Our Communities: Willowcroft
Willowcroft, just west of NW 34 Street on NW 16 Boulevard, is Gainesville’s first new neighborhood where larger homes are built on smaller, traditional lots like one might find in areas around the Duck Pond. Homes sit closer to the street, which has sidewalks on both sides. Street trees have been planted in front of each lot in a wide “green space” between the curb and sidewalk and an attractive iron gate set in a brick wall accents the entrance. The gate closes in the evenings at dinnertime and reopens early each morning. In addition to the main entrance on 16 Boulevard, residents can enter and exit from 34 Street through a controlled-access gate.
One- and two story-homes are offered, ranging from 2,000 to 4,200 square feet, and no two homes are alike. All homes have a front porch and bay window or similar architectural detail to join them with the pedestrian nature of the streetscape and encourage neighborly interaction. The sidewalks connect to a small landscaped park overlooking a ravine, where benches are placed for residents to gather. Streets are laid out to preserve the heritage trees on the property, and shade trees – such as live oaks and red maples – are added to each lot. All homes are extensively landscaped and have automatic irrigation systems.
Home exteriors are traditional in nature and highly detailed, similar to those found in Savannah, Charleston, Beaufort, Thomasville and other attractive southern communities known for their distinctive historic neighborhoods. It is our goal that every home in Willowcroft look as if it came off the cover of Southern Living Magazine. Homes sit up a few steps from the ground, columns and railings set off front porches and bay windows have standing-seam roofs. Garages face the side or are in the rear. Exteriors are brick, stucco (traditional cement stucco, not Accrocrete), cedar shakes or clapboard siding. Hedges and picket fences are encouraged in front yards, and rear yards may be enclosed with privacy fences that are painted and meet specific design criteria for Willowcroft. In addition to great-looking exteriors and a wonderful setting, each home is built to exceed the standards of the EPA’s EnergyStar program to ensure homes are as energy efficient as possible.
Lots are priced from the mid-$70,000s, and homes in Willowcroft run from the mid-$300,000s to the upper-$500,000s, including lot. All homes are built by Spain & Cooper Construction to ensure a high standard of quality throughout the neighborhood.
We have home plans available from designers known for their attention to detail. Alterations or modifications to those plans can be made by our staff, or we can design something from scratch that will fit a buyer’s special needs. At the option of the buyer, the decorating staff of Elegant Traditional Interiors, a subsidiary of Spain & Cooper Construction, will be at the buyer’s disposal throughout the planning and building process to ensure the interior of the home is as beautiful as the exterior. This, as well as our other services, is at no additional cost to our customers.
Restrictive covenants and architectural approval
Copies of the declarations of restrictions and covenants for Willowcroft, as well as the by-laws, budget and other related documents that govern the owners association, are available to any potential buyer. Generally, the restrictions are similar to those of other neighborhoods. Sections dealing with garages, parking and lawn maintenance are more restrictive than most neighborhoods, which we feel ultimately results in a much more aesthetically-pleasing environment.
The architectural control committee is comprised of Tom Spain, Susan Spain and Mike Cooper, and the shape, style, materials, roof pitches, driveways, trim details, landscaping and fencing are very carefully reviewed to ensure that each home adheres to the overall vision for the neighborhood and architectural guidelines.
Homes are required to have highly-detailed exteriors. In comparison with homes in other nice neighborhoods, houses in Willowcroft are typically up several steps from the natural grade and have columned front porches or other decorative entry features; wider trim and more elaborate moldings; real, functional shutters mounted on wrought-iron hinges; full guttering; steeper roof pitches; standing-seam roofing; bay windows or similar architectural features; and other details that enhance the style. All of these elements add to the appearance of the homes and increase value.
Much effort has been put into making these homes as low maintenance as possible, using long-life materials, high quality paints, 25-year roofing, and proper flashing techniques. Exteriors typically are lap siding (“clapboards” made from cedar or a cement-based product with a 50-year warranty), brick, cedar shakes, native field stone or conventional masonry stucco (we will not use any of the newer synthetic stucco products) – and most combine several of these elements to enhance the detail of the home. Any fencing or courtyard walls are required to be of high-quality, long-lasting design to reduce maintenance.
Finally, every home in Willowcroft is built to exceed the standards of the U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergyStar program. To ensure this program is effective, each home is tested by an independent auditor approved by the Department of Energy. The EnergyStar designation is given only to those products that are designed to use, at a minimum, 30 percent less energy than products meeting the minimum standards, which are already quite high in Florida.
EnergyStar homes built and tested in the “real world” of Gainesville, Florida, clearly demonstrate that the owners of these homes can expect as much as $50 to $100 per month in savings on their utility bills. At current interest rates, this means a buyer could afford to spend as much as $15,000 more for a home while maintaining the same monthly cost. The EnergyStar designation is significant and enhances resale value.
Availability and home sites
- Lot 4: $75,000 Heavily-wooded and sloping, this lot backs up to the conservation area and has a spring in the back feeding a small stream. The great view is reminiscent of the North Carolina mountains
- Lot 30: $98,000 This long lot is perfect for a Charleston single house with a walled garden