Days spent on or overlooking the tidal creeks and marsh savannas of the South Carolina Lowcountry move to a rhythm far removed from the hustle of modern life. Time is marked by the gentle ebb and flow of the tide, legendary sunrises, and sunsets that seem to stop time altogether.
Just off the northernmost edge of Daniel Island—a thoughtfully planned coastal community located within the much-lauded city of Charleston—an exclusive new neighborhood dubbed The Retreat is taking shape. The neighborhood offers just sixty-two families the rare opportunity to live harmoniously with these natural rhythms. It is surrounded by Lowcountry waterways, framed by expansive marsh vistas, and filled with ponds and protected wetlands. The Retreat is a nature-first neighborhood abundant with waterfowl, fish, and other native fauna and flora. And yet, it’s not off the grid. Residents will be but a bike ride away from the entertainment and social riches that make Daniel Island so revered, including a bustling retail and dining district, hundreds of acres of green spaces and walking trails, top-tier schools, churches, and even Credit One Stadium, a sports and music venue that global headliners frequent.
The Retreat is one of the finest neighborhoods—and, notably, the final one—to take shape on Daniel Island, and this spring, the last thirty-two homesites will be available. For decades, the former landowners of Daniel Island treasured the impeccably preserved archipelago as the family’s recreational “retreat.” Today, a few dozen fortunate families have the opportunity to build a dream home amid this crown jewel natural habitat.
A neighborhood dock and boat launch will lend an uncrowded entry to the Lowcountry’s winding creeks and rivers, plus the recreational pursuits those waterways afford, like boating, paddleboarding, fishing, and crabbing. The Retreat is located within Daniel Island Park, the island’s country club neighborhood, and homeowners have the opportunity to become members of the Daniel Island Club. Boating enthusiasts are invited to join the Daniel Island Yacht Club, and all residents will want to embrace the convenience, community, and amenities greater Daniel Island provides. Also of note? Though there’s no need to leave the island, the neighborhood is a short drive to the cobblestoned streets of downtown Charleston and Charleston International Airport and only about twenty minutes from the Atlantic coast and its enviable beaches.
Residents cruise, stroll, or bike down a scenic causeway to access The Retreat. “The views of the marsh as we drive into The Retreat never get old,” says Tracey Daley, who with her husband, Kevin, will soon relocate to the neighborhood from Los Angeles.
Homesites offer sweeping views of creeks, ponds, or wetlands and are generously sized to ensure privacy. Nine of the remaining lots also have permits for deep-water and tidal-creek docks. Homes themselves will be in keeping with the traditional Lowcountry architectural vernacular displayed throughout Daniel Island. “I cannot tell you how helpful the Architectural Review Board has been in navigating the design process, especially from twenty-five hundred miles away,” Tracey says. “The ARB guidelines are very clear, and we appreciate the transparency in what the overall vision of The Retreat will be.”
The Daleys look forward to meeting friends at The Fish Camp, the neighborhood’s communal hub. “As empty nesters, we wanted to find a coastal community with lots of opportunities to become involved with our town and new neighbors,” Tracey says. “Our dream was to build our ‘forever home’ that our three children, and hopefully our grandchildren one day, will want to come to often. We are so excited for the next chapter of our lives on Daniel Island.”
Find your slice of serenity at TheRetreatDI.com
