HearthSide Towne Lake, Woodstock’s new affordable senior living community, is now fully occupied after being open for less than one year.
Developed by Atlanta-based NorSouth Development and built by NorSouth Constructs, the $15.3 million, 100-unit apartment building is the centerpiece of a healthcare-oriented development located at I-575 and Towne Lake Parkway in Cherokee County.
“We know there is a strong demand for affordable rental homes for seniors near their grown children and grandchildren,” said Brendan Barr, vice president of NorSouth Development. “That’s why we develop HearthSide communities in established areas like Towne Lake, Cherokee County’s largest residential neighborhood. Even though we anticipated the demand, we are extremely gratified with how quickly the community has become fully occupied. In fact, HearthSide Towne Lake was more than 80 percent occupied just seven months after its opening in late December 2011.”
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The development has been awarded EarthCraft Multifamily certification, recognizing its sustainable and energy-efficient design and construction, from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface Energy Institute, which administer the EarthCraft program.
Buildings certified through the EarthCraft program must meet a number of criteria including indoor air quality, energy and water efficiency, resource-efficient design and building materials, waste management and site planning.
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Although Barr estimates that designing the community to EarthCraft Multifamily standards added approximately 1.5 percent to the construction costs, he says residents will save an average of 15 percent of their monthly utility costs. The designation is also important to City of Woodstock leadership since it sets an example for future development in the area
The development of HearthSide Towne Lake was fully supported by Woodstock’s leadership, who approved a property rezoning and several variances to make the project feasible and also met with the lender to voice approval of the project.
HearthSide Towne Lake revitalized a failed townhome project, a casualty of the recession, into what is now a healthcare-oriented mixed-use development.
The community now includes the new Pinnacle Orthopedic Center and a Walgreens, and a new 100,000-square-foot medical office building is under construction by Northside Hospital.
A Cherokee County medical office is immediately adjacent to the property. The community’s proximity to I-575 provides residents with easy access to North Georgia’s mountains to the north, and the city of Atlanta to the south, and Woodstock’s charming historic downtown is just two miles away.
“One of my first initiatives when I took office was to draft an ordinance allowing an affordable rental community for seniors to be built in the city,” said Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques. “We worked closely with NorSouth Development throughout the process and are delighted with the result. I believe Hearthside Towne Lake is a beautiful facility in the perfect location.”
The amenity-rich community offers residents a lifestyle full of opportunities for enrichment and social interaction. In addition to classes, parties and other special events, residents can enjoy HearthSide Towne Lake's private gardens, media room, fitness center, art studio, sunroom, outdoor grilling area and petanque ball court.
The one and two-bedroom residences feature open living design with entertainment bars, designer kitchens with pantries, Energy Star appliances and large walk-in closets. Ground floor residences feature direct entry from outside, and select units include balconies.
At every stage of development, consideration was given to the residents' comfort, convenience and enjoyment. Sustainable building practices include energy-efficient appliances, indoor air quality improvements, rainwater harvest system, LED outdoor lighting and more.
About NorSouth Development
NorSouth Development, based in Atlanta, Ga., is a diversified real estate company, specializing in environmentally sensitive senior living communities. The firm was founded in 1986 and is headed by William E. Johnston and David H. Dixon, partners in the firm.
In addition to HearthSide Towne Lake, the company is developing HearthSide Brookleigh in north Atlanta, HearthSide Johns Creek in north Fulton County and HearthSide Peachtree City south of Atlanta.
Along with its partner firms, NorSouth Constructs and NorSouth Management, NorSouth offers a full range of real estate development, construction and property management services. Visit www.norsouth.com for more information.
