Daniel Island has won a platinum Best in American Living Award as the nation’s best suburban smart growth neighborhood or community for 2004, the Daniel Island Co. announced.
The award was presented at a reception at Universal Studios in Orlando that kicked off the National Association of Home Builders’ 61st International Builders’ Show, according to the company. The association and Professional Builder magazine sponsor the competition, which is open to builders, architects, designers, developers, land planners and interior designers nationwide.
Matt Sloan, the Daniel Island Co.’s chief operating officer, and Bill McKenzie, its vice president of development, accepted the award.
Sloan called it “a validation of the master plan and evolution of the community of Daniel Island.”
“Daniel Island is a well-thought out extension of the city of Charleston,” he said, adding that the community combines residential, commercial and corporate, retail, civic and recreational uses. “Many master planned communities are not able to get beyond the ‘residential’ component.”
The competition’s entry form describes smart growth communities as ones that protect the natural environment, mix land uses, use land efficiently, are built for pedestrians, offer a choice of housing, respect local traditions, take advantage of infill sites and create jobs, according to the company.
The developer also pointed to sales. Daniel Island’s residential sales volume in 2004 exceeded $250 million, a 70% increase over 2003, the company said. It described the island as one of South Carolina’s best-selling new home communities, drawing young families, empty nesters, singles, retirees and move-up buyers.
The company said Daniel Island’s master plan is based on the principles of New Urbanism and on some of the country’s best older planned towns, with architecture, landscaping and neighborhood design meant to reflect local styles.
