News Coverage

Knoxville News Sentinel
August 6, 2006
"Beautiful world" unfolds at Northshore Town Center
By Mitch Moore

Special Publications Correspondent Beau Monde, the name of Northshore Town Center's first residential section, translates to "beautiful world" in English.

That's exactly what builder Mike Stevens envisions for residents of the new West Knoxville community, which is being developed by the James Doran Company of Charleston, S.C.

Bringing residential living together with an upscale retail environment, Northshore Town Center is introducing the concept of "new urbanism" to the Knoxville market.

"Residents will be able to live, work and play in the same community," says Stevens, whose company is the exclusive builder for the homes at Beau Monde.

Located on 141 acres near Northshore Drive and Pellissippi Parkway, Beau Monde will feature 120 single-family homes and 150 town homes and upscale lofts.

Ultimately, Northshore Town Center will also contain some 500,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and 300,000 square feet of office space when the five-year project is completed.

Inspired by the inner suburbs of American cities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the development will have tree-lined streets, classically styled streetlights, sidewalks and multiple parks for children's play or neighborhood gatherings.

"There will be a swimming pool as well as a walking trail that runs the perimeter of the residential area," Stevens points out.

Currently, the first 10 single-family homes are nearing completion, as are the first nine traditional town homes and three urban lofts.

The single-family homes at Northshore Town Center will follow traditional neighborhood designs but will offer an eclectic mix within that framework. Features include tall doors, columns, dormers, covered front porches and brick or stone chimneys. Rear-entry garages will be accessible by alleyways running behind the homes.

Homes range from 2,233 to 3,564 square feet. Floor plans offer three or four bedrooms, a bonus room and anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 baths. Prices start at $410,900.

The two-story town homes come in five different floor plans, featuring two- and three-bedroom layouts and two-car garages. Square footage ranges from 2,200 to 4,000, and prices start in the low $400s.

The three different urban loft designs also have two-car garages and will provide three-story, 2,200-square foot living plus a rooftop garden area for entertaining. Prices currently start at $419,000.

According to Stevens, the range of home styles means that there's something for buyers in all stages of life.

"We see the urban lofts being ideal for young professionals," he says. "The single-family homes can be either a move-up for families in a smaller house, or they would be good for empty nesters. The town homes are aimed at the luxury, move-down market that's looking to get out of a big house but still wants lots of amenities.

Stevens says he plans to have one of the Beau Monde homes entered in this year's Parade of Homes Sept. 29 through Oct. 15.

However, it's the combination of residential and commercial development that is expected to make Northshore Town Center unique to the Knoxville area and attract its full-time residents.

"It will be a totally self-contained community," Stevens explains. "You can come home from your office in the Town Center and play all weekend without ever leaving the development. For a lot of people, it's a matter of less windshield time and more family time."

The commercial areas of Northshore Town Center are expected to be home to everything from retail establishments and restaurants to professional office space. Developers see the residential sections as serving business owners and management-level employees.

"I see the development as being a mixture of downtown Knoxville and Turkey Creek," says George Tullos, vice president of marketing and sales for the James Doran Company.

Harris' "Property Watch" column appears on Wednesday. He may be reached at 865-342-6342 or harrisr@knews.com.