SOUTHERN REPORT
An old WWII shipyard in Brunswick, Ga., is being transformed into an upscale slice of paradise. Liberty Harbor, a tony 155-acre, $2.4 billion community development just minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean, hopes to introduce residents to resort-style living, complete with concierge services and a 450-slip marina. The project includes expansive retail space and 1,600 residences, which are a mix of luxury condominiums and single family homes. When complete, it will be one of the largest developments of its kind on the East Coast.

Paul Levine, Liberty Harbor’s manager of implementation, says that after looking at 20 other sites across the country, partners Gary Waxman and Jeff Weiner were taken by the town’s beauty, location and legacy.

George Washington declared it a port of entry into the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and the town owes its design to 18th century prison reformer and British Army General James Oglethorpe.

“It was the major center of ship building and launched 99 ships during that period,” says Levine. “While it made a major contribution to the war effort, it remade the region.”

After the war, boiler manufacturer Babcock & Wilcox set up shop on the site for several years before moving out of the area. The site remained empty until developers discovered it in 2005.

“Brunswick has a long history and it has beautiful homes and gorgeous parks. It was the perfect place,” says Levine.

Russ Schlecht, a senior consultant with Atlanta-based Premier Environmental Services, says that site remediation began in early 2005 and will continue into next year. So far, 99 of the 110 acres set aside for housing has been carefully assessed and cleaned, mostly through soil removal.

Now that the infrastructure is complete and everything set for building, housing construction should be completed in the fall, says Levine. Each residential building and neighborhood will have access to its own private concierge, access to a private beach and the opportunity to purchase a golf club membership at Sanctuary Cove.

Prices for single family homes would range from the upper $200Ks to over $1 million; while condominiums run from the mid $400Ks to $3 million.

Levine credits the state for its advanced approach to brownfield redevelopment. Since Georgia assumes responsibility for third party liability, the residents will get a better, safer site.

“Everything’s cleaned with greater protection for the future,” he adds.

The firm has also launched an effort called “The Liberty Harbor Collection,” an exhibit that will feature keepsakes and interviews of people who were employed by shipbuilder J.A. Jones Company, during World War II.

“Many of the people are still alive and gracious when it comes to giving interviews,” says Levine. “It’s not only a rich history, but in terms of Brunswick, a stupendous occurrence.”