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Topsfield — There are a few brand new homes in Topsfield that feature cathedral ceilings, built-in Jacuzzi’s and interior designs that are both tasteful and lavish. And there are many more to come.Topsfield developers Carl and Alan Berry began meeting with town officials more than three years ago to see if the purchase of a large chunk of land off Route 1 would be a worthwhile investment.Following two years of planning, residents and commuters now travel by a budding development each day as the Berrys continue to develop part of a 68-acre plot of land into a 55-and-over, luxurious, green community called English Commons.The Topsfield-based developers are hoping to finish the majority of the project’s first phase, which entails building 14 homes, by the end of the year. The entire project consists of a total of 50 homes built on a 68.5-acre plot of land, of which more than two-thirds will be preserved for open space.Following an open house for Topsfield residents in early August, developers are gearing up for the grand opening celebration of English Commons on Saturday, Sept. 25, when they will host tours of the homes throughout the day and serve refreshments.

Sales prices for the homes range between $685,000 to almost $800,000. Home designs include the 3,000-square-foot Emerson or the 4,000-square-foot Winthrop.

Buyers will come to expect the many amenities that English Commons plans to offer, including a clubhouse with kitchen, a heated swimming pool, a gazebo with common green and many acres of trails through Topsfield’s scenic wilderness.

“The first eleven homes, all of the infrastructure, roadways, center Common, clubhouse, gazebo and swimming pool will be built this year and landscaped,” said O’Hara. “By doing so, all heavy equipment will no longer be needed on the site.”

Currently, CP Berry has three homes completely constructed and landscaped in Topsfield, two of which are model homes and have been professionally decorated.

The developers are touting the Low Impact Design of English Commons and how it will be one of the first completely green communities in the area.

Green aspects of the community are spread throughout the design, from lights and air conditioning to low impact drainage plans and plants that demand less water.

“This community is one of the first Low Impact Design communities in the area that conforms tothe state and local LID requirements. All of the homes are Energy Star certified also,” said Sales manager Mark O’Hara about the fact that the homes use at least 15 percent less energy than standard homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC).  “The way the homes are built, it is a tight, quiet structure.”

Selling the Homes

O’Hara said that 20 potential buyers have already placed reservations on homes, which includes a small down payment. He said the reservation numbers are encouraging.

“People have put some money down…and that’s a really good start for us,” said O’Hara.

O’Hara said the construction schedule for the remaining phases of the development will all hinge on the success of the first phase.

“Timing-wise, it will be driven by sales,” said O’Hara.

Condo buyers for the 55 and older age group are typically empty nesters that are looking to sell their home for something smaller but easier to manage. O’Hara said sales at English Commons will depend on how quickly potential buyers can sell their own homes and the slowly recovering economy may make that process a little more sluggish.

However, statewide condo and single family-home sales are looking brighter. According to a report from the Warren Group, publishers of the Banker and Tradesman, in July single-family homes sales and condominium sales were at the highest they have been since June of 2006 statewide.

Single-family homes sales in June were up 28 percent from June of last year across the state and condominium sales in June were up 31 percent from a year earlier.

(Source: WickedLocal)