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Dewees
Island is often referred to as "a private oceanfront island retreat
dedicated to environmental preservation." This statement sums up a
philosophy that this community has managed to put into practice.
Accessible only by boat, Dewees Island is located just 12 miles north of
Charleston. This environmentally sensitive, 1,206-acre barrier island
has attracted national attention as model of sustainable development.
Although the developers installed the usual underground telephone and
power lines, the similarity to other island development projects stops
there. Dewees five roads are not paved instead they are surfaced with
crushed limestone. The developers also installed a complete recycling
and composting system, as well as a central reverse osmosis water system
that supplies all the island's drinking water.
Dewees Island's environmental covenants limit the number of homes to
150, and cluster them in the most ecologically hardy areas. Builders
must agree to follow a comprehensive set of design and construction
guidelines that aim to ease the impact of construction on the island, as
well as reduce the amount of energy and resources the island's homes
use. Dewees Island Homes must remain surrounded by native vegetation, no
lawns allowed and only 7,500 square feet of each lot can be disturbed by
construction.
Houses are situated on lots that average about two acres. While there is
no minimum size requirement, they cannot be larger than 5,000 square
feet. There are currently 60 homes on the island. All homes are
elevated, and all feature some sort of water view including views of the
Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway or Lake Timacau.
Dewees Island attracts an exclusive set of home buyers who believe the
goals of environmental awareness and comfort can be complementary.
Residents can immerse themselves in nature, with such
ecologically-friendly family activities such as canoeing, bird watching,
fly-fishing, crabbing, and a day on one of the South's widest natural
beaches.
Dewess Island has no gas stations, restaurants or grocery stores, and
residents get around by golf cart or on foot. A ferry based at the
Dewees Marina on the Isle of Palms, runs back and forth from early
morning to late night. The scenic journey lasts 20 minutes. Other island
amenities include an environmental education center, a clubhouse, pool
and two tennis courts, as well as a number of well-furnished guest
accommodations.
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DEWEES ISLAND
MAP |
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A-Boat Dock & Ferry
Landing, B-Post Office C-Recycling & Composte
Center,
D-Old House Lagoon, E-Hyler House: Clubhouse, Guest Suites,
Pool & Tennis,
F-Building Setback Line, G-Dewees Inlet, H-Lake Timacau,
I-Pristine Beaches |
Life on Dewees does heighten
one's appreciation for the beauty and value of the natural environment.
However, the values shared by the community don't stop with the birds,
beaches and trees. On Dewees, the people are as important as the place.
And that includes both the people who live there year round, those who
vacation on this tropical paradise and those who have made a career of
working on Dewees.
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