Rooms flow together connected by vaulted ceilings, rich hardwood floors and European-inspired features at The Cottages at Creekstone.

Charm, elegance, resort-like, romantic, livable, non-traditional. These are just some of the terms used to describe a relatively new trend in Atlanta real estate— European-inspired communities. For new and future Atlanta residents who have dreamed of living in a Mediterranean villa or a European cottage, these options are closer to reality than you may think. Indeed, the concept is becoming increasingly popular, and many Atlanta builders are looking to Europe for inspiration.

“These homes flow in a non-traditional way, and they use space more for living,” says Mike Sanders, president of Fidelis Signature Homes, whose Cottages at Creekstone are among those Atlanta neighborhoods inspired by Europe. The floor plans are open, with high ceilings. This is becoming more popular, he says, because people are downsizing, but they don’t want to feel downsized. Common features of European-inspired communities are outdoor living areas; gathering spaces; stone, stucco or cedar shake exteriors; arches; iron accents; immaculate landscaping; and just overall luxury.

Located in Forsyth County, The Cottages at Creekstone offers the opportunity to live within an enclave of 27 homes priced from the $400s while at the same time enjoying the amenities of a master-planned community. The homeowners association provides fully maintained lawns, community sanitation services, and professionally landscaped walkways and common areas throughout the community. “Homeowners have membership to the luxurious amenities available at Creekstone—and an abundance of time to enjoy all the amenities due to the low-maintenance lifestyle available,” says Sanders.

All the homes at The Cottages at Creekstone feature English- and Craftsman-inspired designs. The four-bedroom homes offer elegant details, such as 10-foot ceilings on the main levels, hardwood floors, custom-designed fireplaces and mantels, and gourmet kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. The homes provide ample space for entertaining, including open kitchens with keeping rooms, formal dining rooms, two-story family rooms and outdoor entertaining areas with fireplaces or beautiful screened-in porches. Home owners can choose from six plans, many of which offer easy main-level living, with up to 3,400 square feet of living space available.

The homes’ exteriors are finished in an array of maintenance-free materials, including brick, stacked stone and shake. In addition, all the homes are roofed with MonierLifetile hand-split cedar shake-style concrete tiles that come with a lifetime warranty.

Warm, Mediterranean-inspired colors and arched architectural detailing fuses suburban living with a European style at Camp Creek Village.

At the same time, CQ Capital Partners cites a trend across the United States to develop communities that mix various residential products with retail components designed as community gathering areas. This creates a “live, shop, play” community such as Camp Creek Village in South Fulton County.

“The idea,” says Keith Quarles Jr., vice president of CQ Capital Partners, “is to deliver a unique and workable concept to South Fulton, a mixed-use development that stays true to South Fulton’s legacy while taking into consideration a new generation of residents.” Combining elements of privacy with a village environment, Camp Creek Village is a fusion of suburban living with urban conveniences and Mediterranean style.

In keeping with the European-inspired communities, CQ Capital Partners offers a lifestyle and landscapes that evoke visions of the Mediterranean region, luxurious homes with stone and stucco exteriors, archways, high ceilings, open spaces, warm colors and palm-treed landscaping.

Camp Creek Village offers four-story luxury townhomes from $269,900 to $359,500 with rooftop terraces, finished basements with stained concrete floors, two-car garages and arched walkways. Luxury estate homes, priced from $636,000, boast spectacular views and offer top-of-the-line finishes. Two-bedroom active-adult condominiums will be priced from the low $200s. Community amenities include a pool, tennis, clubhouse with a clubroom and fitness center, a 12-acre nature trail, Wi-Fi, restaurants, coffee shop and more.

Similarly, Avignon at Vinings, just north of Atlanta, was modeled after the centuries-old villages of Europe. Every home offers spacious, livable plans with romantic outdoor living spaces. Graceful interior finishes are inspired by the European masters with use of stone and authentic materials.

The 170-home gated community will feature centuries-old charm in luxurious single-family villas, village townhomes and village condominiums starting from the high $300s to more than $1 million. Townhome features include 10-foot ceilings, fourth-floor loggia (available in some plans), timbered ceilings, radius staircases, custom cabinetry, travertine tile and outdoor fireplaces. Condominium finishes include 8-foot solid interior doors, 10-foot ceilings, casement windows, large terraces, timbered ceilings, garden spa tub and separate shower. Single-family finishes include open-beam timbered ceilings, French provincial design, all brick/stone exterior, wrought-iron railings/balustrades, and marble, granite and limestone throughout.

Avignon at Vinings has an old-world feel, featuring warm kitchens with majestic hoods and decorative tile.

The European-inspired clubhouse includes a wine-tasting room, large outdoor deck with skyline views and caterer’s kitchen as well as a wellness center with a spa and fitness facilities. According to Art Rountree, operations director for Kairos Development Corp., “Lovely topography invites homeowners to relax and unwind at outdoor gathering spaces with scenic views of Atlanta and Buckhead. Avignon at Vinings is an exclusive retreat that will also offer residents beautiful open park areas and a fenced dog park.”

Tucked away in nearby Sandy Springs, European-inspired Serrano offers the quietness and privacy of a resort with one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium floor plans from the $300s. Overall, Serrano offers 13 different floor plan designs. The choices allow residents to design the interior space according to their needs and lifestyle.

All Serrano residences include granite countertops, solid wood cabinets, wine cooler in kitchen, hardwood flooring in family room; designer lighting and plumbing fixtures; custom-designed double vanity furniture in master bath; and more.

Exterior touches include such amenities as a movie-viewing room; clubroom with full kitchen, bar area, lounge, flat-screen TV and double-sided fireplace; fitness center with saunas; pool with water feature and outside fireplace; landscaped courtyard with fountain, shaded patios, grill and side gathering areas; and pet walk.

Another European-inspired development is John Wieland Homes’ Legend Oaks in South Fulton County, which offers homes from the low $400s to $500s with resort amenities at The Oaks Club and a serene setting, described as “a tranquil retreat with every modern convenience nearby.”

The neighborhood features 100 acres of protected green space, long green vistas and wooded areas for enjoying the outdoors. The 1.7-acre Central Park includes a central pavilion for gatherings.

Dining al fresco mimics a Tuscan setting at Avignon at Vinings, where wrought iron and stone detailing complete the outdoor living space.

Legend Oaks offers the opportunity to build a home inspired by European manor and traditional American architecture on the neighborhood’s half-acre-plus home sites. Features of some floor plans include four or five bedrooms, owner’s suite with private retreat, gourmet kitchen with keeping room and fireplace, granite countertops, formal living and dining rooms, grand staircase with iron pickets, three-car garage and full basement.

Clearly, with so many options available, you may indeed be able to enjoy a bit of Europe when you relocate to Atlanta.

 

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