With the 50th birthday of Seven Lakes I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Alan Shaw, one of the original developers of Seven Lakes to enlighten residents to a factual version of our history with a Six PartSeries, “The 50 Year Saga Of Seven Lakes.“
So, there is a new day and a new direction for Seven Lakes with new ownership.John and Jim Pridgen brought excitement with the hope that everyone’s vision of what they wanted in the community would be realized. The dream that was Fred Lawrence’s 14 years earlier, when he discovered the area while bird hunting, was going to be completed as planned.At least that was everyone’s hope.
John Pridgen was a civil engineer and almost immediately he was joined on property by Winston-Salem based lawyer, Don Billings.The community welcomed a new and very good restaurant in the Seven Lakes Country Club.The name of the restaurant was Aleene’s.
The golf course continued to be operated by the developers and property sales were handled by the company owned sales program.Most importantly, construction on the dam which would impound 881 acres of water continued and was completed.The lake was known as Lake Auman.It was named after Clyde Auman who was a civic leader in West End and served in the North Carolina House of Representatives for years.He was also one of the major landowners of the property that became Seven Lakes West.
The Lakes of Seven Lakes were the most important asset of the community.The development essentially was built around them and they were and are magnificent.Lake Auman is the gem of the group and arguably the most magnificent privately developed man-made lake in the Southeast, if not the country.
Within months of the Pridgen’s buying the property, there were disagreements between the two brothers as to how to move forward. Alan Shaw said it would not be fair for me to explore those disagreements because I was not on the inside to know the full details.
Shaw said that he got a call from Don Billings indicating that Jim Pridgen and John Pridgen where going to separate.Billings indicated to Shaw that he should support John Pridgen remaining as the developer rather than supporting Jim Pridgen’s side.Shaw indicated that his support meant nothing other than as a secured creditor. This was a difficult situation because it was believed that Jim Pridgen had the contacts to secure the funding needed to finish development of the community. John Pridgen survived the internal conflicts and Jim Pridgen had little or nothing to do with Seven Lakes as early as 1984.
Soon after the breakup, the core sales team that had been a part of Seven Lakes from the start in 1972 resigned and formed an independent real estate office located in Seven Lakes Village.This was an important first step toward the ultimate success of Seven Lakes.We will return to this a bit later in our history.
Progress was made toward build-out during the next 3 years. The North Side and South Side were taking on the appearance of mature subdivisions with many homes both full time residents and second homes.
The quality of the property/homeowner had always been a very significant factor in making Seven Lakes a desirable location to live or visit. Shaw was effusive in his praise of the participation of everyone that lived in the community to make it a better place.From being friendly and good neighbors to pitching in to make community projects and events successful, there was a core group that not only participated but made it their goal to make a difference in the quality of life for those living in the community.This was contagious and coupled with the beauty and conveniences located nearby created a special place for all demographics from young couples to retirees.
Yet, there was failure ahead for the developer.Bankruptcy was filed by the Pridgen developing companies in 1987.As often is the case, this created uncertainty before there was clarity.Don Billings presented a re-organization that the bankruptcy court ultimately approved.Expenses of bankruptcy were paid from funds generated by the sale of Seven Lakes Country Club to a group of members who formed for that purpose. At peak, the membership of Seven Lakes Country Club was around 600 and it was a hub for community activities for its members.
Without the golf course and few remaining lots in company inventory on the South and North sides, Billings directed his entire efforts toward development of the West Side.The Seven Lakes Landowners Association, who had a 99-year lease on all of the roads and facilities (other than the golf course) bought these from Billings company.
With no active developer for the North and South sides, the Seven Lakes Landowners Association became most important to the continued success of the community as a recreational residential subdivision.
Seven Lakes West was to be rebranded as Beacon Ridge at Seven Lakes West.A golf course that was started during the Pridgen years was completed by Billings and named Beacon Ridge.The developer had homesites around the golf course in addition to a significant inventory of forest and view homesites around Lake Auman. As previously noted, lakefront homesites were all sold.
Billings made a decision that has had a profound impact on homesite values.He controlled, in fact was the Architectural Review Board for Seven Lakes West for several years.While the covenants written in 1979 allowed for homes to be a minimum of 1375 Sq. ft. on the main floor, Billings made the decision to significantly increase those minimums.He could do that by simply refusing to approve smaller homes.
The beauty of the lake with such pure clear water and amazing homesites would have been significantly undervalued had it not been for Billings decision.He required minimums exceeding 3500 sq ft and implemented architectural design that would maximize curb appeal.Without larger and more expensive homes being required, values of homesites would have never reached present levels.
Today there is over a billion dollars in Tax value in the Seven Lakes Community. There are over 5,000 people living in Seven Lakes with over 2500 homes.The Seven Lakes Shopping village has a full compliment of necessary and convenient services.Including Doctors, Lawyers, Mechanics, Accountants, Real Estate Brokers, Physical Therapist, Financial Advisors, Boat sales and service, Automobile Collision Shops, Grocery Store, Restaurants, Insurance Agencies, Wine Store, Carpet Store, Antique Store, Hardware Stores, Drug Stores, Churches, Barber Shop, Beauty Shop, Convenience Store, Plumbing Office, Heating and Air Conditioning Businesses Kennel, Banks, and various other office and services.
There are many reasons that our community has not only survived but has flourished during its 50-year history.In the last article we indicated this article would be the last in our series on the 50-year history of Seven Lakes.We are taking our literary license mulligan!Next month, the final chapter and the conclusion of the “rest of the Story”