New model opens in Enclave of Sunset Hills

The Communities of River Ridge is kicking off the spring homebuying season by opening a new model home in its newest neighborhood, The Enclave of Sunset Hills.

It is just one of the homes now available in the three remaining neighborhoods of this sprawling south Overland Park development that is nearing completion. The other neighborhoods are Sunset Hills and High Point.

The Enclave of Sunset Hills’ model home is a 11/2-story Denali Chalet plan built by Tabernacle Homes that is adapted specifically for its premium home site overlooking the Blue River Valley. Because of the home site’s slope, all of the rooms on the main level and the lanai provide the feel of being in a tree house.

The home’s entry flows past a flex room and curved stairway to the great room with an 18-foot ceiling and dramatic fireplace, as well as expansive windows overlooking the lanai. To the right are the island kitchen with custom cabinets, large walk-in pantry and butler’s pantry. Just beyond is the dining room that opens to the lanai. The main-floor master suite to the left of the great room includes a bath with tiled shower, soaking tub and double vanities. The large walk-in closet conveniently connects to the laundry.

A walk up the dramatic staircase reveals a loft overlooking the great room as well as three additional bedrooms, each with its own bath. This home is priced at $675,000.

The new model in The Enclave of Sunset Hills is just one of the homes in the Communities of River Ridge destined to be on the 2015 Spring Parade of Homes.

Others include two homes in the High Point neighborhood built by Comerio Corporation. One is a reverse 11/2-story plan with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,700 square of living space, priced at $414,700, and the other is a two-story plan with four bedrooms, 31/2 bathrooms and 2,700 square feet, priced in the low $400,000s.

Wheeler Design Custom Homes will be featuring a reverse 11/2-story home in Sunset Hills that offers four bedrooms and 41/2 bathrooms. The hilltop home site backs to a private wooded area and offers sweeping views to the north. This home is priced at $589,900.

Lettiann Southerland, who markets the Communities of River Ridge, said opportunities are quickly diminishing to build a custom home here. Building and lot reservations have been brisk the past few months and only two home sites remain in High Point. Only 25 sites remain in the Enclave of Sunset Hills and about a half dozen are available in Sunset Hills. Several custom homes closed this month.

“The buyers who reserved the home sites said they wanted a different type of community,” Southerland said.

And the Communities of River Ridge offers that difference. It is situated on rolling terrain overlooking the Blue River Valley along Kenneth Road south of 159th Street, providing a serene ambiance without sacrificing city convenience.

Because of the elevation, homes offer expansive views. Some of the remaining home sites in the Enclave of Sunset Hills overlook the Blue River Valley or Aubrey Vineyards. The views change with the seasons and this spring offer vistas of budding trees and a blaze of color provided by the wild redbuds in the surrounding timber.

Although River Ridge has a unique, tranquil setting, it is close to city conveniences. “Many people who visit are surprised how close River Ridge is to everything you need: highways, shopping, restaurants,” Southerland said. “But it feels like it’s miles from the city. It’s peaceful here.”

River Ridge has a tradition of being a community of custom-built homes. The newest member of the award-winning builder team is ParkView Homes. Other builders include Bracklow Custom Homes, Bickimer Construction, Taylored Homes, Tabernacle Homes, Wheeler Design Custom Homes, James Engle Custom Homes, Krueger Homes and Comerio Corporation.

The Enclave of Sunset Hills is open to any builder who works in the Kansas City area with developer approval of home designs.

Amenities at the Communities of River Ridge include a pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, fishing ponds and playground. Students attend schools in the Blue Valley School District. River Ridge has some of the last available home sites in the attendance area of the original Blue River Elementary and Blue Valley High schools.

Residents have quick access to Interstate 435, U.S. 69 and Missouri 150. They are within minutes of an abundance of shopping and dining venues at 135th Street and State Line Road and along 151st Street.

For information, contact Lettiann Southerland at 816-898-5477.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "New model opens in Enclave of Sunset Hills."