His group has been involved in commercial and residential real estate for 30 years. It has built houses at the Isle of Palms, but Salt Marsh villas was the first venture into Seabrook Island. LTC Associates is the architect, and ECM the builder. Top-end finishes and furnishings highlight the townhomes. Kitchens come with custom cabinets in cherry, maple and other grains, as well as granite countertops and Bosch brand refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher. Hardwood floors are in the foyer and living room, carpeting in bedrooms and tile in bathrooms. Each of the three-bedroom, three-bath units has an elevator, covered porches and hurricane windows. Extra touches range from crown molding to mahogany front doors. Units sport either pond or marsh views. Options are available, such as hardwood floors all around. As a sign of the pent-up interest in a new community, Salt Marsh Villas promoters attracted 470 people to a "Lowcountry boil" at midday March 22. Located in the Seabrook Island town limits, Salt Marsh is being built at an opportune time: The town is launching its ambitious "Horizon" redevelopment plan, moving away from its resort and conference center roots to become a relaxed beachside community with a new racquet club and the Palmetto Lake and Island House clubhouses, shops and restaurants. The island has two top-notch golf courses, and its tennis center and equestrian ranch will be upgraded. Salt Marsh is well-situated to take advantage of the new town attractions. "It's going to have a community center feel to it," Salvo says. To visit the villas from downtown Charleston, cross the Ashley River Bridge on U.S. Highway 17, bearing left onto Folly Road. Stay on Folly across the Wappoo Bridge, then turn right on Maybank Highway. Follow Maybank for several miles to Bohicket Road and turn left. Take Bohicket for about 10 miles to Seabrook Island Road. Turn right onto Seabrook Island Road, then after about a mile, turn right on Landfall Way. An alternate route is to take Highway 17 (Savannah Highway) west to Main Road and turn left. Follow Main, which becomes Bohicket Road when it crosses Maybank Highway, to Seabrook. Neighborhood: Salt Marsh Location: Charleston County. Developers, marketing: Salt Marsh at Seabrook I LLC, Seabrook Island Real Estate. More info: phone: 768-7722. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. WEB SITE: www.seabrookislandrealestate.com Total duplexes, triplex townhomes: 63. Townhome sizes: 2,058-2,400 square feet. Typical features --Gated community. --Elevators. --Screened-in porches. --Gourmet kitchens. --Mahogany front doors. --First-floor garages. --Granite countertops. Townhome prices: $595,000-$1.25 million. Property taxes: $2,247 on a $750,000 townhome. Area attractions: Atlantic Ocean, Freshfields Village retail center, area golf courses, Charleston Executive Airport, Edisto River, Bohicket and Kiawah creeks, Angel Oak. Distance to downtown Charleston: 22 miles. Schools: Angel Oak Elementary Grades K-5; phone, 554-6912; enrollment, 378 certified staff, 32; PACT results, 11.5 percent of fifth-graders scored proficient or advanced on English/Language Arts, 11.5 percent on math, 23 percent on science and 11.5 percent on social studies. Haut Gap Middle Grades 6-8; phone, 559-6418; enrollment, 199; certified staff, 24; PACT results, 10.2 percent of eighth-graders scored proficient or advanced on English/Language Arts, 4.4 percent on math, 8.6 percent on science and 3.7 percent on social studies. St. John's High Grades 9-12; phone, 559-6400; enrollment, 321; certified staff, 38; SAT results, 388 verbal and 421 math. The 809 combined score is lower than the state average (984) and the national average (1017). Housing trends: Kiawah and Seabrook islands: Number of sales in the first quarter of 2008: 29 (up from 28 in the first quarter of 2007). Average sales price: $790,500 (down from $1,001,500). Median sales price: $695,000 (down from $702,500).

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