03:56 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 25, 2005
LAKE WYLIE -- Lake Wylie is one of two lakes that bookend the Queen City. To the north sits Lake Norman sprawling with development and its open lots
are at a premium. The same thing is now happening to the south of Charlotte
around Lake Wylie. The growth started in Lake Wylie almost 30 years ago at River Hills
Plantation, the first gated community in the area. It was designed with the look
and highbrow lifestyle of Hilton Head and it was a novelty in the 70's. There is
a marina, coupled with an 18-hole golf course. “There are architectural standards. We do not have RV's and in the front
yard we don't have pink flamingos,” said Charles Wood of the Lake Wylie
Chamber of Commerce. “River Hills has condominiums so the range here is
$150,000 to $1.1 million for houses.” Wood lives in River Hills. He said he has watched his home nearly double in
price since he purchased it 25 years ago. The demand for Lake Wylie homes started to surge about five years ago. “The land here has been virtually ignored for years,” said Jim Medall,
Rhein Interests Developers. “I think people are rediscovering Lake Wylie as
close to where they live and work.” Rhein Interests Developers are building the Palisades off Highway 49. “Prices range from the high $200,000's all the way up to $2 million,”
Medall said. “All houses are brick.” Once construction is complete it will have a golf course, tennis courts,
soccer complex and an equestrian complex. The grand opening is set for June. The Sanctuary will have homes move-in ready by the end of the year for those
who are looking for more land in the Lake Wylie area. The sanctuary has two acre
lots starting at $140,000 (lot only) and they go all the way up to 12 acre
waterfront lots that run $2 million. The Palisades will host a home-a-rama June18 - July 4. Organizers expect
50,000 spectators to view the model homes that will be decorated with the latest
designs and kitchen innovations.