The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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What's Old is New Again: The Draw of Architectural Heritage at Homestead Preserve

(HOT SPRINGS, VA) -- Despite the slowdown in real estate sales and home construction nationwide, this well-known mountain resort community continues to draw well-to-do vacation home seekers, many of who have recently completed or are building second or third homes at the resort-style community of Homestead Preserve. Located adjacent to the landmark Homestead resort, Homestead Preserve has garnered much attention in recent years for its commitment not just to environmental stewardship but to preserving the architectural legacy of the famed Warm Springs Valley, a centuries-old healing and health escape centered on natural mineral springs. 
 
After more than two years of intensive architectural research, the developers of Homestead Preserve, all of whom were involved in the creation of the award-winning community of Celebration, Fla., began work on a 450-home community in Bath County, Va., designed to reflect the native historic architecture and landscaping of the Allegheny Mountains. 

Situated on 2,300 scenic acres surrounding the villages of Hot Springs and Warm Springs, the development's homes feature four distinct styles of historic architecture, which include Highland Classical, Highlands Farmhouse, English Romantic, and Highlands Arts and Crafts.
 
"I believe we have risen to the occasion of a challenging opportunity to create neighborhoods that blend seamlessly into the already existing community of Bath County," says Homestead Preserve co-General Manager Don Killoren. 

"The homes we are building today reflect the architecture that is already here and which has developed naturally over the course of the last two centuries.  Not many developers take that kind of care when creating communities to blend the new right in with the old."

 
As of June 23, there are more than two dozen completed homes at Homestead Preserve, and seven more are currently under construction.  All Homestead Preserve residences have met strict historic architecture guidelines that ensure they blend into or complement the natural landscape. 

Working closely with Pittsburgh-based Urban Design Associates, Homestead Preserve has developed a Pattern Book that details the area's rich architectural history, settlement patterns, and even native plants and trees appropriate for landscaping. 
           

Homestead Preserve has won numerous accolades for its commitment to both historic preservation and environmental and cultural heritage stewardship.  Among them are the 2009 Valley Conservation Council Better Models for Development Award for "Excellence in Historic Preservation," and the 2008 Outstanding Adaptive Use Award from the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

When Homestead Preserve developers Celebration Associates first purchased this property, they set the tone for its future moves by immediately selling more than 9,000 acres to The Nature Conservancy and placing additional acreage in conservation easements to protect the viewsheds in perpetuity.
 
Today, Homestead Preserve homesites range in size from ½ to 13 acres, and "historic" residences range in value from $1 million to more than $4 million.  They have been constructed of natural materials including wood siding, stone, brick, timber, and stucco.  All homes have been served by underground utilities to maintain the historic character of the landscape yet still feature state-of-the-art advances, including new "fiber-to-the-home" technology. 
 
Homestead Preserve developers and Celebration Associates partners Charles Adams and Don Killoren were instrumental in the design and development of Celebration outside Orlando, which was hailed as the "Most Advanced Community in the Country from 1996-1998" by The Guinness Book of World Records. 


For the past 10 years, Celebration Associates has been a partner in developing the community of Baxter Village in South Carolina, and is also a partner leading the real estate development projects at Bundoran Farm in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Mt. Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire. 

Crosland, LLC, of Charlotte, N.C., is a financial partner in Homestead Preserve, Bundoran Farm and Mount Washington Resort. Crosland's President and CEO Todd Mansfield was also directly involved in the development and success of Celebration, Florida. 
 

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Troon Golf to Manage Newly Renovated Lion Lake Resort in Guangzhou, China

(GUANGZHOU, CHINA) -- Troon Golf, the world's largest golf course management, development and marketing company, announced July 8 it has been selected to manage golf operations at Lion Lake Resort, located approximately 60 minutes northwest of Guangzhou, China - the country's largest golf market.
 
The Lion Lake Resort, formerly called Qingyuan Lion Lake Golf Club, is in the midst of a major renovation project. When fully completed, the development will feature two five-star golf resorts and convention centers, including 36 holes of golf, yacht club, hot springs, cultural center, wine vineyards, and a high-end real estate component. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has been chosen to operate one of the luxurious resorts, which will feature 350 rooms.
 
"We are very pleased to partner with the Lion Lake Group on this exciting project," said Troon's Ryan Walls, senior vice president, managing director, Australasia division. "The team has a clear and creative vision for creating a world-class destination and we are confident that by combining their strengths with Troon Golf's management skills, Lion Lake Resort will be an absolute success."
 
The two 18-hole courses at Lion Lake were both designed by American golf course architect Rick Jacobson, whose designs have been highly acclaimed by Golf Digest and Golfweek magazine. The first course at Lion Lake will be open for play in August 2009 and the second 18 holes will debut in early summer of 2010. While both courses at Lion Lake represent two different styles, each course utilizes the area's natural surroundings and unique water features to bring them together in harmony.
 
"After serious consideration, Lion Lake selected Troon Golf because of its notable success not only in the United States, but around the world as well," said John Ho, vice president, Qingyuan Lion Lake, Yijiehongtai Group Co. "The astonishing beauty of the area's natural environment, joined with the design talent of Rick Jacobson and the management expertise of Troon Golf, Lion Lake Resort is positioned to become a world-renowned championship golf resort.
 
A new Southern California-style clubhouse is also scheduled for completion in late 2009. Covering an area of 160,000 square feet, the clubhouse will feature a golf shop, two restaurants specializing in Chinese and western cuisine, and a full-service spa. 

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Olde Mill Resort-Style Golf Course Community Undergoing $12 Million Transformation

(LAUREL FORK, VA) -- Olde Mill -- a resort, residential and mountain lifestyle community celebrating a $12 million renovation - recently announced its Ellis Maples-designed golf course will soon be finishing its part of the community's makeover.

Hallmarks of the golf project include adding a wall-to-wall irrigation system, layout changes to several holes and aesthetic transformations by Dan and Bradley Maples.

Pinehurst residents Dan (son of Ellis) and Bradley Maples (grandson) led the renovation of the family patriarch's 18-hole, par-72, 6,833-yard championship layout and enhancements will grace almost every hole. However, the intent and shot values of Ellis Maples' acclaimed design will remain intact.

Opened in 1972, Olde Mill holds a 4-star rating from Golf Digest and features water coming into play on 16 holes.

"The course at Olde Mill which Mr. Ellis Maples conceived was based in large part on his respect and admiration for the work of legendary golf architect Donald Ross," says Hagen Giles, General Manager, who has been at Olde Mill for more than 25 years. "Dan and Bradley did a great job helping us bring the course up-to-date without losing those classical, original design principles which have made Olde Mill such a highly regarded playing experience. With our enhanced playability for all types of golfers and upgraded overall layout, we've ensured that Olde Mill will continue to shine for years to come."

The original Maples design stretched 6,833 yards from the tips.  As part of the course renovation the back tees have been lengthened to 7,100 yards to further test better players while seniors, juniors, beginners and less-accomplished players will find the new layout more playable as other sets of tees have been adjusted to best embrace all level of players.

Cart paths were repositioned and bridges were rebuilt as well as all 70 sand bunkers renovated with sand from the Sandhills of North Carolina -- adding to the regional flavor of the course. The Maples have been multi-generational Pinehurst residents and, of course, Donald Ross' legacy there is well documented.

Other changes to the course include the 1st hole being switched from a par 4 to a par 5, while the reverse will occur on No. 18. Fairway and greenside bunkers were reshaped, removed or added on 12 of the holes.

The 9th got new tee boxes and a fairway eight feet higher in elevation with two new bunkers along the left side of the fairway. And the work on No. 15 -- which will perhaps be the most dramatic change in the extensive renovation -- will include removing trees and bunkers and the fairway being completely repositioned.

Nestled in the serene Blue Ridge Mountains, Olde Mill's expansive community is an awe-inspiring backdrop for golf, dining, leisure activities and relaxing at home with family and friends.

Other ongoing enhancements at Olde Mill include the addition of affordable luxury condos, manors and single-family, custom cottages and estate homes. Real estate prices range from $200,000 to more than $1 million.

Residents and guests enjoy access to the fitness center, tennis courts, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, rafting, tubing, indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and hiking and biking trails.  Other attractions include nearby antique shopping, historical landmarks, live music and concerts, festivals, local wineries and other interesting events.

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