P+P Winter 2021- Bray's Island

WINTER ESCAPES

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Volume 2 • 4

LOWCOUNTRY LUXURY Photos courtesy of Bray's Island

W

hat a day it has been.

It’s early evening and as you sit down on the porch, the chirp of the crickets creates a perfect harmony with the flash of the occasional firefly.

You’ve settled into a glass of bourbon and crack a smile and short laugh when thinking about the last twelve hours. A polite voice asks you quietly, “what did you do today?” You pause for a moment and smile, replying simply with,

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“what haven’t I done?”

The day began long before dawn when those same crickets were just heading off to sleep after a long night before. Three hours of endless casting into the seagrasses that line the intracoastal followed by a later morning horseback session down a dirt lane, lunch, then off to an early afternoon on the course capped off by dinner in the clubhouse. As that last sip of bourbon goes down smooth, you’re reminded, “what a day it has been.”

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LIFE WELL-LIVED

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For the residents of Brays Island, this is an everyday possibility and then some. In this gated community in the town of Sheldon, South Carolina, the opportunity to have so many options only a stone’s throw from your front door is alluring and once on property, you quickly find out that no detail was left out. Stitched perfectly into the landscape and loaded with Southern charm, Brays Island hosts approximately 250 completed homes with a total planned number of 325. In short, Brays was designed to be the perfect home for those who have both a great appreciation for Mother Nature and for the proper sporting life. The Brays Island land plan leaves 94% of the 5500 acres held as common space for all owners to enjoy. Coastal land with saltwater frontage has become very valuable these days, particularly when surrounded by cities like Charleston, Savannah, and Beaufort.

years, but perhaps no time more than the past 18 months. According to Paul Burton, Broker in Charge of Brays Island Realty, “There is no doubt that the past 18 months have enlightened people as to the value of space and the benefit of varied outdoor recreational options in a safe, secure environment. The fact that Brays is completely private is something that our owners have always valued, but even more so in recent times. The beauty of Brays Island’s land plan is that the more times change, the more sought-after Brays Island’s low-density land plan has become. While the basis of Brays in the appreciation for the outdoors, nature, and sporting pursuits will remain at the heart of our community, we adapt to the times and interests of our owners in many ways each year. Whether it be offering wine classes, or installing pickleball courts, we continuously grow our offerings for owners.”

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Brays Island is undoubtedly private, but yet still very accessible to those major communities. About a third of the homeowners are year-round residents, another third spend at least 6-8 months a year here and regard it as their primary home, while the final third are second homeowners many of whom intend to spend more time at Brays when their work situation permits. With the influx of capital into Southern towns and cities, there are an increasing number of younger families purchasing properties at Brays which serves as their “farm away from the city.” The importance of outdoor activities for youngsters is not lost on the current generation of parents eager to get the children away from their electronic devices, and few places offer more outdoor variety and natural beauty than Brays. The chance to be a part of this community has attracted the interest of many over the 20 - WINTER 2021 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

To fully understand what makes Brays so special, you must first understand how Brays Island came to be. Burton, who can easily double as the property’s historian, sheds some light on the early days of the property, as well as the grand vision for what Brays Island was designed to be and how far it has come in that process. The motivation for starting a community such as Brays comes from the vision of Sumner Pingree, a livestock farmer who had raised cattle and hogs on the property since the early sixties. He could not bear the thought of it being transformed into more of the high-density coastal development he’d witnessed in surrounding areas. His goal for Brays was to preserve and share his land with a limited number of families who valued space, nature, and an unmatched variety of

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Sumner Pingree lived on his beloved Brays Island until his passing in 2015. When asked if the Brays Island of today had lived up to his dreams and aspirations, he replied with a smile that it had surpassed everything he had ever imagined.

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outdoor pursuits. His passion is not lost on the current residents either. Says Burton, “several Brays owners have put a considerable amount of time into documenting the history of Brays Island and its surrounds. Our on-site Nature Center provides a wonderful visual history of Brays, including historical photos and detailed timelines of events that have shaped our past.”

All owners choose to be at Brays Island because of Mr. Pingree’s commitment to land stewardship. His remarkable vision therefore lives on through our owners, who go to great effort to take care of this incredible property. Land stewardship is a varied and continuous endeavor which entails everything from the removal of invasive tallow trees to the planting of longleaf pines. Annual controlled burns yield optimal grassland habitat for quail, and extensive protein plots are planted for deer.

Sumner Pingree understood clearly that his vision for the property would result in something very special, and that was his intention.

The most important requirement in offering quality hunting, horse riding, fishing etc. is to preserve an abundance of land. This is why no developer today can begin to do what Sumner Pingree did at Brays. Sumner Pingree did not set out to make his next fortune in developing Brays. He set out to preserve the outdoor sporting lifestyle which requires land stewardship and sacrifice. The economics could never work for today’s developers, and this is precisely why Brays

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Island can never be matched and will forever remain “one of a kind.”

Sumner Pingree lived on his beloved Brays Island until his passing in 2015. When asked if the Brays Island of today had lived up to his dreams and aspirations, he replied with a smile that it had surpassed everything he had ever imagined.

The day to day life at Brays is arguably unmatched amongst its kind, something that Burton is keenly aware of. He states, “our owners are fortunate to have an unparalleled array of choices on any given day.

Our temperate climate allows for year-round outdoor recreation, be it on the water, in the fields, in the saddle, or on the golf course.

Having said that, our owners are from varied backgrounds, and how they choose to spend their typical day differs widely. We invested in Fiber internet throughout the property several years ago giving owners plenty of work from home options amidst the more fun outdoor choices. Many of our owners dedicate their time and effort towards local upliftment programs including the Sheldon Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and many others. Beaufort, Charleston and Savannah have robust arts and cultural programs in which many of our owners partake. They also contribute their time and resources towards the many conservation programs which focus on our immediate surroundings, e.g. the Port Royal Sound Foundation whose mission is the preservation of the marine environment of the vast and magnificent Port Royal Sound.”

He continues, “History surrounds us and is best seen in the towering live oaks that line our unpaved roads, the preserved 1930’s antebellum home which serves as a private Inn for owners and their guests, and the equestrian center which once served as housing for

livestock and a venue for auctioning prized angus cattle. By design, the old buildings remain conspicuously visible, and private homes sit softly on the landscape, not vying for anyone’s attention.” Steeped in the tradition of the land, the historical significance of everything from the food to aesthetics is brought to the forefront.

There really is no equal to Brays or another community that brings together all of the elements of equestrian, sporting life, fishing, and golf. Notes Burton, “Brays has historically been best known for its supremacy in the realm of hunting and shooting sports. Our reputation is well earned, because no other coastal development can offer amenities such as quail and deer hunting, a full kennel of highly trained bird dogs, a full-service shooting sports center with a Holland and Holland designed clays course that meanders over 2.5 miles along with skeet, trap, five stand and FITASC courses.” Even for those who simply want to enjoy the beauty of nature and the canvas that lays before them at Brays, a drive through the community will reveal an abundance of birds such as wood ducks, bluebirds and purple martins, and if you pay attention, you will notice housing that has been carefully provided to help these species thrive. Even below the water surfaces, they go to great lengths to ensure optimal habitat for the fish species that thrive here, whether it be trophy largemouth bass in the freshwater or redfish and speckled trout in the tidal salt ponds.

Away from the sporting fields and golf course is yet another piece of the Brays experience to behold – food. Meal time in the South is never taken lightly and when a table is set full of friends, great food, and good drink, you know going into it that it’s going to be a memorable time. In recent years, a fantastic vegetable garden has sprouted into a spot where owners at Brays can pick-up freshly grown

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"Our owners are fortunate to have an unparalleled array of choices on any given day. Our temperate climate allows for year-round outdoor recreation, be it on the water, in the fields, in the saddle, or on the golf course".

– Paul Burton, Broker in Charge of Brays Island Realty ________________________________________________ 26 - WINTER 2021 | PORCH + PRAIRIE Magazine

produce to complement the wild game they have readily available to provide that quintessential field-to-table concept. That concept is ever-present at Brays according to Burton. “Field to table takes on a whole new meaning at Brays. Our land and coastal surroundings offer up a smorgasbord of options. Our upland harvests provide options like grilled venison tenderloin with a fine glass of red, or melt in your mouth buttermilk fried quail followed by a fireside bourbon.

Our salt waters yield an abundance of shellfish including blue crabs, fresh shrimp, and oyster beds as far as the eye can see. Fresh redfish, speckled trout or flounder are able to be caught during any month of the year. Our vegetable garden offers a superb variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables and what is not used directly by owners is expertly prepared by our chefs at our on-site restaurant where three meals a day are offered for owners and their guests.”

It’s clear that Brays Island carries on the deep traditions of its founder and that the vision for the property is lived up to everyday, but it takes being on property and being immersed into the Brays Island experience that really tells the story. As with all great parts of our country, Brays is very much about the land but is made so much better by the great people you encounter there, be it with Paul Burton helping you select that ideal piece of property for your new home or the many friendly faces of staff you see scattered about. Without question, their goal is to make your everyday enjoyable and there is no doubt they succeed. It is what makes Brays so special for the residents and what has made Brays the premier property for those who enjoy the best of the sporting and outdoor life. P+P

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