|
1/26/2005
Monterey, CA, January 26, 2005. Gabilan Gardens subdivision in Soledad opened on Dec 8th bringing something innovative to Monterey County - homes designed to be affordable in the nation's most unaffordable housing market. The median sale price of a single family home nationwide is $187,000 compared to $598,000 in Monterey County. Statewide the median sales price is $460,000. New home prices debuted at Gabilan Gardens ranging from $339,900 - $389,900.
William Silva, CFO of Woodman Development, developers and builders of Gabilan Gardens, said, "The working residents of Monterey County are being priced out of the market. As developers, we feel obligated to address the needs of the County. We live here as well as work here and are concerned with what the future of Monterey County looks like. We need to come up with innovative design solutions to better utilize our land resources and help keep costs down. We did that at Gabilan Gardens by creating a high density planned community with detached homes that have small yards, but the amenities associated with townhouse living.
Detached housing at a density of 11 units per acre is unusual, but helps reduce the impact of escalating land prices. At Gabilan Gardens we used innovative design principles to create an efficient land plan on a five and a half acre in-fill parcel. This would have not been possible without the vision and the trust of the City Council and their willingness to try something new and untested in their community. As a result we are able to pass those savings on to the home buyer by selling our homes significantly below current market rate for similar homes across the County. "
Gabilan Gardens, a new, gated community of 61 homes, is located in Soledad within one block of the new Soledad High School. The homes range from 1,308 to 1,628 square feet with 2 to 4 bedrooms, lofts and 2.5 bathrooms each. Considering the median home price in Monterey County, these homes start at about 40% less than the median home price for the County.
Although Gabilan Gardens is designed at a high density for detached homes, Woodman didn't compromise the livability of the homes. The architecture and the overall planned development are inviting, vibrant and people-oriented. The homes are comfortable, stylish and livable while being clustered around courtyards or front porches and a community playground to encourage neighborly interaction. The development is visually appealing by the use of four distinct floor plans in Cape Cod or Craftsman style architecture. These home styles are mixed throughout the development to create a feeling of a traditional neighborhood.
Carefully designed-in affordability does not mean a sacrifice of the typical amenities desired by today's homebuyers. Gabilan Garden homes feature ceramic tile countertops and entry floors, walk in closets, dual vanities and soaking tubs in the master suites, wall to wall carpeting throughout, high ceilings, and rounded wall corners. Each home has its own private back and side yard, yet benefits from community amenities such as security gates and common landscaping.
"I was blown away by these homes," said Bruce Pierson of Pierson Realty Group. "They are beautiful. The attention to detail is amazing and the cost is unbelievable considering what home prices are in the County. Woodman Development deserves to be applauded for providing homes that the real people of Monterey County can afford. I foresee this development filled with families working, living, and playing together. This will be a true neighborhood, with teachers, police and fire fighters, and other workers raising families and building lives."
Tom Carvey, CEO of a local non-profit group dedicated to the responsible stewardship of all the resources in Monterey added, "While walking through the Gabilan Gardens models, I was hit by the thought that building housing is more like building dreams and having them come true. It's every family's dream to have their own home. The two and three bedroom models that I walked through were small, but interestingly designed and efficient looking. There would be ample room for a family of five.
In addition, the town homes make good use of the land, thus keeping the price affordable. There are 11 units to the acre, a relatively high density, but the use of a common motor court makes them seem larger.
I was ready to sign up and buy one on the spot."
Following a visit to Gabilan Gardens, Monterey County Supervisor Butch Lindley commented, "What an attractive development. An added plus is the price of these units: some of the most affordable homes in the entire county of Monterey. That, combined with a really high quality in all aspects, makes Gabilan Gardens a great addition to South County."
Other Woodman projects in Soledad include Pinnacles and Pinnacles Estates (223 homes), La Cuesta Views (164 homes) and Gabilan Plaza (neighborhood retail center).
Developer and contractor of Gabilan Gardens is Woodman Development, Inc. Architect is the northern California office of William Hezmalhalch and Associates. Sales agent for Gabilan Gardens is Legacy Real Estate Group, Inc. with onsite representation.
Woodman Development Company and its related partnerships have built over 1,500 residential units in the Central Coast region. The company is a partner in the proposed redevelopment of East Garrison at Ft. Ord, a planned community of 1,400 new housing units incorporating historical preservation, an arts habitat, sustainable economic activity and homes affordable by design. The East Garrison site plan received Award of Merit from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference earlier this year, one of only four chosen from 640 entrants.
Principals of Woodman Development are: John K. Anderson, President/CEO, William A. Silva, Treasurer and CFO and Marilyn J. Silva, one of the firm's founders.
"We are so proud of what we have accomplished here," Marilyn Silva said. "By creating a very livable, higher density community, Gabilan Gardens does more that provide attractive workforce housing. It provides a vibrant new neighborhood, a model of "affordable by design", for the essential workforce of Monterey County."
The sales office at Gabilan Gardens is open Thursday through Monday. They can be reached by calling 831-678-9296.
» View this article in PDF Format
» Back to Press Releases
|
