Lake Home: Life at the Bridge

Bridgewater Pointe was the topic of much questioning and controversy when it was first proposed in the mid-2000s. Now, the six-story condominium tower – one of two originally planned at Hales Ford Bridge – stands as a landmark, an integral part of the Smith Mountain Lake landscape.
    The frequent question among locals and visitors today is: “Does anyone really live there?”
    According to Bart Mathhie, a member of the condo’s board of directors, the answer is a resounding “yes.” All but one of the 48 units has been sold, and 12 are occupied full time.
    “There are many ‘weekenders’ who come throughout the year,” Matthie said. “And, of course, during the summer season the occupancy rate jumps, especially for the big holiday weekends.”
    Larry and Kathy Sultze are among those who make their permanent home at Bridgewater Pointe. The couple purchased their unit in June 2010 during a lottery sale organized by Prudential Waterfront Properties, a division of The Willard Companies, which took over marketing of the project after the original developers defaulted on a multimillion-dollar loan in 2008.
    At the lottery, the Sultzes drew a number that offered them an early choice of available units for sale at prices significantly lower than the initial ones. At first, the couple only considered three-bedroom condos, thinking they would use theirs as a second home. But, attracted in part by the lower prices, they ended up purchasing a four-bedroom unit, opting to sell their home in Atlanta and make the move to full-time lake living.
    “We especially love the lake views that we get from every room,” said Kathy. “And … there are different views. From the dining room you see the cove; from the living room and master bedroom you see the long view down the Roanoke; and from one guest bedroom you look upriver toward the bridge.”
    Larry added, “We’re on the third floor, but the views get even better on the higher floors. Also, there are generally more upgrades up higher: more tile in the baths, Viking refrigerators, wine chillers, upgraded wood flooring, additional fireplaces.”
    An added bonus to their selection, Kathy said, is “it was already beautifully furnished by Interiors by Kris.”
    Larry, a Delta Airlines pilot, and Kathy, a former teacher, own and operate Elderberry Smoothie and Wrap Store in Salem. In their free time, they enjoy boating, tennis and working out at the nearby Smith Mountain Lake YMCA. The Sultzes loved the idea of living on Smith Mountain Lake, but didn’t look forward to the upkeep a house would require. At Bridgewater Pointe, they have room for visiting friends and family to stay; they enjoy using the pool; and they have arranged to keep their boat in a covered slip at Bridgewater Marina. Each condo unit also has two covered parking spaces.
Bridgewater Pointe offers three- and four-bedroom units. There are two layouts to the three-bedroom condos: one has a dining alcove and the other has an extra long living area to accommodate a dining table. The four-bedroom units, which are all located at the ends of the building, have separate dining alcoves.
    Kathy was especially impressed with the size of the closets in her condo.
    “Every bedroom has a good-sized closet with a light that goes on when you open it, and the master has separate his-and-her closets,” she said.
    The level of security at Bridgewater Pointe is also comforting, Kathy said. The property’s main gate and elevator open only when a resident enters a code. The pool area has a similar code-activated entrance gate, and each unit has its own security system.
    “People always ask us, ‘Isn’t it noisy living there?,’” said Larry, referring to the activity at adjacent Bridgewater Plaza, which includes restaurants, entertainment spots and retail stores. “You’d be surprised, but when we shut the doors to the balcony, it’s really very quiet. And as far as the music [at Mango’s Bar & Grill], we can only hear outdoor noise a bit in one guest room. The bands have to stop playing by 11 p.m., and they only play on Friday and Saturday. Eleven doesn’t seem late to us. And we really enjoy being able to sit on the deck and watch the boats come and go. All the activity is what makes ‘the bridge’ unique.”