By Laura McAlister
Journal Editor
The Kessler Companies like to emphasize outdoor living spaces in their developments, and in this year’s Parade of Homes, they’ll showcase three neighborhoods that do just that.
“That’s one thing we’re really big on — outdoor spaces,” said builder Charles Kessler.
And when Charles refers to the “outdoors,” he’s not just talking about landscaping.
Whether it’s community grilling spaces with fire pits or nature trails and waterfalls, The Cove at Overton, Pumphouse Village and Heritage Park all have unique outdoor spaces. Combined, the three offer buyers something in almost every price range.
Each of the communities is designed in an old world style by architect Chris Reebals. The neighborhoods also are conveniently located in Over the Mountain cities.
The Cove at Overton
The Cove at Overton is an upscale neighborhood located in both Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills. Just minutes from shopping and dining in Cahaba Heights and The Summit, it’s still tucked away from the traffic.
Houses start at $750,000 and top off at around $1.5 million.
The development has 25 lots – 11 in Vestavia Hills and 14 in Mountain Brook. So far, Charles said, the location of the lot does not determine the price.
The homes are designed in old world English country, Tudor and Craftsman styles. Brick and stucco exteriors have wrought iron, copper and steel accents.
Inside, floorings are a combination of hardwood, ceramic, marble and slate. Main floor ceilings are 10 feet, and second floor ceilings are 9 feet, both with crown molding. The kitchens are gourmet all the way, with gas cook tops and granite countertops with a generous allowance for appliances.
While homes are first class, it’s the outdoor spaces that really make The Cove distinctive. The neighborhood is gated with a brick compound wall, and in the center of the development is a community park with a gazebo, including a large outdoor fireplace and gas grills. There’s plenty of covered seating for a family cookout or neighborhood gatherings. A pond completes the relaxed ambiance of the park area.
Pumphouse Village
Pumphouse Village was designed with families in mind. Located in Cahaba Heights, close to both The Summit and The Colonnade as well as other shopping and dining, the new development will have 27 homes with nine different plans to choose from. Prices start in the upper $300s.
“This is just a real nice, safe community in Vestavia Hills,” Charles said. “It’s a convenient location, too. It’s less than a mile from The Summit.”
The homes have an old English look with basement and main level parking.
This gated community also has unique outdoor spaces. In addition to sidewalks throughout, there’s a park complete with a waterfall near the entrance of the development. Gas grills and a fire pit with seating make the park an ideal place for family entertaining.
Heritage Parc
Off Alabama Highway 31 in Hoover just minutes from the Galleria is Heritage Parc, a new gated carriage home community. Prices for these three and four-bedroom carriage homes range from $189,900 to $269,900.
Charles said this new community is great for first-time homeowners as well as those looking to downsize. Unlike other carriage home communities, this one has plenty of parking.
“There’s lots of parking. That’s something we wanted to make sure we had,” he said. “There’s two-car basement garage parking, and there’s parking in front.”
When construction is complete, there will be a total of 34 homes with four different home plans. Each has the master on the main floor with additional bedrooms upstairs.
Charles said units come fully equipped with stainless steel appliances plus a front-load washer dryer and flat screen TVs in the living room and master bedroom.
As for the outdoor spaces, Heritage Parc will have stone sidewalks along with a nature trail and what Charles calls a “pocket park.”
“That’s the outdoor area for grilling and cooking out,” he said.
And like the Cove at Overton and Pumphouse Village, Heritage Parc is convenient to both shopping and dining.
For more information on any of these developments, visit www.crerealty.com.
