By Jim Parker
The Post and Courier
Saturday, November 22, 2008

Jim Parker
The Post and Courier

Courtyards, here encircling a tall oak tree, tie together homes while providing a small-town quality to Mixson, a new community from the I’On Group.

Jim Parker
The Post and Courier

The living quarters in the Mixson model home at 4400 Marblehead Lane showcase energy-efficient recyclable wood floors and fireplace with mantel and surround.

Jim Parker
The Post and Courier

This three-story Mixson home, which is occupied, stands out with its bright red shutters. Houses are roughly 900 to 1,200 square feet.

Jim Parker
The Post and Courier

Alyssondra Campaigne, marketing vice president for the I’On Group, stands at the bottom of stone stairs outside one of the homes at Mixson.

There’s something Cordial about this village, where the mayor is your neighbor and multilevel stucco houses with piazzas and red shutters don’t cost a million bucks.

The community, Mixson, is a recent entry in North Charleston’s urban renewal crusade. I’On Group ventured into the guts of the city to design a neotraditional neighborhood of three- and four story twin and detached homes, soon to be followed by flats, townhouses and single-family residences.

Mixson eventually will have 950 dwellings amid live oaks, fields and courtyards, and a community building with kitchen and fireplace. There also will be an office and retail district with cafes, shops and small businesses, says Alyssondra Campaigne, marketing and strategy vice president with I’On Group.

Launched this summer, the neighborhood off Mixson and Durant avenues has 18 homes under construction or completed, a handful of houses sold and a few residents moved in. Buyers include North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, whose pink-sided Charleston single is, appropriately enough, on Summey Street. To enter adjacent Cordial Alley, meanwhile, you pass under an archway with a bedroom built into the span.

A few homes are detached single-family dwellings. Others are attached, typically sharing a wall. But they aren’t duplicates: one pairing, for instance is of three-bedroom and a one-bedroom residences. Prices are from $149,000 to $349,900 and include one, two and three bedrooms. Sizes are from 900 to 1,200 square feet. Homes encircle courtyards with fountains, tall trees and landscaped shrubs and flowers or line quaint cobblestone streets.

Homes have no single building style. Most have stucco looking exteriors, a few are fiber-cement or wood sided, and some have brick accents. A number of dwellings are constructed with “aerated autoclaved” concrete block that’s extra insulated to produce energy saving and are acoustically structured to limit noise, Campaigne says. It’s one of a host of high-tech, environmentally-friendly design cues. Water heaters are tankless, toilets are dual flushing to save on water and floors are Shaw-brand “Green Edge” recyclable hardwood and carpeting.

Houses showcase upscale perks, too. Tall windows give dwellings an open feel. Full bath and laundry have tile floors and structured wiring means Internet, phone, TV, security and home automation run off one fiber cable. Kitchens have maple cabinets and gas range, microwave and dishwasher. Interior ceilings are 9-13 feet depending on the plan. Masonry steps, some with decorative pre-cast stone treads, lead upstairs. Most homes have porches or decks, many come with garages or a second parking space. Fireplaces, granite countertops and upgraded appliances are among the options.

Initial buyers are young to middle-aged professionals and retirees who prefer “a high quality, low maintenance kind of lifestyle,” she says. The houses hardly have any yards and don’t come with more than three bedrooms. That will change in future construction phases, which will have family-friendly residences from 1,300 square feet and wider lots.

“There is a lot of variety,” Campaigne says.

To locate Mixson from downtown Charleston, travel west on Interstate 26 to exit 213, East Montague Avenue. Turn right on East Montague and continue for about a mile to Mixson Avenue. Turn right on Mixson. The neighborhood is ahead on the right. An alternate route is to take I-26 to North Cosgrove,, left on Rivers Avenue and right on Durant Avenue. Mixson is on the left.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com

Neighborhood:

Mixson

Location: Charleston County

Phone: (843) 746-9696

Hours:

Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sunday Noon-4 p.m.

Web site:

www.insidemixson.com

Copyright © 1997 - 2007 the Evening Post Publishing Co.

871 sqft.
2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath
$255,500
Offered by: I’On Group Realty

*For a showing call me! Thea Anderson (843) 259-8705 or Thea@PerfectlyParkCircle.com

This residence on Cordial Alley features iron railing on a covered porch, shuttered windows, and a 2 car garage. Come tour this home has many outstanding upgraded finishes including 51″ kitchen cabinets, stainless appliances, and granite countertops in the kitchen and baths. Other features include: Hardwood on lower level, Kohler fixtures, Andersen windows, Shaw Green-Edge carpet, No-VOC paint, 2-10 warranty, security pre-wire, 14 SEER HVAC, tankless water heater, and dual flow toilet. Home is Energy Star and LEED for Homes certified. The Home qualifies for Rate 6 Energy savings discount from SCE&G. Mixson is a neighborhood of the historic Park Circle area of North Charleston, South Carolina. Mixson is designed around a collection of intimate, urbane streets and lanes, public parks and courtyards, and historic oak trees. The neighborhood plan includes shops, restaurants and cafes, offices, places of worship and other civic gathering spots. Inspired by the historic streets of downtown Charleston and older cities throughout the world, Mixson features winding cobblestone streets, and residences connected by archways. Historic Park Circle was built in the 1920s during the great period of town planning in the United States. Its numerous parks, and inviting Old Village main street offer places to gather, stroll, dine, and shop. Park Circle is centrally located. It is 10 miles to downtown Charleston, 15 miles to the beaches and 4.5 miles to the airport. Every building in Mixson is built to last, using the latest green technologies and materials that will age gracefully over time. Homes are characterized by efficient, open floorplans with ample natural light. Mixson is the latest neighborhood by the I’On Group, a nationally recognized leader in quality design and construction.

919 sqft.
2 bedroom, 2 bath
$219,000
Offered By: I’On Group Realty

**Call Thea Anderson for a showing! (843) 259-8705 or Thea@PerfectlyParkCircle.com
This home’s high ceilings and many windows create an airy, light-filled space. Features include: Corian kitchen countertops, hardwood on lower level, Kohler fixtures, Andersen windows, Shaw Green-Edge carpet, No-VOC paint, 2-10 warranty, security pre-wire, 14 SEER HVAC, tankless water heater, and dual flow toilet. Home is Energy Star and LEED for Homes certified. The Home qualifies for Rate 6 Energy savings discount from SCE&G. Mixson is a neighborhood of the historic Park Circle area of North Charleston, South Carolina. Mixson is designed around a collection of intimate, urbane streets and lanes, public parks and courtyards, and historic oak trees. The neighborhood plan includes shops, restaurants and cafes, offices, places of worship and other civic gathering spots. Inspired by the historic streets of downtown Charleston and older cities throughout the world, Mixson features winding cobblestone streets, and residences connected by archways. Historic Park Circle was built in the 1920s during the great period of town planning in the United States. Its numerous parks, and inviting Old Village main street offer places to gather, stroll, dine, and shop. Park Circle is centrally located. It is 10 miles to downtown Charleston, 15 miles to the beaches and 4.5 miles to the airport. Every building in Mixson is built to last, using the latest green technologies and materials that will age gracefully over time. Homes are characterized by efficient, open floorplans with ample natural light. Mixson is the latest neighborhood by the I’On Group, a nationally recognized leader in quality design and construction. Call for a tour of our furnished home and ask about energy efficient mortgages.

812 sqft.
2 bedroom, 1 bath
$209,000
Offered by: I’On Group Realty

This unique home offers a Juliette balcony, a mahogany front door, and an arch joining it to its neighbor. The bedroom located over the arch has a beautiful view of one of Mixson’s many grand oaks. Other features include: Hardwood on lower level and stairs, Corian kitchen countertops, stainless appliances, Kohler fixtures, Andersen windows, Shaw Green-Edge carpet, No-VOC paint, 2-10 warranty, security pre-wire, 14 SEER HVAC, tankless water heater, and dual flow toilet. Home is Energy Star and LEED for Homes certified. The Home qualifies for Rate 6 Energy savings discount from SCE&G. Mixson is a neighborhood of the historic Park Circle area of North Charleston, South Carolina. Mixson is designed around a collection of intimate, urbane streets and lanes, public parks and courtyards, and historic oak trees. The neighborhood plan includes shops, restaurants and cafes, offices, places of worship and other civic gathering spots. Inspired by the historic streets of downtown Charleston and older cities throughout the world, Mixson features winding cobblestone streets, and residences connected by archways. Historic Park Circle was built in the 1920s during the great period of town planning in the United States. Its numerous parks, and inviting Old Village main street offer places to gather, stroll, dine, and shop. Park Circle is centrally located. It is 10 miles to downtown Charleston, 15 miles to the beaches and 4.5 miles to the airport. Every building in Mixson is built to last, using the latest green technologies and materials that will age gracefully over time. Homes are characterized by efficient, open floorplans with ample natural light. Mixson is the latest neighborhood by the I’On Group, a nationally recognized leader in quality design and construction. Call for a tour of our furnished home and ask about energy efficient mortgages.

1500 sqft
3 bedroom, 2 bath
$1290/month
Available Jan. 1st 2009

**For a showing appointment contact Thea Anderson (843) 259-8705 or Thea@PerfectlyParkCircle.com

“Available January 1st - a three bedroom, two bath BEAUTIFUL home on a lovely tree-lined street in Park Circle. Inside: comfortable living room, formal dining room, fully equipped eat-in kitchen with stainless steel refrigerator, split bedroom plan with roomy bedrooms (plenty of closet space) and a BIG master suite with private bath, jacuzzi garden tub, and large walk-in closet. Nice hardwood floors throughout and designer color scheme. Approximately 1500 square feet excluding porches and garage, but feels even larger.

Outside: shady screened porch off living room, mud porch off kitchen entrance, and roomy one car garage with washer and dryer (plenty of room for storage and work area). Lovely landscaped yard and partially fenced back yard.

Owner is looking for responsible tenants to care for this home while working abroad. Please no smokers, and small pets will be considered with additional deposit. First month’s rent and one month security deposit required. One year lease available to applicants upon approval of background/credit check.”

1,637 sqft.
3 bedroom, 2 bath
$184,500
Offered by: Pathway Real Estate Group, LLC

**Want to know more about purchasing this home? Need pre qualification for a Mortgage? I can do that, too! Contact me: Thea Anderson, REALTOR (843) 259-8705 or Thea@PErfectlyParkCircle.com

1,728 sqft.
4 bedroom, 1 bath
$179,900
Offered by: Palmetto Realty of Charleston

**For a showing appointment or any further information about this great Park Circle property, contact me: Thea Anderson, REALTOR (843) 259-8705 or Thea@PerfectlyParkCircle.com

1,256 sqft.
3 bedroom, 1 bath
$174,900
Offered by: Carolina One Real Estate

**Interested in more information on this home? Want a showing appointment? Curious about the market here in Park Circle? Contact me: Thea Anderson (843) 259-8705 or Thea@PerfectlyParkCircle.com