South Down Shores Barn Complex Transformation

In 1981, the transformation of Laconia's scenic South Down Farm began, converting the former 126-acre "Taylor Farm" into a promising condominium community. Despite its picturesque location and initial plans, the project faced marketing challenges and stalled. My involvement came when the financing bank tasked me with selling the remaining townhouse units at the Fells Condominium, nestled in a field off Parade Road. Following the successful sale of these units, the original developer withdrew, paving the way for L. John Davidson's entry in July 1983. Davidson had an incredible track record, having developed the renowned Quechee Lakes community in Vermont, which won national awards and included over 5,000 acres. Davidson introduced a visionary waterfront concept tailored to the second home market, breathing new life and credibility into the project. He expanded the community immensely by acquiring adjoining lands and nearly a mile of Paugus Bay shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee, evolving the community into "South Down Shores" and later into its sister community, "Long Bay," marking a significant turn in its history, which ultimately turned into a huge success with 19 intimate villages of differing architectural designs plus contiguous neighborhoods of unique single-family homes. Long Bay had a much smaller number of villages and focused more on single-family homes around the lake. Both communities encompassed over 360 acres with almost a mile of shorefront.??

I take immense pride in Roche Realty Group, Inc.'s achievements over the past 40 years at South Down, including new home sales, land, and resales within the gated communities. We have been involved with over 1,000 transactions in both communities and have gotten to know every home within the development intimately, with many having been sold multiple times over the years. In my opinion, both communities represent some of the finest land planning, landscape design, and architectural appeal that you will find in New England. Since its inception, our firm has led the Lakes Region in selling water access communities and condominium developments, playing a key role in establishing many renowned communities in the area.

The journey of South Down and Long Bay entered a new chapter in December 2023 when Roche Realty Group sold the large barn complex and farmhouse on 7.2 acres at the entrance to the gated communities along Parade Road for John Davidson. Where the community had been long completed, at 90 years old, John Davidson decided it was time to move on. The complex was in need of substantial costly repairs and upgrades, and it would take the next generation developer to bring new life to the land. While the barn and farmhouse will come down, the developer has planned to construct several gorgeous homes on estate-sized lots typically not seen within the community.? While this marks a final transformative phase for the property, it will be aesthetically pleasing from the road and will blend in with the overall community. Roche Realty Group will be marketing the new luxury homes for the developer. Our company remains dedicated to the marketing and sales of new and resale homes at South Down and Long Bay. We will continue to bring our expertise to all of the many homeowners in the area, as we consolidate our Laconia Office; all of our agents moving to the Meredith Office, just a seven-minute drive from South Down and Long Bay, ensuring our sales associates from the "barn" continue to provide exceptional service and expertise for South Down and Long Bay, as they have since the 1980s.

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. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market