Lake Living

Lake Side on Long Cove

HOW WE FOUND WATERCOLOR, SEASIDE AND ROSEMARY BEACH IN TEXAS

Introducing Long Cove, inspired by and modeled after the popular Florida destinations Watercolor and Seaside, is located on posh Cedar Creek Lake in Texas, just over an hour outside of Dallas. The location makes it a convenient retreat for city dwellers all over North Texas to come unwind and relax, but not miss an ounce of the of the good life. Long Cove truly offers a luxury getaway, while promoting an unplugged, relaxing family-oriented experience.

The lakefront property is a fullservice luxury retreat, yielding itself to a lifestyle many come to look for in a second-home. Amenities at Long Cove include boat valet and concierge, lakefront swim club, fishing and canoeing pond, driving range, biking trails, outdoor gathering spaces and fire pits, tennis courts, fitness center, amphitheater and more. A full staff also is available night and day to accommodate any homeowner’s request – from catering arrangements to grocery shopping. The property offers custom second homes, which can be built-to-suit, accommodating the unique needs of each resident. Long Cove also offers special land plots for waterside cottages,

lakefront homes and family compounds, which can all be constructed and finished to your heart’s desire. Love Cove’s floating docks and boat valet service allows lake access all summer.

Long Cove was created by Dallas real estate developer, Don McNamara, who has invested in notable projects, such as Cityplace and West Village in Uptown. As a long-time resident of Cedar Creek Lake himself, McNamara spent 10 years planning the perfect, familyfriendly lake community.

The Long Cove project architect, John Boyd, a DFW resident, implemented a new style of architecture on this special development. He calls it “Texas Lakefront Architecture,” and believes it is a style completely new to the region. He is an expert on architectural and interior design, and his work focuses on creating spaces that facilitate and encourage family “together time.”

Cedar Creek Lake ownership opportunities continue to grow as sophisticated developers target the lake for planned upscale second home environments. Others include Beacon Hill, The 505 Ranch and now, further south by about 25 minutes, closer to Malakoff and Log Cabin, there is Long Cove.

“My hope is that Long Cove gives families a one-of-a-kind chance to enjoy Cedar Creek Lake in the way that my friends and family have for years now,” says Don McNamara, developer of Long Cove and president and CEO of Hampstead Holdings, the developer. “This development represents a personal passion for me, and I’m thrilled to be able to introduce Long Cove to families in Dallas who are searching for that quick, convenient getaway that can be their go-to place for getting back to the basics of family life.”

Location, location, location. Long Cove is just 75 miles southeast of Dallas, via a pastoral drive down U.S. Highway 175, past Gun Barrel City, crossing south on 198. Here is also the best, deepest, side of the lake. McNamara knit together 1200 acres brimming with 80-year-old Post oaks, located along six miles of untouched shoreline on the south side of Cedar Creek. Long Cove is really the last great development opportunity on the lake.

For the longest time access and a low-lying bridge made it difficult for boats to get under as it sat on the water line, anything bigger than a rowboat could not pass. This kept many developers away until the state built a four-lane arching bridge, state highway 198, which

made the southeast portion of the lake much more accessible for watercraft.

The finger of the lake where Long Cove is located is itself the size of Lake Athens, and holds some of the deepest, calmest, clearest water on Cedar Creek, more coveted features of recreational lakes. Texas lakes are prone to drought, and Cedar Creek has seen the worst. But this side of the lake has the geography to keep water levels higher even during the worst five-year droughts. For one, this is the southern end, the dam is here, and water is always naturally flowing downward. This end is closer to Athens, which enjoys a rolling natural terrain of hills that slope into the lake.

By car, homeowners enter a gated community, then proceed down a two-mile entry road winding through forest and meadows, passing by fishing ponds and over a 100 year old one-way iron bridge. The wooded surroundings offers a sense of privacy and seclusion, which combined with the on-site concierge service, makes owning a lake home far less of a chore, which is a basic premise of the development.

The Waterside Cottages are turnkey lakefront homes, offered in seven different floor plans and a “low country meets Hill country” architectural style –with customized finishes and the “Seaside” look: pastel clapboard, beach house classic made of faux cedar shakes. Custom homes are available in one of five styles: craftsman, rustic shingle,

low country, ranch, Austin stone and Hill Country contemporary. Waterside cottage square footage runs from 2000 to 3600, 3 to 6 bedrooms. The lakefront lots feature up to 150 feet of shoreline and are sized between 1/2 acre to 1 acre, while the waterfront Family Compound properties are sized to accommodate multiple structures, with up to 470 whopping feet of shoreline and up to 2.5 acres per lot.

Ultimately, Long Cove will be comprised of multiple neighborhoods and more than 300 waterfront properties. Future phases include a new marina now under construction, restaurant and the excavation of major extensions to the lake that will increase Long Cove’s existing shoreline from six miles to eight miles or more, which is already underway.

In addition to lake and pool activities, Long Cove has a toy barn with a “lending library” for every piece of on land sports equipment or water gear you could imagine for fun at the lake.

Beyond the shores of Cedar Creek, in the piney woods, a regulation-sized sports field encourages quick football, rugby, tennis or soccer games. There is also a PGA quality driving range and short golf game practice area

where the family can get away to swing the clubs without feeling the pressure to play a full 18 holes of golf.

Above all, Long Cove is an upscale community where you might be wearing flip flops and shorts the whole weekend, but help from a friendly staff will be there when you want it, if you want it. Boat valet services mean your boat is always gassed up and ready to go. The floating docks keep your boats available no matter the lake level. Lawns can be mowed, trimmed, houses cleaned and refrigerators stocked upon your arrival.

The whole point is to relax, take it easy, and play with the kids when you get here.

“Every consideration has been taken in the design of the Long Cove development and in the combination of amenities we offer. It’s all about putting the right ingredients in place to make for a phenomenal family experience,” said Chris Kelsey, Long Cove president. “Long Cove is unlike any other lakefront residential community in Texas, trading the traditional private golf community feel for a new idea – a luxury getaway that redefines quality family time.”