Landrum neighborhood celebrates the Arts & Crafts style

Driving out Redland Road in Landrum, you will approach an attractive stone wall divided by well manicured greenery. This is the entrance to the expanding development know as The Cottages.

The Cottages was originally a development begun in 2004 by Harvey Spiegel along with some other business partners. When the recession slowed down house sales, development at the site came to a halt. Recently, David Humphries, a local builder who has done projects for larger developers, including D.R. Horton, became involved and construction started up once again.

First roads needed to be completed within the project – sewers, water lines, high speed internet, all had to be finished. When complete, Humphries predicts approximately 52 new homes to be added to the original development. The current floor plans are for one story living, with three to four bedrooms plus two baths, occupying 1,600 to 2,200 square feet in a Craftsman style home with Arts & Crafts details.

Floor plans are available or buyers can submit a floor plan. Architects will work to be sure it can fit on the selected lot. The design of the exterior of the home is first approved by the HOA to assure that all homes will blend in with the development. This is not a “cookie cutter” style development. Each home has its own character.

Some homes are designed and built to suit the buyer, other homes are built on speculation. The buyer can choose their desired lot prior to construction. Once the lot and floor plan are selected, construction takes approximately four months to complete, based on weather conditions during construction. Home prices run from $195,000 to $250,000.

Eight homes have been completed with four more starting up. All have been sold and lots are also selling quickly. This expansion, although small compared to developments in large, metropolitan areas like Greenville or Spartanburg, is sizeable for Landrum.

Some of the buyers are local, such as one new resident who needed to downsize from a large house to a smaller home that could accommodate handicaps.

Some of the buyers have come from Florida looking to escape the hot climate and heavy traffic, or they are involved in the equestrian community.

A private pool is available to residents. Pool maintenance and lawn mowing is included in the HOA fee. One possibility for the future that is being explored with the city is a possible walking trail through to Brookwood Park.

Take a drive out Redland Road to Page Creek Blvd. to view the homes. Check facebook.com/cottagesatlandrum for more information or contact David Humphries at 864-237-1394. •

Retired confectioner and candy store owner, Landrum resident Linda List has taken up her next love, writing. She authors the Landrum Wanderings column for the Tryon Daily Bulletin and is a regular contributor to Life in Our Foothills. She can be reached at lin17th@aol.com.