Dunes West is located in Mt. Pleasant, SC off Highway 41. The gated golf community is the only one of its kind in Mt. Pleasant. You can enter Dunes West through one of two gates and once inside you are treated to some great neighborhoods with large oak trees, manicured street scapes, and lush Lowcounrty foliage. There are several subsections inside of Dunes West to choose from. There are upscale marsh view town homes, large estate size homes,and smaller custom built homes. The majority of the development is overseen by John Wieland, an Atlanta based developer with a history of nice developments. One of the things that sets Dune West apart from other areas in Mt. Pleasant is its private amenities center, which boasts a junior Olympic size swimming pool with water slides, clay court tennis, and loads of walking and biking trails. Those of you with children will appreciate the play park and other kid friendly areas. Dunes West is also retirement friendly!
The semi-private Dunes West Country Club, is set on the creeks and marshes, and anchors the development. The golf course is a Arthur Hill design, and its wide fairways offer the beginner a great place to learn the game. Dunes West is one of my personal favorite courses in the area. The Dunes West clubhouse, which was built on the site of the antebellum Lexington Plantation, was specifically designed to capture the old southern charm of the Low country. Dunes West offers a lot and is worth a look for those wanting a gated golf community close to the beaches and Historic Charleston.
NEIGHBORHOODS IN DUNES WEST
WAGNER POINT – Probably the most desirable subsection in Dunes West, Wagner Point is one of the original neighborhoods and one of the most exclusive. These custom built homes range in size from 3,000-6,000 sq. ft. and are marsh front or on the golf course. Home sites are at least 1/2 acre and some are over an acre. Most of the homes were built between 1992-2001 and are situated along Colonel Vanderhorst Circle and Wagner Creek Court.
THE HARBOUR – Homes in The Harbour meander along Yachtsman Drive, Ayers Plantation Way, Rush Haven Drive, River Vista Way, and Bowline Drive. This luxury neighborhood is toward the rear of Dunes West and the homes are generally on a 1/3 acre or larger lot. Built by John Weiland Homes, exteriors are beautifully crafted with fiber cement siding and carriage style garage doors. Homes boast 10′ ceilings on the first floor and 9′ ceilings on the second, with hardwood floors, high end appliances. Square footage can exceed over 6,000 sq. ft.
MARSH COVE – The John Weiland Homes in Marsh Cove have seven distinct, award winning single family styles. Located along Jewelwood Lane, Riverwood Drive, Willowick Court and Jacaranda Court, you will discover welcoming porches, traditional designs and two or three car garages that are set back. Homes have 4 or 5 bedrooms with 3.5 to 4 baths.
MARSH COVE TOWN HOMES – There are 197 two-story town homes with picturesque front porches and rear entry two car garages. These 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath town homes have cement plank exteriors and 2,700 sq. ft. Each bedroom upstairs features an en suite bath and there is also a first floor ‘owner’s’ suite.
DARTS POINTE – The lots in this subsection of Dunes West are larger, typically more than 1/3 acre. Homes were built by John Wieland and have cement plank or wood exteriors with upgraded interiors. Square footage ranges from 4,000-6,000 and homes are situated along White Deer Way, Darts Cove Way and Deer Park Way on pond, marsh, tidal creek and interior lots.
PALMETTO HALL – Nestled just outside the gates of Dunes West in a family oriented enclave of affordable homes with vinyl siding. There are 233 dwellings perfect for first time buyers, empty nesters’ and retirees. All Dunes West amenities are available to Palmetto Hall residents.
DEER WALK – Gated community of single family homes in Dunes West. You will find traditional style homes and some are located on marsh front. Close to excellent schools; Charles Pinckney Elementary, Cario Middle and Wando High School.
BRICKFALL ESTATES – These luxury homes are situated on Dunes West Golf Course and there are some on the waterfront in this gated community. Located along Seewee Indian Court and Cottonfield Drive, the lots are large with many over an acre and homes average from 3,000 to over 6,000 square feet.
EGRETS WALK – Gorgeous town homes behind the gates of Dunes West. These 48 units are two to three stories with two to four bedrooms and two and a half baths. Built by John Wieland Homes, the town homes at Egrets Walk range from 1,825 to about 3,000 square feet.
MARSH LANDING – Beautiful luxury marsh front homes, some with a deep water dock. Located along Pignatelli Crescent, Marsh Landing is one of the original subsections of Dunes West. These custom built homes were built between 1992-2001 and range in size from 3,000-6,000 square feet.
OSPREY COVE – One of the original subsections in Dunes West, these custom built homes are on at least one-half acre. Located on the Dunes West Golf course and built along Shell Ring Circle, some of the homes are also on a tidal creek and other water featured lots and boast dock and boat lift.
WHISPERING MARSH – This gated subsection is one of the newer, more affordable neighborhoods in Dunes West. Of traditional design, these single family homes have cement plank exteriors and most have four or five bedrooms, ranging in size from 2,600 to well over 3,000 square feet. Most of the lots are between 1/4 to 1/3 acre in size and some of the home sites in Whispering Marsh are marsh front.
WATERFORD LANDING – Beautiful custom built homes; many on private wooded lots and some on the waterfront and also overlooking the Clubhouse at Dunes West. If you are interested in a quiet, neighborhood that’s tucked away, Waterford Landing is located on a secluded cul-de-sac.
DOWNING PLACE – Single Family homes behind the Gates of Dunes West within a short distance of the clubhouse, pool, driving range and putting green. Many of these traditional style homes are brick and situated for a golf course frontage view. Built in the late 1990’s, there are approximately 39 homes in Downing Place with an average square footage of 2,000 square feet.
WOODLANDS – Approximately 65 single family homes built by John Wieland Homes. The Woodlands is newer construction in this gated community. Some of the homes back up to a small island and/or pond oasis and boast large lots.
THE HERITAGE – Beautiful low maintenance town homes built by John Wieland Homes. There are 168 units that range in size from 1,175-1,440 square feet. Plans include distinct 3, 4 and 5 bedroom units with 3-5.5 baths. Exteriors of HardiPlank siding with high end features which include crown molding, custom cabinets and home security systems. Designed in the low country style with screened porches.
PALM COVE – 28 town homes built from 2004-2006. Exteriors of cement plank with 2 car garage and screened porch. There are three and four bedroom units with 2 1/2 to 4 baths and square footage ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.
RICHMOND COVE – Stately single family homes in a gated community with many located on Oak Manor Drive. There are 47 of these custom built cement plank homes built by John Wieland Homes. On beautiful wooded lots with marsh views, river front and marsh front, these traditional style homes range from 2,800-over 6,000 square feet.
DUNES MILL – Built in the early 2,000’s, there are 18 single family, vinyl sided homes in the gated community of Dunes Mills. Homes are 3 to 4 bedrooms with 2 1/2 to 4 baths and range in size from approximately 2,500-3,500 square feet.
THE GATES – Beautiful duplex homes that overlook a pond is an affordable option within Dunes West. There are 67 buildings with 134 homes built from 2002-2005. Each duplex has vinyl siding, screened porch and a generous eat-in kitchen. These two story duplexes have three bedrooms and two baths and are approximately 1,400 square feet.
CYPRESS POINTE – Single family homes built in the late 1990’s with attached 2 car garage on wooded lots. These traditional style homes are 1,800 to over 2,000 square feet with four bedrooms and 2 to 2 1/2 baths and most boast an eat-in kitchen. Cypress Pointe is a very affordable neighborhood within Dunes West.
ELLINGTON WOODS – Affordable, beautiful condo/town home community located just outside the gates of Dunes West. Most of the condos overlook or back up to picturesque ponds and many are located in a cul-de-sac. The one/two story condos and town homes were built in the late 1990’s with three bedrooms, two baths, with brick veneer and vinyl siding. Square footage ranges from 1,450 to 1,700 square feet.
RIVERVIEW – There are 33 home sites in the first phase of this new community, including some with water views and priced from $497,900 to $1,000,000+. When completed, Riverview will accommodate 116 single-family homes and 23 low maintenance town homes, all within the larger vibrant and upscale Dunes West community. Dunes West residents will enjoy use of a common dock on the Wando River and have access to miles of walking trails and resort-style amenities within the larger gated Dunes West. The master-planned community is located about 30 minutes from Charleston’s historic district and Isle of Palms beaches.
History of Dunes West
Dunes West is a beautiful gated community that has been a part of Mount Pleasant since the early 1990’s. The land that Dunes West sits on has a rich southern plantation history. The first historical record is a grant of 1,000 acres made to Edmund Belinger Landgrave in 1696. Bellinger apparently never developed the Wando property and sold it to Major Alexander Parris in 1704.
In 1712, the land was purchased by Captain John Vanderhorst, Joseph Vanderhorst and Thomas Lynch. Lynch was the grandfather of Thomas Lynch Jr., a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. During this time, the property was known as “Four Mens Ramble.” When John Vanderhorst died in 1738, he left his share of the land to Arnoldus Vanderhorst I. By 1754, Arnoldus Vanderhorst had acquired all of the land between the Toomer and Wagner Creeks. In 1765 when Arnoldus Vanderhorst I died, the estate was valued at over 16,000 pounds and included 61 slaves.
Arnoldus Vanderhorst II owned the plantation until his death in 1802. He was a Captain and Company Commander in the American Revolution and by the end of the war, a Colonel. The Vanderhorst Family also owned a great deal of Kiawah Island. The plantation primarily manufactured bricks although there was some rice and cotton farming that also took place on the property. The main house and its outbuildings were established in the same area where the Dunes West clubhouse currently resides.
After the death of Arnoldus Vanderhorst III in 1827, the plantation was sold to A.S. Willington, the first editor of the Charleston News and Courier. The plantation then became known as “Lexington.” Willington sold the plantation to Effingham Wagner in 1830. Wagner had 80 slaves housed in 20 quarters. Wagner died in 1837, and his wife Emma sold Lexington in 1861 to Paul Waring Jr., a fearless Confederate Army Captain who was later killed in battle in 1863. Emma Wagner repurchased the land following Waring’s death. Quite a history!
Today, the community also includes a gorgeous Arthur Hills designed golf course, a swim and tennis center. Nestled on the Wando River, Dunes West is a beautiful place to live with Lowcountry scenes that include 200 year-old oaks and pristine marsh settings.
We’ve left the club and come up to the newer section of DUNES WEST, which is called HARBORSIDE. And it encompasses a lot of neighborhoods that we’re going to get to over the next little while, but we’re going to ride you guys through the Amenities Center for DUNES WEST. Again, this is a separate fee. When you live behind the gates of DUNES WEST, you’re paying about $1,500 a year to maintain the gates and maintain all of the green spaces that exist out here. If you want to be a member of the golf club, that’s a separate fee, or if you want to be a member of the sports complex over here, that’s a separate fee. They have a tier of memberships where you can get this and the golf club together for a couple of thousand dollars or a couple of hundred a month, or you can get this as a stand alone. So, there’s a lot of options. You have a fitness center up here. You have a pool that has all kinds of cool water features; you can maybe see through there – the water mushroom and the water slide. And then you have a pool for, what I’ve been told, was for people with no kids, but I did see a kid in there the other day, so I don’t know if they’ve changed their policy, but you do have two pools up here. You have clay court tennis, which is absolutely great as you get older, it’s not so bad on your knees. And again, this is their sports complex, inside of DUNES WEST. And really, it’s hard to beat this, outside of probably DANIEL ISLAND PARK, as far as Amenities Centers go inside of a neighborhood in the areas that we’re covering, which are Mt. Pleasant and Daniel Island. So again, we’re inside DUNES WEST. We will head that way next time. And today, we’re wrapping it up.
