The Official Newsletter of Bay Creek, Cape Charles, Virginia
In This Issue: Sales & Construction Update
July 2020 | Issue 5
Has it only been one month since our last Soundings?
Bay Creek Receives Recognition for Excellence Meet Jack Madden New Director of Sales at Bay Creek The Bay Creek Family of Professionals Owner Testimonial Just What the Doctors Ordered Palmer Lake Villas Low-Maintenance, High Style Living at Bay Creek Funky and Eclectic The Pearl Market
Bay Creek Soundings is published regularly by Bay Creek. Drop us a line at info@BayCreekLife.com or call toll free 844.620.2900 Or you can always see us at BayCreekLife.com
It has been one of those times here at Bay Creek— when so much is happening, you lose a sense of time. Bay Creek has always been like that in a way—we’re where families come to reconnect and relax, among the rhythms of nature. It’s the perfect combination of experiences that make hearts race, laughter spill, and time stand still. It’s just that sort of time at Bay Creek right now, too. Not just for the families and guests who are enjoying an incredible Eastern Shore summer here, but for the community of Bay Creek, itself. And while residents are gathering on their porches at dusk to recount the day’s adventures, the Bay Creek team is coming together to reflect on the last few weeks’ whirlwind of activity—and plan for that incredible tomorrow where it seems anything is possible. Read more inside on next page
Soundings
July 2020 | Issue 5
...one month since our last Soundings continued from cover
Bay Creek is alive with activity right now. In this issue, we’ll introduce you to Bay Creek’s new Director of Sales, Jack Madden, and highlight our expert sales team. We’ll tell you all about the Palmer Lake Villas—their views, the builder, the features—and the latest updates on the buzz-worthy inaugural release. Plus, find out just how much is happening on the ground here lately— scheduled Discovery Visits, home starts, and more. Explore the ‘Pearl Market,’ a new must-stop shop whose mission is to highlight the inimitable seafood, local produce, and artisans from the Eastern Shore. We’re enjoying this exciting time at Bay Creek and invite you to do so, too. It’s summer, after all, so dive in! Try every exciting thing you can
here on Virginia’s Cape. Kayak, fish, set out on the nature trails. Take your golf cart along the new cart path into Cape Charles for an afternoon of ice cream, window shopping, and exploring. Take time to float, too. Look up at the giant, blue Eastern Shore sky. Follow the clouds as they drift and shift over sparkling Bay waters. Bury your toes in the sand and sit with a good book. Re-discover the art lounging on the porch. Isn’t that what summer is all about? Wishing you many long, beautiful summer days filled with all the things you enjoy, great times you’ll remember, and the people you love. ~ The Bay Creek Team
Soundings
Sales& Construction UPDATE Building Momentum, Excitement and Homes on the Bay
The energy and excitement that always accompany the arrival of a gorgeous Eastern Shore summer have been magnified by a new level of activity here in Bay Creek. We have seen an incredible amount of activity in recent months, with June and July having a marked increase in sales, construction and Discovery Visits. The activity is present across various products. Bay Creek’s release of the new Palmer Lake Villas is seeing unprecedented activity. The initial release of 12 Villas is already over 50% subscribed at the time of this writing.
Palmer Lake Villas
“Reservations on these first twelve Villas are going quickly. It’s been off to a fast start with over half already subscribed,” says Jack Madden, Director of Sales at Bay Creek. “The homesites are marked and staked and we’re scheduled to break ground in early August,” he adds. “We’re excited to show the continuing progress with these Villas. It’s
important for people to see the level of expertise of the construction, and it’s energizing to see these gorgeous homes coming out of the ground,” Jack explains.
Bayside Village
In Bayside Village, things are active as well. A new building program will soon be unveiled that will feature both model homes available for purchase as well as a portfolio of beautiful designs that you can choose and customize to your individual tastes. This program will help make your dream of living in Bay Creek easier than ever before. We’ll share more details on this exciting new initiative very soon. Bay Creek has also been enjoying an unprecedented level of activity on homesites in Bayside Village. In just the past few months, seventeen properties have been placed in pending or purchased status, distinguishing 2020 as the best year for sales in Bayside Village in over a decade! These properties will soon be home to a fortunate group of excited families looking to fulfill their dream of a bayside home on the Eastern Shore. We still have a fantastic selection of park, golf, and bayfront locations but as you might expect, the best locations are in high demand
July 2020 | Issue 5
and are disappearing day by day. Visit us soon to ensure your dream location doesn’t get chosen by someone else! Families are also beginning to build. Many Bay Creek homesite owners are now beginning the process of building their long-awaited dream home. Ground is moving, foundations are going in, and framing is going up. With this building taking place, Director of Sales, Jack Madden, is looking forward to welcoming new families into the community. “It’s exciting to see so many homesite owners begin engaging with builders to start that home they had been dreaming of,” he says. “The time just feels right for many owners, so they’re getting started,” Jack states. How bright is the outlook at Bay Creek for the coming months? Think ‘morning sunlight on the Bay.’
With an impressive 41 Discovery Visits for July at Bay Creek—almost triple last July’s tours—the sun does seem to be rising on a very lovely summer season in our community. Here’s to easy summer days, new neighbors, new family retreats in the making, and dreams of life on the Bay realized. We welcome your inquiries about exceptional properties, homes and homesites at Bay Creek and invite you to visit and experience our distinct, bayfront haven.
Soundings
BAY CREEK RECEIVES
Recognition for Excellence Bay Creek is awarded “Best Coastal Community” by ideal-LIVING Magazine Bay Creek has long been considered the best coastal destination in Virginia by our residents. Today we’re excited and humbled to announce that for the 2nd consecutive year, Bay Creek has been recognized once again by the experts at ideal-LIVING Magazine as Virginia’s top coastal community. “’The Best of the Best’ feature honors those areas and communities that deserve special
recognition for their outstanding qualities, facilities and programs,” states Editor and Associate Publisher of ideal-LIVING, Kelly Godbey. At Bay Creek, on Virginia’s stunningly beautiful Eastern Shore, our coastal community is defined by a deep appreciation of family, nature and authentic experiences. Distinctive homes are set among hundreds of acres of lush nature preserves, waterways and interconnected trails. Life here is marked by a rich collection of coastal pleasures and memorable activities, and every day offers new experiences that create lifelong memories. Here, the best moments on the Bay happen every day. Walk two miles of private beach, sail, golf, explore the trails, venture out by kayak, throw a fishing line into a protected pond, stretch on the Yoga Lawn, or take a bike or golf cart ride into charming and colorful Cape Charles, named ‘Prettiest Beach Town in Virginia’ by Coastal Living. And that’s just the beginning of what makes us the Best Coastal Community. We invite you to experience the true coastal ideal here at Bay Creek, ideal-LIVING magazine’s choice for Best Coastal Community.
July 2020 | Issue 5
Bay Creek and Preserve Communities are pleased to accept two significant accolades from national resort and lifestyle publications, ideal-LIVING Magazine and Virginia Living. Our commitment to celebrating the unparalleled Eastern Shore lifestyle at Bay Creek defines us. The incredible families and individuals who live here inspire us. We dedicate these awards to you.
Virginia Living designates us “Best Golf Course: 2020 Best of Virginia” Bay Creek is pleased to be honored with the distinction of ‘Best Golf Course’ in Virginia Living’s 2020 ‘Best of Virginia Awards’. Our 27-holes of award-winning golf designed by two of the greatest that ever played the game, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, elevate Bay Creek’s golf experience to an artform. With several holes along the Chesapeake Bay, the views are as satisfying as the game.
‘Best’, even better… We are dedicated to preserving the treasure that is Bay Creek golf and are committed to enriching our member experience. In recent months, Bay Creek has enjoyed impressive enhancements to our already superb courses. As part of their re-imagining of Bay Creek, Preserve Communities has actively sought ways to make ‘Best’ even better. The result is a golfing experience at Bay Creek that elevates ‘home course’ to ‘award-winning haven’—with playability, views and an environment befitting our breathtaking bayfront retreat.
Soundings
Bay Creek Employee SPOTLIGHT Meet JACK MADDEN, New Director of Sales at Bay Creek
Relocating from a Caribbean island to an idyllic family retreat on Virginia’s Eastern Shore might sound like a whirlwind, but for Jack Madden, Bay Creek’s new Director of Sales, it’s a special combination of the right time and place, and a welcome new adventure.
For some two decades, Jack has been working in the real estate industry. He began his career as a sales agent, then rose to a management role for a broker in Dallas, opening and running a busy office for about five years, with more than 30 agents. Then, after having his own real estate firm for several years, he found himself on a journey to the Caribbean, becoming a sales executive at Four Seasons Anguilla. Soon, Jack became Director of Sales, enjoying three years of activity helping people find their ideal home in the Caribbean.
In a profession that deals with square footage, architecture and location, Jack enjoys the human side of creating a community, making lasting connections, and matching families with the lifestyle they seek. In mid-June, Jack, along with his wife, Michelle, and 11-year-old daughter, Lacey, arrived in Cape Charles to begin their new Eastern Shore adventure. “Really, Anguilla is a small island of about 15,000 people. So, in some ways, Cape Charles and the surrounding area is similar,” says Jack.
July 2020 | Issue 5
“We love the charm of this town,” he says. “It’s special. We’ve only been here for a few weeks, so we haven’t fully experienced it yet, but we already love this community.” Jack and his family were glad to be able to enjoy Fourth of July in Cape Charles, and while it was not a typical year, the celebration was a lot of fun. “They tell me it wasn’t as active as usual—no fireworks—but it was still very nice. We loved the golf cart parade,” laughs Jack. “When we were in Dallas, we lived in a golf club community with two courses,” he says. “And while they’re similar from that standpoint, Bay Creek is quite unique because you can actually access town, which is a tremendous advantage,” Jack explains.
“Whether out on the water, or on the golf course, someone looking at Bay Creek can experience it with a Bay Creek owner who loves the area and the lifestyle and can explain to them, firsthand, why they chose Bay Creek,” explains Jack. “That connection is one of the biggest things I’m working to foster,” he says. Jack’s work to strengthen a bond between current owners and prospective owners is at the heart of his vision for Bay Creek. “What this community has is special. Allowing our owners to share in that process really does excite clients, because they’ll know what they’re coming into,” Jack says. “We are building a lifestyle here and we want clients to be comfortable making a home here.”
“We love the charm of this town. It’s special. We’ve only been here a few weeks, so we haven’t fully experienced it yet, but we already love this community.”
Jack is looking forward to sharing the advantages and joys of living in Cape Charles and Bay Creek with new people in his role as Director of Sales.
“We’re not here to simply sell real estate,” says Jack of his objective at Bay Creek. “We’re here to share the lifestyle and build a community.”
“I plan to continue to build a community among the residents of Bay Creek and potential owners via an Ambassador Program,” says Jack. “People who already live here are uniquely qualified to share their love for Bay Creek with those who are just discovering it.”
Our team is pleased to welcome Jack Madden, his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Lacey, to the Bay Creek family.
Soundings
THE BAY CREEK
Family of Professionals Bay Creek is a haven for families who seek an authentic waterfront lifestyle on the Eastern Shore. So ‘family’ is in our DNA. The professionals that make up our sales team are a close-knit group, too. All three members of our exceptional sales team are also Bay Creek residents.
Linda Buskey, a real estate professional for more than 40 years, has been at Bay Creek “since before there were roads” in her words. She enjoys meeting people and helping them become a part of the Bay Creek community. “Clients become friends,” she says. She also loves Bay Creek’s nature. “It’s so nice just to be able to walk and observe the beauty of the nature here,” Linda explains. Her passion also lies in volunteering with organizations like the Education Foundation and Cape Charles Main Street to strengthen and create a true sense of community. Shanna Colls has been on the Bay Creek team for 15 years and has been in real estate sales for the past five. “I love the variety of people you get to work with—families looking for a second home, or retirees, meeting and getting to know new people keeps it lively and fresh,” she says. Shanna’s parents reside in Bay Creek, and her brother plans to make the move here, as well. Being a Bay Creek resident has its advantages—while her husband commutes across the bay, she has less than a 5-minute commute to work, “with no traffic lights,” she laughs. “I’m so extremely blessed to be in this environment,” she says. “I love to walk on the beach or be out on the water.” Bean Stringfellow will soon have completed his first year on the Bay Creek sales team. “I love the sense of community here,” he says. “I worked as a sports agent in Richmond for more than two decades and now I guess you could say I’m a rookie again,” he laughs. But his talent for making connections with people makes him a natural. “The support I have received has been incredible,” he says of his Bay Creek teammates. Bean’s wife helps with kayak tours at Bay Creek and they both love the people they meet. They also love the community: “It’s that feeling of yesteryear here…you see a stand selling shells on Mason Avenue, a fruit stand up the road, and they’re all on the honor system,” he says. “That’s special.” Being a part of the Bay Creek team is special, too. They have the privilege of watching families grow— meeting a young family and seeing their children grow up over the years, forging lasting friendships, and being good neighbors. “We’re a team, we’re here for the long term, to build a community,” says Linda. “This is not only where we work. This is our home. Every day is an adventure and it’s always a good adventure,” she smiles.
July 2020 | Issue 5
Homeowner TESTIMONIAL JUST WHAT THE DOCTORS ORDERED
Life on the Bay is Good for Drs. Rob and Donna Brown Watch their video below.
It’s been 2 decades since Rob and Donna Brown first heard about the beauty of the Eastern Shore from a friend. Seeking a retreat from their busy lives as practicing physicians in Richmond Virginia, they established a second home in Bay Creek and have enjoyed every moment since. From playing golf, to spending time with neighbors and friends, to embracing every single aspect of the incredible natural environment that surrounds them, Rob and Donna found it easy to settle into the rhythms of life by the Bay.
There were a few must-have’s for their new Eastern Shore home: they wanted it to be by the beach, it needed to be convenient to their home in Richmond, and they hoped it would have a lovely sunset. The Browns also wanted to make sure there were plenty of activities to take part in. We are so glad to have checked all the boxes for them here at Bay Creek. Thank you, Rob and Donna, for sharing your story. Here’s to a lifetime of enjoyment among the healthful waters and inspiring landscape of Bay Creek.
Soundings
Palmer Lake Villas A NEW LEVEL OF LOW-MAINTENANCE, HIGH STYLE LIVING AT BAY CREEK
Bay Creek has seen many exciting additions and enhancements to its irresistible community in recent months—Preserve Communities continues to bring its vision to life both with new amenities and exceptional new residences. Now, Bay Creek is excited to introduce the Palmer Lake Villas, an enclave of beautifully designed homes with incredible views.
This is the confluence of two amazing things—new, extremely low-maintenance, stylish residences, and the experience-rich, waterfront lifestyle that is Bay Creek. The Palmer Lake Villas themselves are truly worry-free, elegantly designed, and will be masterfully built. Priced from the mid $400s, these Villas offer more space, style and enjoyment than you could imagine, and are creating quite a buzz.
All renderings are artist’s concept for illustration purposes only. Subject to modification. Square footage subject to change.
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Stunningly Scenic Location This limited edition of 30 Villas have been designed to sit along the 12th and 13th holes of the Arnold Palmer Signature Course. The result? Incredibly beautiful views of tranquil Palmer Lake and rolling greens of the course’s perfectly manicured fairways. “From a location standpoint, it’s ideal,” says Bruce Fine, Sales & Marketing Project Director at Bay Creek. “This is the first multi-family enclave offered at Bay Creek in over a decade, so we put a great deal of thought into choosing the location,” he explains. “The opportunity to relax on your screened porch and gaze out at both golf and water…it’s a really special spot”. Being just moments from two miles of private beaches, close to nature trails, golf, and the Chesapeake Bay makes these Villas an ideal residence from which to experience all the joys of Bay Creek living.
Your Effortless Bay Creek Getaway Owning a home at Palmer Lake Villas is your key to carefree enjoyment. Whether you choose to enjoy your Villa as a primary residence, a second home, or family getaway, your low-maintenance Villa will always be in ship shape. Imagine being able to come to Bay Creek whenever you please, knowing that your home will be in perfect order and ready to enjoy—from the manicured lawn to exterior maintenance. You have but to open the door, walk into your villa, and start savoring the Bay Creek lifestyle.
Respected, Custom Builder We are fortunate to enjoy an alliance with Beacon Custom Homes, a highly respected custom builder based in Virginia Beach, who has designed these Villas to be a beautiful experience inside and out. A leading builder in the area, and member of the Bay Creek Builder Guild, Beacon Custom Homes is led by Reese Smith, a second-generation builder with a keen eye for design and craftsmanship. He brings his extensive expertise to the Palmer Lake Villas, envisioning and building a unique living experience in Bay Creek.
Soundings
At Bay Creek, we’re known for our distinct architecture and beautiful Eastern Shore surroundings. The Palmer Lake Villas will continue this tradition of excellence. The main level of the villa is expertly designed to offer one-level living at its finest. Three bedrooms, a wonderfully open living area and spacious kitchen blend harmoniously into approximately 1,823 square feet of interior living space that is intimate yet lives large. An optional fourth bedroom with full bathroom on the upper level is available, along with an option to enclose the outdoor screened porch into a sunroom, the perfect spot to sit and take in the fantastic views of the Palmer Signature golf course. Inside are all the features you’d expect to find in a distinct Bay Creek home – hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless kitchen appliances, craftsman trim package, 9’ to 12’ ceilings on the main level,
screened rear porch and much more. These many ‘extras’ come standard on a Palmer Lake Villa. You’ll also enjoy customizing your villa with materials choices, colors, floors, counters, and more.
patio
optional outdoor kitchen
Flowing Spaces, Special Details
master bedroom
screened porch/ optional sunroom
great room
dining
w.i.c.
kitchen
bedroom
patio
optional outdoor kitchen
master bath
laundry bath
master bedroom
screened porch/ optional sunroom
great room
dining
porch master bath w.i.c.
bedroom
garage
bedroom
FIRST FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
kitchen
bath
laundry bath
attic
bedroom
OPTIONAL SECOND FLOOR
garage
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The Opportunity: Inaugural Release of the First 12 Villas The Palmer Lake Villas Reservation Program is already underway and more than 50% subscribed. Our Reservation Program is an easy and risk-free way for you to reserve a priority selection position for the first release of the Palmer Lake Villas. We will be breaking ground in early August and are excited about the level of interest we’re receiving from within and outside the community. There is still time to secure your reservation and we encourage you to do so. At completion, there will only be 30 of these exceptional Villas—the opportunity is truly rare.
For more information on securing a reservation contact us at 844.620.2900 or click here.
Soundings
Funky and Eclectic
The world is your oyster and the Eastern Shore just got a pearl—The Pearl Market, that is. On Saturday June 20, co-owners Eyre Baldwin and Taylor Custis opened the doors to the Pearl Market, bringing the local flavor and art of the Eastern Shore to passersby, vacationers and residents alike. “We want to highlight our local region and all that it has to offer—in particular all of the seafood and produce—as well as the artisans,” said Custis. “We hope it’s going to be a bit of a funky roadside, eclectic retail, food-hub that people are going to want to stop and check out when they are passing by.” Market goers can find an array of vendors from fresh seafood and produce to handmade gifts, home decor and unique art. The vision for the space does not just stop at a typical market,
however. The owners plan to open a full-scale restaurant as well as host events to bring the community together while enjoying all things Eastern Shore. “As the Cape Charles area is becoming more and more known, the local artisans are being recognized too—this is a platform to showcase their material. Our location showcases it on the highway to travelers from far and wide,” said Baldwin. “Going forward we will have a restaurant and be able to have events to truly make this a destination. Seafield Farm, a “no spray, no chemical” farm in Cape Charles, is one such vendor bringing the taste of summer to The Pearl with its crisp lettuces and seasonal vegetables. Jenna Rodriguez, co-owner of Seafield, has also been one of the brains behind getting the market up and running.
July 2020 | Issue 5
THE PEARL MARKET BRINGS ALL THINGS EASTERN SHORE TO ROUTE 13 As an artist herself and art teacher, Rodriguez helped transform the space from a traditional farmer’s market to an artisan’s haven as well.
regulars out of Bay Creek residents. The Pearl Market will be open every Saturday through the rest of the summer from 9 a.m. to noon, with fall operations to be determined.
Located just shy of two miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on Latimer Siding Road, the “I think during the pandemic there has been 3.4 million travelers that take the route each year more emphasis on people wanting to buy from will now see The Pearl Market’s mural, painted smaller local markets and know where their by a local business, Igor’s Customs. The once food is coming from,” said Custis. “We think unassuming potato grader shed is now adorned it’s important and we hope the community will with an eye-catching depiction of local fare and continue to support it and want to support our the Bay itself. wonderful waterman, producers, local artisans and buy local.” “We are proud of the history of the building and are embracing its past while looking to the future,” said Custis. “There’s a warm fuzzy sentiment about this building so people are excited to see it reincarnated into what it is and I think it’s a way of giving back and letting people see how something old can be repurposed and given new life in a really fun, funky way.” The community is already embracing the market and the fresh juicy tomatoes are quickly making
pearlmarketcc.com
Premier coastal living on Virginia’ s Cape
Palmer Lake Villas
Coastal Cottages
Palmer & Nicklaus Golf
Introducing Palmer Lake Villas and Coastal Cottages Starting in the mid $400’s Welcome to Bay Creek on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Surrounding the charming town of Cape Charles, Bay Creek is the perfect place for families to create a legacy amidst the natural beauty, adventure, relaxation, and endless memories of beach life on the Chesapeake Bay. Encompassing 1,720 acres of picturesque
A Preserve Community
coastline, Bay Creek features nearly two miles of private beachfront, 27 holes of Palmer & Nicklaus golf, and a newly designated 350-acre preserve area with miles of walking and biking trails and a planned waterfront Base Camp.
Homesites from the $70s New Homes from the $400s
Contact us for details of our Discovery Visit Package Toll Free
844.620.2900
info@ BayCreekLife.com
BayCreekLife.com
Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or values, if any, of the property. This is not intended to be and does not constitute an offer in any state or jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prices and square footages are provided for reference only but are subject to change and not guaranteed. Sales by Bay Creek Realty/Broker. ©2020 Bay Creek. All rights reserved.