Mount Pleasant is the largest suburb of Charleston. For several years, it was one of the state’s fastest growing areas, literally doubling in population size between 1990 and 2000. The Ravenel Bridge, an eight lane highway that was completed in 2005, spans the Cooper River and links the town of Mount Pleasant with the City of Charleston. At the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge is Patriot’s Point, a naval and maritime museum, home to the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, which is now a museum ship. Mount Pleasant has a small-town sense of community. Many people choose to live in Mount Pleasant because of the town’s proximity to the area’s beaches and excellent golf courses, its mild climate and nearby state-of-the-art medical facilities. Mount Pleasant also is home to some of the finest shopping in the region. Towne Centre, on busy Highway 17, offers a wide selection of goods from national and local merchants. Picturesque Shem Creek, which bisects the city, hosts several popular restaurants and one of the last fleets of local fishing boats in the area. Residents take advantage of the fresh off-the-boat seafood sold on the docks. Boone Hall Plantation is another highlight of Mount Pleasant. It is one of America’s oldest working, living plantations that has been continuously growing and producing crops for over 320 years. Once known for cotton and pecans, Boone Hall is still actively producing strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins, as well as many other fruits and vegetables. The U-Pick fields are open in season, and their main modern market on Hwy. 17 is open for business.
Being the very first neighborhood in Mount Pleasant, the Old Village is famous for its centuries-old trees and historic landscapes and homes that date back to the Revolution. Accessible to the nearby beach of Sullivan’s Island, it also sits minutes from downtown Charleston and the lively nightlife of Shem Creek. The community is admired for its preservation because of stringent rules of architectural design. Alhambra Hall, originally a dance hall, is used for weddings, community events and has a great children’s play park that overlooks Charleston Harbor. Another popular area for locals is the Old Pitt Street Bridge, which at one time connected Mt. Pleasant and Sullivans Island. Today it is used for walking, boat and bird watching and fishing.
Recognized nationally for its community planning, I’On is a live/work community and architectural wonder. There are fine eateries and offices you can walk to, ample spaces to play, and shimmering lakes to admire. With its narrow streets and hidden gardens, I’On has a downtown feel without the age. One has the option of joining the I’On club for expert swimming, tennis and fitness instructors who offer activities all year round – lessons, social mixers, tournaments, and kids’ camp. Another prized feature of the I’On Club is the beautiful Creek Club, a reception site tucked away on the serene banks of Hobcaw Creek. Sunsets are gorgeous here, and the two grand fireplaces and deep wraparound porches couldn’t be more suited to Lowcountry gatherings.
Seaside Farms is a self-contained, 500 acre subdivision that has it all. Being the closest Mount Pleasant subdivision to the Isle of Palms beach without having to pay beach prices, this mixed-use subdivision has something for everyone, including townhomes, single family homes and condos. The supermarket (Harris Teeter), Target, restaurants, fitness center, beauty salons, and several retail stores are all within walking distance. Basil, a favorite downtown Thai restaurant, recently opened a second location in Seaside Farms which has been a big hit.
Hamlin Plantation is a 1350 acre tract located off of Rifle Range Road, north of the Isle of Palms Connector. The subdivision consists of roughly 900+ single family homes and overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. The Sintra Corporation, John Wieland and custom builders all contributed to the development and planning of this well thought out subdivision. Each neighborhood has its own unique charm. The amenity center which has received numerous awards offers tennis, volleyball, basketball and a Junior Olympic swimming pool.
Watermark is a new mixed-use traditional neighborhood located off of Rifle Range Road and Bowman Road. Situated between Towne Center and behind the Wando Crossing Shopping Center, Watermark features a diverse range of housing options including approximately 119 single family homes developed by Saussy Burbank and others, 38-39 townhomes and approximately 300 apartments. There is also some walkable commercial space for retail shops and eateries in the development to be enjoyed by residents. Kayak and fish the 33-acre lake, run and bike along lakeside trails, or just relax in one of many intimate parks and open spaces. There is an exclusive amenity center for single-family residents that includes an open-air pavilion, pool and more. Watermark is one of the last new neighborhoods in the heart of Mount Pleasant. Homes and lots are available for sale.
Hobcaw Creek Plantation is a subdivision of roughly 257 homes. Located near the intersection of Long Point Road and I-526, this boating community also backs up to Hobcaw Creek. Close to Long Point Road shopping and restaurants, one can also hop on I-526 and be in downtown Charleston in 20 minutes or to the airport in 15 minutes. A wide variety of single family homes, including starter homes and waterfront luxury homes, are available in the subdivision. Most homes were built from 1988 to 2003 and feature larger lot sizes than most other subdivisions in Mount Pleasant. Some homes have marsh and/or water views, and several homes have docks. Numerous social events are held at the clubhouse and pool by the homeowners, including oyster roasts and swim meets. The subdivision has a community boat landing and dock, swimming pool, tennis courts, playground and clubhouse.
If you are looking for a convenient family community to live in, Belle Hall Plantation is a great place. Located near the intersection of Long Point Road and I-526, it is also across the street from great shopping and restaurants at Belle Hall Shopping Center, including Harris Teeter. The neighborhood has five different sub-sections. The Veranda and Rice Bay, closer to Long Point Road, were built in the 1990s. The homes that reside in Hibben, Evian and The Islands are all custom built homes, some have amazing riverfront views. Aside from convenience to shopping and the beaches of Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, this subdivision has several pools, tennis courts, volleyball courts and walking trails. Close to Belle Hall Elementary School, many children are able to walk and bike to get to class. Right next to the school is the R.L. Jones Center, which features a 25-yard indoor heated pool, gym, supervised skatepark, lighted batting tunnels, playground, and softball and athletic fields.
The Longpoint subdivision consists of roughly 697 homes, from starter homes to waterfront homes that back up to Boone Hall Creek. Also featured in this neighborhood is a community pool, club house, tennis courts, soccer fields and a playground for children. One of the main highlights of this neighborhood is the Palmetto Islands County Park, a 940 acre county park that features a water park with water slides, picnic areas, walking and biking paths, and boat rentals. This subdivision is also next to Boone Hall Plantation which offers fresh produce year round. Close to I-526 and Highway 17, this community is convenient to most areas in Mount Pleasant.
The Snee Farm subdivision is an older established neighborhood located on the historical grounds of the 200-year old Snee Farm Plantation. Right off of Highway 17 North and 5 miles north of the Ravenel Bridge, this community is located in central Mount Pleasant, making it convenient to all areas and in close proximity to the beaches of Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. This golf course community offers an 18-hole championship course designed by George Cobb. There are 18 tennis courts, including 8 clay and 10 hard surface courts, which are lighted for evening play. Snee Farm also has three swimming pools and one of the best swim teams and tennis programs in the area.
Brickyard Plantation is a subdivision of roughly 890 homes established in the early 1990s. In the early 1800s, Boone Hall used this land as their brickyard, hence how Brickyard Plantation got its name. Located just off of Highway 17 North and next to Boone Hall Plantation, it also backs up to Horlbeck Creek. Brick homes with big lots backing up to ponds, marsh, or Horlbeck Creek were built by nationally known home builders, John Wieland and Sintra. Brickyard amenities include two swimming pools, playground for children, club house, lighted tennis courts, soccer field, basketball court, bike and running paths and several fishing lakes. This subdivision also offers a boat ramp (approximately 9 feet at low and 13+ feet at high), dock and storage.
Nestled on the Wando River, Dunes West is a master planned, gated golf community located off of Highway 41. Convenient to area beaches, I-526 and Highway 17, there is also great shopping at nearby Towne Centre. The majority of the development is overseen by nationally known home builder, John Wieland, and there are several subsections inside of Dunes West to choose from, including upscale marsh view townhomes, large estate size homes, and smaller custom built homes. Setting Dunes West apart from other areas is its private resort-style amenities center, which has two pools with zero-entry swimming areas and water slides, 3 clay tennis courts and 6 hard tennis courts (lighted), a fitness center, boat ramp, dry storage facility, and loads of walking and biking trails. Those of you with children will appreciate the play parks. The semi-private golf course, designed by Arthur Hill, is set on the creeks and marshes, and anchors the development with a charming clubhouse that overlooks Wagner Creek.
Rivertowne is a subdivision located off of Highway 41 and directly across from Dunes West. About a 25 minute drive from downtown Charleston and about 10 minutes from two of Charleston’s best beaches, Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, it is also convenient to shopping at Town Centre.
Developed in the mid-1990s, this community is divided into two subsections. Rivertowne Country Club is centered around the nationally acclaimed, 516-acre, semi-private golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. The course has spectacular views of Horlbeck Creek and the Wando River. A pro shop, Olympic size swimming pool, tennis courts, sundecks, and a playground can be found adjacent to the clubhouse. The other main subsection is Rivertowne on the Wando. Although you’ll find marshfront homes in both sections of Rivertowne, the Wando section is primarily a waterfront community with .2-.5 acre lots. There is a huge community dock with deep water access, and a large park overlooking the Wando River. This section has its own amenities, which include a pool, a small club house, and tennis courts.
Charleston National is a golf community centered around a semi-private course designed by Rees Jones that has been nationally acclaimed. Approximately, 30 minutes from downtown Charleston, six minutes from I-526 and approximately twelve minutes from the Isle of Palms Beach, the community is also convenient to shopping at Town Centre. Charleston National property owners can elect to become members of the golf club, as well as the fitness center, and all owners enjoy swimming and tennis club privileges, a 5.5-acre lake and miles of nature trails teeming with Lowcountry wildlife. The subdivision is located along the intracoastal waterway and has natural wetlands, lagoons, and grand oak trees. Charleston National homes were built by custom builders, local tract builders, as well as national home builders, like Centex.
Park West is a self-sufficient, master planned community of approximately 1700 acres which began development in the late 1990s. Located off of Highway 17, all 24 neighborhoods within the community are within walking or biking distance to The Shoppes at Park West, including a Publix grocery store, daycare facility, medical offices, church, fitness center, restaurant and retail facilities, Laurel Hill Primary, Charles Pinckney Elementary and Cario Middle School, and the Mount Pleasant Recreation Facility. The 59-acre recreation facility features a softball, baseball, football and soccer field. They also have an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. The new Wando High School, which opened in 2004, is located on property next door to Park West. Six miles of bike/hiking paths and sidewalks in all neighborhoods connect every element within Park West, including a swim and tennis club with two pools, a summer kitchen, six lighted tennis courts, a community club house, parks and playgrounds. Each Park West neighborhood has its own special character, architectural style and price range, and homes in each were built by national builders such as Centex, Lennar, and David Weekley, as well as custom builders. The new Park Island neighborhood is a private, gated island surrounded by the Wando River, Toomer Creek and wildlife-filled saltwater marsh. Custom single family homes and waterfront lots are available here along the Wando River.