Cross over the bridge on U.S. 421 at Snow's Cut, a
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project that connects the ICW with the Cape
Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, and you come directly into Carolina
Beach. This island community represents some very interesting prospects for
home ownership in the Cape Fear region.
The beach communities of Carolina Beach on the north and Kure Beach to the
south are located on the land area known as Pleasure Island. Home to about
10,000 year-round residents, these friendly, family-oriented communities are
often mistaken by visitors as one long island beach town referred to as
Carolina Beach. This is an understandable error due to the similarities of
the towns. Both have clean, wide beaches, an abundance of fishing
opportunities, several nice restaurants and a growing sense of community
pride that makes living here a charming prospect.
Although Carolina Beach has been a community since 1857, the whole of
Pleasure Island has been experiencing substantial residential growth during
recent years as an affordable place to locate by or near the ocean. The
assortment of ownership opportunities range from condominiums to cottages to
upscale homes. There are several high-rises, many multi-story condominium
buildings on the northern end, an abundance of small residences and --
particularly toward the central and southern parts of the island -- quite a
few larger homes.
Currently, the island is experiencing considerable commercial growth, and
revitalization is underway. A recently added shopping center has a Food Lion
as its anchor store. Two major chain hotels have recently been opened in the
area, increasing the number of visitors to downtown Carolina Beach and the
Boardwalk.
Single-family homes along Carolina Beach and Kure Beach range between
$250,000 to $500,000 and up, with townhomes and condominiums priced in the
mid-$90,000s to the $500,000s. Not surprisingly, oceanfront properties in
both markets fall into the upper range of price quotes, $500,000 to
$1,000,000 and up. The farther south you go on this island, the more
fascinating the scenery becomes. In Fort Fisher, beautiful live oak foliage
has been sculpted over the centuries by the sea breezes. At the southernmost
tip of this strip of land, the Cape Fear River converges with the Atlantic
Ocean near Bald Head Island.
Farther south on Pleasure Island in the village of Kure Beach, you’ll find
Seawatch, a residential development with homes on 101 sites ranging from
oceanfront to wooded. Single-family, cottage-style homes are from 1,400 to
3,200 square feet in size and are grouped around a community pool, cabana,
playground and tennis courts. A private, oceanfront beachwalk features a
cabana with showers, restrooms and a covered deck.
Among Pleasure Island's notable residential developments is Harbour Point, a
traditional waterfront neighborhood and yacht club located on the
Intracoastal Waterway at the juncture of Snow's Cut in Carolina Beach. Its
90 townhomes feature tin roofs, white picket fences, pastel exteriors,
romantic porches and classic styling. It's a Charleston-like community with
a relaxed ambiance and quiet sophistication. This neighborhood is a truly
unique blend of Southern architecture that combines functionality and
spaciousness with just plain charm. A 98-slip marina that can accommodate
boats up to 100 feet, a waterfront pool and a clubhouse make this picture
complete.
