A Developing Story: Creating Neighborhoods
Trails at Copper Creek in Pleasent Hill
Hubbell Communities offers multiple choices and multiple locations for homeowners and for builders, according to lot sales managers April Tufano and Bryan Schwartz. With more than 18 residential communities, Hubbell communities create a sense of uniqueness. They are close to schools, good arterial streets and roads, and trails and sidewalks for strolling.
There’s an instant sense of the good life and community spirit, with clubhouses and parks for family activities. Plus there’s a choice for your style. Do you want a traditional neighborhood, golf course living, or a conservation community with green space and a natural environment? The communities are handy to major arterial roads for easy commutes to work, shopping, restaurants, and schools.
Hubbell Realty CEO Rick Tollakson sees the company’s development properties as patchwork quilts. “When we plan a neighborhood, we see it and want it to be full of character and variety. We don’t want every home to look the same, so we love the individuality that many builders bring to the projects.”
Area builders appreciate that aspect of Hubbell communities as well. “When I take prospective clients to Hubbell properties to look at lots, I point out the great aspects of the conservation communities,” says Nate Miller of Marquis Builders. “The wide open spaces, the wildflowers, and the good schools are important to many families that are looking to build.”
He points out that his clients really appreciate that Hubbell communities feature a mix of styles. “People don’t want to live in cookie-cutter areas. They like the mix of housing styles.” Nate is building this year in the Hubbell communities of Meadowlark South in Grimes, Summersfield in Des Moines, and Danamere Farms in Carlisle. He has been in business for eight years and builds 25 to 50 custom and spec homes each year.
Hubbell works closely with builders adding to the interesting mix of the development properties. While there are certain covenants in Hubbell communities, such as being a certain size or having a neutral color palette, builders have latitude on showcasing their work. The goal is to create communities that have a mix of housing styles, not a series of same-style homes.
Bryan feels the same way. “We offer high-touch, personal service in order to make our communities successful.We work with a number of builders throughout the area who provide a variety of home styles. It’s very easy for someone who wants to build in our neighborhoods find the right builder for their personal style.”
On the flip side of the coin, builders enjoy the service they receive from Hubbell. “It’s easy to work with Hubbell,” says Chip Classon of Jordan Homes. “They take care of the details, which makes my job easier. They go the extra mile in getting lots we builders want for our customers.” He builds 10 to 20 homes per year and works with Hubbell in developing lots all over the metro area. Matt Peterson of Vintage Custom Homes says, “I like that Hubbell is willing and wanting to have a mix of housing styles in its various communities. I have purchased all my lots through Hubbell in my two years of independent building. Their lots are in desirable areas around the metro.”
“The company is so good about creating a sense of community,” according to Chris Dawson of Platinum Development. “There are covenants, sure, but they don’t want homes in their communities to all look alike. The community benefits, and so do the homebuyers, who get to show their individual styles.” Dawson has been in business on his own for four years and builds about 25 homes each year.
Tags: communities, conservation