By Kimberly Byrd

Coosaw River Estates? Somerset Point at Lady’s Island? What exactly is the true story behind this beautiful piece of property situated by the pristine waters and marshes of the Coosaw River and Intercoastal Waterway, located off of Brickyard Road on gorgeous Lady’s Island? Well, here it is.<!--more-->

In April 2006, Hilton C. Smith, Jr. of Charleston and 2 other out-of-town business partners purchased a 127 acre parcel of land then called Coosaw River Estates. While several homes were already located on the property, some of them for decades, the majority of this magnificent land was left to be developed.

The original intent of the owners was to sell lots, but as the economy hit one of its worst downturns in history, the plans changed. Hilton C. Smith, Jr., along with his sons Hilton Smith, III and Christopher Smith, also the sole owners of a successful building company, Manorhouse Builders of SC, became the primary owners of all Coosaw River Estates Phase I interior lots. Phase II and any waterfront lots are still owned along-side the original out-of-town business partners with Hilton Smith, Jr. serving as managing member. Hilton Smith, III states “Manorhouse Builders prides itself on being a family business and takes pride in building every home as if it were our own.”

So why the name change? When Manorhouse Builders decided to take the neighborhood to a new level, and start building quality, Lowcountry homes at Somerset Point, the company felt that the then “stale” neighborhood needed a face-lift and brighter outlook. So the research started for a new name and competent team to take on this community.

Cherimie Crane and Associates of Ballenger Realty have an outstanding reputation of being excellent new construction experts. They have proven to be nothing less at Somerset Point. “When Manorhouse approached me about marketing their community, I was honored. Working so closely with such a reputable organization gives me confidence not only in the product, but resiliency in completing their goal and keeping their word. In a market with so many questioning the staying power or commitment of quality in home builders, working with Manorhouse allows my team to enthusiastically meet each new home owner and offer them not only amazing value, but also exceptional service,” says Cherimie Crane of Ballenger Realty.

As most Beaufort residents know, King Charles II granted land in what is today South Carolina, to eight Lords Proprietors. Shortly after, the Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset, was elevated to Lord Proprietor status, thus becoming the origin of the Beaufort name. And so the name of Coosaw River Estates changes to Somerset Point at Lady’s Island.

While Manorhouse Builders of SC, based out of the Charleston area,  serves as the primary builder of Somerset Point, individuals are still able to purchase a lot and select their own custom builder.

Manorhouse Builders is also very proud to say that 60 percent of the subcontractors who work on Somerset are locally based. From the very beginning, the company felt the impressiveness of the “tight-knit” community of Lady’s Island and felt it was important to establish relationships and trust with those individuals who work so hard for their community.

And so a “less than wonderful start” begins again; this time with much higher hopes and un-heard-of success. A community with deep-rooted history comes into 2011 with vigor. For more information on Somerset Point at Lady’s Island and Manorhouse Builders of South Carolina, please visit www.SomersetPointBeaufort.com or www.ManorhouseSC.com. You may also contact the Somerset Point sales team at (843) 812-2090 or Manorhouse Builders at (843) 377-1312.

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