2
February 2014
Townsend Clarkson (Continued from Previous)
Current Projects
Townsend is currently working with South Street Partners and the
KP staff on the programing, development, and sales and marketing
of Eagle Island, near Cassique, Ocean Park near the Ocean Course,
and for the undeveloped 20-acre parcel at Freshfields. On Eagle
Island, KP is improving the bridge to the island, adding landscaping
and building infrastructure. “Eagle Island is one of the most unique
places we have,” Townsend remarked. About Ocean Park, he said, “At
completion, the park will encompass 40-50 acres. It will be another
amenity for homeowners, with both active and passive usage, with a
meadow for sitting and watching kids play, bike paths, tree houses, a
playground area - it will be a very special neighborhood. Our theory is
that the parkside lots are on par with, if not better than, golf course lots,
because the park expands your living space beyond your property line;
you can walk out your do or and use it. We’ll build the Marsh House
there, a private facility with a swimming pool and a food and beverage
component. We plan to begin some construction late next summer or
early fall and finish in 2015, though we might do it in phases, starting
with the pool and a gazebo food and beverage facility.”
At Freshfields, possible plans include a residential facility, and
KP is also looking at a potential wellness center. “A residential
facility might have an age theme, but we are still exploring other
possibilities,” Townsend commented. “A wellness center might offer
fitness, physical therapy, a nutrition component and other medical
services. Fitness and wellness have become very important to our
property owners and we are evaluating new programs and facilities
to meet their needs. We are also implementing a wellness program
for our employees. Our plans are to develop a unified program, and
we are even investing in hiring a wellness manager to coordinate the
overall Club Lifestyle Program. The new programs will be up and
running this spring.”
KP is also improving the golfing experience. “Cassique is 12 years old
and the River Course more than 15,” Townsend noted. “We have had
tremendous growth of trees and undergrowth. When you see it every
day, you don’t see the growth, but it was one of the first things the South
Street partners saw. They said, ‘You have such great vistas. Why not
open them up?’ So we trimmed the overgrowth at Bass Pond and on
several holes overlooking the Kiawah River, and opened up the marsh
views at Cassique. We’ve also done some work to enhance the bunker
areas on the two courses, expand areas that had grown in around greens,
and added more furniture. We have renovated on-course bathrooms
and created comfort stations for golfers to get a complimentary snack
or drink, maybe a slider or barbecue or a shrimp skewer. We have
challenged our chefs to continue to come up with something creative."
Another item on Townsend’s plate is the management of Kiawah
Island Utility. KIU is proceeding with plans for a second water line
to ensure a redundant water supply for Kiawah. “We are currently
procuring the easements necessary for installation, which we hope
will take only three or four months to complete, and we could be
under construction by late 2014. The line won't provide additional
water, but it is insurance for a disruption in the current supply line,
and it will equalize pressure and flow throughout the island.”
Off the Job
Townsend is nearing the age that some people contemplate retirement,
but not he. He relishes the changes and challenges of a new developer.
“I really enjoy working with these guys. I‘ll stay as long as they want
me,” he said. He and his wife Stephanie will soon be spending more
time on Kiawah. “We plan to spend half the year at our place on
Kiawah, and the other half living at our home on Edisto,” he said.
When not on the job, Townsend likes to cook, play golf and hunt.
He and Stephanie have six children and six grandchildren.
*Article contributed by Digest Feature Reporter Sue Schaffer.
2013 Year End Kiawah Island Real Estate Trends
2013 Year End Comparison
Sales Price
Property Type
Homes
$1 million and below
$1 - 2.5 million
$2.5 million and above
Lots
$1 million and below
$1 - 2 million
$2 million and above
Cottages/Villas
1 bedroom
2 bedroom
3 bedroom and above
#
High
Low
Average
2012 Year End Comparison
Sales Price
#
High
Low
Average
1,000,000
2,500,000
4,550,000
265,000
1,025,000
2,700,000
738,837
1,650,801
3,612,500
Yearly
Change
#
Price
-28% -3%
-11% -6%
70%
22%
950,000
145,000
504,364
16%
-3%
995,000
145,000
489,077 45
52
0% -11%
1,950,000 1,021,250 1,248,725 10 1,895,250 1,021,250 1,408,400
10
11%
-9%
8,750,000 2,050,000 3,901,100
10
9 10,950,000 2,495,000 4,298,889
15% -13%
500,000
205,000
296,975
395,000
181,000
257,057 20
23
-31% -4%
451,921 36
850,000
282,000
472,269
795,000
325,000
25
85%
5%
755,794 26 1,762,500
310,000
718,179
1,975,000
96,000
48
Note: This report is a summary of all sales transactions on Kiawah Island from all sources. This information was compiled by Kiawah Island Real Estate for the exclusive non-commercial
use of Kiawah Island Digest. While it is believed to be accurate, a lag in reporting recent sales closings may occur due to the nature of obtaining this data from multiple sources.
33
58
17
975,000
2,500,000
10,750,000
262,500
1,025,000
2,650,000
717,152
1,544,431
4,422,059
46
65
10