Centerra Lake Club
Centerra Lake Club
The residential Master-Planned Community is making a comeback. But some things have changed since the heyday of past decades as many of today’s buyers are more discerning when evaluating what a master-planned community has to offer – especially when it comes to the amenities that they will be paying for through their HOA dues. There is a trend to avoid country club like facilities and to focus on amenities that people use daily. Developers who pay close attention to evolving lifestyles and understand their context find that offering targeted amenities and leveraging adjacent features can differentiate themselves in their market.
People love water, whether it is a small pond, a lake, or a creek. Access to trails is a high priority in all market segments. Close proximity to good shopping, quality schools and employment is increasingly important. Quality healthcare in the vicinity is critical to many senior and active-adult buyers. Community Centers are trending smaller, with space for cooking classes, intimate parties, and impromptu gatherings in place of large facilities that seem empty much of the time. While larger, high end, communities may still offer water-park caliber pool facilities, other communities look to smaller complexes that include areas for all generations to enjoy ranging from zero-entry areas, to swimming laps, and sometimes even separate facilities for different demographic groups. Frequent pocket parks within close walking distance to home is important to families.
One new community that is employing such features is the Lakes at Centerra, in Loveland, Colorado. Located within the 3000 acre Centerra mixed use master- planned community that offers some of the best shopping, largest employers, and health care in the region, the Lakes will include amenities that appeal to buyers of all market segments without breaking the bank. In addition to a comfortable clubhouse and multi-feature pool complex, the Lakes has at its centerpiece access to 275 acres of open space with an extensive trail network and two lakes for fishing, bird watching, and paddling about. The developer has partnered with the High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) , who’s mission is to provide environmental stewardship within the built environment, to manage the open space. The HPEC offers guided nature and bird walks, demonstration gardens, and education programs ranging from sustainable landscapes to organic gardening, and is funded by self imposed impact fees on new development at Centerra. Amenities that Hit the Mark for Lifestyle and Budget (sg)
The residential Master-Planned Community is making a comeback. But today’s buyers are more discerning about the amenities they will be paying for through their HOA dues. Developers who offer targeted amenities and leverage adjacent features can differentiate themselves in their market. “These buyer groups are…weighing all the trade-offs that go into the home purchase decision, including what is offered in the home and community compared to what they really need…they want amenities that fit their lifestyle and that they can afford” ULI’s Residential Futures
A target focus is amenities that are valued and enjoyed daily; access to trails and pocket parks within walking distance to home; close proximity to good shopping, quality schools, employment, and healthcare. Community Centers are trending smaller, with space for cooking classes, intimate parties, and impromptu gatherings, rather than large facilities that seem empty much of the time. Smaller pool complexes include areas for multi-generations; from zero-entry areas, to lap lanes, to relaxing and play.
The new Lakes at Centerra community is meeting these desires. Located within the 3000-acre Centerra mixed-use community, the Lakes will include amenities that appeal to buyers of all market segments without breaking the bank. In addition to a comfortable clubhouse and multi-feature pool complex, the Lakes has access to 275 acres of open space with an extensive trail network and two lakes for fishing, bird watching, and paddling. Partnering with the High Plains Environmental Center to manage the open space is another innovative move for the developer, and a great example of leveraging local connections to add value to community.
These buyer groups are looking for value (affordability), walk-ability, shopping, restaurants, services, good schools, and a sense of community. They are weighing all the trade-offs that go into the home purchase decision, including what is offered in the home and community compared to what they really need…. They want amenities that fit their lifestyle and that they can afford.
“These buyer groups are…weighing all the trade offs that go into the home purchase decision, including what is offered in the home and community compared to what they really need…they want amenities that fit their lifestyle and that they can afford”
The developer is partnering with the High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) to manage the open space.
BACK TO BLOG