Lake James
Existing Development of Lake James Real Estate
By Harris Realty

Lake James is located just minutes from I-40 in the foothills of the North Carolina Blue Ridge range.  With 150 miles of unique meandering shoreline not far from Pisgah National Forest and Linville Gorge, many dream of owning lakefront Lake James property. 

To exercise just stewardship of the pristine environment, the primary developer, Crescent Resources, has opened up lots and set architectural and environmental guidelines for Lake James development.  They have set up preservation restrictions, internal stewardship programs, and sometimes offer no build-time restrictions or minimum square-footage requirements for Lake James homes.

Born of the Duke Power Company and a century-old interest in preserving the land and natural resources in the area, Crescent Resources has indeed raised the bar for all Lake James waterfront development as well as development across the nation.  Their Lake James real estate offers exquisite natural beauty, misty mountain views, and shimmering blue water.

Clockwise around the lake, existing Crescent communities are East Shores, SouthPointe, Laurel Ridge, Lakeridge, Laurel Pointe, Mallard Cove, Mallard Pointe, Waterglyn, Old Wildlife Club, Black Forest and the new 1780, which straddles McDowell County real estate and Burke County real estate on the northern shore.  Crescent has handpicked other developers who have added Hemlock Springs, Dry Creek, Wilderness Edge, Fonta Flora, Pisgah Preserve, Oak Hill, Holiday Shores, Hawksbill, Marion Lake Club, The Arbor, Plantation Pointe, Lake View Hills, Sunset Pointe, and Bear Cliff. 

And it has taken decades to add in these options around the lake.  Prior to 1988, the only developed areas were Holiday Shores, Lake View Hills and Forest Lake Heights in McDowell County.  And these are small developments.  Then in 1988 Marion Lake Club acquired three acres of waterfront property from Crescent Resources and eight acres of existing property used by RVs.  They built some of the most beautiful waterfront and golf course view homes in the area, which is now called Lake View Estates.  Crescent Resources soon created home sites in Lake View Point, Lake View Shores, Waterglyn, East Shores, Mallard Pointe, Plantation Point, South Point and The Arbor.  More recently, Black Bear, Bear Cliff, and Black Forest have sprung up along with Old Wildlife Club and 1780.  The later two offer purchasers founding memberships in a special adventure club called Camp Lake James.

The Camp is staffed by wildlife experts and is accessible by boat and back roads and provides a place for gatherings, classes, and outdoors activities.  Most of the lake communities include amenities such as clubhouses, swimming pools, boat slips, and trails.  Some are very simple, in keeping with the natural preserves outside the front door.  Others are closer to municipalities and may offer more inland lots, more pavement, and proximity to schools, services, and shopping.

The unique shape of the manmade lake created from the Catawba River—with multitudes of peninsulas, inlets, and coves—lends itself to privacy.  Small peninsulas reaching out into the water like living docks bring the water right up to many backyards.  Of course, all of the neighborhoods make great use of the Park, soon to be expanded from the southern to the northern shores, and its camping, fishing docks, beaches, and hiking and biking trails.