House & Home

Building a community lifestyle

With so many people flocking to the Triangle area these days, builders have to pull out all the stops to attract buyers to their homes. Trends in the area show that buyers want more than just a beautiful home. Buyers want more accessibility to dining, shopping, and major highways. Buyers want the best schools. But most of all, buyers want amenities that help simplify their lives rather than complicate them.

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Laurie Anne Ajan / New Homes & Ideas

With so many people flocking to the Triangle area these days, builders have to pull out all the stops to attract buyers to their homes. Trends in the area show that buyers want more than just a beautiful home. Buyers want more accessibility to dining, shopping, and major highways. Buyers want the best schools. But most of all, buyers want amenities that help simplify their lives rather than complicate them.

Photo courtesy of Briar Chapel
So what exactly are builders doing to stand apart from the crowd? They are creating more than just communities; they are creating lifestyles. How exactly are they doing that? Edwin Woods, Division President at Dan Ryan Builders explains: “We have so many different types of neighborhoods—from starter homes to luxury homes—but we try to make sure there is something unique about each one. Location is what draws the buyer. So when we are looking at new communities or neighborhoods, we take into consideration everything in the area: schools, shopping, dining; location is everything.”

Additionally, because open spaces and greenways seem to be more popular now, many builders in the area try to find a way to incorporate outdoor living areas into their communities. Buyers tend to choose communities where they can meet their neighbors and get involved in social activities in the community. Many of the new home communities featured in this magazine showcase incredible amenities, such as swimming pools with waterslides and kid’s splash zones, event lawns where movies are shown, fitness facilities with instructors and classes, and trails for walking and biking. With these kinds of amenities, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation everyday.

Sometimes, however, a community is created before such vast entertainment options exist. One such example is Dan Ryan Builders’ River Dell Townes at Flowers Plantation in Garner. With this neighborhood, the shops came secondary to homes, but they are now within walking distance. You can find all of your shopping needs at the Clayton Farmer’s Market and White Oak Crossing. These townhomes also offer miles of sidewalks and trails and 3,000 acres of living space. It’s not just a community here; it’s certainly a lifestyle. You can swim year-round in the outdoor and indoor pools, enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness center, play tennis, walk the trails, or enjoy family time at the kids’ club.
Amenities, outdoor space, and activities create a sense of luxury in everyday living. But sometimes luxury is taken to a new level. “We are very proud of our Hasentree community in Wake Forest,” said David Kelly, Division President for Toll Brothers in the Carolinas. “We believe the neighborhood truly does offer residents resort-style living year-round.” The most recent addition to the community has been the Clubhouse, which is a luxurious 16,500 square-foot amenity that offers “stunning views of our Tom Fazio-designed golf course, an expansive bar and grille room, and a covered outdoor dining and fire pit area. Even our locker rooms offer premium features, from flat screen TVs to private shower suites.”
Hasentree; Photo courtesy of Toll Brothers

Besides the Clubhouse, Hasentree also offers a Family Activity Club, with a state-of-the-art fitness center, three outdoor pools including one with the signature “Hasenator” double-loop waterslide, and six lighted tennis courts. And if that wasn’t enough, David Kelly explains “what really makes us unique is our new Child Development Corner. The Child Development Corner allows kids a place to stay and receive educational play while their parents take advantage of the many other activities and services Hasentree has to offer.

As you can see, whether you’re looking for luxury, affordability, or convenience, you can find them all in the Triangle area. Most neighborhoods in the area offer the basic “luxuries,” such as playgrounds, pools, sidewalks, and sometimes golf courses. But more and more builders are going above-and-beyond these basic amenities and are truly offering buyers resort-style living communities.

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