CF Evans

Golden Isles Marina being constructed by C.F. Evans

May 22, 2007

(The Brunswick News) Joseph Walker II describes himself as taken with the St. Simons Island and Sea Island real estate situation.

Walker, a principal with Estates Management Co. in Columbia, S.C., says that is the reason his company has chosen to build a 40-unit condominium complex at the Golden Isles Marina.

"The building permit has been pulled and we're planning to start construction later this month," Walker said.

The construction plans are part of an overall upgrade for the marina, which features both wet and dry boat storage, office space, retail shops and a restaurant.

"(Golden Isles Marina) is a special piece of property, conducive to high-end multi-family development," Walker said. "It's the front door to St. Simons Island."

With the addition of the 40 luxury condominium units, which will be housed in three buildings on a three-acre site, the development will reflect the current trend of mixed use developments - with residential, recreational, retail and professional space all in one spot.

"The difference is the components are owned by different entities," Walker said.

All in all, everyone will benefit by the changes:

• New condos will offer upscale amenities.
• The business park will undergo a change.

New condos. Walker said that the condos will be built to the maximum 35 feet allowed on St. Simons Island. They are being constructed by C.F. Evans and Company of Orangeburg, SC.

"That gives us three levels of condominiums with parking underneath on grade," Walker said."

All of the condos are three-bedroom, three-bath units and will feature nine-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, upgraded finishes and stainless steel appliances.

The concrete buildings will feature metal roofs and low-country style architectural elements.

They range in size from 1,463-square feet to 3,311-square-feet for the two penthouse units. The remaining units are priced from $895,000 to a little more than $1.9 million.

Initially, units began in the mid-$800,000s.

Adair Roberts, a real estate agent with Culver & DeLoach on St. Simons Island, sales team for the project, said that every unit will have 360-degree views of the marsh and river.

Roberts led the team's efforts to purchase the land and sell the units.

"The views and the price per square foot make this an exceptional value for St. Simons Island," said Pete Culver of Culver & DeLoach.

The complex will also include plenty of green space, an infinity edge pool overlooking the marsh and river, an events lawn and an outdoor kitchen.

Estates Inc. is very experienced in high-end multi-family housing. The company currently owns and manages seven apartment buildings and has developed many more than that, according to Walker.

"We've also built several high-end condominiums, some of which have been on the peninsula within the historic district in Charleston (S.C.)," Walker said.

Walker said that rather than looking for new land to develop, his company specializes in in-fill development - building new projects in existing neighborhoods..

"We are good neighbors, and try to bring value to a community," Walker said. "We offer a special product."

Business park. Boyce Mann, who originally owned the parcel on which Estates Management Co. is building on, as well as the office park and wet slip boat storage at Golden Isles Marina, is making some changes as well.

"We've converted the office park to condominiums," Mann said. "All of the units have been sold."

Mann's plans include a new pool for the use of wet slip tenants at the marina, improved parking and a new restaurant.

The restaurant will be owned by Food Concepts 101, the Atlanta-based company which owns Food 101, Soho and Meehan's Irish Pub.

According to the company Web site, Food 101 serves American fare with rural roots, Soho's serves contemporary food with many cultural influences, and Meehan's is a classic Irish pub.

Food Concepts 101 representatives could not be reached for comment.

However, Mann said that the restaurant, which will be built on the site of the former outdoor bar at Emmeline's, will have an extensive menu that features seafood and steak.

During the business park's transition phase, Mann remains in charge of its day-to-day operations, but that is about to change.

"Once the new condo association board is elected, I will no longer be in charge," Mann said. "I will only have control over the wet slips and the marina."
 

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Posted by: Mary Starr