Real EstateMount Pleasant SC: New Urbanism & The I’On Neighborhood

 

Back in the mid-1990’s a community was designed in Mount Pleasant that was heralded as one of the first “New Urbanism” developments. The concept was a neighborhood where families can walk to stores, restaurants and entertainment, designed with a small town feel. A walkable town center, open green spaces, where residents stroll or bike along sidewalks manicured with trees and grass, and where children can walk to school. It is a place where neighbors get to know each other on their front porches or at the nearby park. This would be designed as a place where vehicles are virtually unnecessary, side for the frequent golf cart. This concept after all, was not exactly “new, ” but rather a thing of the past and began its comeback in the Charleston SC area with the development of the I’On neighborhood of Mount Pleasant. 

The History:  Designed by the prestigious pioneering “new urbanism “ design team of DPZ – Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk – I’On reflects the core elements that are the hallmarks of this type of neighborhood.  The Master Plan for I’On allocates four neighborhood centers, with one being the “village center. ” This commercial hub for the community occurs along a mixed-use main street that partially winds around a central square, the northernmost center of which is located at the edge of Hobcaw Creek. Water features strongly into DPZ designs – three lakes are each developed in a manner that enhances their existing character. The smallest, named the Rookery, retains its natural state as a sanctuary for herons, egrets, and other wildlife. The largest, is East Lake, and then West Lake, which is the most urban of the three.

THE EARLY YEARS

Planning started in 1995 and first construction broke ground in the late 1990’s. I’On was envisioned as a departure from the ubiquitous, generic subdivision and took a different focus than traditional neighborhood planning. It’s sole attention was on creating a “human-centric ” community. Not just a place to live, but a place to engage with other residents.

This is why Vince Graham deliberately designed houses to reflect the historic ‘vertical’ homes of the Lowcountry, and it’s why you’ll notice paved sidewalks running alongside homes and streets made narrower by design. The idea is to bring people closer and together.

HOUSE LIVING turned into COMMUNITY-LIVING

Complementing the residential boroughs of I’On are the commercial and community areas. Vince Graham and other associates didn’t want I’On to only be a place to live. They wanted it to be a walkable and environmentally friendly version of a town. So, they designed the area to feature multiple recreational facilities, plus a commercial district known as I’On Square.

With over 30,000 square feet dedicated to office and retail space, residents of I’On can find places to shop and dine — all within a walking distance of their home. More importantly, they’re tucked within the community, so they don’t have to worry about busy traffic racing by on major roadways. Instead, they can feel safe and comfortable living in and moving through the neighborhood. As a planned “new urbanism ” community, I’On means homes closer together on smaller lots, with a variety of recreated period homestyles reflecting a neighborhood that is built over time, most with generous porches for “catching up with the neighbors. ” I’On features the concept of “neighborhood within a neighborhood ” so that you feel a kinship to the people and neighbors closest to you for an more intimate feeling of connectivity.

On the recreational side, you’ll find facilities dedicated to improving health and putting you at nature’s doorstep. This is a true “walk everywhere ” lifestyle. Since the community is conveniently located next to the creek, residents can fish from small docks and go on the occasional kayak ride. For family fun and fitness, you can also join the I’On Club, where you’ll enjoy the swimming pool during the summer months or even whack a few balls on the tennis courts.

And lastly, are the social events. I’On has no shortage of them. Based on their founding philosophy and the over-arching vision of new urbanism, they believe residents should continually get together, mingle, and contribute to a better living environment.

ION TODAY

Recognized nationally for its innovative community-centric design, I’On is a live/work community and architectural wonder and reflects the standard that has been envisioned for new urbanism planners prior to, and since, its development.

The Look: I’On features include extensive sidewalks, shared public green spaces, walking trails, lakes, parks and a grid of narrow streets designed with the intent to slow traffic. The community is nearly completed with 762 home sites. Businesses include the Inn at I’On, Square Onion gourmet deli, O’Brion’s Pub & Grille, Grace Salon Spa, Community Table Restaurant, and Alison Elibash Interiors among others.

Natural features include the Rookery wildlife refuge, 6 miles of walking trails, 2.5 miles of marsh front paths, a deep water access boat ramp, 3 crab docks, outdoor amphitheater, boathouse, East Lake & West Lake, and 12 parks.

For health conscious residents, the community has the I’On Club which offers year round tennis with 7 clay courts, aquatics with 3 pools (junior Olympic salt water, adult lounge salt water, shaded baby pool) as well as a gym, personal trainers and group classes.

The Location: I’On is approximately 3 miles east of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which connects Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. It’s about a 10 minute drive from I’On to the heart of downtown Charleston. Home prices in this sought-after community range from the high $800,000’s to over $3 Million.  This is truly one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Charleston, SC area!

NOTE: In addition to the community of I’On, Mount Pleasant is home to many neighborhoods that deliver a “small town ” feel and blend the best of urban elegance with traditional Southern living. If you’d like to visit and experience the I’On lifestyle for yourself, don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about what this incredible neighborhood has to offer.

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