Jim Fair
Stillwaters at Lake Robinson has made its signature selling point the majestic view across the lake to Cliffs at Glassy and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Jim Fair
Construction halted when the economy stalled. A house shows where work stopped on the stone fence.
Jim Fair
The pool, hot tub and cabana serves the families that have homes at Stillwaters.
Jim Fair
The tiered property will allow views of Lake Robinson from virtually any sightline.
“We’re just waiting for the sun to come out so we can cut down the tall growth and hydroseed the area,” said Joe Orr, director of sales for Stillwaters. “By spring with the flowers blooming and the common area cleaned up, this site will be completely manicured and looking prettier and majestic the way it was planned. We will then be ready to sell lots and revitalize this neighborhood.”
Bald Eagle Partners LLC has purchased the notes that had been held by banks and the remaining property. The company secured $20 million to fund its program to acquire builder-ready lots in residential communities throughout southeastern United States.
Signage at Stillwaters, from years past, suggested housing costs in the upper $300,000s. Orr said that is reasonable. The 12-month average when the property first sold was $521,000, the original company announced on its website.
Greer Commission of Public Works (CPW) provided the infrastructure for Stillwaters. Curbing remains from years past with a final layer of asphalt to be added with further development.
Stillwaters has 155 lots available with 10 homes on site, owned and leased. Signs with the names of lots purchased have remained on them for years. “We find a lot of people interested from Florida. These homes are geared for the empty nesters and upscale lake living,” Orr said. The homes feature Charlestonian-like porches.
No plans have been filed with the City of Greer. The address of the property is Taylors in Greenville County.
Residential activity has increased dramatically the last quarter of 2012 and heading into this month.
“We have seen a good bit of activity in December and this month is off to a good start,” said Donna O. Smith, a partner with C. Dan Joyner Prudential.
Glenn Pace, Planning and Zoning Coordinator with the City of Greer, told commissioners at their Monday night meeting, there was already activity that required a meeting next month. Pace said residential and commercial development has picked up. “We’re very busy and that is good news,” Pace said.
Orr, who lives on the property, said Stillwaters was developed and beginning to sell lots when “the economy tanked. Nobody was buying. Just now we’re beginning to see interest in these type communities.”
“We will maintain the integrity of our property,” Orr said. “We want people to know we will have this community in pristine condition.”
“I believe if people come here and take a golf cart tour and see all that is available they will fall in love with Stillwaters,” Orr said. “My philosophy is you can sell it if people feel it and smell it.”
Stillwaters, a gated community, has spectacular views. On a clear day the Cliffs at Glassy and the Blue Ridge Mountains are in the distance across Lake Robinson. Wildlife and their natural habitat can be seen on the lake and shores. In fact, the Stillwaters logo features a Blue Heron. “That bird has grown up here,” Orr said.
The amenities that were part of the property’s past lure remain, some in use others that need to be revived. The one-mile shoreline has a nature trail. The wetlands are registered. The cabana-like pool, with hot tub and a kitchen area for grilling is in use. A clubhouse was previously used as a sales office and will be adapted for sales, fitness and gathering place until more residents occupy the community. A fire pit, community garden plots, small orchard of apple trees and a botanical were part of the original community. Orr said that remains in place.
Fishing has provided Orr and his neighbors an opportunity to stock the small pond on the property. “We’ve caught bass, catfish and brim and have added them to the pond. There are some big fish in there now.”
There is one common dock, but Orr anticipates petitioning for three more as the community builds out.
The proximity to surrounding cities and landmarks, according to Orr, is in the eye of the beholder. “We’re nine miles from Greer and 14 miles from Greenville and Greenville-Spartanburg Airport. We’re 20 miles from the city of Spartanburg and 12 miles from Travelers Rest and the Swamp Rabbit Trail,” Orr said. He qualified the distance by saying, “of course that’s as the crow flies.”
Partners in Bald Eagle Partners LLC are Paul F. Larner, M. Scott DeCain and Robert M. Ullmann.