MOUNT PLEASANT, SC – Carolina Park, one of the southeast’s premier master planned residential developments, offers homebuyers in their Riverside custom homes neighborhood a choice of seven builders. Now, many of these builders are turning to local architects and residential designers to bring fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and a true Charleston flavor to the community’s Lowcountry-inspired homes.
“Several of the builders have teamed with some incredibly talented local architects on their custom design homes, and the results are really something,” said Brian Keels, Marketing Director for Carolina Park. “There’s no question that the Lowcountry influence remains firmly intact, but the ideas, special touches and details these architects and designers are bringing to the table are really fantastic.”
Working with custom builder Burton Homes, Charleston architect Laura Altman of LFA Architecture spent a decade working at a Charleston architectural firm before opening her own business 2 years ago. She has designed several homes in Riverside so far, and believes that there are real advantages to having local architects involved in the project.
“Living in Charleston and being surrounded by its historical architecture every day influences a lot of my own work,” said Ms. Altman. “Studying historic homes built centuries ago, studying the details and aesthetics and then bringing those into new designs that combine those traditional aspects with contemporary livability is a challenge I really enjoy.”
Widely recognized as the area’s premier custom homes neighborhood, Riverside’s large private lots and stunning natural beauty combine to create the perfect opportunity to build homes of unparalleled quality and uncompromising detail.
“We like to bring in a lot of traditional touches – low overhangs, wide front porches, screened rear porches – that work to connect the indoors and the outdoors,” says Sabrina Cochran of SLC Architect, who has worked on several designs for JacksonBuilt homes. “That’s always been a big part of Lowcountry design. So, while we make each home distinctly different, we also want to make sure every home feels welcoming, inviting and approachable.”
As Riverside continues to grow and demand for these extraordinary homes grow right along with it, the chance to create showcase homes is keeping all seven builders busy, and keeping talented architects inspired.
“One of the things I love most about Carolina Park is that it’s “pedestrian-friendly,” said Ms. Altman. “With the sidewalks and the wide front porches, it fosters a connected, neighborly feel and a real sense of community you just don’t find in many places.”
While custom home architects and designers rarely entertain the idea of working in a planned community, Riverside has proven to be a highly desirable place for the area’s best to demonstrate their talents while working with some of the southeast’s finest custom home builders.
“It’s really gratifying to work on these homes,” stated Chris Caponigro, a residential designer in Charleston who has teamed up with award-winning Structures Building Company. “Riverside is an opportunity to create quality designs and then see them executed at the highest level. The entire place is about quality – from the design to the craftsmanship of the build to the last details. It’s all done right.”
Set on 1,700 stunning Lowcountry acres, Carolina Park is one of the regions most attractive natural settings. Edging the Wando River, the property encompasses a number of ponds, as well as miles of hiking and biking paths, and more than 230 acres of natural preserve.
“Riverside is an exception to a lot of rules,” concluded Ms. Cochran. “There is such a high level of quality for a neighborhood of its size – high quality construction, lots of attention to detail, a lot of variety in the styles and floor plans. And they’ve worked hard to preserve the natural beauty with large lots and natural spaces. It’s really an exceptional community.”
Carolina Park is located off of Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. The property incorporates Wando High School, the Wando Center for Advanced Studies, and Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital. Currently, a new EMS/Fire Station is under construction on property, while future plans include a public library and a new elementary school. Featuring townhomes, cottage homes, classic single-family homes and Riverside custom homes from nine of the region’s premier builders, Village homes start in the $300s while homes in Riverside range from the $500s to more than $1 million.
To learn more, contact the Carolina Park Sales Center at 843.654.5083. The center is located at 1526 Banning Street, Mount Pleasant, SC, and is open Monday through Saturday from 9am-6pm and Sunday from 1-6pm.