Sports fans have more options than ever when deciding how to view a sporting event. HD and 3D televisions make the action more real at home and give fans a way to watch the game on the cheap, all from the comfort of their own homes.

This is leading sports organisations to invest large amounts of money into creating unique fan experience areas within their arenas and stadiums. By creating additional fan engagement areas that fans cannot get with an at-home experience, organizations are hoping to raise their chances of getting fans back.

With the NFL season approaching quickly, here are threenew and recent fan-experience renovations to NFL stadiums:

1. EverBank Field Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have never been shy about trying new things to attract fans to come to the games and forget about the mostly lackluster product on the field. With that in mind, the Jaguars have three unique offerings that are new for fans heading into 2014:

New Video Boards: Jerryworld (AT&T Stadium) no longer holds the record for largest video board in the NFL. The Jaguars decided to out-do the Cowboys monstrosity with a 60 feet by 362 feet video board. (Did we mention there are two of these in the stadium?)

See the rest here:
Which NFL stadiums are best reinventing the fan experience?

Stanmore Partners, a real estate development and investment firm based in Houston has broken ground on its first multifamily development in Kingwood, Texas.

Ravella at Kingwood Apartment Homes, located at 25710 Loop 494 (at Northpark Drive), will be a two- and three-story Class-A multifamily rental community. It will be situated within the 24-acre master planned Village at Northpark, an upscale retail center that includes the largest Kroger in Texas as well as many other shops and restaurants. Located less than three miles south of the future interchange of The Grand Parkway and U.S. Highway 59, Ravella at Kingwood will occupy just under 13 acres of land in the highly desirable Kingwood market. The community will be home to 264 one, two and three-bedroom units (including two-story townhomes with attached garages), ranging in size from 709 to 1,689 square feet.

Ravella at Kingwood will provide an attractive housing option for residents looking to take advantage of the walkable and sustainable aspects of Kingwood but also the convenience of exceptional freeway access and proximity to employment centers, shopping, dining, parks and other natural gathering places.

Amenities such as a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot clubhouse featuring a 24-hour fitness club, conference room, business center, latte lounge and game rooms will be offered at Ravella at Kingwood. In addition, residents will enjoy a resort style pool with poolside cabanas and fire pits. An additional courtyard will feature large trees, outdoor seating, a fire pit and ample green space. Pet amenities are planned to include a Dog SPAW where resident pets can be groomed and pampered. Bike enthusiasts will benefit from the communitys on-site bike repair and storage shop.

Interior unit amenities will include wood-like flooring, granite countertops, designer tile backsplashes, custom cabinets, under cabinet lighting, gourmet appliances and full-size washers and dryers.

Steinberg Design Collaborative, a Houston-based multifamily design firm, provided architectural services while interior design is provided by Moore Design Group of Dallas. Hoar Construction, LLC will be the general contractor for the development.

Stanmore Partners is a Houston-based real estate development and investment firm that pursues investment opportunities expected to generate superior risk-adjusted returns by developing and acquiring properties in markets and locations with strong fundamentals. Its dedicated and experienced real estate professionals are committed to providing investors with attractive investment performance and high levels of client service.

Read this article:
Stanmore Partners announces luxury multifamily development in Kingwood

Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) July 22, 2014

Residents and visitors at Villaggio Reserve likely have noticed the exciting activity at Delray Beachs next great 55-plus luxury residential development. The Cabana Club, the communitys lifestyle destination and town square, is under construction and is beginning to take shape.

As visitors drive through the Gatehouse and along the European-style roadway, with its accent lighting and mature trees, on the left is what will become Villaggio Reserves iconic landmark. The Cabana Club clubhouse will be home to dining, activities, sports, socializing and relaxation that will define spectacular South Florida living.

If youre looking for a place with everything anyone could want, the Cabana Club will meet every possible expectation, said Ron Yuter, senior vice president with developer Ansca Homes. Residences at Villaggio Reserve start in the $280,000s and rise to the $400,000s. When it opens for the coming season, it will incorporate all the features and amenities that promise to make Villaggio Reserve the most remarkable community of its kind in South Florida.

The Cabana Club will redefine active living. With the structure for the caf and Fitness Center already taking shape, whats being revealed is the future of life at Villaggio Reserve.

The 38,000-square-foot clubhouse and surrounding complex was painstakingly designed to provide residents and their families and guests a host of activities certain to meet the most diverse interests and pursuits.

Inside, a variety of card, crafts, game, billiards and multipurpose rooms will set the stage for active socializing and friendly gatherings. The Grand Ballroom will host both theatrical performances and residents private affairs. Meals will be enjoyed in the air-conditioned comfort of the dining area. Or, dine outdoors amid the cool South Florida breezes beneath the covered and screened lanai.

Sporting and athletic enthusiasts will enjoy recreational activities inside and outside the Cabana Club. The fully-equipped and staffed fitness center will feature all the amenities, from the latest workout equipment to Zumba and yoga classes. Schedule a massage or relax in his-and-her saunas.

Just outside, near the six lighted tennis courts, will be two lighted pickleball courts. Fans know this fast-growing sport as the low-impact, high-energy blend of tennis, badminton and ping pong thats sweeping the nation.

Ready for a swim? Enjoy the spa, or take a dip in the heated, oversized lap pool and resort-style pool, where benches and water features will take relaxation and socializing to new levels. Spending the day with the grandkids? Theyre welcome at the wading pool nearby.

Here is the original post:
Construction Continues on Villaggio Reserve's Cabana Club

Prosper, Texas (PRWEB) July 17, 2014

Set against the lush meadows of Prosper, the 2,030-acre master-planned community of Windsong Ranch will feature two Darling Homes collections debuting this year.

Never-before-seen floor plans will be offered by the Dallas homebuilder at Windsong Ranch.

The first collection of homes, which opened to the public on July 14, is a series of homes ranging in size from approximately 2,600 to 3,700-square feet and situated on 61-foot wide lots, with prices starting from the mid $300,000s.

The second collection, set to debut later this year, will feature even larger homes, offering from 2,600 to 4,200 square feet of living space on 71-foot wide lots. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Windsong Ranch is a community that must be seen in order to be appreciated, said Christine Kenny, marketing manager for Darling Homes Dallas division. Our homes join a community that will offer DFW residents plenty of amenities.

Windsong Ranch will preserve more than 600 acres of Texas open space, with a series of parks, green spaces, lakes and creeks available to local residents. In addition, Windsong Ranch will offer access to a first-class amenity center in The Commons, positioned on a hilltop overlooking a spectacular lake with gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside.

The Commons will also offer fitness facilities, a resort-style pool, lap pool, cabanas, kids spray park and much more. The Commons is also adjacent to The Esplanade, perfect for community gatherings and events.

Windsong Caf will offer a perfect place for family and friends to gather to plan the days activities or to simply catch up after a fun day in the community.

For more information on Windsong Ranch, please contact Michael Holmberg at (972) 346-9994 or mholmberg(at)darlinghomes(dot)com.

More here:
Darling Homes Opens Brand New Neighborhood at Prospers Windsong Ranch

New Bern, NC (PRWEB) July 14, 2014

Setting yet another fundraising record, the 4th annual Leukemia Cup Regatta was hosted by the friendly folks at River Dunes, North Carolina. Held on June 7th and 8th, this sailboat racing event was a community-wide effort to help raise money for life-saving research to fight blood disorders and cancer. This year, the Oriental Dinghy Club set up two courses, one for the more serious racers and one less competitive, encouraging boaters of all skill levels to join in. The Leukemia Cup Regatta guest of honor was a twenty-two month old little girl, Egan Delaney, who is now in her second year of remission after battling leukemia diagnosed when she was only eight weeks old. Her sweet grin and giggles brought smiles to everyones faces throughout the weekend.

The weather was perfect at River Dunes in coastal North Carolina, Real Estate Scorecards 2014 Bliss Award Winner for Best Boating Community of the Year. The well-protected Grace Harbor Marina and Harbor Club were the scene of the before and after racing celebrations. Friday evening, the Captain's Reception featured heavy hors d'oeuvres and poolside bar service, enhanced by the soft sounds of Bob Laverty of Oriental on guitar. On Saturday evening, River Dunes threw a first class shoreside celebration under a tent on the lawn that included a delicious dinner catered by The Chelsea restaurant, followed by dancing to the sounds of the Black and Blue Experience from Greensboro, NC. Live and silent auction items raised over $20,000 towards the weekend goal.

Forty sailboats of all different sizes competed in the event. After a single file parade out the communitys 1100 foot channel, colorful sails and sleek sailboats were spread across the Pamlico Sound for the afternoon races. Several of the competitors were residents of River Dunes, a boating community in coastal North Carolina that continues to receive awards from all types of organizations in the boating and real estate world. As guests at the event, Real Estate Scorecard witnessed first-hand everyone going above and beyond to help further the cause. In addition to River Dunes, dozens of generous local sponsors like Walmart, First Citizens Bank, Watermark, The Red Rickshaw, Trader Construction and Natcore Technology helped achieve the 2014 Leukemia Cup Regatta fundraising record. Boat captains and teams also raised funds for the charity with the final total announced on Sunday - a check for $140,532 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Noteworthy top boat fundraisers:

Rich Beliveau of River Dunes who raised $10,297 Bill Scott who brought in $12,100 Ken and Carol Small who raised $13,000

After talking with many of the residents, Real Estate Scorecard felt a deep sense of compassion among them and how much they enjoy paying it forward. They are a community of folks who are committed to making a difference. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is just one of several local charities they generously support.

Amenities that the residents of River Dunes enjoy include:

Harbor Club overlooking the marina with fine and casual dining Grace Harbor Marina with 1100 ft Channel into Broad Creek 124 Deepwater Boat Slips with utilities Outdoor Swimming Pool overlooking the marina Fireside Hot Tub and Cozy Cabanas Fitness Center with Steam Showers Two Lighted Har-Tru Tennis Courts The Lake House for social events 238 Acre Nature Preserve Guest Cottages Riverside Chapel

Not only is the marina village neighborhood fun to explore by land or by water, the nearby town of Oriental adds to the coastal charm. Quaint waterfront restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs overlook the towns marina and large shrimp boats. Nautical stores and roadside markets provide almost everything a boater could possibly need.

River Dunes has received great word-of-mouth, up and down the eastern seaboard. Some of the property owners have discovered the charming postcard-style village during their boating travels on the Intracoastal Waterway. With 14 miles of natural shoreline, most all the homes in the community have water views of one kind or another. Homes come in all sizes and shapes but must adhere to the community building guidelines and standards.

See the original post:
Leukemia Cup Regatta at River Dunes in Coastal North Carolina Raises Over $140,000 for Charity

SOURCE: William Lyon Homes

HAWTHORNE, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 10, 2014) - Homebuyers in search of the ideal blend of style, function and location won't want to miss out on a fantastic opportunity to move this summer to the South Bay's best-selling community. The Flats at gated ThreeSixty by William Lyon Homes has move-in ready floorplans, including the upgraded Featured Home, Residence 1, Unit 623. Priced at $417,990, this oversized studio offers a large kitchen, dramatic alcove bedroom area, plus a park view from the balcony. This Featured Home will sell quickly, so interested homebuyers should hurry in to the Sales Gallery. They can also learn more about the final homes now selling by visiting The Flats in the award-winning community of ThreeSixty. For immediate details, log on to http://www.lyonhomes.com/the-flats.

The Flats presents the ultimate in modern single-level living in a central location. This exceptional new home opportunity has just gotten even better with the chance to move right in and enjoy the ThreeSixty lifestyle immediately.

"Buyers have made The Flats one of the most talked about neighborhoods in the South Bay and our current Featured Home with a host of upgrades is an incredible value for turn-key luxury," said Lesley Pennington, Vice President of Sales for William Lyon Homes. "We strongly encourage anyone who is interested to make their move quickly."

The Flats' move-in ready Residence 1 home offers approximately 957 square feet in a chic urban-style studio layout, with 1 bathroom and a private 1-car garage. Upgrades include a gourmet kitchen featuring natural wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops with full backsplash. The stylish bathroom features convenient dual vanities and a walk-in closet.

The floorplans at The Flats have been designed to maximize livability with desirable amenities, wide open spaces, large bedrooms, ample storage and outdoor deck space.

The Flats' convenient location is as enviable as its interiors. Residents are within minutes of the beach, major employment centers, downtown LA and even LAX. The homes are also close to ThreeSixty's incredible amenities, where residents enjoy an active, social lifestyle at The Center, the community's private recreation facility. Amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, four-lane lap pool, spa and cabanas enveloped by beautiful palm trees, as well as basketball, paddle tennis and bocce ball courts. There is also a billiards lounge and bar, wine room, outdoor entertainment area with barbeques and fireplace, state-of-the-art gym and multi-purpose room.

Gated ThreeSixty is the South Bay's best-selling community and home to 300+ homeowners. Discover The Flats by taking a tour of the individual model homes or log onto http://www.360southbay.com and Like ThreeSixty on Facebook.

It matters who your builder is, and William Lyon Homes means it when they say that they put themselves into their homes. They build each and every home as if it were their own and have earned a solid track record for constructing quality homes backed by a solid customer service program since 1954. Learn more by visiting http://www.lyonhomes.com for updated information on William Lyon Homes' new neighborhoods.

To visit The Flats at ThreeSixty when traveling southbound on the I-405 from the north, exit at El Segundo Blvd., turn left on La Cienega, right at El Segundo Blvd., and left at Isis into the community. Traveling northbound on the I-405 from the south, exit at El Segundo Blvd., turn left on El Segundo and left again at Isis. The Sales Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please call 310.727.0762.

Read the original here:
The Flats at ThreeSixty Offers Move-In Ready Upgraded Residence One Designs

By Emily J. Minor

Musical performances are big here. (Meet the Tivoli Players.) There are social clubs, card clubs Canasta anyone? a mens club, and a club for the women. The golf club has about 50 active members though theres no course on-site, which actually makes it nice because theres no pricey maintenance.

They simply get all organized, then go play at one of the half-dozen public courses nearby.

And tennis?

This place loves their tennis, which might be why the courts are top notch. Six Har-Tru clay courts, and a tennis pro to boot.

Yep, this over-55 crowd likes to move around and make friends, which is probably why they bought in Tivoli Lakes of Palm Beach County. Located on the south side of Boynton Beach Boulevard just west of Jog Road, Tivoli Lakes isnt huge.

We didnt want a big community, said Rita Packman, who moved into Tivoli Lakes in the spring of 2008. We didnt want a country club.

So what Rita and Bruce Packman got was small(ish) community with well-constructed homes, plenty of amenities landscaping, pool, yard work, clubhouse, its all taken care of with your HOA fees and neighbors who have fallen in love with Florida retirement, although a few poor souls do still work.

Its just a nice group of people, said Packman, who bought their place over the phone after looking at the plans at a friends house.

Built by Devco Homes, Tivoli Lakes was ready for residents in April 2005, said HOA President Jeffrey Smith. Residents were able to pick from among eight pre-construction floor plans, and that gives Tivoli Lakes a custom look from the street. The touches are fantastic. (The sidewalks are all pavers.) And Realtor Valerie Kotz, who sells with Lang Realty, said clients love coming through the main gate and seeing all the lush landscaping.

Read more here:
Homeowners: Price is right at this over-55 comfy community

UCF housing is going suburban with the opening of the Retreat at Orlando -- a subdivison of two-story houses that are rented out by the room.

Orlando's first neighborhood of houses built for college students is about to open, and it comes complete with complimentary Starbucks coffee, tanning beds and swim-up movies at the beach-style pool.

Landmark Properties' Retreat at Orlando, a gated subdivision on East Colonial Drive, has hundreds of two-story Craftsman-style cottages intended just for students.

Although most of the new midrise apartments and towers built near the University of Central Florida in recent years have advertised their proximity to classes, the Retreat instead pushes backyard grilling, recreation and room for pets on its 40-acre site.

Behind the mom-'n'-pop-style homes, the Retreat has amenities that are anything but suburban: a PGA-level indoor golf-simulation room; a covered basketball pavilion; a salon offering manicures and pedicures; and shuttle buses to and from hot spots till 3 a.m. on weekends.

"I like living on campus, but I'm ready for the feeling of being in a home," said UCF junior Gabriella Armor, 19, who will be moving from an on-campus apartment to the Retreat next month. She said friends at Florida State University had sent her Instagram photos of the Retreat at Tallahassee, and she was ready for the idea to come to Orlando.

More than a month before fall classes start, the Retreat is fully leased, with individuals renting a single bedroom in a house that may have five or six bedrooms. For students who don't come to school with enough friends to fill up a cottage, Landmark matches like-minded housemates.

Students will start moving in next month to the houses, some of which house both genders. Lease rates range from $624 a month for one bedroom in a six-bedroom unfurnished house to $825 for one bedroom in a two-bedroom house with furnishings. Roommates share living areas and kitchens with granite counters and stainless-steel appliances.

The average per-bedroom rent last fall for all off-campus housing near UCF both privately managed and school-managed was $575 a month, according to a report from Smith Equities.

Although the Retreat is the first development of its kind in Orlando, it's not the only one to compete for students with resort-style amenities. Another big project being introduced near UCF this year, The Plaza apartments, offers putting greens, cabanas and beach volleyball next to the pool and media lounges for video-gamers.

More:
Gated subdivision for college students offers resort-style amenities

Inside, Outside, or Poolside? By Rachel Harper

When you own a pool, it becomes the central part of your backyard, and the entire area around it becomes extended living space that can be used throughout the season. To get the most out of your pool and newfound living space, you can extend the season or even allow for year-round swimming by adding a pool enclosure. If youd rather have a separate structure where you can store everything you need, relax in the shade, and enjoy the conveniences of your main house (without having to run back and forth to it), you may opt for a pool house. Both structures allow you to spend more time by the pool and enjoy the beauty of your outdoor oasis.

Photo courtesy of Concord Pools

Pool Enclosures

A pool enclosure is a great way to achieve the benefits of an indoor pool without feeling like youre stuck inside. Complete with sliding glass doors and retractable polycarbonate or glass-paneled roofs, permanent enclosures function like a sunroom for your pool. They provide UV protection while allowing the warmth and light of the sun to shine through and heat up the pool water. On hot summer days, you can open up the doors and roof to welcome comfortable breezes. When the forecast calls for rain, no need to stay inside the house; having a fully enclosed pool means you can swim rain or shine! Youll also have protection from pesky insects, and you wont have to worry about your picnicware getting blown away while youre dining poolside.

Permanent pool enclosures offer a great deal of versatility. They can be freestanding or attached to your home, and either prefabricated or custom-built, allowing for a wide variety of design options. Most are built from tempered aluminum frameworks with stainless steel fastening hardware, but they can also be constructed from brick, stone, or other materials. Custom structures allow you to choose a color and design that best complements your homes architecture. No matter what style you choose, investing in a pool enclosure means youll have an indoor-outdoor room that you can use as often as you wish.

Photo courtesy of Garden Prairie Pool & Spa Enclosures, manufactured by CCSI International, Inc.

If you live in a mild climate and want to extend the use of your poolside living space, you may prefer a pool house or cabana instead of an enclosure. Large or small, pool houses can provide useful storage space and living areas, as well as an attractive addition to your backyard. Since pool houses can go from basic storage units to grand multi-room guest houses, youll need to decide what kind of structure you want and what will fit into your budget.

Compact cabanas provide a place to store all of your pool floats, toys, maintenance equipment, sunscreen, towels, and other poolside needs. If your space and budget allow, you can opt for a larger structure that includes a bathroom, shower, and changing room. While all these features add convenience to the use of your pool, you may seek refuge from the sun and want a room where you can relax while enjoying the view of the pool. A one-room pool house can function just like a sunroom, complete with a cozy living room set and any decorative accents you wish. If you plan to spend a great deal of time in the pool house, you may want to install heating and air conditioning so it can be used just like any other room in the house.

If you are able to splurge on a luxury pool house, your structure can include all the fundamentals of your home and be used as a guest house, as well as for poolside entertaining. Adding a kitchen, dining table and chairs, bar, large-screen TV, and bedroom opens up your pool house to infinite possibilities.

Read the rest here:
Inside, Outside, or Poolside? Pool Houses, Cabanas, and ...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are moving from tarps to pools.

The Jaguars provided a hard-hat tour of their $63 million stadium renovation Tuesday, showing off the world's largest scoreboards, a pair of wading pools and a two-story party deck that will include 20 all-inclusive cabanas.

Jacksonville removed 9,500 chair-back seats to make room for the new construction in the north end zone. That allowed the team to remove 12 of 16 tarps around EverBank Field. The tarps have been an eyesore for years and essentially made the Jaguars the brunt of jokes. Maybe more importantly for a small-market franchise trying to change perception after years of futility, the covered sections won't be seen on television.

The Jaguars will unveil the scoreboards and cabanas at a Carrie Underwood concert July 26.

Already, the team has sold 65 per cent of its cabanas for the 2014 season. Cabana seating is sold out for three home games: against Pittsburgh (Oct. 5), against the New York Giants (Nov. 30) and against Houston (Dec. 7).

"We're trying to give fans a compelling reason to leave the comfort of their homes and to come and watch the Jaguars in person," Jaguars president Mark Lamping said. "We have to make sure the experience, when people spend their hard-earned money, is really good. But more importantly, it is unique and distinctly different than what you can get at home."

The Jaguars are selling 12 upstairs cabanas for $3,000 a game, with a maximum of 20 people in each suite. The price includes all-you-can-eat food and all-you-can-drink beer, wine and soda.

The eight downstairs cabanas -- the only tickets that include pool access -- are going for $12,500 a game, with a maximum of 50 people in each suite. Those also are all-inclusive.

Throw in 120 bar-rail seats located in the north end zone and adjacent to the pools, and the Jaguars have completely changed the look and feel of their 20-year-old stadium. Those bar-rail seats cost $150 a game and include food and drinks.

"This starts to give our building character, gives our building a personality that fits this market," said ChadJohnson, the team's senior vice-president of ticket sales. "We're in a great warm-weather market where water, beaches, the river are all part of it. So this incorporates not only what's local, but it incorporates a high-end beach resort. You go to a high-end beach report and sit in a cabana, what do you have there? You have the luxury of the beach but the ability to pull away from it with comfort of shade, fans, televisions that you can't get with your chair parked in that sand.

Continue reading here:
Jaguars move from tarps to pools with stadium renovation