As the heat of summer rages on, most of us dream of a summer escape. You can picture it, hanging out on the veranda with a cool glass of iced tea and a soft breeze while listening to the waves of the nearby lake and the giggles of children playing carefree nearby. Whether your dream is an Airbnb near a lake or building your own dream lake house, Carlton Landing is the best-kept secret within three hours of North Texas.
Conceived from childhood memories of lake vacations, real estate developer Grant Humphrey, the son of former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Carlton Humphrey, and his wife, Jen, gave life to their vision of Carlton Landing on the shores of Lake Eufaula in eastern Oklahoma. It is the ideal place to spend peaceful days raising families in a more carefree environment.
Humphrey partnered with Andres Duany of DPZ CoDesign, which is best known for developing New Urbanism communities such as Seaside in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Rosemary Beach in South Walton, Florida. These communities emphasize community building, sustainable development, and a return to traditional neighborhood designs. The Humphreys had a simple request: "Create an enchanting place to foster a strong sense of community and nourish people, mind, body, and spirit."
As you enter Carlton Landing, situated on a bluff overlooking Lake Eufaula, it feels like you are stepping out of reality and into a fairytale. Lake Eufaula is Oklahoma’s largest lake, with more than 600 miles of shoreline. Primarily a second-home community, Carlton Landing currently features around 350 homes, with plans for approximately 2,000 homes upon completion. The community is home to about 40 families who reside there year-round. It includes a public charter school for children in grades K-8, as well as a local community church.
Carlton Landing consists of several diverse and unique "pocket neighborhoods". Each features distinct characteristics such as courtyards, common gardens or parks, swimming pools, splash pads, and activity centers, all designed to foster a sense of community.
Water Street, located closest to Swim Beach, offers stack-flat apartments and condos that provide a vibrant and convenient lifestyle near retail shops, the Food Truck Court, and Mama Tigs, a restaurant known for its gourmet wood-fired pizza.
Lincoln Square features single-family homes that border Lincoln Square Park, a spacious green area ideal for children to play just outside their door.
Further up the hill, Ridgeline and Lower Greenway offer homes with beautiful views of the water below. These neighborhoods are in close proximity to courts for tennis and pickleball, the Tower Court Pool, and walking trails.
Pistache Park is a Scandinavian-style home situated in a wooded area, featuring a hidden "secret park" at its center. Redbud Park and Firefly Park showcase cottage-style as well as larger homes designed around parks and wooded spaces.
The Homestead is a private neighborhood offering estate lots up to four acres and located one mile west of the Town of Carlton Landing.
All the neighborhoods provide the convenience of parking your family car and then walking or riding a golf cart to various shops, restaurants, and numerous activities. You can visit the Airstreme Food Truck lot to enjoy a burger and fries from Pete's Burgers & Fries, satisfy your seafood cravings at Dixie's Fish & Chips, and cool off with ice cream from Bud's Frozen Treats. The Meeting House is an excellent spot for a cup of coffee, and it also offers lunch, snacks, dinner, as well as wine, beer, and mixed drinks. This is the perfect place to relax and soak up the lake life!
Every Saturday morning, pop-up shops open along the boardwalk offering a host of gifts, home goods, curated handcrafted goods, and seasonal items. Milo & Lily's boutique, open year-round, offers clothing and accessories catering to women with individuality and creativity.
Along with a full-service marina where one can rent a boat for the day or join the Boat Club with a share in 16 boats, everything a family needs to enjoy the lake is available. There is no need to bring your own: bicycles and golf carts can also be rented by the hour or for the whole stay.
Throughout the year, the Carlton Landing Foundation hosts events for the community, including a spectacular 4th of July picnic and fireworks display, a Cardboard Boat Regatta for Labor Day, and the Halloween Weekend, which includes the Annual Chili Cook Off. Throughout the Thanksgiving week, there are special Owners Weekend activities, including a Friendsgiving celebration designed to foster community among Carlton Landing homeowners. To wrap up the year, the community celebrates with a Christmas Tree and a community Twinkle Light lighting, a Christmas bonfire, and a Holiday Home Tour. Year-round, families can enjoy the pop-up shops, live music, and seasonal treats from local food vendors, and participate in games, crafts, and activities for all ages.
If you are interested in owning a home in Carlton Landing, prices range from $300,000 to $700,000, with some estate lots at The Homestead exceeding a million dollars. While the community is well-suited for second homes, there has been an increase in year-round homeowners, including remote workers, retirees, and families working in nearby communities. A recent evaluation found that the community's design and variety of home styles have contributed to a 270% increase in value for investment properties.
Carlton Landing vacation rentals are available on all major short-term rental websites, as well as through several partners. To find all the information you need to plan your lake getaway, visit their website at CarltonLanding.com.
Carlton Landing is wholeheartedly committed to fostering a life brimming with cherished moments and unforgettable experiences.
Article by Christine Clark
Photography by Courtesy of Carlton Landing
Originally published in Celina Lifestyle