A bit of musical theater history is on the market on New York Citys East End Avenue: a penthouse where Irving Berlin lived for more than a decade.

The two-bedroom, four-bathroom duplex on the corner of East 86th Street was listed for $7.9 million earlier this month.

More:Read More Manhattan Luxury Market News on Mansion Global

The legendary composerwhose songs include Easter Parade, God Bless America, White Christmas and Theres No Business Like Show Business"lived with his family in the Emery Roth-designed building from 1931 to 1944, according to records. He was "the greatest songwriter that has ever lived, fellow composer George Gershwin once said.

The penthouse is very much one-of-a-kind, said listing agent Jane Andrews of Warburg Realty. It almost has a quality like you see in old Hollywood movies.

Black-and-white marble floors, high ceilings and a circular staircase greet guests in the foyer, which leads to a 28-foot corner living room, Ms. Andrews said. Five huge windows frame the expansive views. And not just any views: The penthouse overlooks Carl Schurz Park and the East River. Brooklyn, Queens, Gracie Mansion and the citys bridges can be seen from both inside the apartment and from its wrap-around terrace.

More:Downtown Rules Strong Week for Manhattan Luxury

There are views from every room, added Ms. Andrews, who sold the apartment to the current owners 27 years ago.

In addition to the living room, which is lined with built-in bookshelves and has a wood-burning fireplace, the first floor also has a formal dining room and a sunroom. A kitchen and maids room are also on the lower level.

The landscaped terrace is accessible from all the rooms on the first floor, an uncommon feature, Ms. Andrews noted. There are also greenhouses outside on the main terrace, she said.

A master bedroom is on the second level, as well as a second bedroom and sitting room, according to the listing. There are two bathrooms upstairs, in addition to a solarium (which is currently being used as a study) that opens up onto another terrace. There are river views from the upstairs as well.

The doorman building was completed in 1929. Photographer Samuel Herman Gottscho did a series of prints of the apartment during Berlins time there, which The Museum of the City of New York has in its collection. According to records, the house was last on the market, but not sold, in 2012 for $8,495,000. Attorney Hamilton F. Kean was the long-time owner of the penthouse, according to records. Kean died in 2016, and his widow is moving to be closer to family, Ms. Andrews said.

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Irving Berlin's Upper East Side Penthouse Listed for $7.9 Million - Mansion Global

By Michele Lerner Special to The Washington Post

What ended with a 1950s- and 1960s-themed party for an entire neighborhood began with a simple desire to upgrade a tired kitchen.

When Silver Spring, Md., residents Amy Dibner and her husband, Bruce Marshall, expanded their small Cape Cod house to accommodate a larger kitchen and dining area, a sunroom and a patio with a landscaped backyard, they thanked their neighbors for living through the six-month construction period by throwing a midcentury modern party in keeping with their home's aesthetic.

Dibner and Marshall moved to the Washington region from Cleveland a decade ago, attracted to what they considered the perfect neighborhood: a cluster of small, single-family homes nestled along tree-lined streets within walking distance of downtown Silver Spring.

"We love it that we can walk to restaurants and shops and the Metro, but at the same time, we live in a quaint neighborhood," says Marshall, a Unitarian chaplain who works at Riderwood Village, a retirement community in Silver Spring, and who is the author of "Meaning and Spirit in Aging."

The couple, who share a love of midcentury modern furnishings and decor, found that the 1933 house worked well for them even when all four of their grown children visited, but after six or seven years, they realized the kitchen needed updating and that storage was a challenge.

"We talked to a contractor about just updating the kitchen, and that company pointed out that we had space behind our house to expand our living space and bring in more light," says Dibner, a commercial architect with the DLR Group in Washington. "We love the huge willow oak tree in front of our house and the weeping cherry tree in the back, but we were craving more light."

With the help of Tahani Share, an architect with Landis Architects/Builders in Washington, and Jeffrey Potter, a horticulturist with J&G Landscape Design, the couple added 475 square feet to their main level along with a flagstone patio and landscaped yard for outdoor living space. The couple paid $625,000 for their home in 2007, and the addition, completed in late 2015, cost $440,000, including a master bathroom renovation, a new patio, fencing and professional landscaping. The existing house had 1,000 square feet on the first level, which included a living room, two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a kitchen and a dining area. The house also has a finished lower-level family room and a dormer level with a master suite.

"Amy and Bruce wanted to enlarge their kitchen and dining space and create a sunroom, but they also wanted to stick with the simple design of their home," says Share. "We were able to maintain the appearance of the front of their house and expand the back of the house by 13 feet across its entire width."

***

Dibner and Marshall were clear on what they wanted: an addition that would complement and not overpower their home.

"Tahani designed a space that works as an interpretation of midcentury modern style," says Dibner. "It was such a pleasure for me to be on the client side of the table and yet also understand the process and the cost of different decisions."

Share used a 3-D design program to show Dibner and Marshall their existing home.

"We used drawings and 3-D modeling to design the addition right from the beginning, including space to accommodate the furniture they have and what they wanted to buy," says Share. "Technology makes the process easier and even helped us create a demolition plan and a construction plan."

The main goal was to create an uninterrupted flow of space in the kitchen, dining area and sunroom.

The original kitchen and dining area are now devoted to an open dining area and a wall of pantry shelving and closets.

"Tahani designed the pantry and the kitchen cabinets to match, with a band of glossy white cabinets and a band of matte wood cabinets," says Dibner, who enjoys the fact that even 18 months after the project was completed, they have yet to fill all their shelves.

"We wanted to keep the window from the exterior of the house to bring in natural light to the bedroom," says Dibner. "Tahani designed shelving and put in frosted glass so that the bedroom has both light and privacy. The cool thing is that it creates silhouettes on the bedroom side of whatever you have on the shelves in the sunroom."

Share says the initial plan was to design the sunroom with glass on the side wall as well as across the back, but the homeowners wanted to have that side closed off so they could use that wall for some of their furniture.

***

While the footprint of the addition covers what was a deck with a hot tub, Marshall and Dibner say they feel they have more space to enjoy outdoors now that the yard has been redesigned and the exterior of the house as well as the fencing on three sides has been improved.

"J&G even designed a pole to hang our bird houses that fits in with the rest of the house," says Dibner. "They also landscaped everything so it blooms sequentially and added four raised garden beds to our portion of the alley because that's where we get the best sun for vegetables and flowers."

The home's back lawn was originally sloped, so the landscape plan included leveling it and putting in a central pea gravel walkway that leads to a gate to the alley, where the couple has a detached one-car garage. An apple vine climbs the side wall of the garage that extends into the backyard.

Continued here:
Cape Cod house gets update via midcentury modern throwback - Peoria Journal Star

Patch.com

Get Home Improvement Questions Answered Patch.com As a homeowner, you will need to obtain a permit if you are building an addition such as a room or sunroom, making an alteration to your home such as windows, siding or basement remolding, if you're building a shed, detached garage or deck or if you're ...

Read more here:
Get Home Improvement Questions Answered - Patch.com

Cindy Hamann

Cindy Hamann

Realtor view: Get the greatest value out of home remodeling

Whether you've lived in your home for two years or 20, there is bound to be something about it you would like to change. Maybe you want to update your master bathroom, or perhaps you've been sketching a garage addition.

Whatever your remodeling dreams may be, certain projects offer real-life payoffs when you decide to sell your home.

Even if you may not think you will be selling any time soon, it doesn't hurt to keep your home's resale value in mind for the future. Here are a few things to consider when planning your home improvements.

Remodeling magazine publishes an annual Cost vs. Value Report that compares the cost for popular remodeling projects to the amount the projects recoup when the homes are sold. According to its latest report, all remodeling projects in the Texas region offer less than a 100 percent return, although some projects come closer to paying for themselves than others.

According to the survey, the project that retained the most value in the Texas region was replacing entry doors (83.6 percent). While that may not fit your idea of an exciting remodel, they are projects that hold their value at resale. Replacing existing siding with fiber-cement siding also scored high (79.6 percent), as did replacing the garage door (74.5 percent).

The value of home improvements can vary from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. One constant, however, is that odd or unusual projects may not increase your home's appeal to the average prospective buyer. If you plan to stay in the same house for years to come, go ahead and turn your living room into a replica of NRG Stadium. Be aware, however, that if you do choose to sell, it may stand out to potential buyers for the wrong reasons.

Generally, low- and mid-range projects hold their value better than upscale remodels. For example, an upscale, major kitchen remodel with an estimated cost of more than $100,000 returned only 63.3 percent according to the Cost vs. Value Report, while an $18,000 minor kitchen remodel returned 74.9 percent.

It's important to remember that every home in every market is different. It's true that the data says you won't get much return on your investment from adding a sunroom (49.7 percent), but what if you really want a sunroom? Or what if most homes in your subdivision have sunrooms, and you think you'll be at a disadvantage competing against them when you sell?

The report from Remodeling magazine is a good place to start, but for specific advice about how a room addition or other improvement may affect the resale value of your home, ask a Realtor. And if you're already planning a move, a Realtor can even help you choose projects that might help your home sell faster.

To learn more about selling and owning a home, visit HAR.com.

Cindy Hamann of Heritage Texas Properties is 2017 chair of the Houston Association of Realtors/HAR.com.

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Realtor view: Get the greatest value out of home remodeling - mySanAntonio.com

To get an insight into how the lovely sunroom on the rear of Bob and Beth Braxton's 45-year-old California contemporary evolved, one might start with photos of the old 12-by-15 wooden deck that preceded it. The deck is, at best, an intimation of what might be, a footprint that helped the recent retirees conceptualize something far more suitable to emergent needs.

We love the outdoors, Beth Braxton says, recalling the process that led to the bright spacious sunroom which now graces the back of the home she and Bob have occupied since 1984. At first, we thought a screened-in porch might be what we were looking for. Then [we] decided that we needed more living space for quality time with friends, family... And especially the grandkids, who often ride over here on their bikes. At that point, I saw that the change had to be for a year-round space, with lots of garden views; a retreat.

An addition off the rear elevation that might have required digging a foundation wasn't needed. But the larger question was: who would field the couple's many questions and shape their vision into a space that would satisfy many requirements, while staying comfortably within a budget?

Quite coincidentally, Beth had noticed a site sign for a remodeling firm working in the neighborhood; not long afterwards, attending her dance class in Burke, she saw a sign indicating where that same firm Sun Design Remodeling maintains their offices.

I just walked right in, Braxton says. Obviously, more living space was really on my mind. My husband and I had discussed some rough ideas, but the important point was that we made an appointment for one of their designers to look at our house.

Bob had sketched out several floor plan concepts one, an octagon, that turned out to be the most expensive in the group. At this point the Braxtons and Sun Design began to collaborate in earnest.

The dialogue was very productive, Braxton says. In the end, we were provided with three different design concepts, each reflecting budget variances. Their process helped us narrow down choices, which matters a lot when you're building something you want to use for the rest of your life.

Thus, in its way, the 450-square-foot sunroom now in place reflects both a broad agenda distilled into beautiful simplicity and an exercise in getting the priorities right.

The options were so thoughtfully presented we could easily make informed decisions on what we wanted to keep and what was less important, Braxton says. The transparency allowed everything to flow smoothly.

A full foundation, for instance, might have added another 40 percent to the cost. As it happened, the site and the structure itself allowed the remodelers to anchor the sunroom's floor framing to 11 6-by-6 wooden piers attached to concrete footings.

It's a cost-effective engineering solution for a comparatively lightweight addition, says Jeremy Fleming, Sun Design's production manager. It provides all the structural support needed, and is much easier to install.

Also, with less excavation equipment on site, it was easier for the remodeler to preserve trees and bushes deemed essential to future landscaping.

More importantly: the piers played a role in the wind-bracing support required in structures that feature a lot of glass.

County rules on glass in new construction have been in place for over a decade, explains Fleming. Because of some tricky complications in the execution, a lot of contractors stay out of the sunroom arena now so it's become somewhat specialized.

As interior design is concerned, the Braxton's retreat is thoughtfully-conceived, zoned for key gathering spots, yet modular and interactive.

A 2'-by-12' alcove on the room's far elevation was designed to accommodate a window seat with built-in bookcases and storage for children's games. With its pyramid-shaped triple window course, the alcove is the defining focal point when entering the room.

Overhead, four skylights allow abundant natural light. Mid-room, a pair of sliders on opposite walls provides beckoning access to, respectively, the north and south gardens.

Every morning the sun rises in the east-facing window alcove where Beth often sits to greet it. There's a glass crystal cross in the window, she says. It catches the light beautifully, and sends little rainbows across the room.

At the room's opposite end, the remodeler built a 4'-by-12' hyphen linking the house to the new sunroom. Another pair of built-ins on opposite sides of the entrance offer adjunct storage and seating.

A pair of African woven baskets displayed in open cubbies reminds Beth of the mission in Kenya she has been involved in for some 25 years. She says the sunroom is dedicated to one of the orphan girls she knows through the mission.

A mini split HVAC unit above the door at the entrance provides the room's heating and cooling. To help maintain thermal efficiencies in the two parts of the house, the remodeler retained the original insulated glass sliding door between the old house and the new sunroom.

The plan really works well for us, Beth says. It's very much the happy gathering place we were looking for as a family.

Sun Design Remodeling frequently sponsors design and remodeling seminars as well as tours of recently remodeled homes. Headquartered in Burke, Sun Design also maintains an office in McLean, Va. For more information visit http://www.Sun DesignInc.com.

John Byrd has been writing about home improvement for 30 years. He can be reached at (703) 715-8006, http://www.HomeFrontsNews.com or byrdmatx@gmail.com

Here is the original post:
A gathering place - Fairfaxtimes.com

BUILDING PERMITS

PMT2016-05592 1701 Mariposa Ave.; $100,000.00; Lynda and James Mcneil; Jamey Valentine Construction; Remodel of a single-family dwelling unit. Scope of work includes demolishing one of the existing bedrooms, on the ground floor, for a new master bathroom and an expanded bedroom. Square footage to remain unchanged. Additional stairway/access point to basement. Addition of a new porch to be located on the west side of the principal structure (See BOZ2016-00018 for setback variance). Permit to include associated MEPs.

PMT2017-00426 1420 Bluebell Ave.; $1,331,082.00; John and Denise Frontczak; Thal Construction, Inc.; New two-story single-family dwelling with attached garage at 1408 square feet , and finished, walk-out basement at 1620 square feet. Associated MEPs included within the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-00433 925 37th St.; $30,200.00; Miguel Arias; Attached unheated garage addition of 264 square feet with storage loft. See BOZ2016-00013 for supplemental information.

PMT2017-00501 870 Inca Parkway; $22,850.56; Emily Rose; New detached garage (512 square feet) in rear yard of an existing single-family dwelling. Electrical service for the dwelling to be relocated to the new garage with an underground feed to the dwelling.

PMT2017-00738 2490 Junction Place; $1,285,846.11; Integrated Interiors, LLC; Rocky Mountain Institute(RMI) - Boulder Commons, North Building, Second Floor, 16047 square feet. Interior tenant improvements from shell condition. Modifications include non-structural partitions, casework, floor/wall/ceiling finishes, and fire sprinkler installation. Associated MEPs, including the installation of light fixtures, plumbing fixtures and mechanical work, all covered under the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-00910 4309 Butler Circle; $30,910.00; Alan Segal; Richard Garlock general contractor; Addition of a 256 square foot covered raised porch on the rear of a single-family dwelling. Structure to be supported by piers and retaining/foundation wall.

PMT2017-00986 1315 Cedar Ave.; $325,000.00; Elizabeth Konrath; JDC Construction; Addition and remodel to a single-family detached dwelling. Addition to consist of second story over rear wing of dwelling and will contain two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a loft. Remodel to include relocation of kitchen, creation of master suite and relocation/addition of stairs.

PMT2017-01121 1365 Brown Circle; $12,278.85; Roy Leckonby; 39 Design LLC; Addition to an existing single-family residence. Scope to include new 109 square foot entry way with closet, associated electrical. Pending HIS2017-00092.

PMT2017-01153 2045 Balsam Drive; $250,000.00; Ian Mcdonald; Sl Murphy Construction LLC; Addition and remodel of an existing single-family home. Upper level addition, 129 square feet , for (2) new bathrooms. Interior remodel on all levels, 984 square feet Adding 20 square feet to existing front porch. Adding 125 square feet to existing rear deck. Associated MEPs covered within the scope of this permit. All construction must be compliant with the materials presented in ADR2017-00050.

PMT2017-01270 1420 Hawthorn Ave.; $280,000.00; Tracy Burke; Sloan Construction Company LLC; Interior remodel of a single-family residence with minor exterior changes. Interior scope includes relocating existing powder room on main level from west side of dining room to east side of dining room, creating new back entry area, reconfiguration of kitchen, relocation of garage door. Exterior changes include removing a bay window and relocating a sliding glass door in dining room. Total remodel area on main floor of approximately 516 square feet. Second level remodel includes master bath remodel, conversion of existing sauna into a closet. Total remodel area on second level of approximately 198 square feet. Minisplit to be added to master bedroom.Scope includes associated MEP.

PMT2017-01331 2500 Meadow Ave.; $155,175.00; Bruce Berman; Mr Pool Inc.; Installation of new in-ground, concrete pool, 605 square feet , and spa, 56 square foot pool to be located in the back yard. Scope includes installation of mechanical equipment and equipment pad to the south of pool, to be screened by landscaping. Western portion of pool to be covered by new pergola.

PMT2017-01511 4654 Sprucedale Place; $37,734.40; Maria Cole; Owner Contractor - First time, partial basement finish, 670 square feet. Interior, non-structural improvements only. Scope to include creating a new rec room, bedroom, and 3/4 bath. Associated MEPs included within the scope of this permit.

PMT2017-01592 5400 Airport Blvd.; $557,170.00; Highpoint Upi/P7; Edifice Builders Inc.; Interior tenant remodel for an existing technical office suite. Scope includes renovated office spaces, bathrooms, break room, assembly areas, and storage.

PMT2017-01651 3902 Promontory Court; $18,000.00; Shelley and Mark Stern; Vermilion Construction; Interior remodel of existing sunroom in a single-family residence to convert into square footage for the adjacent master bedroom. Scope includes 105 square feet and includes removal of single pane glazing, new framing of 2 x 6 walls with microlam headers, new insulation, replacement of gas fireplace insert, and associated electrical and mechanical.

PMT2017-01667 1955 30Th St.; $500,000.00; Two Nine; Renovation of the existing clubhouse, fitness center, and leasing office spaces of a multi-family complex (Two Nine North). Project includes MEPs and some structural modifications.

PMT2017-01773 511 Marine St.; $14,848.00; Candice Dickinson and Judith Patrick; Permit for rebuild and expansion of rear deck for a single-family detached dwelling. Scope also includes reconfiguration of below grade access to basement.

PMT2017-02026 325 S. 41st St.; $10,138.50; Herb Hulse; Owner/contractor-Repair/remodel of kitchen and upper level bathroom. Scope to include removal/replacement of wall in upstairs bathroom, removal of a non-bearing wall separating the kitchen and living room, removal of a fireplace at living room and repairing the wall between the living room and garage. Reference CPL2017-00494.

Originally posted here:
Boulder building permits, May 22, 2017 - Boulder Daily Camera

Michelle Cebulko Trust/trustee, 4902 Corinith Drive, remove and replace deck as well as add sunroom patio cover, Leisure Living LLC, $60,000.

Janice and Edman Blair, 5514 S. 22nd St., 240-square-foot room addition, Dillion Co., $20,000.

Valerie Mackley, 5404 Cranberry Hill Circle, 352-square-foot deck replacement, no contractor listed, $3,500.

Quail Creek Homes Association Inc. C.O Lawre Acord, 3008 N. 39th Terrace A, 192-square-foot deck replacement, Shelton Siding Co. Inc., $7,900.

Johnson Controls Battery Group Inc., 4722 Pear St., 10,973-square-foot addition for JCI, Al J. Mueller Construction Co., $801,295.

Johnson Controls Battery Group Inc., 4722 Pear St., JCI 4,056-square-foot locker and breakroom addition, Al J. Mueller Construction Co., $1,690,903.

OAB Holdings LLC, 2102 Village Drive, reroof, Mike Rose Construction, $9,020.

Missouri Real Estate Investments LLC, 4518 Libby Lane, new 1,345-square-foot single-family home, PJB Construction LLC, $169,000.

Missouri Real Estate Investments LLC, 4516 Libby Lane, new 1,345-square-foot single-family home, PJB Construction LLC, $169,000.

Missouri Real Estate Investments LLC, 4514 Libby Lane, new 1,345-square-foot single-family home, PJB Construction LLC, $169,000.

Cyndee and Frank Dvorak, 319 N. 20th St., new carriage house, ATV Services, $14,700.

Pat Powers, 3901 Pickett Road, reroof residence, Griffin Roofing, $4,200.

UMB of St. Joseph C/O Corporate Tax Department, 3601 Mitchell Ave., replace mansard lower roof only, Blu Sky Restoration Contractors Inc., $19,425.

Triumph Food LLC C/O Chief Financial Officer, 5302 Stockyards Expressway, new 384-square-foot storage building for Triumph Foods, Veritas Systems Construction, $28,700.

Son Nguyen, 4904 N. Lakewood Drive, replacement of 260-square-foot deck, no contractor listed, $5,616.

Jessie Davis, 1217 Lincoln St., reroof residence, no contractor listed, $4,000.

Heather and Martin Sykes, 2001 N. 22nd St., roof permit lay over, C & R Construction, $4,250.

See the original post:
Building permits, May 18 - News-Press Now

Editor's Note: Houston is loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap reporters snoop through some of our faves and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

3014 Del Monte

The River Oaks home of Dr. Denton Cooley was built in 1948 by C.C. Rouse, with a later two-story addition designed by noted architectJohn Staub. Cooley, the legendary surgeon who performed the first heart transplant in the United States and the first implantation of a total artificial heart, died late last year at age 96. His wife, Louise Cooley, preceded him in death a month earlier, at age 92. The Cooleys lives in the house from 1962 until 2016.

The home is in a estate and is being sold "as is," according to John Daugherty Realtors, which is listing the house for sale.

The elements: TheSouthern colonial house with classical pediment and columns in a prime River Oaks location features a gracious foyer, with a staircase leading to the second floor and a dining room to the left upon entering. Other features includea living room with fireplace, a largefamily room that was part of the Staub addition (ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons once performed there), a paneled library, enclosed sunroom, pantry and kitchen that has not been updated.

The home, on a quarter-acre lot, is configured for 5 to 7 bedrooms, with hardwood floors throughout, and 5-1/2 baths. The master bedroom has a large dressing room with Programme Martin fixtures and dressing mirrors. A backyard patio with garden fountain was designed by acclaimed landscape architect Gregory Catlow.

Square footage:6,883

Asking price: $4,499,000

Listing agent: Mary Craddockwith John Daugherty Realtors

Read more:
Home of legendary heart surgeon is on the market for $4.5 million ... - CultureMap Houston

BUILDER

CalAtlantic Homes Inc., Arlington, Va. and Irvine, Calif. (NYSE:CAA) late Friday announced the opening of communities in North Carolina, Indiana and Maryland and the addition of 12 new home designs in California's Silicon Valley.

CAA announced plans to unveil on Saturday May 13 12 new home designs at Lantana and Wisteria in Morgan Hill, Calif., single and two-story home designs featuring expansive Great Rooms, gourmet kitchens and unique outdoor living spaces.

The homes within Lantana in Morgan Hill range from 2,952 to 3,930 square feet and contain four to six bedrooms and three-and-one-half to four-and-one-half baths. The homes within Wisteria in Morgan Hill range from 2,088 to 3,091 square feet and contain three to five bedrooms and two-and-one-half to three-and-one-half baths. Pricing starts in the $1,100,000s.

"In designing these new floor plans, we focused on connectivity and functionality to create an ideal backdrop for everyday living as well as large-scale entertaining," said Tom Burrill, Bay Area President for CalAtlantic Homes. "Morgan Hill offers an unparalleled lifestyle with convenient access to Hwy 101 and the Caltrain, and both communities are commuter friendly, offering a wonderful place to call home."

Situated 15 miles south of San Jose, Lantana and Wisteria in Morgan Hill offer an easy commute to the Silicon Valley and are a short drive from destination cities such as Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. Residents can enjoy close proximity to Morgan Hill's vibrant downtown, which offers a blend of boutique shops, restaurants, breweries and more. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy close proximity to dozens of award-winning wineries along the 28-mile Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail. The area also features the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center and boating on Lake Anderson. For golfers, Coyote Creek Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is located just five miles away.

In Indiana, CAA opened Vonterra in Zionsville, featuring homes from 1,820 to 3,610 square feet, with three to five bedrooms and two to three-and-one-half baths. The ranch and two-story home designs feature Great Room centered floor plans that open into large center-island kitchens and generous outdoor living spaces. Together, these areas create a warm and welcoming backdrop for time with family and friends, and make the most of Vonterra's peaceful wooded surroundings. Each home also features a generous owner's suite with a spa-inspired bath. Pricing starts at $300,995.

"Vonterra is part of a 109-acre site - 48 acres of which CalAtlantic has donated back to Zionsville for the development of a large nature park and recreation area," said Craig Jensen, Indianapolis Division President for CalAtlantic Homes. "This gives Vonterra residents wonderful seclusion, while still enjoying the benefits of modern new home living, premier schools and almost immediate access to historic Zionsville and interstates that put them only a short drive from downtown Indianapolis."

Designed with busy families in mind, floor plans at Vonterra include well-thought out storage space and can be personalized with popular options such as second-story lofts, bonus rooms and an oversized garage. Homeowners can also select from Craftsman, Italiante, Tudor and Greek Revival exteriors - all part of CalAtlantic's Architectural Collection.

Residents at Vonterra will enjoy immediate access to Zionsville Rail Trail, a public hiking and biking trail that will connect to the community, as well as adjacency to the proposed 48-acre Overly-Worman Nature Park. Other nearby recreational destinations include Eagle Creek, the 77-acre Starkey Nature Park and Lions Park, an 18-acre community park and sports fields.

Vonterra is just one mile from The Village, the heart of Zionsville's historic downtown, featuring brick paved streets, fine dining, cafes and boutique shops, and the frequent site of popular local festivals and celebrations. It is also located minutes from I-465 and I-865, allowing quick and direct access to the employment and urban amenities of metro Indianapolis. Children living in Vonterra are eligible to attend Zionsville Community Schools.

Further east, CAA opened Crestmont, a new home community offering a variety of single-family home designs in Apex, NC.

"Apex offers a highly energetic environment with ample recreation making it a great place to build our newest neighborhood," said Troy George, Raleigh Division President for CalAtlantic Homes. "Home shoppers have already responded very positively to Crestmont's variety of floor plans and its exceptional location."

Home buyers at Crestmont can select from nine home designs from the Classic collection, offering a mix of five new and best-selling single-family floor plans, and the Estates collection, introducing four brand-new, luxury single-family floor plans.

These two- and three-story homes range from 2,980 to 4,530 square feet, with three to five bedrooms and two-and-one-half to five-and-one-half baths. Each home mingles traditional charm with amenities specifically designed to meet the needs of discerning home shoppers. This includes bright and welcoming floorplans that are expertly designed to flow from spacious living areas into gourmet kitchens with center islands. Each home also features a generous owner's suite with a spa-inspired bath.

All floor plans within the Estate collection include a three-car garage and screened porch. For those seeking main-floor living, the Classic collection includes a first-floor owner's suite option. Homes at Crestmont can be further personalized with popular features such as lofts, bonus rooms, first-floor guest retreats and patios that create extended indoor-outdoor living spaces. Pricing starts in the low $400,000s.

Residents at Crestmont will enjoy walking trails that wind throughout tree protected areas within the community. The neighborhood is also located directly across the street from the new Green Level High School, providing quick and convenient walkability for students.

Situated in the rapidly growing town of Apex, Crestmont is in close proximity to the dining, shopping and entertainment of historic downtown Apex and the Beaver Creek Commons shopping center. It is also 1.5 miles from the 224-acre Thomas Brooks Park, providing basketball courts, sports fields, walking trails and picnic shelters. Within minutes of NC 540, residents at Crestmont will enjoy an equally easy connection to the urban amenities and employment centers of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Children living in Crestmont are eligible to attend the Wake County Public School System.

Up the east coast, CAA opened Chapel Creek Village, a neighborhood of 27 luxurious townhomes in Gambrills, Md., offering the spaciousness of a single-family home within a peaceful setting surrounded by wetlands and forest conservation areas.

"Understanding that home shoppers crave a backdrop for in-home entertaining, we've designed these townhomes with a sense of connectivity and flow that feels more like a single-family home," said Tim Bates, Mid-Atlantic Division President for CalAtlantic Homes. "We are delighted to introduce these townhome designs in this highly-sought after locale."

Chapel Creek Village offers two, three-story townhome designs that encompass 2,460 square feet and include three bedrooms and two-and-one-half baths. These well-appointed floor plans features bright and spacious Great Rooms, and large center-island kitchens with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and beautiful cabinetry. Each townhome offers a finished first-floor recreation room, along with a second floor flex room which can be personalized to meet the needs of each homebuyer. Home shoppers will enjoy the generous owner's suite which includes a private bath with dual sinks, a soaking tub, a separate shower and a spacious walk-in closet.

Townhomes at Chapel Creek Village can be further personalized with options including a lower-level powder room or full bathroom, a sunroom to enjoy the community's serene setting and a sitting room in the owner's suite. All homeowners will enjoy a two-car garage and traditional exterior styles accented with covered entries. Upon completion, the community will include a children's play area, a butterfly garden and a peaceful meditation area. Pricing starts from the mid $400,000s.

Chapel Creek Village is located in the growing community of Gambrills, MD, in highly sought-after Anne Arundel County. The community is less than one mile from Waugh Chapel Village retail center, one mile west of Route 3 and near I-97 and Route 32. For commuting residents, Chapel Creek Village is almost equidistant from both Baltimore and Washington D.C. It is also near Fort Meade, home to the National Security Agency (NSA), and only a short drive to Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Arundel Mills Mall. Children living within Chapel Creek Village have the opportunity to attend Four Seasons Elementary School, Arundel Middle School and Arundel High School, all part of Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

See the article here:
CalAtlantic Unveils New Communities, Designs in 4 States - Builder Magazine

I dont know anything about the sea, except that its romantic, Lucy Muir observes in the 1940s classic, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Shes right. The Captains House, a gracious, 17-room estate set directly on Rockports rocky shoreline, is awash in just the kind of romance that only New England seaside living can evoke. Owned by the same family for the past 50 years, this property presents a rare opportunity as a single-family home or waterfront bed-and-breakfast. Spacious grounds provide ample room for tented events, parking and outdoor activities all with 180-degree ocean views.

The home is set behind an original granite wall providing privacy amidst lush coastal gardens, observes listing agent George Kauss of Coldwell Residential Brokerage of Gloucester. The private setting belies how convenient the residence is to the many nearby beaches, fine restaurants, shops, art galleries and the world-famous Shalin Liu Performance Center that make Rockport one of New Englands most beloved travel destinations.

Built in 1910, the home's original architecture has been lovingly maintained throughout the residence. The artisan-crafted woodwork and built-in cabinets evoke an age when visitors left calling cards, and proper manners dictated that one did not respond to a written invitation by telephone. The coffered ceiling and two fireplaces create a living room ideal for quiet evenings at home or more formal entertaining, while the striking dining room affords the perfect space for both casual and formal repasts.

The kitchen, with butlers pantry and plenty of storage and prep space, boasts oak floors and stainless-steel appliances. A sunroom, laundry/mudroom with a commercial washer and dryer, half-bath, den and home office complete the main-level living space.

The second and third floors what would have been known as the family rooms in a bygone era feature eight generous bedrooms with full bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms have original fireplaces. All bedrooms offer ocean views.

In addition to its convenient location nearcharming shops and restaurants, the residence is minutes from the Rockport commuter rail station and less than an hour from Logan Airport.

The residence is idyllically situated, with over 150 feet of ocean frontage offering clear views of Straitsmouth Island and the twin lighthouses on Thacher Island. And being directly on the Rockport shoreline, you can swim, fish or picnic right from your own backyard. Its beautiful location with coastal breezes also keeps the home naturally cool during the warm weather, while a commercial furnace keeps the home cozy in the winter, says Kauss. This is a lifestyle unique to Cape Ann on one of Marmion Ways most prominent pieces of waterfront property.

The captain for whom the home is named was Capt. Clayton Morrissey, the most famous of Gloucester fishermen. Born in Nova Scotia in 1872, he began his storied career at age 13 as a deck boy. In 1923, Capt. Morrissey was the model for English sculptor Leonard Craskes Man at the Wheel, the internationally renowned intrepid fisherman statue dedicated to They that go down to the sea in ships.

This remarkable offering is shown by appointment.An open house will be held Saturday, May 13, from 2 to 4 p.m., at 69 Marmion Way.For more information and additional photos, visit http://www.CaptainsHouse.com.

AT A GLANCE:

17-room, ocean-front estate

8 bedrooms

9 full and one-half baths

5 fireplaces

$2,268,000

LISTED BY:

George Kauss

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

978- 979-2907

George.Kauss@NEMoves.com

http://www.ColdwellBankerHomes.com

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Read more here:
Rockport oceanfront estate brings finest of Cape Ann living - The Salem News