July 2003 - Neighborhood at a Glance Windmill Harbour Windmill Harbour, a private residential community on the north end of Hilton Head Island, is a cozy place to live, radiating a style all its own. Immediately after the J. Wilton Graves Bridge onto Hilton Head, Windmill Harbour is situated on the right, adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Calibogue Sound. Within its 172 acres, there are perhaps a dozen neighborhoods, each with its own character. Elegant estate-sized homes, patio homes, townhouses and attractive villas follow architectural themes prevalent in Charleston's historic district as they blend together along tree-lined streets. It's no wonder developer J. R Richardson's vision for a private residential community for boaters as well as non-boaters has been deemed a brilliant success. At the core of the community is its most well known feature - a sheltered 15- acre yacht basin, twice the size of Harbour Town. The basin was carefully engineered with a unique lock system to insulate its community from tidal changes and the wakes of the Intracoastal Waterway's traffic. However, residents do not have to be mariners, nor do boaters have to live in the community to secure a boat slip. Boaters appreciate complete harbourmaster services, a private fuel pump dock and pump-out station, fixed concrete docks, around the clock security, and direct access to the deep waters of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Calibogue Sound. And in the case of an impromptu outing, there is a small marina store, a last stop for sodas, ice, snacks, oil, cleaning supplies, and whatnot. "The marina is owned by the slip owners," Harbourmaster Peter Evans pointed out. "Our harbourmaster staff works for the Marina Association of Slip Owners at Windmill Harbour and consists of five individuals with general boating experience." These harbourmasters, on call from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year, have been known to facilitate up to 125 trips through the lock in one day. Cozy and full of character, Windmill Harbour features a sheltered 15-acre yacht basin (twice the size of Harbour Town), an elegant clubhouse with numerous amentities and a vast array elegant estates, patio homes, townhouses and attractive villas to suit the most discriminating residents. But what happens if someone wants to stay out later? Or go out earlier? "Not a problem," Evans said. "We teach boaters how to run the lock themselves using a magnetic card." According to Windmill Harbour real estate sales executive Mary Humprey, there are nine boat slips currently for sale, and the location of the slip affects price. The harbour is surrounded by a promenade where people can sit and watch the boats go out to sea, take a leisurely stroll, or just listen to the music of the rigging gently slapping the masts in a light breeze. Vicki Hearon, membership director for the South Carolina Yacht Club, pointed out, "We like people to know there is something for everyone here at the club, including children who can choose from a number of programs, from junior sailing to tennis." Members can sign up for fitness programs, regattas, cruises, or attend business events, happy hours, concerts, and wine tastings and take advantage of both casual and fine dining. Outdoor sports amenities include a 25-meter pool, whirlpool, four clay tennis courts, and both men's and women's private locker areas with saunas. Neighborhoods within neighborhoods. That's the charm of this grand community. Leeward Passage, the latest cluster of multistory townhomes, is located near the tennis courts and consists of 12 three- or fourthousand-square-foot town homes, all sold pre-construction. Once the construction phase is done, owners will be able to walk to the marina. Standard features include elevators, granite countertops, and three or four bedrooms. Reminiscent of Charleston's Rainbow Row, additional town homes line the streets of Harbour Passage and Old Ferry Point; villas are at Westwind, Reef Club and Spindle Lane; and the larger estate-sized properties are found on or off of Millwright Drive. Lastly, for those who don't want or need a large lot, patio homes are located in the surrounding area of Crosstree Drive. In Windmill Harbour, there is something for everyone, with the exception of, perhaps, the golfer. Although there are plenty of lagoons and oak trees draped in Spanish moss, none are found on a golf course in this community. However, a tee time is not hard to come by on Hilton Head. All you need is a phone. ™