Tag: featured

Del Webb is filling a hole in the Middle Tennessee housing market. 

The hole: active-adult communities. 

According to Jason Demuth, president of PulteGroup’s Tennessee division, the 55-plus demographic is one of the biggest growing segments in the market.

“The biggest thing we struggle with in Middle Tennessee is housing inventory — having enough, not having too much,” Demuth said.

Del Webb, a retirement-community developer and subsidiary of homebuilder Pulte Group Inc., announced its latest community earlier this fall: Del Webb at Barton Village, which will bring over 700 homes to Lebanon and marks Del Webb’s fourth active-adult community in Middle Tennessee. 

For Demuth, Lebanon was the “perfect scenario.” It offered space for the 240-acre community; it’s an attractive, fast growing area, right off Interstate 40, while also offering residents a “small town environment.”

“As long as this region continues to grow, and the Del Webb demographic continues to come here, we’re going to keep looking for opportunities to keep investing in these master plans for them,” Demuth said.

The grand opening of Del Webb at Barton Village is set for April 5 and its Southern Harmony community in Murfreesboro opened in April 2024. But the national brand shows no signs of stopping there. 

Del Webb, a retirement-community developer and subsidiary of home-builder Pulte Group Inc., reveals plans for its newest Nashville development.

Del Webb

Demuth said Del Webb is doubling down on Tennessee and sees the potential of bringing on two additional active-adult communities in the next five to seven years. 

“This is a time where housing is under a lot of pressure with costs, affordability and interest rates. … That buyer is growing here, a lot of people are moving here. It seems like there’s great demand for that active adult community,” Demuth said. “A lot of markets might have had years and years of building these communities. We really haven’t.” 

In partnership with Phoenix-based Suncrest, the master developer of Barton Village, the 240-acre development will be located on the southern portion of the 350-acre mixed-use, master planned development and will offer dining, retail, offices, medical facilities, outdoor recreation and other housing options connected to Barton Village. 

“What we’re providing in one of our Del Webb communities, you really can’t duplicate that aging in place,” Demuth said. “It’s a lifestyle change. … It’s really something completely different.”

Suncrest sold 555 platted and engineered lots within Brio, one of the Raleigh area’s new master-planned communities in Knightdale.

PulteGroup acquired 267 lots in Brio West, while Dan Ryan Builders bought 288 in Brio East. Both builders will work with Suncrest to develop an amenity package with a 5-acre park and a clubhouse with a pool, sports courts, and other recreational facilities to encourage an active lifestyle.

Suncrest is constructing the off-site roadway and utility improvements and has retained 500 lots as well as a multifamily section for future development as an age-restricted community designed for adults 55 and older.

Suncrest is a national master developer specializing in securing and developing prime real estate opportunities across America’s most sought-after markets. It has a portfolio of 20,000-plus homesites under management.

An out-of-state builder has scooped up one of the largest undeveloped parcels inside Interstate 540’s Outer Loop in Wake County.

Arizona-based Meritage Homes has purchased 93 acres of mostly forested land at 6515 Buffaloe Road in Northeast Raleigh, according to Wake County records.

The assemblage is permitted for 641 homesites. It’s also part of Buffaloe Reserve, a new 212-acre master-planned community at the northwest corner of Buffaloe Road and Interstate 540, just a 20-minute drive to downtown Raleigh.

The sellers, Suncrest, acquired the entire property — including some 2,000 feet along the Neuse River — for $12 million in 2022, The Triangle Business Journal first reported. It’s zoned for up to 1,100 single-family homes and multi-family units.

Suncrest, with JPM South and Timmons Group, said it has spent the last two years working with the city of Raleigh’s planning and engineering departments to secure final approvals.

It’s expected to break ground in late 2024, according to its website. Planned amenities include a clubhouse and pool.

Apart from the sale to Meritage, Suncrest said it will retain the project’s remaining 18 acres, currently zoned for multi-family residences, and reposition it for sale or development “over the next 24 months.”

“Whether it is rezoned to another use, the market will determine,” Suncrest’s director of land development Mark McAuley said in a release.

Meritage is among a handful of out-of-state developers to become active in North Carolina in recent years, buying up large swaths of land as the state’s growth surges.

In the Raleigh metro alone, it has 10 communities with 30 “move-in” homes currently available in cities like Angier, Garner, Graham, Haw River and Mebane.

It is unclear what the price point will be for its homes in Buffaloe Reserve. Meritage declined to comment for this story.

In Garner, its community, Oak Manor, offers three two-story floor plans ranging from 2,702 to 3,252 square feet. Prices start at $504,000.

WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A huge master-planned development is under construction in Wilson County, bringing almost 2,000 homes to the community.

“It’s the urban core,” said Casey Werner, PE, Executive Vice President of Real Estate at Suncrest, the project’s developer. “Lebanon, outside of the square, does not have this, and not every municipality does. So it’s a unique opportunity for us and the city to get together to create something awesome that all the residents will really enjoy.”

Barton Village will be on 350 acres of land off South Hartmann and Interstate 40. The property includes dining, shopping, office, medical, and outdoor recreation. Werner said it’s similar to the McEwen Northside community in Franklin.

“We’ve always seen the vision of Lebanon — their growth. They were ranked 12th fastest growing city in the country. So we really appreciate being part of growth,” said Werner. “Their executive leadership has a strong vision of what they want the city to be. They have been doing an excellent job in bringing in industry partners who align with our vision and are really great employers. So, those are big drivers of what we like about Barton Village.”

In addition to plenty of outdoor recreation, the development will also include almost 700 apartments, 450 townhomes, and over 700 homes in a Del Webb community for those aged 55 and older.

According to new data from the University of Tennessee, the state’s population of adults 65 and older is expected to increase by 25% by 2040. Experts project a 36% spike among those aged 75-84 and a 72% surge in people 85 and up.

“The industry is growing, and there is a need for this type of housing. Del Webb has three others in the Middle Tennessee area that have all been extremely successful, and we like to be a part of that growth with them as well,” added Werner.

He said the project has been in the works since 2018, and Del Webb is looking to have a grand opening for its community around the Spring of 2025.

“We have different projects at different scales in Nashville. This is probably our largest in Middle Tennessee,” explained Werner. “One was the access to land that helped. And then again, the interstate is extremely important for us to bring business. So what we wanted to do here was align with the South Hartmann gateway overlay, which is the city’s vision for a true mixed-use hub.”

A new Del Webb community will include more than 700 homes for ages 55-over as part of Lebanon’s approved Barton Village development.

Del Webb at Barton Village is expected to open in the spring of 2025 as part of the mixed-use development on South Hartmann Drive, south of Interstate 40 in Lebanon, according to a news release. It will be Wilson County’s second Del Webb community. The first, at Lake Providence, has more than 1,100 homes in Mt. Juliet.

The Barton Village development was approved for almost 2,000 homes with 350,000 square feet of retail, commercial and office space on about 350 acres about a half-mile off I-40. Approvals for Barton Village date back to 2021 with subsequent amendments and revisions. A groundbreaking for Barton Village was held in October 2023.

Del Webb at Barton Village will be located on about 240 acres at the southern end of the development. Suncrest is its master developer. Only single-family homes are in the building plan at this time, according to Del Webb.

An outdoor amphitheater, dog park, about 16,000 square feet of clubhouse for residents, indoor and outdoor pools, pickleball and bocce courts, walking trails and fitness center will be part of the development.

Del Webb opened its Southern Harmony community in Murfreesboro in April. It also has a Southern Springs community in Spring Hill.

PHOENIX, AZ – Suncrest, a leading residential master-developer, is making waves in Charlotte and Phoenix with recent grand openings of two exceptional, luxury rental home communities – the first in their planned national portfolio of Zora Living communities.

Zora University celebrated their Grand Opening May 25, and offers a selection of 108 one- and two-bedroom, craftsman-style homes, each featuring smart home technology, private entrance, and individually fenced and landscaped backyards.

The community, conveniently located near major employment hubs, includes an array of amenities, including a sparkling resort-inspired pool, outdoor grilling stations, fitness facility, yoga lawn, and open-air courtyards.

Sean Cooney, Suncrest Managing Partner, expressed his excitement: “Zora University redefines modern living, offering a unique blend of privacy through our single-family homes and convenience through exceptional management services. We are thrilled to bring this highly anticipated rental opportunity to residents in the Charlotte metro area.”

Zora Encanto celebrated their Grand Opening on April 13, and sets a new standard for sustainability and superior living. Located near major employment hubs, the 109 luxury, ranch-style, rental homes offer an impressive list of features including private entrances, private turf backyards, smart home technology, doggy doors, and more.

Beyond these amenities, Zora Encanto showcases its commitment to sustainability, utilizing HercuWall® technology, an innovative, panelized exterior and demising wall system offering superior strength, insulation, and efficiency compared to traditional construction methods.

Jason Rhees, HercuTech CEO, emphasized the benefits: “The HercuWall system absolutely differentiates Zora Encanto from competing products and highlights Suncrest’s commitment to building better and focusing on residents’ experience and well-being.”

Employing HercuWall will save over 35,000 kilograms of carbon emissions annually, reduce residents’ energy bills by over $15,000 annually, and save 600+ trees in the community construction.

Mike Koch, Suncrest Managing Partner, expressed excitement about the HercuTech partnership: “We are extremely proud to offer our residents a higher level of privacy, soundproofing, significant energy bill savings, and other benefits that HercuWall offers.”

Derek oversees land acquisition, design, entitlement & site development activities in Middle Tennessee & N. Alabama. Prior to Suncrest, he was Land Forward Planning & Entitlement Manager for a top national builder in Nashville, guiding the company’s strategic direction.

Responsibilities Include:
Land Acquisition & Analysis: Collaborates with the team to assess land deals & apply strategic frameworks
Project Development: Develops scopes & budgets and guides projects through due diligence with knowledge of local markets and zoning laws
Financial Planning: Forecasts development costs using recent bids
Project Management: Tracks deadlines & budgets to ensure project progress
Reporting and Communication: Develops reports highlighting deadlines & challenges, maintaining transparency
Vendor Management: Manages A/P for timely vendor compensation & develops consultant agreements

Derek holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State & is a licensed Professional Engineer in TN and MS.

Arizona-based real estate firm Suncrest has been active in Gaston County in recent years. Now, it is gearing up to soon begin development at another master-planned community there.

Suncrest is targeting a spring 2024 construction start on the first phase of Derry, a 360-acre community approved for the development of 877 single-family residences. The first phase has been approved to include 195 home lots with a range of product types, Suncrest said.

The project site is on Forbes Road in Gastonia, near Neal Hawkins Drive.

The developer, which focuses on master-planned communities, is still in discussions with homebuilders that are interested in building product at Derry.

Suncrest estimates that 10 to 12 months of site work is needed at Derry before construction of homes begins.

Gaston County has been a focus for Suncrest since the firm entered the Charlotte region in 2019. Derry joins another Suncrest project there named Nolen Farm, which includes hundreds of residences as well.

Suncrest’s Mark McAuley told the Charlotte Business Journal earlier this year that Gaston County would continue to be on the firm’s radar for future projects.

Since 2019, Suncrest has acquired over 1,200 acres in the Charlotte region and secured entitlement for the development of more than 3,000 home lots. Suncrest is planning for 2,000 additional home lots in the region to be ready for development in the next 18 to 36 months.

The firm works with a range of homebuilders to develop its communities and has other projects in Kannapolis, Indian Land and Charlotte.

Jonathan’s Grille is staying in growth mode, on the heels of its tenth location opening in Gallatin this fall.

Local brothers Curt and Mason Revelette have plans for the six new locations of the Nashville-favorite upscale sports bar across Tennessee and its neighboring states.

“What I’m most excited about is the ability to continue to promote from within and thank our long-term team members that have put in those long nights that the bar and restaurant industry demand and [for them] to be able to have a true career and be able to move up within our company,” Mason Revelette told the Business Journal. “We’re just really excited that we are going to be able to grow at a nice consistent pace without losing our culture and our family environment.”

The six new locations will be:

• Lebanon, Barton Village Development, South Hartman Road
• Chattanooga, 212 Market St.
• Jackson, Exit 85 area
• Clarksville, Marcelina Development
• Smyrna, Same Ridley Parkway
• Huntsville, Alabama

The first three listed will break ground in 2024 and the Revelette’s hope that two of them will also open next year. The last three will start to break ground in 2025.

These opportunities are similar to the communities Jonathan’s Grille already operates in.

“They really match the same model of being upscale suburban communities with young families and hotels and day business, and so for us, it just checked a lot of the same boxes that we are looking for,” Curt Reveletter said in an interview. “We just felt like we really understand these communities.”

Other areas on the Revelette’s radar for expansion are Knoxville, Birmingham and Bowling Green.

The Knoxville/East Tennessee area has the ability to support two, if not three, locations, according to the restaurateurs, and the Bowling Green area is attractive because western Kentucky University gives in-state tuition to Middle Tennessee students so the brand is familiar in the market.

Each new location will create about 70 jobs.

“Now that we’re starting to scale a little bit, we are getting some good economies of scale with our vendors and being able to pay our people even a little bit better as our economies of scale increase and some of our costs start to really work in our favor,” Mason Revelette said.

When the brothers tool over Jonathan’s Grille, founded by their parents in 1999, in 2010, there were only two locations: Cool Springs and Bellevue. It has since expanded to Spring Hill; Hendersonville; Germantown; Mt. Juliet; Madison, Alabama; Murfreesboro; Chattanooga and Gallatin.

“You can get a cold beer anywhere, but it’s the people and the atmosphere that make them want to come back. We really try to have higher food quality, a cleaner restaurant, and a really engaged staff that cares about guests,” Mason Revelette said. “A lot of the people that work for us grew up in that area and they’re proud to now be in the newest, coolest place where they grew up. It’s really creating an environment that makes people want to come back day after day.”

Aside from Jonathan’s Grille, the Revelette’s portfolio also includes The Rutledge, located in Franklin and in downtown Music City adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville. The brothers have also broken into the beverage space, launching Revelette Wines and Revelette Bourbon.

The planned Howe’s Landing community will represent Suncrest’s third Charlotte-area master-planned community.

Residential master developer Suncrest Real Estate & Land and TriGate Capital, a leading real estate investment manager, have acquired 335 acres in Gastonia, North Carolina. The multi-parcel assembly, known as Howe’s Landing, was approved by the Gastonia City Council for 877 residential homesites. Howe’s Landing will represent Suncrest’s third Charlotte-area master-planned community.

“The concept and design of Howe’s Landing is the result of a shared vision between Suncrest [and] Gastonia planning staff, with feedback from the community,” Suncrest managing partner Sean Cooney says. “It will raise the bar for residential development in the area.”

According to Suncrest, the new community will provide home builders and residents with diverse housing options that include townhomes and single-family residences in a variety of styles, sizes, and price points. Howe’s Landing will feature passive and active open space and an 8-acre stocked pond that will serve as the focal point of the community.

The plans for the community’s central amenity include a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse with an indoor fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, multipurpose sports courts, grilling areas, and gathering facilities.