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(February 07, 2007) The central
idea behind the latest condominium development on Smith Lake
is very simple according to Emerald Point Condominium
developer Melinda Edwards, “Quality. First and foremost,
quality."
The proposed $100-million gated development
will be located on Ryans Creek in Cullman County, about
half-way between Phillips Bridge and Smith Lake dam, an area
commonly known as Five Points. Edwards and her brother,
Dewayne Campbell, formed Smith Lake Condominiums LLC to
undertake the project.
“This property has been in our family for over 70 years,”
Edwards said. “We knew we had to do something special to
honor that, as well as develop a project that would enhance
the community and the lake itself. It was all about quality
from the beginning.”
Brasfield and Gorrie will construct the condominium complex
based on designs by Mack McKinney of Horizon Designs in
Mountain Brook. Construction method will be post-tension
concrete, like condos built by Brasfield and Gorrie on the
Gulf Coast.
“When you set a standard of excellence, the people you bring
into the project are critical,” said Edwards. “Brasfield and
Gorrie exemplify the benchmark for construction in this
region and are players on a national level. The architect,
Mack McKinney of Horizon Design, operates on a similar
plane.”
Plans for the initial phase call for a six-story structure
with 54 total units. Edwards said the design allows for
spectacular views across some of the lake’s widest expanses.
The property also overlooks a unique island which becomes a
peninsula in fall and winter.
“We wanted to introduce a novel look that complemented an
already beautiful body of water,” Campbell said. “Mack, our
architect, accomplished exactly that through use of
natural-looking materials punctuated by bursts of color. We
considered more than just the view from the building. We
wanted something that was pleasing from the water and
property as well.”
The building will form a wide “V” with end units and center
units being larger. The exterior will be accented by
Eldorado Stone veneer and Shakertown Craftsman shingle
panels. Construction will be poured concrete, making for an
extremely strong structure and very quiet individual units.
Proposed amenities and features include 9’4” ceilings in
living rooms and bedrooms, expansive balconies with sunrise
view, fireplaces, granite countertops in kitchens and
bathrooms, GE profile or equivalent appliances and tile and
carpet flooring. Most units will have three bedroom and
three baths, with a few having two bedrooms and two baths
with bunkroom.
Each unit will also come with one space for boat storage in
the proposed on-site dry storage. Owners will have access to
proposed boat docks and fishing piers, as well as boat
launching. Pool and pavilion are also planned for the
completed project.
“There is no upgrade package,” Edwards said, “because there
simply isn’t anything better than what we are offering. The
discriminating buyer understands this and the value it
represents.”
Interest from “the discriminating buyer” has been high
according to Edwards and she expects sales to go quickly.
Units will officially go on sale early 2007, but prospective
buyers should indicate interest as soon as possible.
“Even with this level of construction and amenities, we are
still able to offer entry units at $499,000,” said Edwards.
The larger center and end units will be higher. Top units
will boast a price tag in the low-$600,000’s. “These units
have gathered the highest interest from buyers and we could
have already reserved them if we had gone with that method
of sales.”
Total price for the first phase will be around $30 million
with up to three more phases to follow. Construction could
begin in late spring 2007, Edwards said, with Brasfield and
Gorrie working on a 12-14 month schedule to completion. For
more information log on to
Emerald Point Condo.
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