Clear Springs Development Company Selects Four Area Homebuilders For Phase I of the Village of Baxter
Dec. 10, 1998

Clear Springs Development Company has selected four area homebuilders to bring a traditional style of homebuilding reflecting the style and character of the upcountry South Carolina region to Phase I of the Village of Baxter, a new residential community being developed on property owned by the Close family in Fort Mill, S.C.
The builders are David Weekley Homes, Saussy Burbank, S.E. Miller Construction and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods.

“Each builder selected to participate in Phase I of the Village of Baxter represents a long tradition of quality homebuilding in our region,” said James Traynor, president of Clear Springs Development. “We are excited to have such a high caliber of talent helping us shape the future of new home construction in Fort Mill and the Charlotte area.”

David Weekley Homes, which builds homes in 10 communities in Charlotte with prices ranging from the $150s to the $380s, is expected to price its Baxter homes from the mid-$100s, depending on lot size.

“The homes we are designing remind me of growing up in the 1950s,” said David Weekley, chairman and CEO of David Weekley Homes. “They will have front porches, alleys and other features for a very traditional look. We are excited to be a part of Baxter, which will include home plans specifically designed for the community.”

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, David Weekley Homes is a privately owned, single-family homebuilder. Since 1976, Weekley has completed more than 25,000 homes in dozens of communities nationwide, including ones in Charlotte, Raleigh, Charleston and Nashville, making it the 23rd largest homebuilder in the country.

Established in 1991, Saussy Burbank is one of the largest privately held homebuilding companies in Charlotte, building homes ranging from the $120s to the $300s in 13 communities in Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties, as well as the Biltmore Park development in Asheville and communities in the Raleigh area.

Saussy Burbank will build homes in Baxter from the mid-$120s to the mid-$200s.

“Over the next several years, the Village of Baxter will become one of the Southeast’s premier residential developments,” said Jim Burbank, president and CEO of Saussy Burbank. “This is an exciting time in our company’s history for us to be part of Baxter’s beginning. We look forward to a long working relationship with all the principals.”

S.E. Miller Construction is a custom builder selected for Phase I. The homebuilder will build homes priced from the $250s.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to work long-term on one of the most exciting homebuilding projects to hit the Fort Mill and Charlotte area in recent years,” said Shannon Miller, president of S.E. Miller Construction. “We plan on being in Baxter for a long time.”

Miller began S.E. Miller Construction in 1992. His custom homes range in price from the $200s to the $700s and are located in some of the most prestigious communities in the Fort Mill and Charlotte area, including many custom lakefront properties.

Founded by John Wieland in 1970, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods is building in 60 neighborhoods in the Southeast, with more than 1,325 closings in cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Charleston, Columbia, Nashville and Jacksonville. Wieland offers a wide range of lifestyles, from cluster homes and townhomes to single-family neighborhoods.

In Charlotte, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods builds in 10 communities, with prices ranging from the $300s to the $500s. Wieland will build townhomes and single-family homes in the Village of Baxter ranging in price from the low $100s for townhomes to the $300s for single-family homes.

“Baxter will offer residents a great sense of community,” said Eric Price, Charlotte president of John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods. “We will offer our first traditional designs in Baxter, and I’m eager to get started.”

“Baxter will offer everything today’s homebuyer is looking for – great schools, a small-town atmosphere and close proximity to Charlotte,” Price said.

The 950-acre Village of Baxter, located 20 minutes from uptown Charlotte in the southwest quadrant of S.C. Highway 160 and Interstate 77, is a traditional neighborhood offering single-family homes and townhouses, as well as commercial sites and more than 400 acres of open spaces.

Modeled after small towns of the Southeast, Baxter’s traditional architecture will reflect the style and character of the upcountry South Carolina region. Features such as front porches and abundant sidewalks will orient activity to the front of homes, promoting a pedestrian-friendly community.