Waterfront Living - Norris Lake
Real Estate Guide

A double helping of raw East Tennessee beauty

Standing at the highest point in the middle of Rock Harbor, you might think you were somewhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, the new residential community is actually in Claiborne County, its sprawling 900 acres ensconced by the nearby Cumberland Mountains.

But Rock Harbor does the Smokies one better; it also lies on the shores of Norris Lake, giving residents a double helping of raw East Tennessee beauty.

Development has been under way for two years on the waterfront community, which is home to a total of 550 lake-access and lakefront lots. The first 289 sites were put up for sale in August, and the next 100 will go on the market in a special sales event Oct. 14.

“The interest level in this property has been enormous. We had more than 1,000 sales appointments for Phase 1, and we expect a similar response for Phase 2 in October,” says Scott Rye, regional president of the developing company, Waterfront Group. “So far, people have been coming out here for the mountain views, the lake views and the multimillion-dollar marina.”

When completed, the marina will provide nearly 200 covered slips, each of which comes with water and electric service. Nearby will be a lakeside park featuring a two-level gazebo, picnic area and plenty of parking.

“It’s the only private marina on Norris Lake that will hold up to a 40-foot cruiser,” says Rye.

Perhaps even more attractive to prospective buyers is the fact that the slips are included at no cost with the purchase of a lot. Slips will be released on a first-come, first-served basis.

Of course, Norris Lake itself is another of Rock Harbor’s best assets. Encompassing approximately 35,000 acres in Claiborne, Union, Campbell and Anderson counties, Norris Lake has some 880 miles of shoreline.

It is considered the cleanest lake in the TVA system, with a 96-percent level of purity and up to 25 feet of underwater visibility. It is also the deepest lake in the region, maintaining year-round main-channel waterways, and is known for some of the best bass fishing in the country.

Those who live on the lake appreciate the fact that 75 to 80 percent of Norris Lake’s shoreline cannot be privately developed, preserving the visual integrity of its natural surroundings.

Rye points out that in addition to its own private marina, Rock Harbor is close to three other public marina facilities on Norris Lake – Straight Creek Dock, Cedar Grove Marina and Pennington 33 Bridge Marina.

“By water, we’re within a mile of the other marinas, where boaters can get gas and equipment service. We’re within a quarter-mile of Straight Creek Dock,” he adds.

The home sites at Rock Harbor range from one to 15 acres and in price from $20,000 to more than $300,000 (for the limited number of lakeside sites). With 550 sites spread out over 900 acres, lots average nearly two acres, resulting in low-density construction.

Seventy-five percent of the acreage has mature hardwood growth, and the topography is rolling to hilly. “These are excellent lots for walk-out basements,” Rye says.

The sites feature underground utilities, with septic systems going in during home construction. Buyers can bring in their own builders with approved home plans. Construction can begin upon closing.

“We have a 1,600-square-foot minimum and require that all the homes be stick-built,” Rye says, adding that the lots will accommodate everything from single-level ranchers to multistory estate homes. “We will cater to the log home market, and log cabin packages will be available.”

Although it benefits from a peaceful, rural setting, Rock Harbor is only five miles from the community of Tazewell and 32 miles from I-640 in Knoxville.

It has the advantage of being the only development on Norris Lake with an entrance located on a major state route, Tennessee Highway 33. Long-term plans call for widening the highway to four lanes between Knoxville and Rock Harbor.

Overall, Rye expects the development’s impact to be beneficial to its surrounding communities. “It should boost the economy in Claiborne County and help with tax revenues,” he says. “And because most buyers will be in the recreational home market, we don’t think the increase in population will stress the local school system.”

With corporate headquarters in Cornelius, N.C., Waterfront Group specializes in developing recreational, vacation and retirement properties throughout the Southeast. Under the leadership of owners Mark and Will Adkins, the company works with foresters, land planners, landscape architects and conservationists to create developments that are not only pleasing to the eye but environmentally compatible.

“This is one of the top companies on the East Coast for developing recreational properties,” says Rye. “We saw a need for something like Rock Harbor in this area.”

He also offers praise for Rock Harbor’s project manager, Dan Rawn. “He has been working diligently since February to get this property ready to go on the market,” Rye says.

Rock Harbor’s next sales event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14, when Phase 2 lots will go on sale, beginning at 9 a.m. Prospective buyers are required to call 800-770-9311 to schedule an appointment for a personal, one-on-one tour of the property. Appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We had a two-week waiting list for our first sales event in August, and we sold 284 lots for more than $21 million,” says Rye. “At the rate we’re going, this development will be sold out by early 2007.”

Rock Harbor
Location: Claiborne County
Distance from Knoxville: About 40 miles
Builder/developer: Waterfront Group
Number of home sites available: 550
Lot sizes: 1 to 15 acres
Price range: $20,000 to $300,000
Special amenities: Direct access to Norris Lake, mountain views, private marina, and lakeside park with gazebo and picnic area
For more information: 800-770-9311, www.rockharbortn.com

NORRIS LAKE
Location: North of Knoxville, in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Union counties.

History: Developed by TVA with the completion of Norris Dam in 1936
Size: 800 miles of shoreline, 34,000 surface acres, maximum width 1.2 miles

Marinas and boat docks: Cedar Grove Marina, New Tazewell; Lakeview Boat Dock, Sharps Chapel; Pennington 33 Bridge Marina, Maynardville; Lone Mountain boat Dock, Tazewell; and Straight Creek Boat Dock, New Tazewell
Recreational usage: Boating, skiing, swimming, pontoon- and house-boating, and fishing. Famous for striped bass or rockfish, walleye and black crappie.

Attractions:
Big Ridge State Park (25 minutes), Norris Dam State Park (50 minutes) Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area (30 minutes), and area horseback riding facilities

Restaurants:
Old Time Grill, Tazewell; Nordstrom’s Galley at Hickory Star Marina near Maynardville
For more information: www.norrislakeinfo.com