Property Week of the
A few building sites remain in an exclusive Avon neighborhood
By James Alexander
As hard as it might be to believe, most buyers of existing previously owned luxury homes carrying seven-figure price tags make a few compromises when they finalize their purchases. Granted, the homes are inevitably beautiful and well maintained, but there is almost always some feature that the new buyers would have done differently had they been involved from the beginning in the design and construction process.
Now, a few lucky buyers will have the chance to get the home of their dreams in the nearly completed Weatherstone development in Avon, where seven building sites are now available in an exceptional and well-established neighborhood. Each is about an acre.
One of these lots will be used to build what Scott Glenney of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, the agent handling the sale, referred to as a “quick delivery” home. This is an attractive option for a buyer who does not have the time to start a home building project from the very beginning. By starting before a customer steps forward, the builder will allow that buyer to significantly shorten the time required to build a home with no impact on quality. While construction will have started, this buyer should be able to select many interior details, including colors and design features.
Five of these lots abut Avon conservation land trust areas that are heavily wooded and feature enticing walking trails. And making several of these sites even more attractive, the elevation is high enough to offer some impressive views.
The buyers of six of these homes will be involved in the design and construction process from the very beginning. They will pick the location, the plans, the interior and exterior treatments and the colors.
Dream Builders, the construction company that has built a number of homes in the adjacent Bridgewater and Kingswood neighborhoods, will start construction on the “quick delivery” home, which is adjacent to the conservation area, shortly.
As for the other six building sites, “The buyers will be able to choose their lot and the builder has floor plans that can be customized,” Glenney said. Buyers can also use their own plans and work with Dream Builders, or a builder of their choice.
Here, the quartzite counters were carefully chosen for their attractive veining, the subway tile backsplash is both good looking and practical, and the layout is clearly meant for entertaining and large family gatherings. Even the ceiling details demonstrate that time was taken to perfect every last detail of the project.
This home also had a wonderful feeling of space, thanks in part to the ceiling height. “The new homes will have nine-foot ceilings on the first floor and in the basement,” Glenney said. That ceiling height in the basement will give the owners multiple options for finishing this area, if they wish.
There is a homeowners association in Weatherstone that governs some aspects of the community. New homes should be architecturally compatible with the existing neighborhood. The architectural style throughout the development is best described as modern colonial.
“There’s is a minimum size requirement of
3,500 square feet and most homes will be between 3,600 and 5,000 square feet,” Glenney said. However, if a buyer wanted something larger, that would not be a problem, he added.
The exteriors of the neighboring houses set the tone for the area. These homes are large, without being ostentatious or overwhelming, and designs vary widely. Some feature brick exterior highlights, others have the look of traditional New England construction and design, with what appears to be clapboard siding. However, Hardie Board fiber cement siding, which provides an authentically traditional look while helping to prevent damage from impacts and rot, was used instead.
Six of the building sites are on Weatherstone. The seventh is on Northington Drive. “The sunset views from the Weatherstone lots are spectacular,” Glenney said. He also has an eighth lot available on Princeton Road in the nearby Kingswood neighborhood. This building site is a little larger and the view to the east, across Avon’s Secret Lake is breathtaking.
The approaches to intersections within the Weatherstone community have what Glenney calls medallions. These small islands have fruit trees that bloom beautifully in the spring. In addition to bolstering the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood, they also help slow traffic at intersections, Glenney said.
Spectacular views aside, this location is exceptional for other reasons. It is close to the centers of Canton and Avon in one direction, and to the Unionville business hub of Farmington when traveling in the other direction. Each of these areas offers an extensive array of shopping, services and eateries. Also nearby are a golf course, public swimming pool, tennis courts, and excellent public and private schools. Numerous employers are also located in the immediate area.
“This is a very friendly neighborhood,” Glenney said, and he should know. He is one of the residents. “You almost always see people out walking, often with their dogs.”
People interested in more information may visit www.weatherstoneofavon.com, or call the agent to arrange a tour and review options for building the new home of their dreams in an exceptional neighborhood.