The number of people living in the Lowcountry has increased dramatically over the past decade and many new housing communities have emerged. Though it’s hard to find much variety in a world of cookiecutter neighborhoods that offer little more than a few decorative fountains, two communities by Kolter Homes stand above the rest.
Cresswind Charleston and The Ponds are just minutes from downtown Summerville. The communities are set among a canopy of ancient oaks and waterways with over 1,100 acres of preserves and over 20 miles of trails and walkways. In this authentic Lowcountry setting, homebuyers can enjoy all the fresh, modern amenities, activities, and perks of living in a new home community.
Jeff Vandewiel, Kolter’s director of construction for both neighborhoods, is excited about the future. Between both communities, there are 20 unique house plans that buyers can personalize to create their perfect home. Buyers also have plenty of options on the location of their new home, whether it be overlooking one of the communities’ many ponds, preserves or welcoming neighborhood streets.
“We are growing at a pretty fast rate,” says Vandewiel. “We’ve just entered several new phases in each neighborhood, and we will continue to do so for the next several years. There are plenty of great choices for homesites and locations.”
Vandewiel says that one of the best things about “buying new” in one of these neighborhoods is that when Kolter opens a new phase, all of the homesites go on sale at once, so there’s no shortage of great choices.
While Cresswind Charleston and The Ponds are both Kolter communities, there is a key difference between the two. The Ponds is a traditional neighborhood designed for multigenerational living, and Cresswind Charleston is an age-restricted community for active adults who are 55-plus.
The Ponds sits at the front of the development. There are green spaces, an amphitheater, lakes, well-manicured sidewalks and even an on-site YMCA. New home prices currently start in the mid $200s. And thanks to Jamie Hepburn, The Ponds’ lifestyle director, there’s always something fun for the whole family to enjoy at The Farmhouse, a restored 19th-century property and the community’s social center.
Hepburn wants to make sure the people in The Ponds have plenty of activities. In just the past few months, she’s organized a wine and cheese night; a puppy-training workshop; arts, dance and cooking lessons for children and youth; as well as a Sip ’N Paint Night. The Ponds has four large events each year: The Memorial Day picnic, a fall festival, a Fourth of July festival and an oyster roast. Hepburn is continuing to add more events all of the time, such as the food truck roundup planned for this spring.
“We get a great response at our events,” she says. “The children’s activities are always popular and whole-neighborhood events are a great way for everyone to hang out and have fun.”
Cresswind is a gated community and requires a pass to enter. It sits apart from The Ponds because it’s an age-restricted community. Cresswind residents can enjoy all of the benefits of living at The Ponds, plus they also have their own community activities and clubhouse, which features a resort-style pool, pickleball, tennis, fitness center, social rooms and more.
Robin Wharton, Cresswind’s lifestyle director, does her best to keep everyone entertained.
“Planning for active adults is different because they have a lot more free time,” says Wharton. “That means they can really care about the details, and it’s my job to make sure everything is as fun as it can be.”
Thanks to Wharton’s enthusiasm, there’s no scarcity of events and clubs at Cresswind. Activities include yoga and Pilates classes, cooking classes, a happy hour at the club, as well as outdoor activities, like tennis and bocce.
Both Cresswind Charleston and The Ponds offer a great lifestyle for anyone in the market for a new home.
M. Luke Yoder is a freelance writer based in Charleston. Learn more at mlukeyoder.com.