BSB Design 2018-11-05 12:48:19
To battle rising costs – Denver’s median sales price topped $500,000 in early 2018 – William Lyon Homes used a product development strategy focused on attainability without sacrificing livability. Their dedication to this goal led to The Horizon Collection of character-driven, detached single family homes priced in the low- to mid-$300s.
Buyers have been extremely appreciative, commenting during recent focus groups that these homes represented their only opportunity to own instead of rent.
Since land is rare and costly, minimizing lot premiums meant going narrow (22 feet wide) and limiting square footage. But in design-focused Denver, style and character are paramount, so a curated set of standards maintains the community vision. Craftsman and mountain vernacular elevations include varied cladding, bracket details and front porches all contributing to an interesting streetscape despite their narrow frontage.
But their true beauty is on the inside where great design led to unexpected livability for such a small package. By taking full advantage of the sides to incorporate more windows, plenty of daylight and through-views help each room feel bigger. The notched footprint provides patio space near the kitchen to expand the living area and capture additional light to further open the interior. The product strategy drove design decisions that infused these narrow-lot homes with premium lifestyle features.
Alley-loaded garages ensure front elevations are a focal point. Designers focused on massing to help balance the homes and create welcoming entries. Mike Crocker, project architect with BSB Design, said, “It’s impressive to see how well the builder executed the elevation design, down to the detail. With limited frontage to work with, material shifts and details are key. They managed to build highly stylized, great-looking homes while still keeping them attainable.”
The community of Avion at Denver Connection features additional product lines that supplement The Horizon Collection, including 24-foot wide detached single family homes and 20-foot wide attached townhomes. The strategy remained the same for each, but to differentiate them, William Lyon Homes used different plan features, varied square footages and offered several styles and looks. Within their respective markets, each product offers unmatched style and affordability.
The Horizon Collection’s successful strategy of efficiency, livability and attainability has also been profitable, producing impressive sales volume in its first year. The community became an instant trendsetter in metro Denver, piquing the interest of area homebuilders who know that narrow is necessary but aren’t convinced it can be done effectively and still look good. One visit to The Horizon Collection should remove all doubt. ■
Project: The Horizon Collection at Avion at Denver Connection
Location: Denver, CO
Builder: William Lyon Homes
Architect: BSB Design
Interior Designer: Possibilities For Design
Photographer: Jacob Sharp Photo; Eric Lucero Photography
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