Site preparation for new townhomes on Magnolia Estates

April 9. By Dave Vieser. The trees have come down, so what’s going up along Magnolia Estates Drive opposite the Publix parking lot? It’s a 65-unit townhome development called 3580 Townes. We’ll explain that name later.

The first model should be ready in about a year, according to Kate Watts, vice president of marketing for Shea Homes.

Quotable

About the townhomes: “Most, if not all, will be two-story units in the size range of 1,600 to 2,200 square feet” said Watts. “A few may be three-story homes, which we should know within the next two weeks.”

The total parcel is more than 20 acres, some of it adjoining the McDowell Creek Greenway which leads to Birkdale.

Watts said the the homes will be in the low $600,000 range; the first residents are expected to move in by the summer of 2026.

About the name 3580 Townes: “It was created by using the latitude and longitude of the development,”said Watts. “It’s sort of a trendy style name, something a bit different than the usual.” Cornelius’ actual coordinates are 35.4812° N, 80.8578° W. The previous name was Magnolia Cove.

About Shea Homes: Although this will be the first Shea Homes project in Cornelius, the company has built several developments in the Lake Norman region, including Amara Chase in Huntersville and Trilogy in Lincoln County.

Since its founding in 1968, Shea Homes has built more than 100,000 homes in many states, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Texas.

A website outlining more details about the Cornelius project should be up and running within two months.

Context

Just to the west of the 3580 Townes site lies another tree-cleared lot which was supposed to be the home of a new 7-Eleven convenience store. In fact, the Nantz Road extension will run through that property as well as to the site of 3580 Townes, connecting with Magnolia Estates Drive.