The town of Castle Hayne might be overshadowed by its well-known neighbor, Wilmington, but the future is bright for this growing Cape Fear town. A mere 20 minutes from several sun kissed beaches, young families and professionals alike are flocking to Castle Hayne to get a slice of beach life without the high prices.
Inspired by the many neighboring farms and produce stands, we designed Blue Clay with a coastal farmhouse look including exposed wood trusses, and a large, wraparound porch that faces the family-friendly pool. All of the 236 units are townhomes with private garages, ranging in size from one to three-bedrooms. Many of the homes have private porches and stoops, and the largest of the pack have double patios for big gatherings.
True to Cape Fear fashion, the amenities stand out and the oversized clubhouse stands tall with grand views of the pool and pavilion. Additionally, residents are well taken care of with a yoga room, co-working lounge, dog park, game lawn and outdoor kitchen.
Lessons Learned
There are two loud challenges with this site: it sits close to the Wilmington airport, and also next to an elevated highway. We had to find a way to spare residents from the endless hum of land and air traffic and protect the serenity of our outdoor spaces. Our solution was to angle the buildings inward and add an extra layer of insulation—giving residents proximity to highways and runways without sacrificing peace and quiet.