Where Family Legacies Begin
The Heritage is more than a place to call home
Photos by Russell Lands
In 1846, Benjamin ‘Mr. Ben’ Russell first purchased a plot of land in South Central Alabama. Generations later, the Russell family remains rooted there. They created decades of memories on the shores of Lake Martin—holiday dinners, summer adventures, and quiet mornings—and over their years of developing the area, they invited other families to call Lake Martin home, too. Known as Russell Lands, the network of neighborhoods features beautiful homes and cabins that work in concert with the natural surroundings. The newest luxury lakefront community, The Heritage, continues to build upon the family legacy.
A home should be more than a place where you rest your head. Home is a place to host friends and family, a place to celebrate, a place to play, to relax, and to enjoy. It’s a place you make memories—and The Heritage was created with this in mind. Located along 12 miles of the sparkling Lake Martin shoreline, The Heritage will feature more than 240 waterfront homes and 130 wooded interior lots. The views encapsulate all there is to enjoy at The Heritage—the scenic shoreline, wooded acreage, and the centerpiece of the community, the private Wicker Point Golf Club. The first offering of lakefront real estate comes this summer, a perfect time to enjoy life on the water.
Though each lot offers privacy, there are also amenities for the property owners to enjoy. The Lake Club, located on the water, is the ideal place for a party or get-together. The indoor event space features a catering kitchen and event bar. The Lake Club also houses a fully-equipped fitness facility, as well as covered verandas with unparalleled views of Lake Martin. The grounds of the Lake Club are home to a saline pool, outdoor grills, tennis courts, a tennis pro-shop, and pickleball courts—places to linger and enjoy company. The covered pavilions, waterfront beach, firepits, and community dock system provide more space to gather.
Another highlight of The Heritage is the private Wicker Point Golf Club. The course is one-of-a-kind—the only Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw-designed course in Alabama. The 18-hole course reflects the natural beauty of the area, taking players on a peaceful path past tall pines, meandering creeks, and the lakefront. The topography not only provides a serene environment to play—but also a stimulating one. The varying terrains present a unique challenge on every hole. The private club is expected to open in summer of 2023.
To elevate the experience even further, the Wicker Point Golf Club Clubhouse and Golf Shop are located on the premises. Designed by Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates, the clubhouse has a wraparound porch that offers scenic views of the course and Lake Martin. It’s a picture-perfect setting, inviting you into leisure after a round of golf. The Golf Shop also invites you into relaxation with its “wind down” room featuring a lounge area and bar. Besides offering both men’s and women’s locker rooms and a pro shop, there is also a practice putting course. There, players will be able to sharpen their skills before a round.
As residents of The Heritage are welcomed into the Russell Lands community this year, they will also be able to explore all the community has to offer. It all comes together at Russell Crossroads, the epicenter of shopping, entertainment, and dining. Catherine’s Market has everything you need for picnic lunches or gourmet dinners, from meat and produce to from-scratch bakery items. The Company Store has clothing, games, and other lake-themed gifts. SpringHouse offers a fine dining experience overlooking The Stables, and the Town Green is perfect for a picnic.
Outdoor activities abound at Russell Lands. The AMP brings live music to Lake Martin, including the exciting Alex City Jazz Fest. The Stables is a two-story equestrian center that’s home to beautiful horses, some of which you can take on a guided trail ride. Russell Forest is the perfect place to experience the Russell Lands woodlands hiking, biking, or on horseback. To learn more about the local flora and fauna, you can book a tour with the Naturalist, while everything you need for an outdoor adventure can be found at The Adventure Center.
Russell Lands was founded on the ideal that we should live in harmony with the land so that future generations can continue to enjoy it. The Heritage carries on that legacy, ready for a new generation of families to begin making memories.
Learn more about The Heritage at russelllands.com/the-heritage