Lake Wylie SC Real Estate

Lake Wylie...just south of Charlotte, it is a lake we share with South Carolina as it starts in the southwest corner of Mecklenburg County and extends across the S.C. state line into York County and northward into Gaston County. The lake was created he lake was created in 1904 and named for Dr. W. Gill Wylie, who helped persuade his patient, J.B. “Buck” Duke, to dam the Catawba River to generate hydroelectric power.  The shoreline goes for 327 miles...smaller than Lake Norman, but by no means, small!

Today, the residents of this area have come together in lieu of a city government to preserve and improve the vacation atmosphere that comes with living on the lake. The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce has been a strong force in this unincorporated area, rallying to bring businesses to the area, regulate growth and acquire government dollars for infrastructure improvements.

One such improvement is the widening of N.C./S.C. Hwy 49 and the Buster Boyd Bridge. The commute from Lake Wylie to Charlotte along N.C. 49 has long been a popular but congested route, and residents celebrated the opening of the four-lane thoroughfare in the summer of 2005. It is now a breeze to roll into Charlotte. From the Bridge, it will take you 15 minutes to the Charlotte Douglas Airport, and 30 minutes to uptown Charlotte NC.

On the NC side of Lake Wylie is McDowell Park, located on N.C. 49 (on the right) just as you approach the bridge. The park offers a sweeping view of some of the most scenic areas of Lake Wylie accessible by car. The 1,108-acre, county-operated nature preserve offers hiking, camping and a nature center with educational programs for kids and adults, plus paddle boat rental.

On the Fourth of July, Lake Wylie is a very popular place to see a great display of fireworks! Boats assemble near the bridge and those without boats go to nearby lake hugging restaurants watch the show from there.

Camp Thunderbird, a YMCA-operated summer environmental camp, attracts children from far and wide as it offers lake access for water activities, but also horses. The camp is located right next to the River Hills Golf Course Community. An extensive gated community with a beautiful golf course, many lake front homes, full clubhouse, community gardens, tennis courts, pools, the works!

Tega Cay, another established upscale lakeside community, is off I-77 and Gold Hill Road on a peninsula of Lake Wylie in South Carolina. The neighborhood was begun in the 1970s and was originally modeled after a Polynesian resort. It includes a 27-hole golf course and marina.

The Mecklenburg side of the lake is seeing major growth through the development of the Palisades, the Sanctuary and Berewick. Endorsed by Audubon International for maintaining the natural beauty of the land, the Sanctuary is spread out over 1,300 acres near McDowell Park. The development features lots ranging from two to more than 13 acres. Twenty miles of nature trails traverse through the community, which also offers 200 acres of natural areas. The Camp is the Sanctuary’s lakefront community center with swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, kids’ room, playground, picnic areas and boating center. Homesites at the Sanctuary range from $300,000 to $2 million, and 20 million-dollar homes are available.

Berewick covers 1,050 acres in southwest Charlotte and is a mixed development of offices, shops and multifamily housing in its town center. The Berewick neighborhood prices run from about $200K -$500K. This community has two pools, clubhouse and other amenities are on the way...when completed, the neighborhood will have its own elementary school, ball park and dog park. This neighborhood is less than 20 minutes to uptown Charlotte NC, and under 15 minutes to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

South of N.C. 49, the Palisades is a 1,500-acre development with a Nicklaus Design championship golf course, country club, equestrian center, soccer complex and trails. Homes at the Palisades range from the $300s to more than $2 million.

At the intersection of N.C. 49 and N.C. 160, RiverGate is a brand new (2007)Home Depot, Super Target, grocery store and plenty of other shops and restaurants.

Located a mere 20 minutes from Charlotte, The Landing offers a peaceful atmosphere of nature and waterfront living in addition to its walking trails and park. The Shoppes at the Landing is a mixed-use development of retail and townhomes.

There is plenty of new construction on Gaston County’s Belmont peninsula, including Reflection Pointe, a waterfront development that features a clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, trails and boat slips.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located on 450 acres on South New Hope Road in Gaston County. The property is the former home of Daniel Stowe, a textile businessman who gave the property, along with $14 million, to establish an endowment to develop the garden. Currently, 110 acres have been developed, but operators have plans to develop the entire property into one of the premier gardens of its kind in the country. The garden features a grand, 13,500-square-foot visitors’ pavilion and themed gardens filled with plants that thrive in Piedmont soil and weather, accented with a dozen sparkling fountains and canals. The garden is open seven days a week.