Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

With the world in turmoil, we all need something to look forward to, and what better prospect than an ultra-luxurious socially distant vacation. Upscale Living magazine brings you ten of the most opulent choices for 2021 to start planning now.

About an hour northwest of Atlanta lies Barnsley Resort. The 3,000-acre resort-meets-playground is the perfect backdrop to relax and enjoy a covid-friendly escape. The resort is home to a 55-room Inn as well as a mix of 39 luxurious private and semi-private cottages, which range from one to seven bedrooms and easily allow for safe social distancing with private porches and entrances.

Furthermore, the resort offers many outdoor activities, providing endless opportunities to stay entertained with plenty of space to socially distance. Indulge in sophisticated dishes at Rice House, a beautiful 19th-century farmhouse restaurant that practices a true garden-to-table philosophy, or enjoy elevated southern-inspired cuisine at Woodlands Grill, overlooking the picturesque golf course and surrounding hills. To further enhance guest safety, the main restaurants have reduced capacities and are currently operating on a reservations-only system to maintain a maximum capacity.

For the most luxurious accommodations, look no further than the Queens Suite on the Inns second floor, which was newly constructed in 2018. This suite offers 1,200 sq. ft. of space with a private living and dining room, a separate bedroom with a king bed and soaking tub, and an expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the resorts grounds. In addition to a dining table set for six, this suite includes a butlers pantry and powder room.

Deeper into the Tuscan mountains, the medieval city of Lucca will not only welcome travelers looking for an off-the-beaten patch escape but also its first full-service luxury hotel the Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Collection. Standing stylishly and overlooking Piazza del Giglio and Piazza Napoleone, the former 16th-century palazzo will debut a masterfully renovated design, fueled by art and music-focused concept that is beautifully evocative of the citys past and present.

The hotels unique location in the magical city of Lucca offers a unique perspective on Tuscanys rich historical and culinary culture, as well as an alternative for travelers with a newly developed affection for less-crowded cities with equally enriching experiences. North American travelers anticipating a return to Italy in 2021 can look forward to performances by Celine Dion, John Legend, and Ben Harper, amongst others, during the 2021 Lucca Summer Festival, hosted in July adjacent to the property where a number of guest rooms face the piazza.

Fifty-five elegantly decorated guest rooms and suites reflect a unique blend of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication, with earthy colors, wooden surfaces, and golden details, combined with lush silk and velvet textiles. Delicate suspended pendant lights made of glass pay homage to the propertys glassblowing history. Music being one of the hotels inherent pillars, the name of each room reflects this culture.

One of only five camps in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains, has unrivaled access to more than 100,000 acres of exclusive land, prime habitat for a vast number of wildlife species, as well as unfettered access to the 375,000 acres Maasai Mara Reserve. Hailed as one of the finest places in Africa, guests might struggle to decide between sightings of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards.

The design and dcor pay homage to the essence of East Africa; Swahili heritage is reflected in large wooden doors from the island of Lamu and accents of red to honor the great Maasai chiefs and warriors. With the rich leathers, copper, and brass used in campaign-style furniture, you have a lavish yet comfortable atmosphere that complements rather than overwhelms the surrounding wilderness.

Great Plains Conservation is thrilled to announce the construction of a brand-new villa opening on June 1st, 2021, the Mara Jahazi Suite. This will be an exclusive use villa residence consisting of a three-bedroom suite, shared lounge, and dining area, including a private game drive vehicle, guide, and chef. The Mara Jahazi Suite will be privately guided and hosted. The new villa in the trees is ideal for group travelers and multi-generational travel and accommodates children aged 8 and up.

Early 2021 will see the much-anticipated launch of Moskito Island in the BVIs, situated just two miles from sister island, Necker. Home to the Branson Estate, which is newly available for rental, next year will see the full launch of Moskito Island in what has already been described as the most exclusive homeowners association in the world. As the island sets to launch with brand new uber-luxury private Estates for rental, it is most certainly one to watch for 2021.

The privately-owned Caribbean island is made up of 10 individual estates, all set within 125 acres of stunning paradise. It is jointly owned by Sir Richard Branson and individual homeowners, who together are creating one of the most exclusive collections of upscale luxury estates in the world. Virgin Limited Edition is responsible for the management of the island, and a number of those estates will be available for rental on an individual basis in the near future.

Many of the Moskito Island estates remain in the early stages of completion. The luxury 11-bedroom Branson Estate, owned by Sir Richard Branson, is one of the first available for rental, with other estates expected to become available as we move through 2021. Moskito Island will go far beyond conventional villa rental by providing guests with luxury private homes on a privately owned Caribbean island.

Encapsulating the laid-back glamour of the French Riviera, the MUSE Saint-Tropez is the ultimate secluded retreat. The property is perched atop a rocky clifftop in the picturesque medieval village of Ramatuelle, providing guests with an oasis of serenity amongst a variety of flora and fauna in the heart of an award-winning ecological and self-sustainable garden designed by acclaimed landscape artist Sophie Agata Ambroise.

The chic retreat reflects architectural simplicity with its pure lines, beautiful terraced gardens weaving around the swimming pool, a stylish bar, and a charming reception area. Its fifteen luxurious suites, each dedicated to famous muses and characteristically individual decor and ambiance, lie nestled around the enchanting garden and feature private plunge pools, a private garden and terrace, an outdoor shower, and exceptional bathrooms. During their stay, guests can enjoy sitting by the beautiful main pool on the luxurious cabanas.

The property also boasts La Tente by Spa Village, offering a menu of vitality treatments for guests, inspired by the natural abundance of the landscape, and features vitality treatments that harness the resort and gardens potent herbs, flowers, and plants. For a truly socially distanced stay, guests also have the option of receiving their spa treatments in the comfort of their own suite, which includes a personal spa service room.

The months of May through November mean one thing in Patagonia: puma season. Although Chiles largest land carnivores are known to be elusive,Quasar Expeditionsoffers guests the chance to witness the magnificent creatures through theirPuma Tracking Safaris. Travelers have the opportunity to spend their days outdoors observing the wild cats thanks to the expertise of Quasars tracking team, trained to maximize chances of seeing the worlds largest mountain lions and assisting guests in discovering a side of Patagonia most travelers never get to see.

Additionally, guests have access to the top highlights in Patagonia, such as kayaking, hiking, and ice trekking, and the freedom to explore the region at their own pace in their very own Jeep Wrangler, either via a self-drive experience (where they are behind the wheel and in complete control) or alternatively on a guided tour where one of Quasars expert guides accompanies them throughout the trip in a separate vehicle.

After exciting days of tracking pumas and zipping around Patagonia in their Jeeps, guests stay at some of the top hotels and lodges in all of South America where they can unwind with a relaxing spa treatment, delicious meal, and luxurious room. Travelers get to experience both outdoor adventure and comfort, creating a best of both worlds vacation.

Located within the prestigious and highly sought-after Anahita Golf and Spa Resort on the East Coast of Mauritius, Villa Charlotte combines luxury living with exemplary architecture and design. With 9,730 ft2 of living space, comprising six bedrooms and a spectacular, landscaped private garden with a stunning 25-meter pool, the villa offers the perfect space for rest and relaxation.

Positioned next to the stunning swimming pool, the large open plan kitchen and living space is the heart of Villa Charlotte. Each of the rooms has been individually decorated and feature custom-made, locally-made furniture throughout. Uniquely, Villa Charlotte boasts superb sea, golf, and mountain views, collectively showcasing the panoramic backdrop of this stunning piece of the island. The generous master bedroom offers complete privacy with its own expansive terrace benefitting from the trio of outstanding views.

Part of Richstone Collections private luxury villas and manors available for selective private rentals and secluded vacation bookings, this pristine property encapsulates the ultimate in bespoke high-end service Richstone Collection is renowned for. The newest addition to the Richstone Collection, Villa Charlotte is a breathtaking property within the Anahita Resort, home of the Four Seasons Hotel, on the paradise island of Mauritius. Putting guests minds at ease, Richstone Collection takes considerable measures at each property to ensure proper sanitary precautions to protect guests during their stay.

New to the rental market in 2021,VillaFosis a beautifully refurbished luxuryvillanestled above Kalami in the sought-after north-east ofCorfu. Up to ten adults and two children can enjoy the propertys expansive yet private setting, the private chef, heated infinity pool, and uninterrupted panoramic sea views.

Thevillahas been cleverly designed to capitalize on its spectacular location: expect immaculate views across three floors, verandas where you can enjoy mealtimes and sunset viewing.VillaFosalso boasts an elevator that connects all three floors, as well as providing access to anyone with wheelchair specifications. On the ground floor, two en-suite bedrooms have access to a large canopy veranda, in addition to a fully equipped modern gym. The middle floor has three en-suite bedrooms; two double bedrooms and a master bedroom with a double bed, an open-plan bathroom with a free-standing bath, as well as access to a large balcony.

The top floor consists of a fully equipped open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with a beautiful veranda that has an outdoor bbq area, a large dining table that comfortably seats twelve guests. Its easy to spend the whole day outside at Villa Fos with plenty of options on where to soak up the sun, lounge in the shade, or cool off in your private pool.

Villa La Vigie is one of the most iconic villas on the French Riviera a property regularly visited by Karl Lagerfeld between 1986 and 2000 and a home he held so dear to his heart. Located on the cape of the Monte-Carlo Beach and set amid a tree-filled private estate, Villa La Vigie offers unparalleled views of the Mediterranean, the Principality, and the bay of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.

Acquired by Monte-Carlo Socit des Bains de Mer (SBM) in 1952, La Vigie was rented year-round to Karl Lagerfeld. In return for a rather modest rental price, Lagerfeld undertook extensive restoration work in the villa, ensuring that its exotic garden and panoramic terrace overlooking the sea retained its neoclassical charm.

Spread over three levels and offering 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 dressing rooms, high-end appliances, and discreet and elegant dcor, it also boasts a superb 237-square-meter terrace. Marble, columns, fireplaces, parquet flooring, and high ceilings create a modern and sophisticated ambiance. The villa has its own private road and is surrounded by a tree-covered park so you can arrive by helicopter and be whisked off in a luxury car transfer and arrive at the villa in minutes! This glamourous and modern beachside hotel, designed by renowned architect India Mahdavi, excludes elegance.

View original post here:
Ultra Luxurious Socially Distanced Vacations To Plan For This Year - Upscale Living Magazine

Over the years, we've seen many different versions of pop music legend Madonna, as she has mastered the art of reinventing herself. "That's me. Resilience and reinvention. And that's how we keep going," the singer told Kim Kardashian during anevent for MDNASKIN. And whew, she sure has bought some interesting stuff throughout her different eras.

Who could forget the Material Girl's mid-'00s Kabbalah phase? "It's a belief system. It's incredibly scientific and, as I said, it predates religion. Madonna said toLarry King of the faith. When asked how she discovered the religious group, she said, "I was looking for the answers to life...What am I doing here? What is my purpose?....I heard about these classes they were teaching. I heard they were very scientific in nature."

Well, according toIn Touch Weekly(via Today),Madonna reportedly racked upa monthly bill of $10,000 on... water. Specifically, blessed bottled Kabbalah water. Each bottle cost $5 a piece, and apparently, she couldn't get enough of the stuff. So much so, that she, according toThe Mirror, apparently wanted to fill her pool with it. Alas, as the outlet goes on to state, then-estranged husband Guy Richie pumped the brakes on that plan.It's a shame because MTV Cribs would've had a field day.

Follow this link:
The Most Bizarre Things Celebrities Splurged On - Nicki Swift

The third phase of StreetLights Residentials project at The Canals at Grand Park, The Margo, is now open. The four-story development, located at 4545 Mission Avenue in Frisco, Texas, offers 358 luxury residences ranging from studios to townhomes. This is the third residential project StreetLights, a national design-driven developer of multifamily and mixed-use communities based in Dallas, has developed in The Canals, with phases one and two, The Kathryn and The Maxwell, already completed.

Were thrilled to complete the third phase of The Canals at Grand Park and continuing to expand our presence in Frisco, said StreetLights vice president of development, Greg Coutant. The Margo is a perfect example of our missiondesigning beautiful homes that combine simple elegance with the convenience of a vibrant, growing neighborhood.

Offering unexpected spaces with the added benefit of community, The Margo features smartly designed, beautifully crafted interiors. Floorplans are available in studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom plans as well as townhomes, ranging from 507 to 2,094 square feet, including two kitchen and bath scheme design options. Each home features Sonos One smart speakers, as well as dine-in gourmet islands and crafted kitchen cabinetry including a pull-out trash drawer. Custom lighting accents, wood style flooring, and 10-foot crafted ceilings and eight-foot doorways create an open, inviting space. Oversized balconies or private yards are available in select units, as well as urban mud rooms in entryways, custom built-in bookcases and desks, and rainfall or handheld showerheads and energy-efficient washers and dryers.

When spending time outdoors, The Margo offers a full suite of community amenities, including an oversized pool with lounge seating, cabanas and sun deck, as well as an outdoor kitchen and media lounge for entertaining. Other exclusive amenities include co-working spaces, a Makers creative space and potting shed, private dining and library, a pet lawn and spa and a bike repair and storage station. Electric car charging stations are also available for residents.

The Margo combines exceptional design with ultimate convenience, providing easy access to Friscos thriving downtown area, as well as shopping and dining at the Star District and nearby Legacy West. The Margo is also steps away from Founders Hall, a spacious community center offering indoor and outdoor activities including a pet park for the entire south side of The Canals at Grand Park, with monthly resident events hosted by Apartment Life.

StreetLights Creative Studio was the architect of record. Ink + Oro designed the leasing and amenity spaces. Gables Residential is the property manager.

See the rest here:
StreetLights Residential announces opening of The Margo in Frisco REJournals - REjournals.com

New York is a city thats seemingly always under construction. But for all that building, some richer neighborhoods havent added a single new home overall in the past decade and have even lost units.

Thats because so many people combined apartments or homes into one dwelling, the total for new housing dipped below zero, according to a new analysis by the Department of City Planning.

The Upper East Sides stagnation was particularly stark, the study shows. The area saw more than 2,000 residential units built since 2010. But because so many alterations took place there over the same period, much of the neighborhood lost housing.

Overall, the area added fewer new residential units over the past decade than 57 of the citys 59 community districts, the report said.

The news came to no surprise to Barry Schneider, an Upper East Sider for 54 years who lives in a condominium building on First Avenue that he estimates has lost about 20 units to combination renovations since hes lived there.

Its fairly common, he said. The apartment directly below us combined two floors. The apartment directly to the south of us, next door, they have a combined apartment.

The department analyzed the figures using its new database of all housing construction and demolition jobs approved by the Department of Buildings in the five boroughs since Jan. 1, 2010.

The vast majority of city neighborhoods added housing. In Hudson Yards, Long Island City, the Greenpoint waterfront and Downtown Brooklyn, the net gain for housing proved high up to 65 new units per acre.

But in other parts of town, demolitions and alterations wiped out new construction gains including in the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side adjacent to Central Park, most of SoHo and the West Village. Those areas lost between half a unit and six units per acre over the 10-year period analyzed.

The report analyzed data through June of 2020, accounting for the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic when some New Yorkers fled the richest parts of the city including both the highest and lowest housing-producing neighborhoods.

Howard Slatkin, deputy executive director for strategic planning at the Department of City Planning, believes this type of analysis is important to help New Yorkers to grasp the forces affecting the housing supply.

People see housing demand when it spreads vertically when buildings pop up, when you see new construction but what they dont see is that the demand for housing also spreads horizontally, he said. In the absence of those new additions, as affluent people take more space and larger residences for themselves, what you get is a reduction in total housing units.

The report includes alterations of all kinds, from relatively simple two-apartment combinations to mega-mansion projects like Russian billionaire Roman Abromavichs four-townhouse complex on East 75th Street.

It also includes those places where alterations actually added units, such as in Queens Ozone Park, where creating multiple apartments within a single-family home is common.

The report comes as conversations about how to contend with New Yorks housing affordability crisis seeps into the citys upcoming elections, with a fight over rezoning SoHo to allow for more residential housing taking center stage. Many mayoral candidates are aiming to make affordable housing a priority in their administrations.

More broadly, a cohort of City Council candidates have made bringing more affordable housing to the citys richest neighborhoods part of their campaigns.

On the Upper West Side, Sara Lind is among them. Her housing plan calls for changing land use rules to allow more dense residential construction and create subsidized apartments for low-income families.

Were losing units. We need more housing, and more of it needs to be affordable, she said. Instead, people are doing these conversions to create what works for their family.

Sign up and get the latest stories from THE CITY delivered to you each morning

More:
NYCs Wealthy Enclaves Lost Housing in Past Decade as Combining of Apartments Outpaced New Construction - THE CITY

The Leo at LaGrotte Square would incorporate the former Indianapolis Public Schools School No. 7 building (at right) at 748 E. Bates St. (Rendering courtesy of Holladay Properties)

Holladay Properties plans to develop a 138-unit apartment project adjacent to its downtown Indianapolis offices in the Fletcher Place neighborhood.

The South Bend-based firm is expected to start construction this summer on The Leo at LaGrotte Square in the 200 block of South College Avenue, which will include new construction and the rehabilitation of the former Indianapolis Public Schools School 7 building at 748 E. Bates St.

The project, with an estimated development cost of $27 million, would include a six-story, 124-unit building on a lot north of Holladays local headquarters at the former Milano Inn restaurant.

The project would feature four stories of apartment units over a two-story parking podium with 134 parking spaces and a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units. Another 14 apartments with exposed brick and high ceilings would be incorporated into the former school building, which is currently being used as office space.

The Leo is expected to include a variety of amenities, such as courtyards, a fitness center, a dog park, a game room and clubhouse, a business center and a dog washing and grooming area. It is also expected to include bicycle storage and a bocce court.

The buildings would be connected by a one-story building housing some of the amenity spaces. The business center and a library will be in the school building, with the fitness center incorporated into the new construction.

Holladay acquired the properties containing the Milano Inn and the former school building in 2017 and 2018 from the LaGrotte family, which ran the Italian restaurant for several decades.

Dan Phair, a partner and vice president of development for Holladay, said the firm considers the project a perfect fit for the southeast side of downtown.

He pointed to the projects location within a few blocks of corporate campuses for Eli Lilly and Co., Indiana Farm Bureau, Anthem Inc. and Rolls-Roycealong with a variety of amenities like Bankers Life Fieldhouse and the Indianapolis Cultural Trailas likely being key drivers for the the project when it comes time to lease units.

Those, Phair said, along with the amazing views of the skyline, are just some of the benefits of the location of The Leo.

The project is expected to go before the citys Regional Center Hearing Examiner for design approvals on Feb. 25, after the group received a continuance from the previously scheduled Feb. 11 meeting.

Axis Architecture is the designer on the project.

The project is south of the $28 million Vue apartment project by Herman & Kittle Properties Inc., a 240-unit complex completed in early 2018, and the 31-unit Switchyard townhouse project from Onyx & East.

Read the original:
Holladay planning $27M apartment project in Fletcher Place by former Milano Inn - Indianapolis Business Journal

February 8, 2021 Prices for residential building construction increased at a faster pace in Q4 2020 (+2.9%) than in Q3 (+2.5%). In the fact, gain in the fourth quarter was the largest on record, reports Statscan.

Conversely, the growth in prices for non-residential building construction slowed in Q4 (+0.4%) compared with Q3 (+0.5%).

Construction prices for residential buildings were up in Q4 in all of the census metropolitan areas (CMAs) covered by Statscans survey. Non-residential construction prices increased at a slower pace in every CMA except Moncton, where they were flat.

Year over year, residential building construction costs (+6.6%) rose at 4X the pace of non-residential construction (+1.5%) in the fourth quarter, mainly because of the high demand for housing and a shortage of lumber across the country.

Lumber shortages still impacting residential construction prices

A combination of tight supply and high demand for lumber continued from the third quarter into the fourth, driving up the cost of residential building construction.

Typically, the seasonal nature of the construction sector results in less activity in the winter months and provides sawmills with the opportunity to restock their log yards in preparation for the coming year. However, shutdowns of sawmills last spring because of Covidas well as unseasonably mild weather in British Columbiamade it more difficult to harvest logs.

The resulting tight supply drove up prices for lumber and other wood (+44.0%) and softwood lumber (+78.8%) in December 2020 compared with December 2019.

The demand for residential construction in the United States and Canada also remained high, with the total value of building permits increasing 9.5% in Q4 2020.

Costs increase for all residential building types

Nationally, construction costs rose for all residential building types covered by Stascans survey in the fourth quarter.

The largest quarterly price increases were for townhouses (+4.1%) and single-detached houses (+3.8%). Due in part to the smaller usage of lumber in high-rise apartment construction compared with all other residential building types, the cost for this building type rose at the slowest pace, edging up 0.6% in the fourth quarter.

While construction costs for residential buildings were up in every CMA covered by the survey, St. Johns (+5.5%) and Ottawa (+4.7%) recorded the largest gains.

Non-residential construction price growth is minor

The growth of the cost of non-residential building construction slowed in the fourth quarter, with price increases ranging from 0.3% for shopping centres and bus depots with maintenance and repair facilities, to 0.5% for warehouses and factories.

The largest increases in construction costs for non-residential buildings were in Halifax (+1.1%) and Ottawa (+0.9%), as well as in Montreal and St. Johns (both up 0.6%).

The slower price growth in non-residential buildings was partially attributable to lower construction costs in this building type, which requires less lumber, as well as to business uncertainty and a reintroduction of tighter physical distancing measures in certain regions of the country during the recent resurgence of Covid cases.

The year 2020 in review

Nationally, residential building construction rose at a faster pace in 2020 (+3.8% versus 2.9%) compared with a year earlier, while non-residential construction costs rose at a much slower pace (+1.6% versus 3.5%).

Residential construction costs increased the most in Ottawa (+5.8%), Moncton (+4.5%) and St. Johns (+4.3%) in 2020.

Non-residential construction costs increased the most in Montreal (+3.4%), Ottawa (+3.0%) and Toronto (+2.6%), while Saskatoon was the lone CMA covered by the survey to show no price movement in 2020.

Construction costs for residential buildings rose the most for townhouses (+4.4%) and single-detached houses (+4.1%) from 2019 to 2020, while construction costs for high-rise apartment buildings (+2.3%) increased the least.

Slowdowns in shipments of construction materials, along with physical distancing measures, curtailed or temporarily halted building construction activity in the first quarter of 2020.

Although construction resumed in the second quarter in all CMAs covered by the survey, productivity on worksites declined as employees abided by increased health & safety protocols.

Supply chains continued to be disrupted throughout 2020, and lumber shortages drove construction prices higher in the wake of increased demand for new housing and renovation projects.

Outlook for 2021

Shifts in homebuyers preferences to accommodate working from homecombined with historically low interest rates and increased optimism for the reopening of the economy as the vaccine rollout beginsare factors that should continue to drive demand for housing and put upward pressure on residential building construction prices.

Lumber prices are predicted to continue rising for most of 2021, which will increase the construction costs of new homes. Homebuilders could struggle to take advantage of the demand for new housing as they scramble to obtain the lumber they need amid tight supplies.

See the original post here:
Building construction price indexes, Q4 2020 - Lumber still an issue - Electrical Business - Electrical Business

BOAT WORKS RESIDENCES

Marathon, Florida

What: 52 units of affordable housing featuring a majority of two-bedroom, two-bath apartments, but also one-bedroom and one-bath apartments and three-bedroom, two-bath apartments. Market rate homes will be developed on the oceanfront (gulf) in a separate phase. Building is three stories over parking.

Where: Corner of Louisa and 39th streets.

What used to be there: boat yard.

When: Scheduled to be complete by late summer.

How much? Rent is calculated based on household income and number of bedrooms based on rules by Florida Housing Finance Corp., a state-run entity. The units at Boat Works are intended to serve locals who earn 80% of the median income of $81,400. A two-person household earning $64,480 would qualify for a two-bedroom apartment that rents for $1,814.

How can I apply for residence? Registration is handled by the AGPM Management team and company officials say there is already a waiting list of 300. For more information, visit the office at 624 73rd Street, call 305-916-5416 or email [emailprotected].

Read the original here:
WHATS THIS? ANOTHER 50+ AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Florida Keys Weekly

ANN ARBOR, MI A major housing development on a 64-acre site could bring 538 new homes to Ann Arbors north side, along with nature trails and new connections to Leslie Park.

The new community, dubbed the Village of Ann Arbor, would rise between the Arrowwood Hills housing cooperative to the south and the Northside Ridge condos to the north and west.

An initial conceptual plan calls for a variety of rental and for-sale homes, including 78 townhomes with two-car garages, 67 townhomes with one-car garages, 48 units of townhomes over flats, 45 single-family homes and 300 apartments.

Bloomfield Hills-based Robertson Brothers Homes is teaming up with Lansing-based DTN Management Co. on the development off Pontiac Trail and Dhu Varren Road.

They presented initial plans to neighbors during a virtual Zoom meeting Monday night, Feb. 8.

Our vision for the property really is more of a village type of concept, said Tim Loughrin, Robertsons land acquisition director. What were envisioning is a wide mix of housing options for all ages and stages of life.

As for pricing, townhomes could start in the $200,000s while the single-family homes may start in the $300,000s, with upscale apartments priced at about $2,000 per month on average, according to the development team.

A closer look at the mix of housing types included in the Village of Ann Arbor conceptual plan.Land Design Studio courtesy of Robertson Brothers Homes

Housing units could range from 684 to 3,000 square feet overall, including everything from one- to five-bedroom units, Loughrin said, assuring residents they would be very high quality. A lot of the homes would be family-oriented, he said.

The apartments would have lots of amenities and would be designed to look like houses, the development team said.

The conceptual plan shows a small dog park, an outdoor barbecue area and grassy outdoor seating area within the apartment community, plus an outdoor pool next to a community clubhouse, which could include amenities such as a fitness center/yoga studio and work stations.

The project, while within the citys ultimate borders, involves annexing a township island from Ann Arbor Township into the city and zoning it for residential development.

That process could take several months, Loughrin said, predicting the development could start in 2022 or 2023 with approvals from the city and state.

24 Ann Arbor developments to watch in 2021

The development team plans to seek brownfield tax incentives for an environmental cleanup of the site.

Part of the site used to be an old city landfill up until about the 1950s, and another part was a sand and gravel operation that was heavily mined in the 1920s and 30s and later filled with mainly construction-type debris, Loughrin said.

Theyre planning to leave the landfill area, which is filled with household waste and now nicely treed over, as a nearly 10-acre community woodland park with trails connecting to the adjacent Leslie Park, Loughrin said.

The former gravel pit area is where there would be some cleanup before homes are built on top.

There are environmental concerns that were working through with our environmental consultants, Loughrin said.

The site is across from two new developments taking shape on Pontiac Trail: the North Sky project by Pulte Homes, which includes 139 single-family homes and a four-story, 56-unit condo or apartment building, and a 682-bed apartment complex called The One targeting University of Michigan students.

The Village of Ann Arbor plan shows access drives from both Pontiac Trail and Dhu Varren, giving the public new ways to access Leslie Park by cutting through the development.

There also could be a connection for pedestrians and cyclists to the condo neighborhood to the north via Hunley Drive.

There will be multiple open space areas and plenty of new neighborhood connections that will connect Olson Park all the way through Leslie Park through the development, and this would include biking and walking trails, Loughrin said.

The primary concern of neighbors who spoke Monday night was the potential for more vehicle traffic, as well as more people walking and cycling on their streets, including people walking dogs to and from Olson Park, and the need to ensure safety.

Some suggested doing more to coordinate plans with the other neighboring developments, including configurations of driveways, crosswalks and bus stops.

James Adams, who lives in the Dhu Varren on the Park neighborhood on Leslie Park Circle, raised the issue of traffic to and from Leslie Park via his private street off Dhu Varren.

Development team representatives said they think the new Village of Ann Arbor development will actually help with that by giving people more ways to come and go from the park, and many coming up Pontiac Trail will be able to take a straight shot over to Leslie Park through the new development.

There are several more layers of review to go and traffic studies will be done, the development team noted.

With hundreds upon hundreds of new housing units being built in the area, several neighbors said theyre hoping to eventually see some new retail built so they can have a neighborhood store. Thats something they agreed is missing.

As for the level of housing density proposed, Loughrin said its in line with the citys master plan for the area, which calls for 10 units per acre. The Village of Ann Arbor would have 8.4.

Robertson has constructed over 7,000 homes in southeast Michigan over the last 75 years, with about 100 different developments, and 97% of homebuyers are willing to refer their friends and family to Robertson, Loughrin said.

The company has 15 more residential developments underway and about 1,200 more homes in its land acquisition pipeline, Loughrin said.

The company focuses on infill developments that create vibrant communities, rather than building out in corn fields, he said.

DTN, founded in 1972, manages about 120 properties and has acquired or developed over 8,000 residential units, plus about 1 million square feet of commercial space, Loughrin said. DTN would manage the apartment community.

Julie Roth, leader of Ann Arbors Solarize Program, asked the development team about possible sustainability features to help meet the citys carbon-neutrality goals and whether there could be solar panels and a district geothermal loop tapping into the earths energy to heat and cool the entire development.

The development team has been in talks with the citys sustainability office and the project will strive for several green-energy initiatives, Loughrin said, mentioning the possibility of having all-electric buildings, for example.

As far as geothermal, the team would have to work with environmental consultants and engineers to see if thats possible, he said.

Parking spaces for all units would be wired for electric vehicle chargers, the development team said.

Following Mondays meeting, next steps in the process include the developer finalizing and submitting a site plan to the city that will be reviewed by city staff and then eventually go through Planning Commission and City Council for approval.

MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

Big zoning changes on the horizon could allow more housing in Ann Arbor

Developer aims to save Ann Arbor oak forest from becoming a subdivision

Ann Arbor spending $1.5M to add 3.8-acre wooded area to city park network

Expecting senior population boom, Ann Arbor officials OK new housing for older adults

Hybrid learning information sessions for elementary students being hosted by Ann Arbor Public Schools

See the original post:
538 new houses, condos and apartments proposed on Ann Arbors north side - MLive.com

A new seven-story building is planned for Reily Street in Harrisburg on a 1.01 acre site near the future Federal Courthouse.

KevGar Holdco, which is owned by Kevin Baird and Gary Nalbandian, and 400 Reily Street Management, plans to develop the building that will include commercial space for a 23,000-square-foot grocery store, an 8,000-square-foot restaurant and coffee shop, a 1,500-square-foot office; 85 apartments; and an approximately 500-space parking garage.

The grocery store would have an outdoor seating area and bike racks will be installed as part of the project.

The building would replace four buildings on Reily Street, that are all more than 100 years old, according to Dauphin County property tax records. Those buildings would all be demolished. The buildings include a 1,784-square-foot structure at 422 Reily St.; a 1,476-square-foot structure at 430 Reily Street, a 1,920-square-foot structure at 432 Reily St. and another 1,248-square-foot structure.

The project was brought before the Harrisburg Planning Commission on Wednesday night via Zoom to request various zoning relief from use and development regulations required for the construction of the development, which unanimously recommended by the commission.

The Federal Courthouse is currently under construction.

The Harrisburg Housing Authority also plans to build a new five-story, 50-unit affordable housing apartment building nearby in front of Lick Tower on Sixth Street.

--Business Buzz

You can follow Daniel Urie on twitter @DanielUrie2018 and you can like him on Facebook.

See the original post here:
7-story building with parking garage, restaurant and apartments to be built near new courthouse in Harrisburg - PennLive

Natale also hopes to have the first two of the three apartment buildings ready for occupancy by the end of 2021, with the third coming online in spring 2022, Corrao said.

But this depends on receiving tax breaks from the Amherst IDA, Natale said at the Jan. 25 Village Board meeting.

That's because labor for the project is getting more expensive and harder to find thanks to the pandemic and the cost of lumber and other building materials also is going up,according to Natale. Each of the three apartment buildings likely will cost an extra $250,000 to construct for those reasons, Natale said.

The apartment buildings represent about half the estimated $30 million cost of the project, Corrao said. The developer calculates the apartments now will cost $16 million to $16.5 million, with an unknown increase in the cost of the town houses still to come.

The tax incentives won't fully cover this increase but will help put the project back on solid financial footing, Natale told Village Board members.

Only the apartments would be eligible for the incentives, which would take the form of sales, mortgage recording and property tax breaks.

And the tax breaks, if approved by the IDA, only would apply to future investment in the project.

A payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, agreement would be the most lucrative piece of any tax incentives.

See the article here:
Developer of in-progress $31M housing project in Williamsville seeks tax breaks - Buffalo News