During the Great Recession of 2008, Core Development shifted focus from building condominiums to cottage communities. The successful cottage series proved to be recession resilient, and these communities sold well. Today, the communities facilitate socializing while safe distancing.
We designed the cottage series as a way to offer entry-level prices for homes in a dense residential setting of 10-15 homes per acre. Cottage-style homes featured front porches facing a common green space. They were designed for people who valued community but also wanted a detached home.
Our first cottage community was West End Station, sited on five acres in Sylvan Park. The 45 craftsman-style homes are located between two rail lines, one a “no whistle blow” zone and the other line used to transport cargo to and from a manufacturing area a couple times a day. West End Station was soon populated with neighbors sitting on porches and kids playing on the green space. Residents formed deep friendships. Proximity created a built-in community. It proved to be a good recession-proof project.
With that success, we embarked on a second cottage series with 79 homes, Gale Park in the Melrose neighborhood. The two- and three-bedroom homes in this green community were affordably priced with front porches and shared green spaces, and just steps from a grocery store. Located on a seven-acre site at the edge of a supermarket-anchored commercial strip, Gale Park is an example of the power of the one-mile radius. The project was recognized with an Urban Land Institute Nashville Excellence in Development award for helping energize existing retail businesses and attract more.
We repeated the model again for Chesterfield, with 43 homes in Hillsboro/West End. The walkable neighborhood was priced attainably and with enough urban density to create community. Homes had garage parking, common courtyards and located a short distance from schools, retail, and restaurants.
We have followed with Richland Station, 40 homes in Sylvan Park near Charlotte Avenue, and with Joule, a 30-home contemporary cottage project in Rosebank in East Nashville.
Today, our CityLiving Group is marketing and selling the 62 cottage-style homes in East Greenway Park located in Rosebank, a project being developed by Aerial Development Company. Designed for health and wellness, the 10-acre community is selling like hotcakes.
The pet-friendly community is connected to Shelby Park with sidewalks, trails, and bike paths to accommodate active lifestyles while social distancing. Residents can grow vegetables and flowers in the community gardens. Homes are designed with extra rooms that can be converted for home offices or remote learning, and garages large enough to set up a workspace.
Up next for Core Development is High View Cottages, a 75-unit cottage project located in the Highland Heights neighborhood in East Nashville. Another contemporary project, this location at Trinity Lane and Ellington Parkway sits on one of the highest points on this side of town and will offer wonderful views from many homes from the well-designed, roof-top decks. Sales for this project will commence in July. Prices will start in the mid $300,000s. A sister project, High View flats, will feature 85 condominiums with prices starting at $179,900.
Resilient community-building prioritizes attainably priced homes in walkable neighborhoods where residents can feel connected with others, even at a safe distance.