Waterfront Living - Cherokee Lake
Real Estate Guide

Grainger’s Landing
Hometown charm meets lakefront living

Despite its prime location on the shores of Cherokee Lake, the developers of Grainger’s Landing aren’t necessarily looking to make their new gated community a resort-style property. Rather, they’re hoping the development will reflect the small-town character of its namesake Grainger County.

“We want this to be more of a community than a vacation place,” says developer Eddie Holbrook Jr. of BECS LLC, adding that Grainger’s Landing will contain a mixture of vacation homes and permanent residences. None of the properties will be on an overnight rental program.

“This is just a more relaxing atmosphere, without all the hustle and bustle of a larger city,” Holbrook continues. “Grainger County is the kind of place where everyone is friendly and knows everybody else. It’s a tightly knit community where you know who your neighbors are. We want Grainger’s Landing to be a continuation of that.”

The lakeside development sits on 97 acres on the main channel of Cherokee Lake, just seven miles from the dam. Sixty single-family home sites have been placed on 80 acres, with luxury villas occupying the remaining 17 sites.

When completed, Grainger’s Landing will feature a swimming pool, tennis courts, a clubhouse and a private covered marina, the first 40 slips of which have been completed. The neighborhood will also have streetlights and underground utilities.

Currently, half of the 60 home lots are still available, ranging from just under one acre to three acres, according to listing agent Keith Jackson with Bill Burns Realty in Morristown.

“We have both open and wooded building sites available,” Jackson says. Prices range from $60,000 to $239,000, and buyers are free to use the contractor of their choice, provided home plans pass the development’s architectural review committee.

Seven houses are now either finished or under construction, reflecting a variety of styles, from traditional Colonial estate homes to Southwest-inspired ranchers.

Construction is also under way on Grainger’s Landing’s 70 two-story villas, which are being built by Grainger County-based Williams Construction.

Three different floor plans will be available, ranging from 2,700 to 5,000 square feet and featuring two to five bedrooms. Prices start at $349,000.

The first units now going up measure 3,400 square feet, with a layout that includes a master suite, covered patio, family room, activity room, kitchenette, laundry room and storage room on the basement level. The main level includes an attached, two-car garage, kitchen/dining room, living room, covered porch, second laundry room, bedroom and another master suite.

“If they buy early enough, we can help owners customize their unit to meet their needs,” says Holbrook.

He points out several examples where buyers have made floor-plan alterations to features like walk-in closets and stairway walls, giving each of those villas a sense of uniqueness.

“Right now, there are hardly any two units that are alike,” Holbrook adds.

From a construction standpoint, all exteriors are finished with stacked stone and Hardiplank siding. Inside, soundproofing material is packed into walls and ceilings, and rounded corners have been added to the interior sheetrock.

All units come with standard features such as gas fireplaces on each level, Andersen windows and custom cabinetry in the kitchen and entertainment center. Units also have central vacuum systems and are prewired for cable, Internet, sound and security systems.

Lower-level master baths offer oversized custom-tile showers, whirlpool tubs, twin vanities and his-and-hers walk-in closets.

Rooms can be finished with different grades and colors of flooring materials, including hardwoods, carpet and ceramic tile for the kitchens, baths and laundry rooms.

Other villa add-ons include sunroom and screened-porch upgrades.

Although only 40 slips are currently available at the private marina, Holbrook says that ultimately there will be enough for every villa and single-family homeowner.

A custom concrete walkway leads out to the floating dock, which provides electric and water service to the 30- and 40-foot slips. Jet ski lifts will also be available.

“Everything about this marina is first-class,” says Jackson. “The company that built it has said this is the highest-end project that they have ever done.”

He also points out that Grainger’s Landing is a short boat ride from Greenlee’s Marina, a public-access facility that offers fuel, complete service and a supply shop for boaters.

At 59 miles in length and bordering four counties, Cherokee Lake is one of the oldest lakes in the TVA system and occupies more than 30,000 acres at full pool. It is formed by the damming of the Holston River, although unlike many other bodies of water formed by dammed rivers, Cherokee lake maintains a relatively consistent water level, never dipping more than 20 feet below full pool level.

The lake has long been a destination for lovers of outdoor recreations such as swimming, sailing, water skiing and fishing. Its 463 miles of shoreline are dotted with public access areas, commercial docks, resorts (including golf courses), state parks and wildlife management areas.

“This is a peaceful setting, but it’s still centrally located,” Holbrook says. “We’re only 45 minutes from downtown Knoxville and Sevierville.”

He also plays up the quality of life that Grainger County – best known as the “Tomato Capital of the World” – has to offer. “There’s no income tax in Tennessee, and the cost of living and the crime rate in Grainger County are substantially lower than other areas of the U.S.,” Holbrook says.

Grainger’s Landing
Location: Grainger County
Builder/developer: BECS LLC
Number of home sites available: Approximately 30
Number of villas: 70
Floor space: 1,700 to 5,000 square feet
Special amenities: Clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, private marina, boat launch
Listing agent: Keith Jackson, Bill Burns Realty
For more information: 423-586-3100

Name: Cherokee Lake
Location: Borders four counties – Grainger, Hamblen, Hawkins and Jefferson
Size: 30,300 acres, 463 miles of shoreline
Number of boat ramps: 16
Location of marinas: German Creek Marina, Bean Station; Fall Creek Marina & Campground, Russellville; Greenlee Campground RV and Marine LLC, Rutledge; Cardinal Cove Marina and Resort, Rutledge; Cedar Hill Marina, Celina; Hamblen County Boat Dock Inc., Morristown
Recreational usage: Boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing

For more information:
www.tva.gov/sites/cherokee.htm
www.cherokeelakeinfo.com