COMMUNITY MINDED: Marsh Island

At Marsh Island, stunning scenery is more than landscape, it’s a lifestyle. It’s kids crabbing on the pier, three generations heading out on a pontoon boat, and neighbors gathering for cocktails at sunset. Here, picturesque surroundings are woven into the entire sense of home.

While coastal Delaware is known for places with inspiring views, Marsh Island is one-ofa-kind. Unlike other communities, it gives residents direct water access in an enviable Lewes zip code—without the multi-million dollar price tag. To learn more about Marsh Island’s inimitable cool factor, we caught up with Community Sales Manager and nine-year Schell veteran, Grace Hoinowski, who has nurtured the community from its roots.

Grace explained that the neighborhood has already developed a personality of its own. “The folks are so laid back, and I love the sense of community we have established in such a short time,” she said. “Now that people have settled into their homes, our frequent conversations have transitioned from ‘how much is a gourmet kitchen’ to ‘what are your plans for the weekend?’ or ‘how’s the family?’ That’s what truly makes my job awesome.”

With just 152 homes planned, the community is relatively small, and Schell thoughtfully preserved 55 percent of the 113 acres as open space. For Marsh Island residents, that means more appealing views, more backyard activities, and more neighborhood camaraderie. Given this abundance of open land surrounded by county wetlands, it’s no surprise that Marsh Island is home to some of Delaware’s most beloved wildlife, including a rare albino deer.

Yet, most of all, Marsh Island is defined by its water-oriented lifestyle and spacious homesites. As Grace quickly pointed out, it’s the only Lewes community with boat docks that provide direct access to Love Creek. “We have four boat slips here,” she explained. “One is transient and the others are available for residents to lease.”

The water-focused lifestyle appealed to Janis and William Emshwiller, who purchased a Whimbrel in the community. “Marsh Island’s grand lighthouse lured us into coastal life,” Janis explained. “We are thrilled to have water access to Love Creek and Rehoboth Bay. Plus, there’s a biking trail just steps from our house.” Another contributor to the community’s cool factor is the wide diversity in home styles and lot configurations. “It will not feel like Beaver Cleaver’s neighborhood,” Grace explained. “The streetscape is unique because our team takes the time to understand each household’s vision.”

Designed for versatility, The Kingfisher has quickly become the most popular floor plan. The square footage alone provides numerous opportunities for personalization, fluctuating between 2,600 and 5,700, depending on customer selections. The home has evolved over time, thanks to valuable customer feedback that inspired continued innovations from the Schell architectural team. With six elevations available, The Kingfisher is a key contributor to the community’s eclectic streetscape.

Having frequented the Lewes and Rehoboth area for years, Vince and Michele Butler recently made the move to a Kingfisher at Marsh Island. “We visited The Kingfisher in other Schell communities and felt the floor plan fit our needs perfectly,” Michele explained. “Then Marsh Island checked all our boxes for location.”

While the diversity of home colors, styles, and facades define the character of the neighborhood, the community’s draw is further elevated by its amenities. Along with the dock which is already being used for boating and fishing, a floating kayak launch will soon be added. When the clubhouse is complete, residents will have access to a fitness center, yoga room, and a variety of outdoor living features.

“One of the coolest things about our clubhouse is that it will provide casual spaces for people to get together outside,” Grace said. “In addition to walking trails, we’ll have manmade sandy gathering areas, firepits, grilling stations, a courtyard and, of course, a pool overlooking the wetlands and Love Creek.” The outdoor gathering spaces are sure to be popular among the close-knit residents at Marsh Island who started their own Facebook group to share experiences before, during, and after the homebuilding process. It has been an authentic way for neighbors to provide assistance and become good friends even before meeting in person.

“We couldn’t be happier here,” said Marsh Island residents, Chris & JoAnn Stormo. “We didn’t want to be too far from our family in New York and New Jersey. When someone suggested Delaware because of the low taxes and close proximity to our hometown, we decided to have a look. We’re glad we did.”

With such beautiful surroundings, the community is also surprisingly convenient. Everyday needs are just a mile away at the General Store which has a full deli counter and ample grocery products. Nearby Green Man—sister to the popular Rehoboth site— offers fresh-squeezed juices, breakfast bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Residents are also a short drive from Bethany Blues, High Tide, and several other restaurants and services.

When it comes to location, the Butlers pointed out that Marsh Island connects them to many of their favorite outdoor activities. “We like the proximity to Cape Henlopen’s drive-on beach and Rehoboth Bay,” Vincent said. “And the ponds, creek, and open area vistas create the sense of tranquility we wanted right here at home.”

Although Marsh Island certainly lives up to its water-oriented atmosphere, ironically, it wasn’t named for that at all. Marsh happens to be the last name of the family that originally owned the land. Regardless of how the community was named, there’s no disputing the reputation March Island has earned for its remarkable views, fun-loving neighbors, and water-oriented vibe.

As Grace summed it up, “Marsh Island is like a year-round vacation where there’s always something new to explore. You could get all the way out to the ocean by kayak from here if you’re adventurous enough.” Now that’s cool.