This $5.4 million SC home is like a birdwatcher’s dream and up for sale. Have a look
A new home was recently put up for sale in Bluffton. Unlike the average home, however, the history of this property offers a bit of a twist.
While the home is custom-built, its attention to detail isn’t the most unique perk the home offers.
Since residing on the property in 2007, Tom Schmitz, the current owner, has spotted 114 different species of birds, both local and migratory, at 16 Hampton Lane in the Colleton River water-front community.
Originally constructed to have an immersive relationship with its surrounding landscape, the home, enveloped by the Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve and near Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, eventually became the catalyst for its owners’ foray into birdwatching.
Schmitz, a photography enthusiast, originally purchased the water-front property for the land. Soon after, he began his plans to build. After building the home to specifically enjoy its strikingly beautiful, natural setting, the avid photographer became a birder.
Schmitz would photograph surrounding wildlife while traveling. Eventually, he realized the abundance of wildlife that enveloped him on a day-to-day basis and began to document and identify birds from his home.
“Once, I watched and photographed two Great Egrets fighting on the shore across from the dock. Great Egrets are quite large, so it was quite a sight,” Schmitz said in a press release. “I have also witnessed an Osprey attacking a Bald Eagle in flight and on another occasion, at rest. Pretty brave. I think the Bald Eagle had snatched something from the Osprey, perhaps a chick from its nest.”
After viewing Roseate Spoonbills, Bald Eagles, Great Osprey, Painted Buntings and 110 other bird species, Schmitz realized he’d found a new photography muse.
The $5.4 million home features 8,038 square feet of property, nestled on 0.81 acres of land in Colleton River. This gated community is located in Bluffton and houses the Colleton River Club, which features two different golf courses, including Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye courses.
The interior of the home contains an array of features, including five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, an indoor theater, a true chef’s kitchen, English pub, a wine cellar, infinity pool overlooking the Lowcountry marsh, outdoor kitchen and a deepwater dock.
