OVERVIEW

Located on the Atlantic coastline, Dewees Island is 12 miles northeast of Charleston, South Carolina. The island encompasses 1,206 acres, which has been dedicated to 95 percent environmental preservation, making Dewees a lifestyle choice for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Dewees Island project began in June 1991 under the supervision of John Knott, the chief executive and designer of the Island Preservation Partnership.

The master plan depicts a maximum of 150 single family homes to be located in the maritime forest, each disturbing no more than 7500 square feet of surface area. This will result in less than five percent of island being disturbed; also 65 percent of the island has been permanently preserved for wildlife conservation. There are no paved roads on the island, permitting only golf carts and bicycles as acceptable forms of transportation.  Nearly all of the 150 lots have been sold and approximately 60 homes have been constructed to date.

Life on Dewees Island is quite a bit different from most resorts. Your experience is defined moment by moment, the old-fashioned way. Instead of spending time laboring in the yard or chasing a golf ball, Dewees residents involve themselves in fishing, crabbing, shrimping, bird watching, beach walks, shell collecting and the art of relaxing. A full-time environmental educator in residence offers year-round education opportunities and stewardship programs for residents of all ages. There is no golf course; however, there are two tennis courts, a swimming pool, nature center, trails, three-mile oceanfront beach, a 200-acre tidal lake, and a 120-acre impoundment.

Dewees Island is two and a half miles wide and the pristine beach is shared by only a handful of people at any given time. At the heart of the island is The Huyler House, a magnificent multi-suite guest lodge that offers dining, reception and relaxation space for property owners and their guests.

Residents travel to and from the island aboard the ferry 'Aggie Gray' (pictured above). The boat leaves Isle of Palms at the marina every hour on the hour and makes the return trip from Dewees at half past the hour.  The relaxing twenty minute boat ride provides travelers with picturesque lowcountry views which often includes dolphin and other marine wildlife sightings.   Warm weather days can be enjoyed from the upper deck, while the interior provides ample protection from the chill.

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Residents must follow explicit guidelines to live on the island. The covenants restrict homeowners from environmentally degrading acts, such as cutting down a tree without permission. Residents are encouraged to attend island meetings on a regular basis to keep up with the changing sustainability guidelines and innovations. Through education, residents are able to understand and appreciate their efforts towards sustainability.

Dewees Island has sold nearly every lot and has been awarded several environmental stewardship awards. The media has spread the word of sustainability on the island throughout the world, allowing the principle goals to serve as a basis for other projects.

Dewees Island has been inhabited since the 17^th century and has been sold to many different families. Many past owners sold the island due to the belief that it could not be developed. When the Island Preservation Partnership encountered these same beliefs, a consensus was formed that the island could be developed using the ideals of sustainability. They wanted to create a community through initiatives, involvement, understanding, and education. Using these principles, residents could fully appreciate the goals set forth.

Residents have the option to live on the island year round or to use the island as a second home. Most of the residents are between 30 and 60 years of age, while younger children are often found visiting the education center. Owners do not have to build on their one to two acre lots, however there are only 150 lots available on the entire island for development.

There is a community building, called the Huyler House, where residents, guests and potential owners can come together for recreation or meetings.

MAN & NATURE LIVING TOGETHER

Only five percent of the island has been disturbed, leaving 785 acres of open space for nature and 350 acres for wildlife refuge on the northern side of the island. The dunes have raised pathways to enhance the protective environment. Residential landscaping must incorporate xeriscaping practices and has to be approved by the residing board. Common areas are landscaped with native low-maintenance vegetation.

The island covenants do not allow gasoline-powered engines on the island. Residents must leave their vehicles on the main land before they take a ferry to the island. There are five pervious limestone roads, leaving golf carts and bicycles as the major form of transportation.  Ecologically, the island is very similar to the surrounding islands. Most of the taller vegetation is located in the maritime forest. State environmental officials monitor and track environmental issues on the island. Island analysis must be done after each hurricane to understand its effects on the island, since the highest elevation is ten feet. The pristine environment could be easily destroyed during a hurricane.

Land use on Dewees Island involves residential and educational practices. Owners sign an agreement to the covenants of the island before the land can be purchased. Residents are required to analyze their lots with professionals to fully understand the goals of sustainability. The covenants encourage recycling of all possible items and storage of rainwater for irrigation and spas. The control of stormwater by swales and ponds reduce runoff. The use of pervious paving materials allows for groundwater recharge across the island.

The educational practices on the island allow visitors and residents to further understand the surrounding environment. The nature center has a full time environmentalist to direct school children on tours, which encourages youth to understand the stewardship of Dewees Island. Many speakers and organizations have participated on the island, each supplying more information towards sustainability.

The covenants on Dewees Island require all houses to be Lowcountry Southern style. Each house can be no larger than 5000 square feet and cannot disturb more than 7500 square feet of surface area. Lot owners can choose from any builder; however, potential builders must take a 40-hour course on sustainable building practices provided by the Architectural Resource Board (ARB). All construction plans must be approved by ARB to ensure the fulfillment of the sustainability requirements.

All development must take place in the maritime forest and cannot surpass the height of the tree line. By placing structures in the wooded areas, homes can take advantage of summer and winter protection, prevailing winds, and natural light. The solar orientation has reduced electricity consumption by 50 to 60 percent. The heat and cooling systems are provide by a heat pump located beneath the structure.

Builders use water saving fixtures wherever possible, which has reduced water consumption by 60 percent in homes. Wastewater is treated at the Public Works Center, where water is returned to the native environment with no negative environmental impacts on the surrounding waterways. There is a fire department on the island; however, all homes are designed with a sprinkler system. Construction materials are of the highest quality and are purchased from sources that have strict sustainability guidelines. After construction completion, builders must recycle all possible residue.

A SUCCESS BY ANYONE'S STANDARD

Dewees Island has been a great marketing success. Nearly every lot has been sold and the residents have said nothing but praise for the island. Since the instatement of the island goals, the press has given the project over five million dollars worth of free press, keeping advertising costs to a minimal. Most of the paid advertisements have been directed to the upper class society who are environmentally conscious. The developers have attributed the amount of open space to the high quality of living on the island, which has helped attract new homeowners.

Dewees Island is not for everyone. We have found that virtually all of the owners share in common an independent personality .. a commitment to preserving the Island's natural beauty ... a commitment for privacy and a strong sense of community and social responsibility. The island is a private island in that visitors to the island must be a guest of a resident.

On-island privacy, however, does not mean you are isolated. Historic Charleston is a mere 25 minutes from the Dewees Marina. Wild Dunes golf is so close you can easily see Dewees from the 17th fairway of the Links Course and the Harbor Course plays near the marina area. Isle of Palms shopping centers and restaurants are three minutes from the marina.  More shopping and restaurants can be found in Mt. Pleasant, just 10 minutes away.  It's very easy to enjoy the best that both worlds have to offer.

Perhaps the most difficult part of living on Dewees is actually deciding where to live! Available homesites include oceanfront, oceanview, marshfront, marshviews and Intracoastal Waterway views. With large homesites in the $400k's, the value of buying on Dewees versus other coastal property is obvious. This is not to say that buying on Dewees is like buying other coastal property - those who 'wait and see' may be 'waiting' forever, as only 150 homesites will ever be available and only a few remain.  Make the Dewees Island choice now during the limited time that the Dewees Island Lot Purchase Program is available to you.

 

For information on the Dewees Island Lot Purchase Program, contact

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Carolina Coastal Properties, LLC
1204 Palm Blvd, Suite E
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
843.886.9444
sales@ccpsc.net