Reynolds Lake Oconee

Greensboro, Georgia

​

Newly renamed Reynolds Plantation and its lovely Lake Oconee setting has a way at pulling people in. And it’s a power that transcends all generations and families in various stages of life. This alluring quality of Reynolds Lake Oconee is what caught the unexpected attention of David and Patti Bradley.

 

When they first experienced Reynolds Plantation in the early ‘90s, the young couple initially was only visiting the community because David’s parents were looking for a retirement home.

​

“But once I got here and saw everything, I said that looks nice for you, I could live here too,” Bradley recalls.

Before you know it, the Drs. Bradley, both of whom are dentists, ended up packing their bags and moving from Atlanta to the relatively older and more peaceful lifestyle of Reynolds Plantation. Now with two children -- ages 11 and 12 - and booming dental practices, the Bradley family couldn’t be happier as some of Reynolds Plantation’s growing number of “younger” full-time residents.

“When we first came here there weren’t that many younger families,” David Bradley points out. “But that’s totally changed. Now, I think it’s the No. 1 growing demographic. What’s nice about Reynolds is you’re close enough to get to Atlanta but don’t have that pace of life. We knew we didn’t want that for our children.”

​

As more and more families have come into Reynolds Plantation, the Drs. Bradley have even benefitted from it on a professional level. Two years ago, for example, they purchased a larger building for their growing dental practice and grew from 2 employees to 23.

“It’s been fun growing with the area and being a part of so many people’s lives,” David Bradley says. “There’s lots of opportunities to get involved. Of course with Reynolds, but also in the community. What’s interesting is we ended up beating my parents here by a few years.”

And to think his original visit was merely to tag along with his father and mother as they looked for next dream home.

“The golf and the lake were big draws from the beginning,” says Bradley, explaining what attracted him to Reynolds Plantation. “And Reynolds Plantation has always done it right with the development. They’ve always had world-class amenities that others tried to follow. The choices and things to do here are just endless.”

Indeed, between the AAA Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton Lodge, six spectacular courses, four marinas, numerous clubhouses and restaurants, a multitude of other amenities and activities and Georgia’s second-largest lake at your fingertips, what’s not to like about Reynolds Plantation.

Throw in Reynolds Plantation’s perfect location, conveniently located 80 miles from the Atlanta airport and 50 miles from vibrant Athens and the University of Georgia, and it’s clear why this acclaimed community is thriving with some 3,700 resident members from 48 states and 13 countries.

In fact, ever since financial juggernaut MetLife acquired Reynolds Plantation three years ago and brought in regarded Birmingham, Ala.-based developer Daniel Corporation to oversee the community, 

Reynolds Plantation has never been busier with approximately 70 homes under construction. According to Reynolds Plantation, new construction continues at a healthy pace at an average of one new project beginning every six days (Reynolds Plantation will finish its 2,500th home this year).

One reason Reynolds Plantation is so successful in attracting people of various backgrounds, demographics and stages in their lives is due to the wide-ranging real estate options offered.

For instance, folks interested in just putting a stake in the ground as a placeholder for the future can purchase lots from the low $40,000s to more than $1 million. Meanwhile, low-maintenance turn-key cottages, villas and condos, which make for excellent second homes or retirement properties, are attractively priced from $200,000-$750,000.

Then, for those interested in making Reynolds Plantation their permanent residence like the Bradley family or others seeking larger second homes to entertain their growing brood of children and grandchildren, a variety of single-family residences are available from $300,000 to more than $4 million.

Some of the popular newer homes being developed are the Cottage and Villa units being built at the Landing, Reynolds Plantation’s original Bob Cupp-designed course that opened in 1986. The Landing Cottage Collection are terrific second-home or a lower to mid-price options for full-time residences. The larger Landing Villas, priced from $400,000-$600,000, are approximately 2,200-2,500 square feet and, unlike the Cottages, offer built-in garages with great views of the 10th and 18th holes.

Another exciting new residential offering are two showcase model homes located on the fifth fairway of the private Creek Club layout that opened in 2007. Positioned atop a wooded hillside overlooking the tees and popular split fairway of the Jim Engh-designed course, these Reynolds Plantation Signature Homes are a study of timeless design and contemporary features.

The first model, built by preferred builder Camden Homes, greets visitors with classic dormers, traditional lap siding and tasteful stone accents. A natural wood pergola spans the twin garage doors, mirroring the hearty columns that frame the clean and inviting entryway. Inside the 3,700-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 4 ½-bathroom residence, the home appears intimate in scale yet projects an open, airy feeling with vertical lines, elevated ceilings and eight-foot interior doors and clerestory windows that flood the main living space.

 

Next door, a somewhat larger 4-bedroom, 4 1/2-bath home with equally attractive front elevation is highlighted by pronounced rooflines, shake siding accents and more traditional columns flanking the double front doors. The heart of this home is a stunning great room with soaring ceilings and large windows that perfectly frame the gorgeous green fairways. The gourmet kitchen, featuring Wolf appliances, premium cabinets and granite countertops, make this home a perfect place for entertaining family or friends.

In the case of the Bradley family, it would perfect for three generations. 

 

Scott is the foremost expert on golf course real estate and resort-style living worldwide. The licensed Florida real estate broker has published hundreds of articles in a variety of national golf, travel and lifestyle publications and been quoted by USA Today, Smart Money magazine, San Jose Mercury News and CNN. Kauffman is also one of the founding partners of Golf Media Network, the parent company of The A Position.

 

After being taken over by a receiver, Reynolds Plantation's new owners have committed millions of new capital investment and new improvements in the community, enhancing nearly every facet of the award-winning residential golf community from the 117 holes of breathtaking championship golf to The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation. Residents, members, and visitors to Reynolds Plantation - located on 19,000-acre Lake Oconee between Atlanta and Augusta - are abuzz over the new vitality the improvements have infused in the community.