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Amenity investments drive increased property values


Published: 05.11.2023

A recent customer at Fanny Goldmine Diner said, “Y’all need to sell a lot of smash burgers to pay for this place. It’s beautiful!” That is probably true, but selling food is not the only reason that Fanny’s was built. Another reason it was built was to provide another key piece of the amenity package that helps to make Russell Lands on Lake Martin valuable and fun!

Russell Lands has been transformed over the last 15 years. The company’s primary property holdings on Lake Martin, roughly 20,000 acres, were dissected by State Highway 63 north of Kowaliga Bridge. The land at that time would best be described as a fairly dense forest. It was beautiful and quiet, but while there were many creatures, there were few creature comforts.

We had just recently finished The Ridge Club and an expansion of The Ridge Marina. Those were important amenity upgrades, and they proved to be a difference maker in Russell Lands’ ability to build out The Ridge. But as large as The Ridge is, there are nearly 10 other neighborhoods and hundreds of Russell Cabins accessed via Hwy 63, and other amenities were needed.

A decision was made that, somewhere on Russell Lands’ property, a town center would need to be created that would provide a location for dining, shopping, and a place for people to congregate. A central location with beautiful rolling land and beautiful views was selected to start that town center. We hit on the name Russell Crossroads for this amenity area.

For many people who own property in our neighborhoods, they can barely imagine Lake Martin without Catherine’s Market, SpringHouse, the Town Green, The Stables, and the many events that occur at Russell Crossroads. Its central location is an ideal hub for current owners and future developments. Fanny Goldmine Diner is just the latest of the businesses to spring up in this little town on Lake Martin.

And about that recovery of investment, not just for Russell Lands but for our property owners as well—here are a few quick property valuation facts for you to consider:

  • Average price for a waterfront home in a Russell neighborhood in April 2014 – $1,021,549
  • Average price for a waterfront home in a Russell neighborhood today – $2,079,427
  • Average price for a waterfront home outside of a Russell neighborhood today – $987,661

Amenities like Fanny Goldmine matter. We think the new Coore & Crenshaw-designed course at Wicker Point Golf Club will make a huge difference to property values in The Heritage as well. To find out more about Russell Lands, reach out to one of our Sales Executives today. They have the latest and greatest on everything we have coming up this summer. They can be reached at 256.215.7011, or drop them an email.

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