Ford’s Colony Rocky Mount Development Features Golf Course
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If the first weekend of sales was any indication‚ then Ford’s Colony Rocky Mount is destined to become a residential success.
More than $10 million in home-site lots were sold April 16-18‚ 2005‚ when land sales began for the 1‚000-acre golf community located just north of North Carolina Wesleyan College. Nearly 20 percent of those initial purchases were by people who live in Rocky Mount – or who once did and want to return here.
“What makes the Rocky Mount project so exciting is its close proximity to the I-95 and U.S. 64 phenomenon‚” says sales manager Mary Ford Wilson. “We expect to get many interested homeowners to drive down I-95 and move here from the northeast United States. They will be attracted to the warm climate and everything that eastern North Carolina has to offer.” Wilson says she expects retirees to settle at Ford’s Colony‚ but it isn’t solely a retirement community. “During our first weekend of sales‚ we had business professionals and middle-aged couples who also purchased lots‚” she says. “It is truly a community for everyone.”
The new development is being constructed on property once called Belmont Farms. Ford’s Colony will be a joint venture between Realtec Inc.‚ owned by Richard Ford‚ and Tuscarora Corp.‚ run by Bob Gorham‚ the original developer of Belmont Farms.
Besides the 1‚000 homes‚ Ford’s Colony will feature an 18-hole championship golf course along an 80-acre private lake. Home sites and lots are $65‚000 and up.
“The minimum size of homes will be 1‚800 square feet‚ and I would estimate that house prices will go for $180‚000 and up‚” Wilson says. “Owners can use any builder they choose as long as they meet certain regulations on house style‚ which can be Colonial‚ Federal‚ Georgian or Greek revival.”
Ford’s Colony Rocky Mount will be modeled after a similar development near Williamsburg‚ Va.‚ that flourished under the watchful eye of Realtec.
“This Rocky Mount community will be gated and will include a clubhouse‚ swimming pool‚ tennis courts‚ exercise facility and 24-hour roving security‚” Wilson says.
Rocky Mount Mayor Fred Turnage says Ford’s Colony is a welcome endeavor that will take 10-15 years to complete.
“This particular community will attract many people who have been successful in their careers‚” Turnage says. “I traveled to the Williamsburg-built community and was very impressed. Realtec does things in a first-class way‚ and Ford’s Colony will mean a lot to the people of Rocky Mount.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Wes Aldridge
