Uniquely Frederica

It has certainly been two years of unprecedented growth for St. Simons Island and the community of Frederica. Frederica has grown to 90 completed homes with an additional 27 currently under construction. With only 297 platted homesites and almost 40 that are multiply owned, Frederica is almost 50% complete. One thing that remains unchanged is Frederica’s commitment to preserving the unmatched natural setting and environment. Most of its homesites are approximately two acres and offer generous setbacks between homes. And while Frederica has appealed to the pre-retiree and retiree market for years, over the past five years a number of young families have purchased homes or are building at Frederica.

In talking with some of the young families who chose Frederica to be their island home, it is fun to hear their reasons. Some are relocating from larger cities to raise their families in a different environment on St. Simons Island or building their next home on the island. The Andersons moved to St. Simons from Atlanta seven years ago with their two boys. “We haven’t looked back, we absolutely love being here,” says Courtney. They purchased a home on the south end of the island and decided a few years ago to build at Frederica. “We chose Frederica for its beauty and tranquility. The moment you enter the community, you feel a sense of calm from the beautiful surroundings.” Scott and Amy Kuhn echoed those sentiments, “From the moment we pulled into the gates, there was just something special about it. Frederica has an understated elegance and that is what really attracted us to the community. When Covid 19 became a pandemic, Frederica was the first place we looked after deciding we were ready to make a lifestyle change. Once we found an island school that we loved, we jumped at the chance to be a part of Frederica for our new home.”

With Frederica being a newer community, resale home sales are rare. Several high-end custom homes have been offered in the past two years, offering the ability to move the process along quicker for a buyer to avoid the time-consuming process of design and build. Ty and Alicia Hardison had planned to build a custom home in a community north of St. Simons Island; however, they fell in love with Frederica. The exceptional quality of golf and amenities were appealing, but the true selling point was the beauty of their lot. “We were drawn to the live oak tree canopy on our lot and the nature around us at Frederica. We were fortunate to find a home that was just starting construction, so we had the ability to customize the floor plan and interior finishes to fit our needs. We were able to choose finishes to match out style. The team at Flanagan Development have been great to work with.”

Fortunately, there are many quality architects and builders from which to choose on St. Simons Island. They are also a great resource for purchasers to understand the design review process and the costs and timeline to build at Frederica. With larger home sites, designs often cater to one story living with first floor master suites and often a first-floor guest suite that can be used as an office. Courtney Anderson raved about the ease of the building process at Frederica, saying, “Our general contractor, Chris Carter, made our building process seamless. The privacy and size of our lot made it an easy decision to build at Frederica. We chose a modern take on a farmhouse as our design and Chris helped us position the home to take advantage of our lake and golf course views.”

At the beginning of the pandemic, Frederica saw a trend of slightly larger home designs as residents welcomed grown children and grandchildren for extended periods. Thoughts on how the living space would adapt both for an empty nest and an expanding family led to plans for additional living spaces with guest quarters on the property, bunk rooms for grandchildren, and retreats for home offices. In speaking with local builders in Frederica, there is a design shift in homes towards a more transitional style. “Exteriors still remain more traditional and timeless; however, the interiors are trending more towards a contemporary flair evoking a clean aesthetic with natural light and a relaxed feel,” explains Chris Carter of Carter Custom Homes. Brett Flanagan of Flanagan Development adds, “Open living spaces are still a huge trend; however, in our area, we are seeing a big focus on larger outdoor living spaces with all the features of a home: fireplaces, summer kitchen, brick flooring and beamed ceilings.”

Purchasing in a private club community is different than buying a property on the island. Frederica Realty’s clients are considering the lifestyle of the community and then searching for the right property. The Frederica Realty team prides themselves on assisting their clients through the entire process from finding the perfect home site to navigating the design/build process and connecting them with future friends in the community. They assist with identifying the right fit for a client’s design/build team early in the process. “We have been fortunate to play a role in the development and growth of the community as homes have been built and new friendships knit together resulting in this special place,” Tommy Elsberry, President of Frederica Realty, reflects. “The foundation of Frederica Realty’s culture is relationships.”

Frederica property owners are the true culture carriers and soul of the community. They are always available to greet prospective new neighbors with a cocktail party to share their Frederica experiences. “Our owners are such great ambassadors of Frederica and are eager to meet a potential owner. It’s not unusual for each neighbor to promote their build team, as they often become friends through the process,” states Angela Harrison with Frederica Realty. “There were 13 homes here when we started. Being a part of the growth and seeing the original vision of this community come to fruition has been my favorite part of my job.” Families surrounding themselves with like-minded neighbors in an architecturally controlled, secure community builds a genuine affection and commitment to the community that is generational. Hearing what these young families have to say and seeing them enjoying their surroundings makes it abundantly clear that appreciation of life’s simple pleasures remains at the heart of Frederica.

To learn more about the Frederica lifestyle, call 912.634.1500 or visit fredericaliving.com.