A duo of local developers hopes to create one of the finest housing communities in Pender County out of a former golf course.
Mike Pollak, a Wilmington-based developer, said Thursday that he and longtime Hampstead-based developer David Greer, have big plans to turn parts of the defunct Topsail Greens Golf Club into lush green space, walking and bike trails and multiple water features for future residents of the community.
“We realize that it has to be done right because it’s just too good of a property,” Pollak said upon purchasing the property. “We were like two little kids … it’s just that good of a property.”
Now called Wyndwater, plans call for 300-400 homes to be constructed on roughly two-thirds of the 154-acre golf course, Pollak said. He said the price points will range from the mid $200,000s and up – an effort to appeal to a number of buyers looking to relocate to the Hampstead area.
The remaining one-third of the property is still being evaluated by the developers for future residential growth, Pollak said.
Plans for the first phase of the development were approved by the Pender County Planining and Zoning’s Technical Review Committee this week, Pollak said.
Officials plan to break ground in two weeks on the first 92 lots in the development.
While no official builder agreement has been signed, Pollak said homebuilders Hardison Building Company of Wrightsville Beach and American Homesmith of Raleigh will likely construct the residences in the first phase. He said as custom home lots are developed, other custom homebuilders will be introduced into the development.
“We’re looking to draw young families to retired military couples,” Pollak said. “We want to offer a decompressed lifestyle, and we feel with great Topsail schools … and access to Topsail beaches this development will offer that life style.”
Pollak said that a commercial component will be developed pending market demand, adding that introducing retail to the site may take years. He said other amenities include introducing gazebos and benches throughout the development. The site may also play host to a dog park, covered bus stops and individual gardens for residents.
“Right now we’re focusing on the residential development,” Pollak said. “Once demand grows for the commercial we will focus on it at that time.”
Pollak said he would like to eventually incorporate denser residential development, such as patio homes and townhomes, in later phases of the development.
“We’re really listening to the market,” Pollak said. “Right now, the Hampstead region has a shortage of lots and this development will address current shortages.”
Pollak and Greer have has success in developing lots across the region.
After a successful run at Pecan Grove Plantation development - a residential development along U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead - Greer partnered with Pollak to construct The Walk at Sloop Point, a 45-lot subdivision along Sloop Point Road in Hampstead.
In 2012, Pollak – a native Houstonian and custom homebuilder – purchased the Muirfield Townes development in Echo Farms in Wilmington, which was originally developed by Raleigh-based St. Lawrence Homes Inc., after the 92-lot townhome development fell into foreclosure.
He’s currently constructing a new phase of 38 townhomes in the planned development for $300,000 and up – back to its pre recession asking prices prior to Pollak purchasing the development.
“I have nothing on the ground to sell,” Pollak said of his townhome development. “And that’s a very good problem to have. The market is really starting to pick up here.”
And with the help of his business partner and sister, Jennifer Evans, more projects are being planned for the region.
“My sister and I have been business partners for 26 years,” Pollak said. “She handles the medical, retail custom homebuilding In Houston … She’s more analytical, and I like to think of myself as the dreamer.”
Pollak said he’s excited about the future plans for new home construction in the area.
“Topsail Greens is just the beginning,” he said. “We have others we’re going to announce soon.”
