History repeats itself at The Battery on the waterway

According to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, in 1901 a timber and turpentine firm, the Burrough's and Collin's Company, began developing the resort potential of the Grand Strand by building the beach's first hotel — the Seaside Inn. Back then, ocean lots sold for a measly 25 bucks, with buyers receiving an extra lot if they built a house valued at $500 or more. It was a steal of a deal in a quaint, cordial community.

The Battery, along the Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach is a living example that history does, indeed, repeat itself. With only 99 lots, this unique Charleston-style neighborhood tips its hat to the old days of financial and family values. Like it was at the turn of the century — the beginning of the 20th century, that is — a winding Main Street is lined with places to stop and shop.

All homes share a waterway view and every four waterfront estates share a four-slip boat dock. A rear alley entrance leads to the second row home sites, which overlook the lake and a wealth of wildlife. All homeowners enjoy full access to the waterway by means of the community boat launch ramp, and boat storage is available.

When you are ready to shed your sea legs, you can pack a picnic and land yourself in the gazebo. Later, you can work it off at the tennis courts while the kids kick back at the playground. The whole family can reunite at the end of the day at the clubhouse and sip iced tea by the pool.

Waterfront houses range from 3,000 square feet to more than 5,000 square feet, while secondrow homes range from 2,500 square feet to 4,000 square feet. Property owners can opt for old Charleston landscaping features such as brick columns and fencing, irrigation systems, concrete or tile pools, courtyards and landscape lighting.

The cozy comforts that make a house a home can be found inside every residence. Interior details include custom- built cabinets throughout, granite countertops, high-end stainless steel appliances, elevators in select plans, oversized solid wood doors, upgraded lighting fixtures, detailed trim around doors and windows, wide crown molding and baseboards, imported hardwood floors, premium carpet and padding, upgraded faucets and Travertine tile floors and showers. Combining old-world style with new-world technology, homes are pre-wired for fiber optics, a security and intercom system and premium surround sound systems.

According to Jeff DeSantis, director of operations for Executive DeSign Group, proximity makes The Battery not only deluxe but also distinctive.

"The development has easy access to Highways 17, 501 and 31," DeSantis said. "It is two miles to the beach, two miles to Broadway at the Beach and five miles to the factory outlets."

DeSantis adds that The Battery is located in the prestigious Carolina Forest attendance area – a district that boasts of its blue ribbon schools. In fact, the Horry County School District has been recognized as a national leader in technology. All classrooms are networked to the Internet, and the ratio of students to computers is just over 5 to 1.

But it doesn't take a history lesson to learn that The Battery is a premier place to live.