CRAFTSMAN STYLE HOMES IN GAINESVILLE - VIRGINIA: WORTH A LOOK

If you are a home buyer in the Chantilly and surrounding area, you don't often..maybe I should say ever...encounter Craftsman style new homes being built.

But Brookfield Homes is breaking the mold with their new collection of homes in a gated community they are calling "Saranac."

I toured the community and walked through the "Colden" model. It is impressive, all the more so because it is so different than what we typically see. I personally would not call this an extreme interpretation of Craftsman style, but the look and feel is definitely there.

The style evokes a "feeling" and of course it is subjective and varies. Words like strength, dignity, timeless good looks, hominess...all of these come to my mind. You will have to tour Saranac to discover your own reactions, but I found this to be a very interesting, distinctive, and attractive concept and community.

One of the positives for me was the location...the site of these homes was once a girls campground. Lots of mature woods and a lake setting seems like such a harmonious places for these homes, given the Craftsman emphasis on balance and harmony between architecture and land.

Some general information about Saranac.

LOCATION: South on Route 29 to Gainesville, then left onto Linton Hall Rd., then right on Glenkirk Rd to right on Bearhurst Dr. to right on Collier Lane, then first home on right.

PRICING: At this point, three series of homes. (Please remember all pricing info is approximate and may vary based on numerous factors)
- The Cottages ($399 to 419K)
- The Lodges ($460 - $490)
- The Cabins ($689 - $739)

LOT SIZE: "Cottages" and "Lodges" on one-quarter acre lots; "Cabin" on one-half acre lots.

NUMBER OF HOMES AND COMMUNITY SIZE: 157 homes on 250 acres. Backs to Lake Manassas.

OTHER AMENITIES: Planned pool and rec area near lake, trails throughout, fire-pits, picnic shelters, and bridge over stream are original to Camp Glenkirk, the previous site.

MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kathy to arrange a tour or for any additional help we can provide.

If our introduction to Saranac has peaked your curiosity, and you have more questions about the area or other aspects of this new community, do feel free to email or call me. If you are home buying in this area and in this price range, this is definitely worth a close look.