In keeping with the style on the rest of the island, the homes of Cape Fear Station offer a prime example of coastal Carolina vernacular architecture. The community’s ubiquitous porches, deep overhangs, and shingle or plank siding exteriors capture the very essence of the form.

In order to take full advantage of the natural features and topography of a given geographic area, every homesite in Cape Fear Station has been assigned a house style. Guidelines take into consideration the lifestyle and views offered by each environment. These are a few characteristics of each home style.

	Common Style Providing the metaphorical walls of the “outdoor room” created by The Common at Cape Fear Station, these two-story Old South homes present a dignified, substantial façade to the public green. The most prominent features of these grand houses are the large front porches across the front on both floors, and the charming fences bordering the property. Square footage range: 1600-5000.
	House Style Meant to create a consistent, yet richly textured streetscape, these homes may be single story or taller. In keeping with the classic seaside retreats of yesteryear, the porches of this style are extra long, extending along at least 60% of street frontage. Fences are required along the front and side of the property lines, as well as along the alley easement. Square footage range: 1000-3000.
	Sideyard Style Reminiscent of the historic homes of downtown Charleston, S.C., these two-story houses present a narrow front, with a very long porch on the southeastern side of the house, typically overlooking a private garden or courtyard. A second level porch may be enclosed with insect screening, wood shutters, louvers or lattice, for up to 50% of its total length. Square footage range: 1000-3000.
	Cottage Style It’s true: Good things do come in small packages. Permitted to be smaller in size, these single or multi-story cottages are just as big in character as other styles, especially when the ample porch on the street side functions as a visitor’s parlor, alfresco dining area or reading room. Picket fences following the property and easement lines perfectly complete the picture. Square footage range: 700-2000.
	Beach Style Think of the quintessential beach house. A prime example of the “architecture of the American summer,” this style requires porches wrapping the southern, eastern and western perimeters. (A porch on the northern exposure is optional.) Fences are required, while trellises and gazebos are permitted. Neighbors share walkways to the beach to maximize open space. Square footage range: 2000-6000.
	Creek Style Designed from nature’s point of view, this house style has plentiful porches, 50% of which may be enclosed with insect screening, wood shutters, louvers or lattice. Single or multi-story homes are permitted, decided more by views than by design guidelines. Fences follow the entire front property line, as well as at least 50 feet of the side property lines. Square footage range: 1600-3500.
	Creek Manor Style A larger version of the creek style makes for even grander views. Porches are bound to figure prominently in the design of these homes, although guidelines do not require them. Covenants concerning fences are fairly specific, including the requirements that they not run along the front lot line, nor border more than 49% of the total perimeter of the property. Square footage range: 2000-6000.
	Maritime Watch Style Taking into consideration their elevated location on the forested dune ridge, these houses will have spectacular views and a required second level on the rear side. First floor porches must extend along 25% of the street frontage, while the rear porch is required to extend along 40% of the required frontage. Porch enclosures of up to 50% are permitted. Square footage range: 1600-3500.
	Eco Style Design guidelines for these homes vary with each individual homesite. Exceptional care must be taken to preserve trees, topography and other natural features, so setbacks, square footage and other requirements will be customized on an individual basis. The result of such an approach: Protection of the environment, and all the charm and coziness of a tree house.
	Manor Style Offering space to spread out, manor houses are larger and more flexible than many other types, making them a good option for large families, or even several families at once. There is no porch requirement, but fences must be designed to define and create space rather than simply run along the edge of the property. Square footage range: 1600-3500.
	Maritime View Style To maximize views and curb appeal, these story-and-a-half homes are required to have porches on the first floor that wrap the corner along South East Beach Drive or Station House Way, and fences that follow the street-side perimeter and run between lots. Porch enclosures of up to 50% of the total length are optional. Square footage range: 1600-3500.
	Shoals Watch Beach Style These premier homesites face South Beach, and guidelines take advantage of sweeping views by requiring that porches wrap the north, east and south sides. (The west side is allowed, but not required.) In order to encourage coastal Carolina vernacular proportions, the second floor of this story-and-a-half design may not exceed 50% of the first floor’s square footage. Square footage range: 2,000-6,000.
	Shoals Watch Manor Style Homesites designated as Shoals Watch Manor are given a great deal of flexibility as to specific guidelines, but will, of course, honor the overall Cape Fear Station architectural style. Design features take into account that the views from these sites will be among the island’s finest. Square footage requirements vary according to lot, but fall into the following range: 1200-3500.