McSpadden Homes' entry in HomeArama, Charlotte's premier new-home showcase, was built at The Sanctuary at Lake Wylie: a 6,726-square-foot prairie-style lakefront home (9,600 square feet under roof) on a dockable waterfront lot one lot from the community clubhouse. Designed by Doug McSpadden with Christopher Phelps & Associates in the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright, with long horizontal lines, a glass conservatory, and double-sided fireplaces, it opened to the public for the three weeks of the show.
It won eight HomeArama awards, placing first or second in eight of the nine judged categories: gold for Best Overall Home, Best Floor Plan, Best Interior Design, Best Master Suite, Best Media Room, and Best Outdoor Living, and silver for Best Kitchen and Best Landscaping. The outdoor living space, with its infinity-edge spa, fireplace, and waterfall terrace, was Doug's favorite part of the house. The Travel Channel filmed The Sanctuary that season for its "Great Escapes" series, and the home was featured in the Charlotte Business Journal, SouthPark Magazine, and NC Boating Lifestyle.
The Sanctuary is a 1,350-acre conservation community on the Charlotte side of Lake Wylie where only approved Guild builders may build. McSpadden Homes has been a Guild builder there since the community's early years.
Selected photography by Michael Valentine.
