An Environmentally Correct Resort
DEWEES ISLAND, S.C. -- Sales are sluggish here at what may be the Southeast's most environmentally correct resort.
This was the opening sentence of a 1997 Wall Street Journal article about Dewees Island. Encompassing 1,200 acres off the coast of Charleston, Dewees Island has a long history that includes Native American settlements, a role in colonial shipping and the American Revolution, and use as a private hunting retreat. After unsuccessful attempts to create a resort in the 1980s and the devastation left by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, investors commissioned John Knott—a Baltimore builder with expertise in historic preservation and sustainability—to plan a community that respected the natural environment.
As Knott’s plans were launched, investors considered many strategies to mitigate the risks involved in this development, including the controversial options to loosen restrictions meant to protect the natural environment. Some viewed the inconveniences of island life as a barrier to commercial success. With the possibility of fines for failing to comply with 75 pages of regulations, homeowners were required to live by the following conditions:
A 1991 study indicated that few wealthy SC, NC, or GA residents would embrace the island’s lifestyle. WSJ reporter Ball wrote, “Though wealthy buyers increasingly say they want earth-friendly products, only a fraction are committed enough to plunk down up to $1 million for a house where the rules are as strict as Dewees's.” In response, investors cast their net nationally to attract buyers from large cities in other regions. However, based on blogs and other online resources, I do not think much has changed since the 1990s. A map of home sites (below), which appears on the property manager’s website, indicated that many lots (shown in blue) remained empty as recently as 2014.
Thanks to a friend who served as the island’s resident naturalist for a few years, I have enjoyed a few stays on Dewees. Unarguably, the wild island is beautiful and unique, and it has attracted an interesting group of homeowners. On the ferry, the love of nature shared by the residents has been clear, as they often chat about their natural environment—the newest eagle's nest, sea turtle hatchlings, the island’s alligators, or a plant species in bloom. Nevertheless, after each visit, I was sure that I would not enjoy living there for an extended time, knowing that I would not cope well with either the inconveniences or the social isolation. Without easy access to work, schools, shopping, churches, recreation, and other services, many would struggle to have an everyday routine. Dewees Island is an interesting (and extreme) case study to consider through the lens of Felix Guattari’s “ecosophy.” Of the three principles Guattari proposed, Dewees Island “checks the box” for the environmental register, but I thinks it fails to meet the needs of most individuals and society in the 21st century.
This was the opening sentence of a 1997 Wall Street Journal article about Dewees Island. Encompassing 1,200 acres off the coast of Charleston, Dewees Island has a long history that includes Native American settlements, a role in colonial shipping and the American Revolution, and use as a private hunting retreat. After unsuccessful attempts to create a resort in the 1980s and the devastation left by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, investors commissioned John Knott—a Baltimore builder with expertise in historic preservation and sustainability—to plan a community that respected the natural environment.
- reliance on an hourly ferry to-and-from the mainland
- no cars or private docks; golf carts and community pier only
- no businesses, schools, restaurants, churches, or formal recreation
- an architectural resource board and construction restrictions, such as limits on heated square footage, no pavement, no aluminum siding, no food disposals (composting expected), low-flow toilets requirements
- no lawns, fertilizers, pesticides
- limited island fire service and dependency on mainland rescue units
- cooperation of residents (ex. communal purchase of cardiac defibrillator)
A 1991 study indicated that few wealthy SC, NC, or GA residents would embrace the island’s lifestyle. WSJ reporter Ball wrote, “Though wealthy buyers increasingly say they want earth-friendly products, only a fraction are committed enough to plunk down up to $1 million for a house where the rules are as strict as Dewees's.” In response, investors cast their net nationally to attract buyers from large cities in other regions. However, based on blogs and other online resources, I do not think much has changed since the 1990s. A map of home sites (below), which appears on the property manager’s website, indicated that many lots (shown in blue) remained empty as recently as 2014.
Thanks to a friend who served as the island’s resident naturalist for a few years, I have enjoyed a few stays on Dewees. Unarguably, the wild island is beautiful and unique, and it has attracted an interesting group of homeowners. On the ferry, the love of nature shared by the residents has been clear, as they often chat about their natural environment—the newest eagle's nest, sea turtle hatchlings, the island’s alligators, or a plant species in bloom. Nevertheless, after each visit, I was sure that I would not enjoy living there for an extended time, knowing that I would not cope well with either the inconveniences or the social isolation. Without easy access to work, schools, shopping, churches, recreation, and other services, many would struggle to have an everyday routine. Dewees Island is an interesting (and extreme) case study to consider through the lens of Felix Guattari’s “ecosophy.” Of the three principles Guattari proposed, Dewees Island “checks the box” for the environmental register, but I thinks it fails to meet the needs of most individuals and society in the 21st century.
Great post! You definitely sold me on wanting to visit there, mostly our of shear curiosity! Looking at this island through the lens of the three ecosophies, I would argue that the mental and environmental ecology could be fulfilled. I think the fact that the island is so remote and different, it would allow people to understand themselves in very unique way - almost testing their abilities to cope, adapt, and acknowledge different ways of living. Even if it's a negative experience for visitors, I think it could potentially give them a greater understanding and appreciation for the other two ecosophies that Guattari presents, environmental (on the island) and social (off the island, the outside world).
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