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| The Williams brothers on the beach at Hilton Head Photo courtesy Kristel Kretchmer |
It was the end of another era in Sea Pines for a structure that had been built over 20 years ago, the setting for thousands of happy family and vacationers’ gatherings. In another couple of weeks demolition would begin, making way for a new, handsome two-story beach club with approximately 15,000 square feet of interior space. There will be nearly 11,000 square feet of outdoor area. New amenities include an oceanfront beach bar, a casual beachside restaurant, fast food express concessions, a retail shop, a rooftop bar and terrace, a special event space and sales offices for Sea Pines Real Estate agents. The plans combine Lowcountry, coastal and traditional elements in an inviting and casual setting.
The Sea Pines Real Estate Beach Club office, having enjoyed space in the old structure for 19 years, moved to the Sea Pines Welcome Center where they will remain until construction on the new club is finished, hopefully by Memorial Day in 2014.
There were other endings this summer: one that touched a number of islanders was the loss of long-time Sea Pines resident Aileen McGinty, wife of the island’s first leading architect, Pete McGinty who was responsible for the island “look” of early homes here. He also designed the distinctive oceanfront Hilton Head Inn (now torn down), Cordillo Parkway, and the beachside “t” streets in Sea Pines.
The McGintys moved to Hilton Head in 1954, before the roads were paved and before there was a regular ferry from the mainland to the island. They were living in Columbia, S.C. when they first came to Hilton Head in 1953 and subsequently bought an oceanfront lot near the current Coligny Plaza area for a whopping $1,100.00 and commenced building a vacation house. It was under construction when Aileen was offered a teaching job in a one-room school house at Honey Horn Plantation, then owned by the Fred Hacks. She and Pete happily made the move. It was there that she taught five children, all in different grades, including two of the Hack’s three children, Frederick and Avary. Later she taught at the first Sea Pines Academy. She was a loved and respected teacher.
A friend once commented, “She was just a ball of fire. Education wise, she was a teacher in all phases. She looked for the absolute best in every child. She would bring that out of a child, when you would think there was nothing in there.”
She has been quoted as saying that she liked the atmosphere of a classroom. “So many of the students said things in original ways that sort of crisped up the atmosphere. I enjoyed the students so much I never seemed to think of it as work. It was so lively and enjoyable.”
While Aileen educated children, including the three that she and Pete had: Leigh, Rupert and Margaret, Pete focused his architectural designs on saving as much of nature as possible, letting houses blend in more than standing out.
The McGintys embraced all of the good things that the island offered, easily done with their well-honed social skills. A favorite social activity was a play-reading group where members hosted meetings, the host couple choosing a play, then the attendees rehearsing it on the first Friday night of each month. They would then present it to each other on the following Sunday. The couple made many contributions to our community. We’ll miss Aileen McGinty.
There have been more positive trends in the real estate market: declining inventory, increasing sales, and a very exciting trend noticed by agents in the local community, high end product is selling again. With Sea Pines Resort engaged in so many capital improvements (two new clubs with a third to come), and improvements at Tower Beach at South Beach (an area for Sea Pines residents and their guests). Buyers’ confidence in the overall market’s health is obvious.
Last month Fox News showcased Hilton Head Island on its 10 Beautiful Beach Town Fall Vacations list in the USA citing miles of pristine beaches, unique Gullah culture, the Coastal Discovery Museum at beautiful Honey Horn Plantation and more.
The National Association of Realtors’ voice has been heard in Washington, D.C. regarding tax code reform. The Senate has decided to start from a “blank slate” on reforming the code. Pressure is being put on Congress to retain vital real estate tax incentives, a long tradition that encourages home ownership and commercial investment.
To contact Diann: diannwilk@roadrunner.com
