Arvada Colorado’s Thriving New Home Community, Candelas, Surpasses 400 Home Sales in June

Continuing its track record of new home sales success, Arvada, Colorado master-planned community, Candelas, has surpassed 400 home sales since sales opened in 2012. In fact, as of June 30th, 310 families had moved into their new homes. With a growing and highly active resident population, this sustainable community is thriving right at the epicenter between the Denver-Boulder metro area and at the gateway to the Colorado Rocky Mountain West.

“With 8 award-winning home builders actively building in 4 of our 6 villages, we offer a wide variety of extraordinary views, access to nearby outdoor recreation, home styles and price ranges,” says Creig Veldhuizen, Candelas’ Vice President of Marketing and Finance, adding, “Combined with our deep commitment to sustainable community design, we also offer a tremendous variety of community amenities including several large multi-use parks, miles of hiking and biking trails, 193 acres of open space, a state-of-the art, LEED-certified swim and fitness club—with a second recreation facility soon to be under construction —and our community’s proximity to employment centers in downtown Denver, Boulder, and Broomfield as well as dining, shopping and entertainment with the unmatched natural beauty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains right outside our doorstep. It’s easy to see why so many families are choosing to put down roots in Candelas.”

Candelas’ impressive array of builders includes Lennar, Ryland Homes, Richmond American Homes, Standard Pacific Homes, TriPointe Homes, Century Communities and Village Homes (a subsidiary of William Lyon Homes). Custom builders are also building at Candelas including Sopris Homes at this time with plans to add more. Since new home sales got under way, Candelas builders have experienced strong and steady home sales all at price points from the $400s to over $1 million.

Candelas is located in beautiful northwest Arvada, Colorado between Indiana Street and Highway 93 and just north of state highway 72. More information is available at CandelasLife.com.

New Candelas Recreational Centerpiece in the Works

Opening in 2016, the Candelas Swim and Fitness Club at Parkview will be the second recreation center in the Candelas community that will function as an exciting community hub. Featuring mountain resort- inspired architecture combined with some of the most cutting edge new green building technologies and amenities, the Swim and Fitness Club at Parkview will offer even more cutting edge community amenities for Candelas residents.

Planned as a LEED Certified facility, the Parkview recreation center will incorporate some of the best new green technologies, building materials and design. Some of the most notable features that will deliver on the developer’s vision of a green and energy efficient recreational facility include photovoltaic solar energy panels, regionally sourced materials, non-toxic paints and carpets, low water flow toilet fixtures, and excellent insulation.. By integrating these technologies the Candelas Swim and Fitness Club at Parkview is targeted to use 1/3 less energy than a typical code compliant building!

The facility will also feature a full kitchen, a spacious community meeting rooms, an outdoor lounge with a firepit, a well-appointed fitness room equipped with brand-new cardiovascular exercise equipment, and the centerpiece of the facility will be a competition style lap pool capable of hosting Candelas community swim club meets throughout the summers. The expansive windows throughout the fitness center also provide an abundance of natural sunlight, as well as breathtaking north western facing views of the famous flatirons located above Boulder.

The Candelas Swim and Fitness Club at Parkview will also be wired for resident and guest entertainment needs and will also provide a comprehensive security system that includes secure door access, 24/7 monitoring, security cameras and a variety of motion detectors.

Candelas has developed a reputation as a different kind of developer in the Denver metropolitan market. While most developers make promises to build amenities in the future that their residents may enjoy someday, Candelas delivers first class amenities that our residents can enjoy the first day that they move in. Candelas already boasts a spectacular community recreation facility in the Swim and Fitness Club at Townview and four community parks, each offering something unique that our residents and families can enjoy. The construction of our second community recreation facility – the Swim and Fitness Club at Parkview – propels us further ahead of our competition and it provides our residents with yet another exciting option to live Life Wide Open.

Lennar Expands Innovative Solar Energy Program to Colorado

SunStreet Energy Group Offers Safe, Clean Renewable Energy on New Homes as Standard Feature.

ARVADA, Colo. (Oct. 9, 2014) – Lennar, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders joined Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) to celebrate the expansion of its innovative solar energy program to Colorado homebuyers by making clean, safe renewable energy a standard feature.

With approximately 100 communities in development, Lennar’s unique Solar 20/20 Plan™ includes state-of-the-art solar systems on new homes as a standard feature that adds nothing to the price of the home. Homeowners can purchase the power produced on their rooftops at a guaranteed 20% discount to prevailing electricity rates for 20 years. The groundbreaking program is operated by SunStreet Energy Group, a Lennar subsidiary, and is expanding to Colorado with initial communities in Arvada, Golden, Frederick and Castle Rock.

At a ribbon-cutting event outside Lennar model homes at the Candelas community in Arvada, Rep. Perlmutter stressed the importance of creative solutions like the Lennar-SunStreet program to making renewable energy mainstream.

“With 300 days of sunshine every year, Colorado is naturally suited for the widespread adoption of solar energy,” Perlmutter said. “Lennar’s innovative and unique offering serves as a model for Colorado and the rest of the country by demonstrating that sustainable, quality homes can be built in a way that is beneficial to the planet – and the homeowner’s wallet.”

SunStreet CEO David Kaiserman noted the significant opportunity homebuilders have to dramatically expand the adoption of solar. Since they became available decades ago, only about 450,000 residential solar systems have been installed across the United States. Experts estimate the nation currently faces an annual need of 1.6 million to 1.8 million new homes simply to keep pace with household formation.

“The potential exists to expand residential solar by orders of magnitude with programs like our Solar 20/20 Plan™,” Kaiserman said.

The technology deployed in the Solar 20/20 Plan™ is fully networked to provide the unprecedented ability to monitor power production on a panel-by- panel basis, said Kaiserman. One of the big benefits of integrating solar into new construction is that it can less noticeable and more affordable.

“Sustainable living need not mean compromising aesthetics, affordability or comfort,” said Rusty Crandall, Colorado division president for Lennar. “Including solar in new construction naturally provides a better aesthetic and financial proposition to consumers. SunStreet’s Solar 20/20 Plan™, along with its innovative 20% discount guarantee, offers consumer the peace of mind necessary for widespread adoption.”

Since joining Congress in 2007, Rep. Perlmutter has been a strong supporter of building a clean energy future based on renewable energy sources and working to advance American research, technology and innovation.

ABOUT SUNSTREET ENERGY GROUP
SunStreet Energy Group delivers state-of-the-art solar systems without the high cost of ownership to new homebuyers. Our leadership team brings an unparalleled depth of experience in developing our Solar 20/20 Plan™, with its innovative discount guarantee. SunStreet Energy Group empowers homeowners with the choice of clean, renewable energy and a worry-free experience. We are revolutionizing the industry with our discount guarantee, while preserving the Earth’s precious resources. www.sunstreet.com

ABOUT LENNAR
Founded in 1954, Lennar is one of the nation’s largest builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and retirement homes. www.lennar.com

Scenic views and active community attract 
record home sales at Arvada’s Candelas development

ARVADA, CO – May 13, 2014 – Fueled in part by the quiet appeal of its rolling foothills and panoramic Front Range views, home sales at Candelas reached an all-time high for the first part of 2014, with nearly 200 homeowners making the decision to call Arvada’s western-most new community their home.

The 1400-acre Candelas development features numerous open spaces and a growing list of amenities including a LEED-certified swim and fitness club, with more on the way. In addition, as reported in the Denver Post, the area’s recreational amenities will soon include new paved bike trails that connect from Denver all the way to Rocky Mountain National Park.

“New home buyers visit Candelas and quickly envision enjoying their Colorado way of life in our community,” said Creig Veldhuizen, who heads up the Candelas development team. “Whether they’re new to the state or have lived here their whole lives, people find Candelas attractive for a number of reasons, from the feel of its connected community, to the unique neighborhoods to choose from and in knowing that the whole place is committed to being environmentally responsible.”

Developed by Arvada Residential Partners, LLC, Candelas lays just to the south of Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawling 6,240-acre protected expanse that includes rare tall grass prairie and a wide variety of animal species. Candelas is located in northwest Arvada, Colorado between Indiana Street and Highway 93 and just north of state highway 72.

Village Homes acquires lots to build new neighborhood at Arvada’s popular Candelas community development

ARVADA, CO. (April 23, 2014) –Leading Western homebuilder Village Homes has acquired 201 lots in Arvada’s popular Candelas community development, with plans this fall to open models showcasing its diverse selection of low-maintenance homes specifically designed to appeal to families, pre-retirees and retired buyers.

Thanks in large part to its stunning 360-degree views of downtown Denver and the Front Range, Candelas is quickly running out of lots for homebuilders to purchase as hundreds of families decide to make their new home in Arvada’s environmentally-friendly and western-most new community. The new Village Homes offerings will make up the bulk of Candelas’ ValleyView Village neighborhood situated in the center of the 1,400-acre community.

Developed by Arvada Residential Partners, LLC, Candelas lays just to the south of Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawling 6,240-acre protected expanse that includes rare tall grass prairie and a wide variety of animal species. Open space, lakes, parks and greenbelt areas are numerous throughout the area. In addition, as the Denver Post reported recently, the area’s recreational amenities will significantly increase as plans go forward to complete new bike trails inside the wildlife refuge that connect all the way from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park.

With models scheduled to open to the public in fall 2014, ValleyView will offer low-maintenance homes with a wide variety of floor plans designed to meet the demands of both older buyers as well as active-lifestyle families and singles of all ages. The uniquely-styled homes were designed by nationally renowned architectural firms BSB Design and Godden Sudik. Additional amenities will include front yard landscape maintenance and snow removal. Home prices will start in the low $400,000’s.

“Village Homes has enjoyed unprecedented success since entering Candelas with our unique lower-maintenance Sundance product” said Janet Mitchell, Vice President of Marketing for Village Homes. “We have achieved a record sales pace within the community and have responded to the needs and desires of future Candelas residents with new product development based on feedback from thousands of visitors to our Sundance site.” Candelas has a state of the art LEED-certified swim and fitness club already open for residents, with more centers and parks planned as the community expands to become a series of attractive, comfortable villages nestled among the area’s quietly beautiful rolling foothills.

“We had numerous builders looking to take this product segment at Candelas, however, we are excited to have selected Village Homes for ValleyView,” said Brian Daly, Principal at Terra Causa Capital, LLC, the developer of Candelas. “Village Homes has developed a stellar reputation in Arvada over the years by focusing on the home buyers’ needs and we know their presence at Candelas will give great value to our prospective buyers.”

Building Lots at Scenic New Arvada Community Candelas More than Three-Quarters Sold Out

ARVADA, CO. (March 20, 2014) – Thanks in large part to its stunning 360-degree views of downtown Denver and the Front Range, Candelas is quickly running out of lots for home-builders to build on as hundreds of families decide to make their home in Arvada’s environmentally-friendly and western-most new community.

Candelas officials report that almost 80 percent of its 1,447 available single-family residential lots have been purchased by the community’s eight respected homebuilder companies, who combined offer a wide range of home styles with prices ranging from about $300,000 to more than $1 million.

Home builders include national brand-name companies Lennar, Ryland Homes, Richmond American Homes, Standard Pacific Homes, TriPointe Homes, and Village Homes. Two well-known regional builders, Century Communities and Sopris Homes, have also added their unique properties to the many choices offered to Candelas homeowners.

The 1,400-acre Candelas is located to the south of Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, a 6,240-acre protected expanse that includes rare tall grass prairie and a wide variety of animal species. Open space, lakes, parks and greenbelt areas are numerous throughout the area. In addition, as the Denver Post reported recently, the area’s recreational amenities will increase even more as plans go forward to complete new bike trails inside the wildlife refuge that connect all the way from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park.

At Candelas itself, a LEED-certified swim and fitness club is in operation, with more centers and parks planned as the development expands to become a series of attractive, comfortable villages nestled among the area’s quietly beautiful rolling foothills. “Many of our community’s homeowners have lived in the Denver area for some time, and they immediately appreciated that Candelas reflects an understanding of how people in Colorado live, work and play,” said Creig Veldhuizen, Vice President of Marketing and Finance for Candelas. “There are scenic views, beautiful homes of all sizes, open space and recreation facilities. And throughout our community is an emphasis on sustainability, of respecting the beauty and natural resources we enjoy by living here. It’s a wonderful place.”

Candelas is located in northwest Arvada, Colorado between Indiana Street and Highway 93 and just north of state highway 72.

Candelas, Arvada Colorado’s Sustainable New Home Community, Announces Official LEED® Gold Certification for Its State-of-the-Art Candelas Swim and Fitness Club

Contact:
Steven Silvers
Principal
GBSM
stevensilvers@gbsm.com
(303) 825-6100

 

Bolstering its commitment to sustainable development, Candelas–one of the Denver metro area’s most exciting and fastest growing new home communities–has announced that its first recreation center, the Candelas Swim and Fitness Club has been awarded LEED® Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council.

To achieve LEED® Gold certification, structures must achieve high scores on an extensive green building checklist. From an exhaustive list of building site criteria to water efficiency, landscaping, energy and atmospheric considerations to materials usage, indoor environment quality and design innovations, buildings seeking to achieve such a high standard must be well-planned, designed and built with an all-out commitment to green building best practices.

“The Candelas Swim and Fitness Club has been recognized by the United States Green building Council with a LEED® Gold Certification for superior energy efficacy and thoughtful resource use,” said Keith Hayes AIA, LEED® BD+C and Principal of Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, the designer of the swim and fitness center, adding, “The project uses half the energy of a building designed to current building codes and generates a fifth of the annual power it requires. Candelas residents can enjoy the facility and know they are leaving a lighter carbon footprint.”

Candelas’ Vice President of Marketing and Finance, Creig Veldhuizen said of the achievement, “This award is emblematic of our commitment to designing and building a sustainable community at Candelas. Congratulations to our development, architecture and construction team for achieving this prestigious award.”

Since its inception, the Candelas residential community in Arvada, Colorado has made an unprecedented commitment to sustainable community design and green building practices. This has been accomplished while attracting the areas finest builders and enhancing the beauty and livability of the community for its current and future residents.

Candelas is located in beautiful northwest Arvada, Colorado between Indiana Street and Highway 93 and just north of state highway 72. The Candelas new homebuilder list includes Century Communities, Richmond American Homes, Ryland Homes, Standard Pacific Homes, Village Homes and an exclusive collection of custom builders. Each builder offers a variety of homes and architectural styles for every budget with homes priced from the low $300s to over $1 million.

Arvada, Colorado: A Great Place to Raise a Family

When it comes to locations, choosing a place to raise a family is no small feat. Quality schools, low crime rates, employment, neighborhoods and culture all combine to either make or break the deal. Arvada, Colorado offers families a prime choice in real estate for raising the young ones in a happy and healthy environment.

With a diverse economic base, a highly educated workforce, low crime rates and a superior standard of living, the quaint town captures the heart and soul of a family environment. A scenic Denver suburb with an estimated population of under 200,000, Arvada offers a small-town feel within a rich economic community that has acquired state and national notoriety for a robust business mix and retention.

Surrounded by nearly 23,000 acres of land with Denver trails on the east, and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the west, the town is ripe with hiking, biking and horseback trails and open spaces perfect for family recreation. Downtown offers a fantastic mix of cultural activities, including the Children’s Theater, which captures the heart and soul of child and parent alike.

Perfectly located within easy reach of the major business districts of Golden, Boulder and Denver, Arvada offers a quiet family life away from the urban bustle. With so many positive factors all in one location, it is way to see why Arvada is fast becoming a top destination for raising a family.

Candelas™ Featured on OurArvadaNews.com

New homes — and much more in the coming years — are starting to pop up in west Arvada.

The homes are part of the Candelas residential and commercial development.

Candelas is at Indiana Street and Candelas Parkway, just north of Coal Creek Canyon Road. The proposed Jefferson Parkway would run generally southeast of the residential area. The residential portion of Candelas is being developed by Terra Causa Capital and GF Properties Group.

The neighborhood offers something for everyone, said Creig Veldhuizen, a managing director with Terra Causa Capital.

“All of our builders so far, we have five of them all in the same community, are offering different products and at different price points,” Veldhuizen said. “They all have different features and architectural flairs. There’s a product for everyone.”

Builders include Century Communities, which offers homes starting in the $300,000 range, and Richmond American, which offers homes starting in the $500,000 range and higher. The other two confirmed builders are Standard Pacific, with homes starting in the low $300,000s and Ryland Homes, starting in the low $300,000s. Both made solar panels standard on the roofs of their houses. The fifth builder has not been confirmed. While the homes are all different, the entire neighborhood is committed to being sustainable and using renewable energy, Veldhuizen said.

“When we went through the zoning process, Arvada had some very high hopes for the property in terms of making it a sustainable community,” Veldhuizen said. “They held us to those standards and we shared that vision.”

Sustainability can be seen throughout the community, Veldhuizen said, from solar-powered street lights and tiles to solar panels on the roofs of homes. The biggest sustainability feature of the community, though, is its recreation center.

“The recreation center is a $3 million facility,” Veldhuizen said. “It’s that expensive because we’re committed to sustainability. It’s going to be LEED silver certified, and it may reach LEED gold.”

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification means the building meets green standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The recreation center will be heated and cooled by a geothermal heat pump system and will feature 15 kilowatt solar panels on the rooftop to offset most of the electricity used, as well as many other sustainable features, Veldhuizen said.

The most significant sustainability feature Candelas has though is its sustainability trust, he said.

“It’s the first of its kind in the state of Colorado,” he said.

Each builder who buys lots in Candelas pays a fee of $3,000 per lot into the trust before building. If they build the homes with qualified renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, geothermal heat pumps and other technology, they get a rebate of the majority of the fee.

If the builder chooses not to build the homes with sustainable qualities, the fee sits in the trust and is available to the homeowner to use to retrofit their home with sustainable improvements, Veldhuizen said.

More than just sustainable living is drawing residents out to Candelas though.

“One thing is the natural beauty of the sites and the view,” he said. “Residents have a 360-degree view from any home site. They can see Standley Lake, the Flat Irons, downtown Denver and Pikes Peak on the Front Range. The natural beauty of the site is one of the most defining characteristics of it.”

The coming development over the next few years is another draw, Veldhuizen said.

Candelas, including residential, commercial and open space will include 1,500 acres.

The development, once completed, will feature 1,500 single family, detached homes, 1,000 or more higher-density units and several million square feet of retail and commercial space.

“It’s kind of a city within a city of Arvada,” Veldhuizen said. “They’ll integrate and complement each other. There’s a tremendous amount of open space in the plan. Between parks, open space and trails systems, we’ll have nearly 200 acres of open space. There’s a significant commitment to open space and building area where residents can enjoy the views and outdoor recreational aspect of the community.”

Its proximity to Boulder, Golden, the mountains and other locations where people “work, dine and play” is another selling point, Veldhuizen said.

So far, about 30 homes are under construction and nine homes are already built and occupied.

Charlie McKay with Church Ranch Companies, the commercial developer, said development hasn’t started yet for the commercial part of the community, but there has been interest from convenience stores and grocery stores to build there, as well as some other potential clients.

“We’ve been at it for many years and we’ll continue to work on it for many years,” McKay said.