In 1902, Dr. Lucius B. Morse and his brothers purchased 64 acres around Chimney Rock for $5,000. They later acquired enough land to bring the total to 8,000 acres.
in 1925, the family created Carolina Mountain Power Company and began construction of a dam on the Broad River. What was born from this ambitious project was the town of Lake Lure.
Encompassing 720 acres and 27 miles of shoreline, Lake Lure enjoys its proximity to larger towns like Asheville and Charlotte. Within 100 miles of four states, it’s a wonderful destination for water skiing, boating, fishing, golfing, and hiking.
What is it known for?
Always intended to be a resort town, Lake Lure has played host to US Presidents, foreign dignitaries, authors, celebrities and the like.
Lake Lure has been used numerous times as a filming location for major motion pictures including My Fellow Americans, The Last of the Mohicans, and most famously, Dirty Dancing.
In 2006, Lake Lure was chosen as the location for the HGTV Dream Home where a lucky winner was given an incredible custom home and an SUV.
Recently, in July 2012, National Geographic Traveler chose Lake Lure as one of “7 American Classic Lake Escapes”, citing “Lake Lure retains the unpretentious character and natural splendor that has attracted vacationers for more than 80 years”.
Where do you want to live?
Why, the lakefront of course! The location of the lake allows for both “big water” views and expansive vistas of Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock, and the surrounding mountains.
While Lake Lure has several small subdivisions and plenty of rural housing, the largest community is Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure. Inside the 3,600 acre resort lies Fairfield Mountains-a gated, mixed-use community with two championship golf courses, a private beach and marina, restaurants, tennis courts, a pro shop, an spa and fitness center, and both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. Prepare to pay a one-time initiation fee of $5,000 and $2,129 yearly POA dues.
Firefly Cove is another option for those looking to have lower association dues though the amenities are not quite as expansive. However, Firefly Cove does offer a community lodge with a fitness room, billiard room, and a large gathering room as well as an outdoor pool and a small marina. Perhaps Firefly Cove’s biggest “claim to fame” is that it was built on the same cove made famous by the film “Dirty Dancing”. You know; the cove where Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey are practicing lifts…
Side Trips
As we mentioned earlier, Lake Lure is in wonderful proximity to larger towns. Asheville is only a 45 minute drive. Charlotte is about an hour and fifteen minutes. Hendersonville is only 25 minutes and Greenville, South Carolina is around 45 minutes.
Much closer however is the small village of Chimney Rock, which is of course famous for its 315-foot monolith of the same name. The natural formation now resides in the newly-formed 4,531 acre Chimney Rock State Park. Below “the Rock”, you’ll find a charming village filled with shopping and restaurants.
Asheville Regional Airport is closest though Charlotte-Douglas Airport is one hour away and Greenville-Spartanburg Airport is only a 45 minute drive.
While both Lake Lure and Chimney Rock offer modest accommodations, we’d recommend renting a lakefront home from a property management company like Lake Country Vacation Rentals.
Practical Info
Lake Lure has around 1,200 full-time residents. In the summer though, the population can balloon up to around 10,000. That’s because many of the homes in the area are second or even third vacation homes. Because of the provenance of Lake Lure has always been a playground for the slightly more affluent, the real estate market was slower to be affected by the downtown. 2009 proved that no market was immune however, and sales began to drop sharply. Flash forward to 2012 – Lake Lure has now “market-corrected” and though prices have dropped considerably, sales are now returning to the area.
Non-waterfront single family homes start in the $170′s while non-waterfront condos start around the $140 mark. For those that want to be on the water (and let’s face it, who wouldn’t?), lakefront homes start in the $220′s and go all the way up to $2,650,000.
For information regarding Lake Lure Real Estate and to view all listings available, visit pinnaclesir.com
