Shell Ring enjoying seclusion on St. Thomas

Leroy Burnell
The Post and Courier

Balconies and raised construction highlight the Charleston-style homes in Shell Ring on St. Thomas Island, a new neighborhood from Centex Homes off the southern end of Clements Ferry Road in Berkeley County.

Once upon a time, the main road to lower Berkeley County's twin landlocked islands Daniel and St. Thomas was by way of an exit on Interstate 526 to Clements Ferry Road heading south, then a left turn onto St. Thomas Island Road. But soon enough, a turn-off was built straight to Daniel Island, slicing past the Family Circle Cup tennis center, retailers and many neighborhoods.

Traffic on the route via St. Thomas Island Road dried up, and its surroundings grew more isolated to the point where deer pop out of nearby woods and marsh on occasion. The secluded area is where Centex Homes is constructing Shell Ring at St. Thomas Island, a neighborhood of 104 upscale homes off Victoria Road.

The three- and four-bedroom homes come in nine floor plans from 1,537 to 2,900 square feet. They are priced from $406,900 to $540,900. Houses at Shell Ring are designed like downtown Charleston houses, including verandas and balconies with robin-egg blue ceilings. Interiors have 10-foot-high ceilings on the first floors and 9-foot on the second levels. Models are the Hayfield, Hutton, Belleview, Pinckney, Milwood, Radcliffe, Clarendon, Ravenswood and Archdale. Four of the designs are "signature homes" from Ridgeland-based New Urbanism-style architect Eric Moser.

Standard features at Shell Ring include fiber-cement siding, garages, stainless-steel kitchen appliances, fireplaces with gas logs and hardwood floors. Gas lanterns provide porch lighting. Upgrades include Silestone countertops, brush nickel doorknobs and other hardware and screened porches.

Work began on the neighborhood last fall. There will be amenities, including a community center with swimming pool.

Thus far, the majority of buyers have been young professionals, said Tina Jones, sales associate for Centex Homes.

"There are a lot of local folks, from Daniel Island and Mount Pleasant, move-up buyers," she said.

The neighborhood is outside the city of Charleston. Children would attend Daniel Island School or Hanahan High School.

In the past nine months, Centex has closed about 25 sales. Phase one will have 63 homes, 41 in the second phase next year.

"If you compared features and the homes' square footage, we are really a great value," Jones said.

To reach Shell Ring, take the Clements Ferry Road exit south, then turn left on St. Thomas Island Road. Victoria Road is on the right.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com.

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