Using screens and touch panels throughout this Starr Systems-equipped home, homeowners can control window coverings and lighting, access their digital music and video collections, adjust heating and cooling systems and use live video feeds to monitor children playing in other parts of the house.
In the murky past, new homes were built with only two wiring systems, one for electricity and one for phone service. Modern life demands more. "The combined growth of personal home computers, consumer electronics, entertainment systems and home security products—not to mention the dynamic evolution of the technology behind them—has prompted builders to increasingly offer wiring schemes that enable whole-house communications, data and audio-visual sharing and other features," says Jeff Carpenter, president of Monticello Homes, a local building firm specializing in high-end custom properties.
Typically consisting of a combination of high-tech Category 5 wiring and coaxial cable, so-called "structured" or advanced wiring schemes allow homeowners to customize their use of technology to meet their individual needs. According to the National Association of Home Builders, 34 percent of homebuilders now offer structured wiring packages as standard or optional amenities. Fiber-optic cable is also available, but its installation is more difficult and expensive. (Bill Gates's $30-million Seattle home reportedly has miles of fiber-optic cable. Guests receive computer chips on entering that control lights, temperature and other settings as they move through the sprawling complex.)
When plans for a new luxury home include structured wiring, many different built-in home automation technologies become possible. The gamut runs from a fairly simple security system that will alert you via your computer at work should something be amiss back at home, to complete home-automation systems that seamlessly integrate home-entertainment systems, indoor and outdoor lighting, appliances, lawn sprinkler systems, climate control systems and Internet access points.
Starr Systems is a Baltimore-based provider of home automation systems that can be customized to meet the needs of any homeowner. Company president Sean Weiner says the important thing, when building a new home, is to get an automation firm involved as early as possible so that the wiring and the placement of screens, speakers and sensors throughout the house and landscape can be integrated in the overall design in the most cost-effective manor.
Once installation is complete, homeowners can control the entire system thanks to portable touch panels that can be mounted in dedicated wall niches, set in countertop cradles or carried around the house. Using the portable panels, homeowners can then program lighting designs that respond to motion detectors. They can access any of their music or video files stored in a central memory bank and play them in any room that's outfitted with built-in speakers or a screen. They can schedule the raising and lowering of motorized window shades. Or they can set a time for towel warmers to come on in the pool house, and the pool filter to start up prior to a morning swim.
While Starr Systems primarily works with individual homeowners, the company, which was founded in 1994, is currently outfitting Baltimore's Silo Point condominium community with the very latest home automation technologies. "In fact, what we're doing at Silo Point includes not just home automation, but amenities control as well," says Weiner. "We are establishing a system that will allow residents to schedule an appointment in the spa or fitness center, order food to be delivered from the restaurants that will be in the building, schedule service with a local dry cleaner and have packages brought up from the concierge desk. If the building's amenities package ultimately includes valet service, residents will be able to ask for one of their cars to be brought up from the garage, and will be able to see on the touch panel's video screen that the car is waiting for them out front." All of Starr Systems capabilities are on display in the company's Baltimore showroom, which Weiner describes as "Disneyland for adults."
David Hehman, CEO of EscapeHomes.com in San Francisco, says the new automation technologies have special applications in vacation properties or any homes that stay unoccupied for stretches of time. "Sensor technologies are improving so rapidly," he says. "They can sense if there is moisture in your vacation home's basement in Wisconsin and alert you when you're in Chicago." Your system can also be programmed for specific lighting scenes that give the home a lived-in appearance, deterring break-ins while you are away.
Though wireless "wi-fi" systems are coming on the market, Hehman believes the better choice is structured wiring. "In new construction, you have the opportunity to install it that you don't have in an existing home," he says. "The cost to implement it is so little and they add so much, builders would be crazy not to put some of this stuff in."
Weiner agrees that structured wiring is the most reliable means of achieving home automation, though he concedes the wireless systems have their place. "If you're doing a retrofit or a renovation," he says, "wireless can be a good choice."
The modern home office is another beneficiary of structured wiring. “At last count, more than four million people worked full time from home,” says Monticello’s Jeff Carpenter, “and professional builders are making space in their floor plans to meet the need for a work space that is separate, private and increasingly sophisticated. This trend is sure to continue as work and home management evolve in response to advances in electronic and communication science.” Market-savvy builders, says Carpenter, will be ready to meet the needs of such clients.
The lobby at Baltimore’s Silo Point reveals some of
the architectural detail that distinguishes this new
condominium complex located in a renovated 1920s
grain elevator. The community overlooks the city’s
Inner Harbor.
We can’t say exactly when it happened, but the Washington/Baltimore region has become first-class condo country. Luxurious new condominium communities are transforming the way homeowners live from Baltimore to Bethesda to Ballston.
We can at least agree on why it’s happening. As the two cities and their close-in suburbs become increasingly cosmopolitan and sophisticated, they are attracting a new kind of homebuyer. This new breed recognizes that DC and Baltimore today are embracing many of the same urban amenities other world-class cities have long enjoyed. Some of the nation’s finest restaurants are thriving in local neighborhoods, and pedestrian-friendly urban hot spots are gaining critical mass. They offer everything from fine dining to boutique shopping, from galleries to nightclubs, from live music venues to organic farmers markets. There’s a hip sense of style on these streets that makes home buyers eager to join in and be close to the action.
It’s little wonder that when a neighborhood is transformed by new development—restaurants, cafes, a new Grand Marriott Hotel and high-end retail shops—people want to live there. That’s why DC’s Ten Ten Mass is one of our region’s best-selling luxury condominium communities.
Likewise, the Southwest waterfront neighborhood is about to explode with new energy, thanks largely to the opening of the Washington Nationals new baseball stadium. In steps Velocity, meeting the demand for luxury contemporary condominium homes just a short walk from the ballpark.
Even the most casual observer would take note of the incredible growth in the new urban centers of Ballston, Bethesda and Potomac, where Liberty Center, Lionsgate and Park Potomac Place, respectively, are making it easy for home buyers to choose a luxurious low-maintenance home in the heart of it all.
The Baltimore market is also coming on strong with several new condominium communities taking full advantage of the magnetic pull that the burgeoning Inner Harbor neighborhood has on home buyers. The combination of the water, the lively street life, the fine restaurants and shops and the nearby Orioles Park at Camden Yards is hard to beat. And so is the one-of-a-kind luxury condominium community of Silo Point, built in a renovated 85-year-old former grain elevator which overlooks all of the Inner Harbor and beyond.
Aside from first-class locations, the residents of these new condominium communities can expect high-quality design and materials and the finest in community amenities. Kitchens are showplaces of granite and stainless steel, walls of glass take in fantastic views and opulent master suites provide the perfect retreat. Finally, concierge services, wellness centers, rooftop pools and cozy clubrooms put the finishing touches on a world-class luxury lifestyle.
Park Potomac Place
Park Potomac Place
Residents enjoy a multitude of amenities in a central location
Set in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland, Park Potomac Place is one of the region’s fastest-selling and most-talked-about condominium communities.
The high-rise North and South Towers of Park Potomac Place are the centerpiece of a mixed-use development on a 50-acre site that will ultimately include modern urban brownstone townhomes, 145,000 square feet of high-end retail space and 570,000 square feet of office space. Pedestrian promenades will link many of the community’s neighborhoods, retail conveniences and outdoor amenities. Mature trees and pathways will lend a “hometown” character.
The community’s location just off I-270 at Montrose Road puts it within minutes of the Potomac area’s signature shopping, dining and cultural attractions. Residents will enjoy proximity to first-class restaurants, world-renowned high-end retailers, unique boutiques, art galleries, live music and theater and more.
This first-of-its-kind condominium address in Greater Potomac is a short drive from four Metro stations, White Flint Mall and the Music Center at Strathmore Hall.
Once residents enter through the elegant lobby, with its limestone floors, grand staircase and 24-hour staffed front desk with concierge service, they will enjoy a true luxury lifestyle thanks to amenities such as a fitness center with individual flat-screen TVs and state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength-training equipment; a large circular pool and adjacent arbor; a large landscaped courtyard with grill island and water-wall feature; and a clubroom with wet bar, fireplace and catering kitchen.
Controlled-access underground parking will make coming and going a breeze. Private suites for overnight guests will make it easy for visitors to feel right at home. Courtesy chauffeured limousines and a doorman will stand ready to help homeowners come and go.
The community’s elegant residences range in size up to 3,300 square feet. Each of these spacious, light-filled homes features the finest finishes and architectural details. Kitchen amenities include appliances by Viking, Sub-Zero and Bosch; seven standard granite countertop selections; Canac by Kohler 42-inch kitchen cabinetry in a selection of finishes; and island or peninsula workspaces in all kitchens. Marble flooring, double sinks and separate shower and soaking tubs are options in most master baths.
Other design options available are natural stone flooring and pedestal sinks in powder rooms; hardwood flooring in foyers, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, family rooms and libraries; Shaw carpeting in bedrooms; nine- and 10-foot ceilings; fireplace options in most residences; full-size GE washers and dryers; and pre-wiring for high-speed Internet access, cable and DirectTV satellite television.
Most floor plans feature two bedrooms and two and a half baths, and many feature libraries and/or bonus family rooms. Prices range from the $700s to more than $2 million. For more information, call (301) 251-7723 or visit the Web site www.parkpotomacplace.com.
Velocity
Contemporary living in DC’s hot new Capitol Riverfront
The Capitol Riverfront is perhaps the most notable new addition to the map of Washington DC’s luxury neighborhoods. Anchored by the beautiful new state-of-the-art home of the Washington Nationals, the area is poised to become one of DC’s hottest addresses.
That’s where Velocity comes in. As one of the first condominium communities going up in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood, Velocity has already attracted the eye of savvy homebuyers. This cosmopolitan residential tower is one-and-a-half blocks from Navy Yard Metro, four blocks from the new Nationals baseball stadium and not far from the U.S. Capitol. The condominium community will be surrounded by new stores, restaurants and coffee houses, nightclubs, performing arts venues and daily conveniences. Velocity’s location also puts residents a short walk from shopping along Barracks Row on 8th Street, at Eastern Market and on M Street.
Not sure how to spend the evening? Why not stroll over to the ballpark and catch the Nats game with some friends. Then walk back home under the stars, maybe stopping for coffee or dessert at a neighborhood café. In the morning you might enjoy a little extra sleep before heading off to work. After all, you’re only three minutes by foot to the local Metro station.
Prices for Velocity condos start in the $300s. The value is evident when you consider the features found in each residence, including hardwood flooring, European-inspired kitchens with granite countertops, stainless-steel GE appliances and full-height pantries. The kitchens in all one- and two-bedroom floor plans enjoy sleek center islands. All bathrooms are graced with marble and Italian glass. Oversized windows in the main living areas and private balconies make the most of the views. And each residence has its own convenient washer/dryer.
The architectural details in the Velocity reinforce the luxurious feel of these floor plans. Elaborate wood trim, pendant lighting, decorative tiled kitchen backsplashes and satin nickel hardware on each home’s solid wood entry door complete the picture of stylish contemporary living.
As part of its amenities package, Velocity will include a rooftop pool with a large sundeck and convenient bathrooms; a wellness center with state-of-the-art fitness equipment; a lounge with a large fireplace, plasma TV and wireless Internet; an elegant ultramodern lobby with stone flooring; controlled access; available underground parking; and a landscaped center courtyard.Velocity homes are available as studios, one-bedrooms, one-bedrooms with dens, two-bedrooms and two-bedrooms with dens. The impressive sales center, located at 1025 First Street, SE (on Half Street between L and K), features an interactive electronic display as well as a full-sized, fully furnished model with one bedroom, two full baths and a den. For more information, call (202) 863-0260 or visit the Web site www.velocitycapitol.com.
Silo Point
Enjoy views of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor from this newly renovated historic site
Offering the most unique exterior architecture of any condominium in the Washington/Baltimore region isn’t enough. Boasting the best views, bar none, of Baltimore’s bustling Inner Harbor and beyond isn’t enough. Featuring stunning luxurious homes wrapped in glass to maximize those views isn’t enough. Silo Point also has the most intriguing history of almost any regional residential project in recent memory.
Turner Development Group is creating the high-end Silo Point condominium community by renovating a 1920s-era Archer Daniels Midland grain elevator on Baltimore’s South Peninsula. From 1923 to 2003, the structure was a working grain elevator—the world’s largest and fastest at the time of its construction. Soon it will be home to some of Baltimore’s most sought-after condominium residences.
The Silo Point mixed-use development will comprise 228 unique, waterfront luxury condominium units with a centralized parking garage and ground-level commercial and retail space. Every home in Silo Point will offer spectacular water and city views of Baltimore’s downtown skyline, the Inner Harbor, Canton and Fells Point and historic Fort McHenry.
To take best advantage of these stunning views, every Silo Point home will have a balcony or access to the community’s rooftop garden.
The project’s architect, Christopher Pfaeffle, decided to emulate the process behind the grain elevator’s original construction, instead of erasing its history or recreating it with faux finishes and fixtures. The result is a one-of-a-kind industrial-rich design that retains the image of the building’s original use. Towering ceilings, open warehouse-style floor plans, exposed elevators and shafts, and exposed architecture enhance the building’s immense 290-foot main tower and 130-foot silos. Natural light pouring into the expansive lobby will help blend the beauty of luxury condominiums with the rugged might of a 70-year-old industrial site. The tower is the tallest building on the South Peninsula and the only building that overlooks Fort McHenry, downtown Baltimore, the Inner Harbor and the working Baltimore ports.
Buyers may choose from 15 to 20 floor plans, including 221 two- and three-level townhouses and condominiums with premium kitchens, bathrooms and walk-in closets. The complex also includes 11 two-story penthouses. Units will range from approximately 1,000 to 5,000 square feet and offer open, contemporary designs. Floor plans vary from one- to three-bedroom-plus-den options.
Luxury features in these homes include Lutron automated window treatments; Starr Systems customized home enhancement systems for lighting, music, climate, home theater and Internet control; gourmet kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops; spa-inspired owner’s baths; smart-home wiring; nine- to 19-foot-high ceilings and designer fixtures.
Community amenities will include a fitness center, a community lounge and a wine club. The exterior landscape will maintain the historic flavor of the silos with grain-type plantings, while hiking, biking and walking trails wind through the site. For more information, call (410) 539-7456 or visit the Web site www.silopoint.com.
Ten Ten Mass
Living in downtown DC’s center of urban chic
Soaring prominently above the stretch of Massachusetts Avenue leading the renaissance of downtown Washington, DC, is Ten Ten Mass, a luxury condominium community that offers impeccable architecture and interior styling, spacious floor plans and all of the finishing touches the luxury-home buyer would expect. These well-appointed homes feature open kitchens outfitted with granite-topped islands and granite countertops punctuated by GE Profile stainless-steel appliances; sumptuous bathrooms with travertine vanities, dramatic, raised square vessel sinks, and oversized soaking tubs; and warm hardwoods underfoot. Ten Ten Mass offers abundant storage opportunities, with many homes featuring walk-in closets. Making a striking first impression are the walls of glass. Oversized windows flood the living spaces with natural light, while also maximizing the premium views.
At an impressive 15 stories, Ten Ten Mass is one of the highest residential buildings in DC, and it offers the views to prove it. From the stunning 360-degree rooftop deck, residents will be able to wow their guests with views of landmarks such as the National Cathedral, the Old Post Office building, the Capitol, the Washington Monument and much more. The rooftop deck is also home to a semi-enclosed party space, a lap pool and gas grills for residents to enjoy. Downstairs, residents will find an understated and elegant lobby reminiscent of that of a boutique hotel—plus service to match. Ten Ten Mass offers a 24-hour staffed front desk.
Secured underground parking makes coming and going a breeze for residents, though many can choose to forsake their cars and instead enjoy an easy stroll to their desired destination—the mark of true urban lifestyle. Ten Ten Mass is one block from both the Convention Center and K Street, and within short walking distance of Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, Verizon Center, and the shopping and dining of Chinatown and Gallery Place. It’s also close to four Metro stations, making the entire city easily accessible. A brief drive puts Embassy Row and a Whole Foods market in reach, as well. Meanwhile, at the nearby 10-acre site of the former convention center, plans are underway to create a downtown retail anchor for the city, including pedestrian walkways and a variety of shops and restaurants. Across the street from Ten Ten Mass is the site designated to house the city’s new Grand Marriott, which will feature 1,150 luxury suites. Already in the neighborhood are some of the city’s best restaurants, including Robert Wiedmaier’s Brasserie Beck, conveniently situated just across 11th Street. This neighborhood is destined to become a center of urban chic in Washington, DC.
The Ten Ten Mass community houses a total of 163 condominiums, with a number of residences still available in a wide variety of layouts, sizes, and price points. For more information, call (202) 682-0202 or visit the Web site www.tentenmass.com.
The Residences at Liberty Center
Sophisticated, urban living in the center of bustling Ballston, Virginia
In the heart of Ballston’s vibrant urban scene, The Residences at Liberty Center is a condominium community offering a variety of one- and two-bedroom homes. These spacious, light-filled residences feature hardwood floors; gourmet kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, maple cabinetry and granite countertops; master baths with 12-inch square ceramic tiles, granite vanities and separate glass-enclosed showers; and floor-to-ceiling walls of windows. All homes are pre-wired for high-speed Internet, and all have a choice of cable or Direct TV.
Premium finishes complement these stylishly contemporary floor plans that enjoy panoramic views of downtown Washington, DC, and its many historic landmarks.
Luxury living at Liberty Center is evident in the community’s amenities, including a rooftop pool and terrace with wide-open views and a rooftop fitness center where residents can exercise using state-of-the-art weight and cardio equipment while enjoying the broad vistas of downtown DC. An elegant lobby features a 24-hour staffed front desk and views of the plaza outside. Controlled-access parking is also included.
Liberty Center homeowners can gather indoors or out thanks to a private courtyard reserved for residents only, and a party room outfitted with a catering kitchen, plush seating, a plasma screen TV and a fireplace.
Perhaps the best amenity of all at Liberty Center is the community’s location. A national model for mixed-use urban development, Ballston combines residential development, corporate and association headquarters, tree-lined plazas, and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes lined with shops, restaurants and businesses.
Dozens of restaurants are within a five-minute walk of The Residences at Liberty Center, including Rio Grande Café, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. Shops within walking distance include a wide variety of brand-name stores and many one-of-a-kind boutiques. Residents can also enjoy coffee and conversation at one of the area’s many sidewalk cafes.
The Ballston Commons Mall, home to dozens of stores and a 12-screen movie theater, is virtually around the corner. If that’s too far, the street level of the Residences building itself will be home to additional shops and restaurants, including Marvelous Market, Bruegger’s Bagels and Saxby’s Coffee, just an elevator ride away from your luxurious Liberty Center high-rise home.
Ballston blends the vibrancy of urban living with the charms of a traditional neighborhood. Major corporations may call it home, but the locals still gather most Fridays at the thriving farmers market that sets up shop a short walk from Liberty Center. Access to the whole DC region is easy via the nearby Ballston Metro stop and I-66, though some commuters prefer the pace of the nearby WO&D bike path. For more information, call (703) 875-2211 or visit the Web site www.libertycenter.com.
Lionsgate
Enjoy a prime location in downtown Bethesda
Located on the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road one block from the Bethesda Metro station, Lionsgate is a new 12-story luxury condominium building perfectly positioned to take advantage of downtown Bethesda’s exciting urban environment. Bethesda’s restaurants, shopping and nightlife surround the Lionsgate building, which will itself will have nearly 14,000 square feet of retail space on the street level.
This great location and Lionsgate’s luxuriously appointed homes make a winning combination. It’s no wonder that approximately two-thirds of the building’s 158 residences have been sold, with deliveries scheduled for spring 2008.
While the location may inspire Lionsgate’s residents to spend a good deal of time strolling and exploring downtown Bethesda, that hasn’t stopped the Lionsgate development team from appointing each home with a full complement of luxurious features. Viking stainless-steel appliances grace all kitchens. Brookhaven by Wood-Mode fine wood cabinetry is standard in all kitchens and baths. Owner suites feature generous closets, most with two or more walk-in wardrobes. Hardwood floors run throughout the kitchen and living areas of these spacious, open floor plans, and natural stone flooring is used in baths and foyers. Granite countertops are standard in all kitchens and baths, where you’ll also find frameless walk-in showers. Bay windows, balconies or Juliet balconies are part of the floor plan in most of the homes.
The building is outfitted with a wide range of amenities. Residents will pull their cars up to the main entrance for valet parking, be greeted by the doorman and walk into the luxurious lobby with its 24-hour front desk. A state-of-the-art private fitness center featuring individual cardio theater equipment will provide a fine spot for a convenient workout. A private clubroom will provide an ideal gathering space. Security is ensured thanks to reserved, underground parking and controlled building access with a video-entry system for visitors.
For wonderful views in the open air, homeowners can take the elevator to Lionsgate’s spacious rooftop terrace with its raised pavement surface, lush field turf and elegant landscaping.
Far below, Lionsgate’s signature courtyard, to be enjoyed by passersby as well as residents of Lionsgate, will feature the “Standing Lions,” original artwork created by local sculptor John Dreyfuss, whose commissions include work in the James Monroe Building, Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown and the Key to the Federal City in the Mayor’s Office in Washington, DC.
This level of luxury and refine-ment is hard to find anywhere in the Washington region, let alone in the heart of Bethesda, just steps from Metro, first-class shopping and daily necessities including a Safeway supermarket. For additional information, call (301) 986-0066 or visit the Web site www.lionsgatebethesda.com.
Park Potomac Place
Park Potomac Place
Velocity
Velocity
Silo Point
Silo Point
Ten Ten Mass
Ten Ten Mass
Ten Ten Mass
The one-and-a-half-mile-long Solomons Bridge over the
Patuxent River connects Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
When Washington, DC, and Baltimore area professionals search for a waterfront vacation home, hot spots such as Maryland’s Eastern Shore or North Carolina’s Outer Banks often top their lists. And for good reason. The waterfront lifestyle offers sun, sand and plenty of recreation.
Expand your search, however, and you’ll find many other attractive options for vacation living, not all of them as popular or expensive as Atlantic beachfront property. One sparkling example of a hidden gem in the local second-home market is Calvert ounty, Maryland, where waterfront means living in a quieter, more rural environment in the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay or on the Patuxent River just 46 miles from DC. Calvert County— Maryland’s smallest—comprises 215 square miles shaped like a peninsula 30 miles long and nine miles wide. With its 143 miles of Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River shoreline, no point in the county is less than five miles from navigable water.
Traditionally, the county’s population consisted of farmers and watermen, although in the early 1900s the area was discovered by wealthy Washingtonians as a breezy summer getaway spot, thanks in part to a railroad line that ran from DC to Chesapeake Beach on the county’s northeastern edge.
A more recent phenomenon is that of busy Washingtonians buying homes in the area for weekend escapes and summer fun, and then moving permanently to the county in pre-retirement or retirement years. “It’s just such a beautiful, more relaxed place to live,” says local realtor Gail Siegel, who followed that exact path to Calvert, buying a 1939 beach cottage after spending 20 hectic years in the technology industry. Siegel says that the purchase changed her life, and she has never looked back. It happens all the time, she says. “People visit this area and fall in love. Some keep a second home here for decades, passing it on to their children, and others make Calvert their primary address, sometimes maintaining a condo in DC as a second home.”
Single-family waterfront homes are found on small bayfront beach lots, larger lots with more acreage and privacy, and Patuxent River lots with boat slips. Waterfront condos and townhomes are clustered in the northern and southern ends of the county. Waterfront building restrictions are strict, as Siegel discovered after rebuilding her storm-damaged Calvert home in 2003. “I think I learned just about everything there is to know about waterfront construction—critical area permits, flood compliance, insurance and zoning regulations,” she says.
At its southern tip, Calvert County comes to a point in the well-known town of Solomons, where the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay meet. But Siegel advises buyers not to limit their househunting tours to Solomons alone. “You’ll find wonderful communities as you travel just north from there,” she says, “where you’ll have the option of living down near the beach or on an elevated location on a cliff overlooking the water.”
Other Waterfront Options
Another area worth exploring if you area homebuyer in search of a Chesapeake Bay lifestyle is Chester River Landing, a brand new community located in Chestertown, Maryland, north and east of Annapolis across the Bay Bridge. The 44 waterfront single-family homes, townhomes and duplex homes in Chester River Landing will enjoy a private marina in the Chester River with floating docks that can accommodate boats up to 40 feet long. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and private beaches with shoreline walking paths.
Another attractive Atlantic Coast option is the brand new Rivendell condominium community in Ocean City, Maryland, where luxury two-, three- and four-bedroom residences feature open floor plans, nine-foot-high ceilings and private balconies overlooking Assawoman Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Nash Construction won a Contractor of the Year award
for this project that included a large addition to the
existing home including opening up the family room into
a new great room that features vaulted ceilings.
Commercial Interior
Grand: TriVista USA, LLC
Creative Design
Grand: Hopkins & Porter Construction, Inc. Merit: TA Horizon Builders, Inc.
Creative Solution
Grand: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
Creative Solutions under $15,000
Merit: Nash Construction, Inc.
Finalist: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
Residential Historic Renovation/Restoration
Grand: Bowers Design Build, Inc.
Merit: Ark Contracting, Inc.
Media Center
Grand: TA Horizon Builders, Inc.
Custom Home under $1,000,000
Grand: Greg Smith Company Inc.
Entire House under $250,000
Grand: Windsor Design-Build, Inc.
Merit: Remodel Virginia
Finalist: Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes
Entire House $500,000 to $1,000,000
Grand: G&M Contracting, Inc.
Merit: Encompass Design Build
Finalist: Windsor
Design-Build, Inc.
Entire House over $1,000,000
Grand: Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.
Merit: Sagatov Associates, Inc.
Finalist: Bowers Design Build, Inc.
Residential Detached Structure
Grand: Kohler Homes Inc.
Residential Exterior under $100,000
Grand: Landis Construction Corporation
Merit: TriVista USA, LLC
Finalist: Winn Design, LLC
Honorable Mention: Tabor Design Build
Residential Exterior over $100,000
Grand: Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.
Merit: The Gallick Corporation
Finalist: C.R. Associates, LLC
Residential Exterior Specialty
Grand: Old Dominion Stone, LLC
Merit: Dee David & Co., LLC
Residential Interior under $250,000
Grand: Wentworth, Inc.
Merit: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
Residential Interior over $500,000
Grand: The Alexander Group, Inc.
Residential Addition under $250,000
Grand: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
Merit: Wentworth, Inc.
Finalist: Nash Construction, Inc.
Honorable Mention: Windsor
Design-Build, Inc.
Residential Addition $250,000 to $500,000
Grand: Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.
Merit: The Levine Group Architects & Builders
Residential Addition over $500,000
Grand: BOWA Builders, Inc.
Merit: Nash Construction, Inc.
Finalist: Landis Construction Corporation
Residential Kitchen under $50,000
Grand: Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes
Merit: Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes
Finalist: Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes
Honorable Mention: Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes
Residential Kitchen $50,000 to $100,000
Grand: The Levine Group Architects & Builders
Merit: The Alexander Group, Inc.
Finalist: Landis Construction Corporation
Honorable Mention: Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes
Residential Kitchen $100,000 to $150,000
Grand: Bowers Design Build, Inc.
Merit: Nash Construction, Inc.
Finalist: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
Honorable Mention: Carnemark Systems & Design, Inc.; Wentworth, Inc.; Sagatov Associates, Inc.
Residential Kitchen over $150,000
Grand: Commonwealth Home Remodelers
Merit: Daniels Design & Remodeling
Finalist: Fisher Group, LLC
Residential Bath under $30,000
Grand: Henderson Design/Build
Residential Bath $30,000 to $60,000
Grand Team: Burch Builders Group, LLC
Merit: Little River Carpentry, LLC
Finalist: Fisher Group, LLC
Honorable Mention: Landis Construction Corporation
Residential Bath over $60,000
Grand: Carnemark Systems & Design, Inc.
Merit: Carnemark Systems & Design, Inc.
Finalist: NVS Kitchen & Bath
Many factors can help you decide if a particular builder suits your needs, including the following:
Do you like the homes this builder has built in the past?
While photographs may show a builder's abilities, it's a good idea to make actual visits to homes. Ask your prospective builders to arrange tours of a few homes they have built, or are currently building. When visiting the homes, note the designs the builder is comfortable with, as well as the attention to detail and level of craftsmanship. In a high-end luxury custom home, you can expect the little details to be as perfect as the big obvious 'wow" factors. Sure, the river stone fireplace is a terrific focal point in the great room, but what about the paint finish in the powder room? Don't be afraid to get up close to inspect woodwork, trim and molding. Look for places where the design calls for different materials to meet, and inspect those joints. And bring a notebook to record your perceptions. (This is also a great time to take note of any design elements, features or materials you might want to include in your own custom home).
Ask for client references and call them. Building a custom home is a detail-oriented process. Many unpredictable situations may arise during the months it takes to design and build your home. Buyers who have already been through the process will provide insight into how the builder responded to construction bidding, custom change orders, budget constraints, communication and warranty issues. The builder's ability to handle various situations indicates the approach you can expect in your own home. Ask if the project ran smoothly, whether the cost estimates were accurate and whether the builder has been quick to answer any questions or fix any problems that may have arisen since the owners moved in.
Ask for lender and trade contractor references and call them, too. It's important to find a builder who has strong industry relationships with trade contractors and construction lenders. Satisfied trade contractors ensure the buyer that contractors are committed to the builder and to providing a quality product. If you choose a builder with a long history, then you should contact both long-standing and recent references. This will help to give you a more complete picture of your builder's reputation.
How long has the builder been in business?
It is a plus to work with a builder who has been around long enough to have made it through some ups and downs in the local housing market; it's a sign of good financial management. Find out how long the builder has been in the custom-home-building business, and choose one with longevity. A builder who has weathered different economic climates is committed to his business and is likely to remain so. You want a builder who will do a good job today, and be around tomorrow should you need the company to satisfy a warranty claim or make a repair.
Look for a builder who is active in industry associations. Builders actively involved in industry associations such as the Custom Builders Council of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association or the Washington Metropolitan Area Custom Builders Council (part of the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association) are committed to maintaining high standards. Membership in such associations usually requires builders to adhere to a code of ethics and to pursue ongoing education in order to keep abreast of changes in the building codes to ensure homeowner safety. New materials and techniques are constantly being introduced, and membership in an industry organization is a good way for a custom builder to keep up with the latest and greatest while ensuring the homes he builds will adhere to ever-evolving standards of durability and safety. In addition, the educated builder will be able to provide interesting ideas and options you can consider for your own home.
Don't rush the builder interview process. Most high-end custom builders are small- volume specialists. They may build from two to 25 homes a year. Each client should be important to their business. If you feel a builder doesn't have time to adequately answer your questions during the interview process, then you can expect the same shortcoming when it comes time to handle questions that arise during the building process. Set up a time to speak with each of your prospective builders face to face. It may be time-consuming, but there's no sense taking shortcuts when making such an important decision that is fraught with major financial implications.
When interviewing builders, ask for a review of the kinds of custom features you can expect in your home.
Ask about timing. Ask about flexibility when it comes to making changes to design or materials as the home is being built. Talk about your budget and what kind of value you can expect to receive for the money. Remember, just because one home is less expensive than another doesn't mean it's a better value. At the same time, spending more doesn't always mean getting a higher-quality home. Talk in specifics with your candidates about materials, square-footage, design elements, craftsmanship, and quality. And talk about process; review a sample timeline and get a sense of what this builder will be expecting from you at various points along the way.
Review each builder's warranty to see what kind of service you can expect after you move into your home.
You should feel confident that the builder you choose will stand behind the home he builds for you in every way, even after you move in. There should be some kind of schedule for your final pre-close walkthrough, as well as follow-up visits to take care of routine follow-up. Customer service shouldn't end when the last contractor pulls out of the driveway.
There are several different paths to take when deciding on the final design of your new custom home. You can hire an architect to draw up custom plans based on your own ideas and your family’s living patterns. You can hire a design/build firm to create your plans much the same way an architect would. (Of course, the architect or design/build firm has more than one way to go as well; they can start from scratch and draw up your new home’s design as a one-of-a-kind creation, or they can use an already existing plan as a jumping off point.) Another option is purchasing ready-made plans through a house plans magazine or Internet site. And finally, you can simply choose a builder’s existing plan from a portfolio of available designs.
Custom builder members of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association’s Custom Builder Council have the ability to work with almost any set of plans, so long as they are appropriate for your site and budget limitations. Many, like Quaker Custom Homes, Adrian Edwards Custom Homes and others, have ready-made plans available for buyers to choose from, if they so desire. Quaker offers a stable of plans that have been value-engineered based on prices already in place from its trade partners. Starting with one of its existing plans, Quaker can expand, shrink, pull, add or completely rebuild a design to suit a buyer’s lifestyle. The firm also offers a design team that will design and build your one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
The Adrian Edwards Custom Homes library of designs features a wide variety of architectural styles, including Georgian, Federal, French Country, English Tudor, Southeast Coastal, Arts and Crafts and Contemporary. Founder and president Adrian Edwards reports that many of his clients find an inspirational starting point this way, and then work with his staff to modify and customize the plan. Buyers can also bring Edwards their architect’s plans, or work with his company’s architect and design professionals to create brand new home plans that coordinate their design goals with their intended budget.
To avoid wasting time and money chasing and creating plans that won’t work with your home site or your budget, Custom Builder Council members urge you to work closely with your chosen builder right from the start, and not to get too attached to any house plans until your builder has had a chance to review them.
Wayne Foley of Foley Construction Corporation says the home design process should not start until an overall budget review has been agreed upon between the owner and the design team. Before the first pencil meets paper, the designer and owner must come to a general agreement as to what the overall size of the home should be, the general specifications and what the overall budget is for the structure and finishing items. National statistics indicate that if this policy is not followed then the money and time put into the design process probably will not end up in a home being built.
To avoid wasting time and money chasing and creating plans that won’t work with your home site or your budget, Custom Builder Council members urge you to work closely with your chosen builder right from the start, and not to get too attached to any house plans until your builder has had a chance to review them.
At Mike Garcia Homes, the design process starts when a buyer initially meets with the firm’s home designer to determine the specific parameters of their new home. A nominal design fee and agreement are required to start. This fee is credited back to the contract price of the home. The designer will make suggestions on how to incorporate materials and methods, which will make the house “one-of-a-kind.” Garcia says his designer is also a valuable source of information on construction materials, current building trends, floor plan ideas and what to expect in the construction of the new home. Finally, and most importantly, Garcia’s designer will work with the buyer to create detailed specifications that will go hand-in-hand with the building plans to create the finished product.
Those detailed specifications are a crucial element to matching any home plans with an overall budget. Sugar Oak Corporation offers a two-step process that includes preliminary pricing of schematic design drawings to further ensure that the proposed design corresponds to the project’s budget. President Tom Donaldson feels this is a very important step to educate the client prior to authorizing the architect to proceed to design development or working drawings. Once the working drawings are complete, Sugar Oak will provide final budgeting that can be used to complete the contract between client and builder. At Mike Garcia Homes, once the company has designed your home, a staff estimator will put together all construction costs and allowances within a matter of a few days by using a computerized digitizer system and estimating software. The detailed estimate ensures you are receiving a fair price for the home you wish to build. It eliminates guesswork and surprises later on.
Sugar Oak Corporation, which built this custom contemporary home,
offers preliminary pricing of schematic drawings to make sure a project
is within budget at an early stage.
When it comes to settling on a home plan, Wayne Foley offers one more word of caution. He advises buyers to be sure that they are dealing with a reputable design team so that the very strict house plan copyright laws are not violated in the design process. If a copyright is violated, Foley says, the penalties can be severe for the designer, the homeowner, and the builder.
This bungalow-style, one-of-a-kind custom home built by Adrian
Edwards Custom Homes was inspired in part by the American Arts
and Crafts design movement of the early 20th century.
“Those are the kinds of requests we are more than happy to accommodate,” says Flickinger. “That’s what makes custom building exciting—providing a home that uniquely suits the needs of your client.” Flickinger accommodated the requests in style. The great room, which serves as the center point of the home, looks out over the woods thanks to a majestic 30-foot window wall that pours light into the first and second stories. The owners, who moved to the home from Colorado, have the constant connection to the outdoors that they craved. On the lower level, the exercise room is fitted with a television, so working out doesn’t have to be boring. Just down the hall, wood-trimmed double glass doors open to a climate-controlled wine cellar capable of storing hundreds of bottles on stylish wooden racks. There’s even a peninsula counter handy for opening and decanting wines.
This is the essence of what you get when you hire a custom builder. On a basic level, a home is a collection of rooms. But the rooms themselves don’t have to be basic at all. A custom builder can give you special rooms specifically created for your family’s particular needs. Here are a few commonly requested (and not so common) specialty rooms local custom builders can create for their clients.
Custom Spaces for Artists and Collectors
If art is your passion, a custom home can include a place to create it—perhaps a light-filled studio or a kiln room—or a place to view it, such as an in-home gallery space with proper lighting and temperature controls. Studio space can be found everywhere from an intimate upper level loft to a fully equipped flex space on the second floor of a detached garage. Display space can be anything from a design that includes custom built-in shelving and wall niches to a dedicated gallery room with plenty of wall space and appropriate lighting. Many buyers even arrange a room’s design around a favorite piece of art, asking their builder to incorporate sufficient wall space or a display area for a particular object.
The Over-The-Top Master Bath
It’s true that the master bath suites often found in high-end production homes are pretty impressive, but if you want to go to the next level, only a custom home will do. The possibilities include a six-foot-long shower with plenty of room for two, including five or six shower heads, integrated seating and a steam shower setting that lets the space do double duty as a steam room. Connected to many custom master bath suites you’ll find a large dressing area with ample storage space in cherry or walnut cabinetry and plenty of lights and mirrors.
The Garage for Car Buffs
If your hobby is restoring old cars, a custom builder can give you a professional-style garage with ample work and storage space and room for as many vehicles as you have in the your collection. In fact, the “Super Garage” has proven so popular with custom-home buyers that production builders are taking notice. More than 30 percent of all builders surveyed at the 2006 International Builders’ Show said they planned to offer Super Garages in 2006. One local example is Brookfield Homes’ Bentley model at Lansdowne on the Potomac, where the garage includes easy-clean flooring, track lighting, Internet access, a television, a refrigerator/freezer and a set of workspace organizers that increase storage space and allow for the addition of things like a recycling center or a multi-purpose workshop. A custom builder can take the concept even further, outfitting a professional-grade garage for families with motor oil in their veins.
An In-Home Business Center
Home offices are becoming more and more common, but a homeowner who runs a business, or one who sometimes works from home, may need more. A custom builder can create an in-home conference room complete with multi-media presentation capability, the latest in teleconferencing equipment and an appropriate office-like atmosphere for in-home meetings or consultations with clients.
The Safe Room
The Washington, DC, area is home base for many individuals with sensitive government or industry positions who have chosen to build a safe room into their custom home. Try to get any details from a builder however, and you’ll find it’s not the kind of thing they are willing to talk about. In fact, they often sign confidentiality agreements before building such a room, in order to keep the means and level of security.
