Getting your player ready...
How does Louisville, last stop on the Turnpike before Boulder, keep getting named as one of the best places to live in the entire nation? Is it the ‘sweet-as-pie Main Street’ (Sunset Magazine, March 2011)?…or the ‘highly rated schools,’ (Money, “No. 1, Best Place to Live,” 2009)…or is it the 30 miles of trail, the easy access to the mountains, or the laid-back ambiance?
Whichever, Louisville’s allure becomes a little rarer tomorrow, as Ryland Homes holds a grand opening for its models at Steel Ranch, Hwy 42 north of S. Boulder Road — likely to be the last single-family neighborhood of its size that’ll ever be built in the coveted town. (The city also has two multifamily sites, one near Louisville’s planned FasTracks stop, that could be approved in the future, but that’s it.)
If you live in an older part of town, Ryland’s two large models are some of the only production homes you’ve seen built in six years. Prices start at only $324,900…but they all have sustainability features that were scarce a decade ago — Energy Star design with 2×6 walls for blown cellulose insulation; high performance appliances; and recycled features including reclaimed wood-plank floors, trendy furnishings of mango wood (has to be harvested every 20 years), and an option for glass countertops.
“We’re focused on sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint,” said Ryland sales rep Ryan Mogan, who’ll be on hand tomorrow with Damian Story. But in designing new Perspectives Series homes, Ryland has also put a pencil to adding value in family-sized living space – including features that weren’t on the drawing board when older houses were built. One 4-bedroom model you’ll tour is just short of 3,000 square feet on its two main levels, has a 3-car garage, and a low-cost option to add additional space finished in the basement. Third-car garages are standard on larger plans; and most show extra-large kitchen center islands for family gatherings; upstairs laundries, drop-n-store zones between garage and living area, and an optional home ‘OPS center’ – added finished area for the family member that manages the household schedule.
Of course, all will benefit from Steel Ranch’s location less than a mile from Louisville’s historic Main Street (you can get a taste of that tonight at ‘Street Faire,’ featuring Boulder band FireFall, one of the groups on tap Fridays throughout summer; see DowntownLouisvilleCo.com). What Westword picks as ‘Best Small Town Shopping District, 2011′ has boutiques, bars and dining spots…”and don’t forget art galleries,” adds city Economic Development Director Bonnie Star. Louisville, she notes, is more than likely to show up again on this years’ “Best Places” ranking to be released by Money next month (the spread’s writers have already been spotted around town).
You’ll also see Steel Ranch’s own community plan with two parks, some walk-out and garden level sites that are a perfect match to Ryland’s floor plans, and some views of Longs Peak. Models open tomorrow…and first sites will be released next week, on a priority basis. To reach Steel Ranch, exit the Boulder Turnpike on Storage Tek Drive and head north one mile; left on 96th then north 3 miles (becomes Hwy 42) to Paschal Drive.
If you go…
WHERE: Grand Opening, Ryland Homes at Steel Ranch in Louisville, 2 furnished models, family-sized single family homes, optimal sustainability features; 2 ranch plans. Hwy 42 between Baseline & South Boulder Rd., Louisville; from U.S. 36/Turnpike take Storage Tek Dr. north 1 mile; left on 96th (last exit before toll road), north as 96th becomes Hwy 42, past S. Boulder Rd. to Paschal.
PRICE: From $324,900
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Sunday noon-6
WEB: RylandDenver.com
