An abandoned shipyard on the river near downtown being redevoloped? Deja vu.
Luxury condos eyed for Milford waterfront
By ADAM DONNELLY
Delaware Coast Press
04/06/2006
The area around the Mispillion River in Milford isn't in the best of shape. It's strewn with beer cans and trash, lined with old industrial buildings, and some homes are missing siding or covered with graffiti.
But developer Randy Burton of Lewes has plans to change all that with a new waterfront luxury condominium community called FisherHawke Landing.
Burton's development model involves "taking under-utilized properties and bringing them back to their full potential."
He added that most people don't take on projects of this nature because of the time, money and creativity involved. But for Burton, it's worth it.
"The payoff is greater all the way around," he said.
Burton not only makes a profit, he also gets the satisfaction of improving a once-undesirable location.
Along with partners, Burton plans to build 120 condominiums on 10 acres.
But he doesn't want the condo community to be a neighborhood separate from the rest of Milford. He said he plans to incorporate FisherHawke Landing into the downtown area, utilizing the city's small town charm to create "real urban living."
He sees the housing development as a way to revitalize the entire city of Milford. "Milford is sitting at a point where it can become one of the greatest little communities that exists," Burton said. "It's a diamond in the rough."
Burton said two and a half acres of land adjacent to the property is being restored in order to create a nature preserve with indigenous trees, vegetation and a frog pond. The walkway will go through the nature preserve and across the river via an elevated walkway that leads to and around Goat Island.
Burton said the river walkway, which will run from Goat Island to Silver Lake in Milford, will allow people to enjoy a nice walk through a natural setting and will enable people to travel by foot into downtown Milford.
Burton said Milford's city arborist, Bill Pike, is planting all the vegetation and designing the walkway through the preserve.
"He's got a vision down here -- he knows what he's doing," Burton said.
The land FisherHawke Landing will occupy has a bit of a history. In the 1770s, Milford was a thriving ship building town, and Burton's site was once the William G. Abbott Shipyard. It was the last functioning shipyard in Milford and launched its last vessel in 1917.
Burton said the condo community will offer three different models of housing which are named after boats that were built in the old shipyard. Interested buyers can chose from the Abbot Model with 2,000 square feet; the Albert Paul Model, 2,156.25 square feet; or the Governor Stockley Model, 2,381 square feet.
He said prices range from about $279,000 to about $309,000, which he feels is reasonable compared with the cost of waterfront property in the southern beach areas such as Rehoboth and Lewes.
Burton's vision of a better Milford won cooperation from the city, which worked with him on acquiring extra land for the project. Burton said when original plans for four-story buildings garnered criticism from some residents, the city helped him acquire additional property to build the same number of units in three-story buildings.
In addition, he said, the city plans to build a park and outdoor amphitheater across the river from FisherHawke Landing.
There is also a kayak launch planned for the community, Burton said, and he'd like to work with Quest Kayak and Fitness to organize kayak trips along the Mispillion River.
Burton said there is already a demand for FisherHawke Landing condominiums even though they have yet to be built. On Feb. 18, owners released 24 units for sale.
"We sold all 24 in seven and [a] half hours," he said.
Burton said 24 additional units will be released on April 29 and construction will begin in early May. He said he hopes to have the project completed in 2008.
Fisherhawke Landing sets record sales in Milford
By Rachel Swick
Cape Gazette staff
FisherHawke Landing, a luxury condominium community designed for the Milford Riverwalk, recorded some of the quickest sales ever seen in Sussex County.
The developers of FisherHawke released 24 units to the public during an all-day event Feb. 18. By 5:30 p.m., all 24 units were sold.
Randy Burton, a principle for the development group, said he had never seen such an interest before. “I didn’t anticipate they would all be gone in one day,” said Burton. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
At build-out, FisherHawke will feature six buildings with 24 condominiums in each - 120 units total - stretching along the river, with access to local shops and restaurants. Each building will have three condominium designs, ranging in price from $279,000 to $309,000, featuring sunrooms, foyers and large master bedrooms.
The three different models feature granite counters, upgraded cabinets, wood flooring and Moen faucets in the kitchen, gas fireplaces in the living rooms and designer carpet in the bedrooms. The master suite features a garden tub with separate shower and large walk-in closets. A semiprivate elevator will serve the units.
Burton said the buyers varied throughout the day. The morning of Feb. 18, those who preregistered were invited to the earliest session from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to look at the units, while the general public was not invited until 1:30 p.m. That night, Burton said, the developers held a reception for about 150 people including politicians and local officials.
He said many buyers were looking at the condominiums for retirement, but others were from Milford just looking for a step up. Some buyers were relocated to the area for General Motors.
“Milford is a good location,” said Burton. “This geographic location is close to the water with luxury condos in a downtown environment that is close to northern cities and the southern beaches.”
http://www.fisherhawkelanding.com/