When construction started in 1981, Laconia’s South Down Farm offered an ideal picturesque setting for condominium homes. Located at the former 126 acre “Taylor Farm” the original planned community had some marketing flaws and the project stalled. I was brought in by the bank that financed the original community to sell the remaining five or six units at the Fells Condominium located in a field off of Parade Road. After we sold those original units, the original developer stepped out of the project it was then that L. John Davidson arrived in July of 1983, South Down was dead in the water and in trouble financially. Enter Davidson, a true visionary who comes up with a completely new waterfront concept plan geared to the vacation home market to give the stalled project new credibility. He then acquired multiple adjoining parcels and almost a mile of shorefront on Paugus Bay. The name was then changed to “South Down Shores” then carried forward to “Long Bay” its sister community and the rest is history.
Today, 36 years later, South Down Shores and Long Bay encompass over 360 acres with almost 1 mile of shorefront on Lake Winnipesaukee. These private, gated communities feature unique villages and single-family homes of many architectural styles. A huge investment infrastructure for roads, city water/sewer and underground utilities was made. Davidson created a private yacht club for boats complete with boat slips, racks and a launch area with multiple sandy beaches and breakwaters. Throughout South Down and Long Bay, he crafted a series of beautifully landscaped ponds, community buildings, walking trails and an immense waterfront greenbelt common area along the entire shoreline, for all residents to enjoy.
Both communities now have over 600 property owners from many geographic areas who can call the Lakes Region “home”. Many are vacation homeowners & semi-retirees and others are year-round, permanent residents. Davidson’s ‘vision’ and hard work paid off immensely for the City of Laconia. Today both communities contribute somewhere close to $3.5 million annually to the City of Laconia’s tax revenue. That’s a lot of income, which has helped the city grow its infrastructure, schools, police station, and other amenities.
Not only that but think of the economic impact these 600+ families have contributed to the Lakes Region. The pure size of the development infrastructure, amenity package and huge amount of housing constructed has created a massive amount of jobs over the years for local engineers, surveyors, architects, attorneys, site contractors, home builders, landscape companies and all of the other trades connected with the home building industry. Realtors have also benefited; I know our company and our associates have been involved in more than 600 sales since the 1980s. Most importantly, all of the vacation homeowners, semi-retirees, and residents who have called South Down Shores “home” since its inception have immensely supported all of the businesses which operate in the Lakes Region. Just think of the boat dealers, home improvement stores, contractors, furniture stores, automotive dealers, restaurants, entertainment venues, ski areas and all other attractions that have profited from the families who have become a fabric of our area.
So just who is this man that saved the South Down Farm project? L. John Davidson grew up in Andover, MA and graduated from Phillips Andover and Harvard University. As a young man he worked in his father’s restaurants, he was an air controller in the Korean War and later operated clothing stores called “The Andover Shop” in Cambridge & Andover. He also developed the 400-acre land package for the Raytheon Company Missile Systems Plant and he reconstructed Andover Square after defeating Urban Renewal in the 1960s. From 1965-1970 Davidson bought out 70 separate parcels of land, an entire valley in Quechee, VT. He became the architect/developer of one of the largest and most successful developments in New England. The community was called Quechee Lakes and included 6000 acres where Davidson placed 50% of the land in a permanent greenbelt to preserve the integrity and natural beauty of the valley. There are currently over 1700 homes and condominiums in The Queechee Development where he rebuilt a covered bridge over the Ottauquechee River, restored an abandoned mill and relocated other buildings throughout the town. He developed ski trails and built ski lifts for the residents, two championship golf courses, two lakes and a 50-mile trail system. Davidson’s “farmstead concept” was unique to the real estate industry and he was the first to offer the single-family home as a condominium. Davidson later on created condominium suites in Maine and he financed a salvage expedition that raised a 70-foot sections H.M.S DeBraak shipwreck, a British warship that sank off the coast of Delaware in 1798 rumored to be carrying vast treasures. Over the past decade, he embarked on an “egg-venture,” where he spent millions developing an egg pasteurization process to eliminate salmonella and bacteria. He now holds 6 patents. John presently resides in Atkinson, NH.
Although Stanford, Connecticut, may have more Fortune 500 Companies per square mile and Boston is certainly an economic engine, these major cities lack one critical resource that the Lakes Region has in abundance. Our beautiful lakes, mountains, forests and rivers continue to attract tourists to our area and new property owners to our area, and they all contribute to the Lakes Region growth and prosperity. Business development and industry growth is likewise important for our economy’s engine and like any community, we need jobs to prosper. However, we can’t lose sight of what our region is all about; we’re primarily a tourist, second home, and semi-retired home market. We also have a strong primary residential market in our surrounding towns, with many young families investing in the Lakes Region. All of us in the Lakes Region should strive to make it the best possible New England destination. Quality development is critical; we need to develop communities we can be proud of, like South Down Shores and Long Bay. I’ve seen the excitement first-hand in the comments from families who have purchased over the years. They absolutely love the community and the entire Lakes Region. They may have started out by renting in the community and then graduated to a small condominium and eventually into a permanent single-family home. So many of them have commented that there’s so much more to do here in the Lakes Region than there was 25 years ago. Nowadays, we have many attractions like The Tanger Outlet Mall, Bank of NH Music Pavilion, the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Gunstock Mountain Resort, The NH Motor Speedway, and many new restaurants and eateries. Additionally, there are so many more events to participate in, such as craft fairs, The New England Pond Hockey Classic, fishing derbies, car and boat shows, and the NH Pumpkin Festival.
The popularity of these two communities is evident by the strong sales activity over the past years as follows:
2017
Sales: 54
The average selling price of $389,856
Price range of $162,000-$770,000
2018
Sales: 62
The average selling price of $365,893
Price range of $174,750-$900,000
2019
Sales: 51
The average selling price of $456,211
Price range of $178,000-$1,175,000
2020
At the present time in 2020, 14 homes have sold for an average selling price of $501,570 with a price range of $239,000-$1,130,000 and there are 7 properties available for sale ranging in price from $260,000-$1,249,500.
That’s a pretty good testimonial to the success of these fine communities.
This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, NH, and can be reached at (603) 279-7046. Data was compiled by a NEREN map search on 06/11/2020 and is subject to change. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.
Looking for South Down Shores or Long Bay real estate?
7 Harvest, Laconia, NH 03246
MLS #4943839
City:Laconia, State:NH
Price: $479900
Come enjoy the Lake Winnipesaukee lifestyle at South Down Shores!! A private gated community set on the shores of Paugus Bay. This beautiful ranch style, one-level, 2 bed, 2 bath townhouse boasts a light & bright comfortable living space. This townhouse has a rare attached 2-car garage to go along with its 1, 008 sqft of living. This condo has all that you need at the lake. An open-concept kitchen flows to the living room, and 2 bedrooms, one being a generous-sized primary suite. The 2-car garage is a direct entry into the kitchen. There is a courtyard outside the front door with partial mountain views. The efficient monitor heating system will be sure to keep your heating costs down. The mini-split systems are great for backup heat and air conditioning. Just a short golf cart ride or walk to all the South Down Shores amenities. Enjoy the 4, 000 feet of water frontage at the lake with breathtaking views of the islands and the Gunstock Mountain Range. South Down Shores amenities include tennis/pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, basketball court, kayak racks, clubhouse, boat club, and miles of walking trails. Just 15 mins. from I-93, near Gunstock Ski Resort, BNH Music Pavilion, shopping, theatre, & all that the Lakes Region has to offer â all for just $479, 900. Come enjoy all that South Down Shores has to offer. 63f67c0734e2b572e7024e92 0.00 9689 Beach Access Beach Rights Building Maintenance Club House Tennis Court Near Golf Course Near Paths Near Snowmobile Trails 0 0 0 2 2 2 1008 Laconia RE_1 Meadows NH-Belknap Route 106 (Parade Road) to the entrance of South Down Shores through gate (code required) onto Outerbridge Drive. Take first left onto Garden Circle. Follow straight to Harvest Lane. See #7 on right (on the corner) Hard Surface Flooring No Staris One-Level Home Paved Parking 7 Harvest Lane Patio neren3 1 2 Attached 63f67ac034e2b572ae78d142 1 1 1677097503 43.5696840 1677024000 479900 Kevin Shaw 4943839 Active -71.4868357 Level Walking Trails 4943839 1484 7 Harvest, Laconia, NH 03246 1677262757 Roche Realty Group, Inc 1 37 476 Condominium Residential Come enjoy the Lake Winnipesaukee lifestyle at South Down Shores!! A private gated community set on the shores of Paugus Bay. This beautiful ranch style, one-level, 2 bed, 2 bath townhouse boasts a light & bright comfortable living space. This townhouse has a rare attached 2-car garage to go along with its 1, 008 sqft of living. This condo has all that you need at the lake. An open-concept kitchen flows to the living room, and 2 bedrooms, one being a generous-sized primary suite. The 2-car garage is a direct entry into the kitchen. There is a courtyard outside the front door with partial mountain views. The efficient monitor heating system will be sure to keep your heating costs down. The mini-split systems are great for backup heat and air conditioning. Just a short golf cart ride or walk to all the South Down Shores amenities. Enjoy the 4, 000 feet of water frontage at the lake with breathtaking views of the islands and the Gunstock Mountain Range. South Down Shores amenities include tennis/pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, basketball court, kayak racks, clubhouse, boat club, and miles of walking trails. Just 15 mins. from I-93, near Gunstock Ski Resort, BNH Music Pavilion, shopping, theatre, & all that the Lakes Region has to offer â all for just $479, 900. Come enjoy all that South Down Shores has to offer. Pets - Allowed Laconia Sch Dst SAU #30 Elm Street Elementary School Laconia High School Laconia Middle School NH 1 Harvest 7 Townhouse South Down Shores 1677262991 https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=M4kNT6NQuh7&brand=0 https://youtu.be/xdGd1btkxUE Beach Access Shared-Private Yes Lake Winnipesaukee No Lake No 1984 03246 ListPrice 479900 1677097991 479900 ListingStatus Active 1677097991 Active https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/edeb-4943839-1-neren3.jpg 1 1677099250 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/7de9-4943839-2-neren3.jpg 2 1677099250 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/53fb-4943839-3-neren3.jpg 3 1677099250 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/c9b8-4943839-4-neren3.jpg 4 1677099250 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0ce8-4943839-5-neren3.jpg 5 1677099250 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/c003-4943839-6-neren3.jpg 6 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/fdfe-4943839-7-neren3.jpg 7 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/7f36-4943839-8-neren3.jpg 8 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/efdb-4943839-9-neren3.jpg 9 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/72d7-4943839-10-neren3.jpg 10 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/72f5-4943839-11-neren3.jpg 11 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/bda1-4943839-12-neren3.jpg 12 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/fd71-4943839-13-neren3.jpg 13 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/60cb-4943839-14-neren3.jpg 14 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/6501-4943839-15-neren3.jpg 15 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/53a6-4943839-16-neren3.jpg 16 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/8928-4943839-17-neren3.jpg 17 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/ae5f-4943839-18-neren3.jpg 18 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/969a-4943839-19-neren3.jpg 19 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/7948-4943839-20-neren3.jpg 20 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/2e66-4943839-21-neren3.jpg 21 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/9c2c-4943839-22-neren3.jpg 22 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/2880-4943839-23-neren3.jpg 23 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/edbd-4943839-24-neren3.jpg 24 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/3bda-4943839-25-neren3.jpg 25 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/a589-4943839-26-neren3.jpg 26 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/1343-4943839-27-neren3.jpg 27 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/2d44-4943839-28-neren3.jpg 28 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/7eaa-4943839-29-neren3.jpg 29 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/f16a-4943839-30-neren3.jpg 30 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/52b8-4943839-31-neren3.jpg 31 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/c593-4943839-32-neren3.jpg 32 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/a99b-4943839-33-neren3.jpg 33 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0dc4-4943839-34-neren3.jpg 34 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/7e0f-4943839-35-neren3.jpg 35 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/e024-4943839-36-neren3.jpg 36 1677099251 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/6f99-4943839-37-neren3.jpg 37 1677099251 1677099250 1677099281 Point -71.4868357 43.569684 RETS40 Aberry, Laconia, NH 03246
MLS #4937640
City:Laconia, State:NH
Price: $1099000
Welcome to the Oakleigh section of Long Bay. This premier gated, waterfront community of Long Bay with its manicured grounds, 2 sandy beaches, heated outdoor pool and clubhouse overlooking the lake and mountains. The 1st floor primary bedroom walk-in closets, a nice bath with jet tub and walk-in shower and twin vanities. The property Boast 5 bedrooms and 5 baths 4 of the bedrooms are ensuite. Water views from bedrooms and sunroom. Some of the other great amenities to enjoy in Long Bay, are the 1200' of shore front, tennis courts down near the beaches, Pickleball, Bocce ball, lots of walking/cross country trails, and 3 ponds. All of the other Lakes Region Attractions are all close by. No short-term rentals.30 day minimum rental . 637d2d5834e2b522790d7193 0.30 9690 Beach Access Boat Mooring Club House Tennis Court Near Golf Course Near Paths Near Snowmobile Trails Walkout Finished 0 0 0 5 5 5 5892 Laconia RE_1 Oakleigh NH-Belknap Parade Rd to entrance of South Down Shores. follow Outerbridge Drive to Long Bay Drive to Aberry. House is on the left. Paved Parking 40 Aberry Drive Pool - In Ground neren3 1 3 Attached 1 1 1 637d2bb034e2b5223c4e3493 1 1 1 1 1669147554 43.5826647 1669075200 1099000 Joseph MacDonald 4937640 Active -71.4709275 Condo Development Lake View Level Trail/Near Trail View Walking Trails Water View 13068 4937640 1484 40 Aberry, Laconia, NH 03246 1677633048 Roche Realty Group, Inc 38 238 Single Family Homes Residential Welcome to the Oakleigh section of Long Bay. This premier gated, waterfront community of Long Bay with its manicured grounds, 2 sandy beaches, heated outdoor pool and clubhouse overlooking the lake and mountains. The 1st floor primary bedroom walk-in closets, a nice bath with jet tub and walk-in shower and twin vanities. The property Boast 5 bedrooms and 5 baths 4 of the bedrooms are ensuite. Water views from bedrooms and sunroom. Some of the other great amenities to enjoy in Long Bay, are the 1200' of shore front, tennis courts down near the beaches, Pickleball, Bocce ball, lots of walking/cross country trails, and 3 ponds. All of the other Lakes Region Attractions are all close by. No short-term rentals.30 day minimum rental . Private NH 2 Aberry 40 Contemporary Long Bay 1677633191 Lake/River/Creek/Stream View Water View https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=e7gR6cu4Wby&mls=1 Shared-Private Yes Lake Winnipesaukee Lake 1 2001 03246 ListPrice 1099000 1669147992 1099000 ListingStatus Active 1669147992 Active https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/fbee-4937640-1-neren3.jpg 1 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/333d-4937640-2-neren3.jpg 2 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/c065-4937640-3-neren3.jpg 3 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/0aa8-4937640-4-neren3.jpg 4 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/010b-4937640-5-neren3.jpg 5 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/553a-4937640-6-neren3.jpg 6 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/ef5a-4937640-7-neren3.jpg 7 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/cf9d-4937640-8-neren3.jpg 8 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/a80a-4937640-9-neren3.jpg 9 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/2c87-4937640-10-neren3.jpg 10 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/a027-4937640-11-neren3.jpg 11 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/3fbd-4937640-12-neren3.jpg 12 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/5525-4937640-13-neren3.jpg 13 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/79fb-4937640-14-neren3.jpg 14 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/97b0-4937640-15-neren3.jpg 15 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/10f2-4937640-16-neren3.jpg 16 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/dc43-4937640-17-neren3.jpg 17 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/68f7-4937640-18-neren3.jpg 18 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/d39c-4937640-19-neren3.jpg 19 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/88a8-4937640-20-neren3.jpg 20 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/dabc-4937640-21-neren3.jpg 21 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/d8b8-4937640-22-neren3.jpg 22 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/e3b6-4937640-23-neren3.jpg 23 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/4fa2-4937640-24-neren3.jpg 24 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/8acf-4937640-25-neren3.jpg 25 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/e7f6-4937640-26-neren3.jpg 26 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/5dc1-4937640-27-neren3.jpg 27 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/824d-4937640-28-neren3.jpg 28 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/394d-4937640-29-neren3.jpg 29 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/6865-4937640-30-neren3.jpg 30 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/f59d-4937640-31-neren3.jpg 31 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/df97-4937640-32-neren3.jpg 32 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/c322-4937640-33-neren3.jpg 33 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/94a5-4937640-34-neren3.jpg 34 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/b44b-4937640-35-neren3.jpg 35 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/f852-4937640-36-neren3.jpg 36 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/6864-4937640-38-neren3.jpg 38 1669221311 https://s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/apiv1.photos.master/189b-4937640-39-neren3.jpg 39 1669221311 1669221311 1669221359 Point -71.4709275 43.5826647 RETS https://youtu.be/pXPM0Nk7uw0 Laconia Sch Dst SAU #30 Elm Street Elementary School Laconia High School Laconia Middle School