New Homes Continue an Overland Park Family’s 100-Year-Old Legacy
On a picturesque piece of land just west of Quivira Road in Overland Park, a story that’s more than 100 years old has a new chapter.
The aptly named Century Farms is a beautiful, upscale new home community that’s bringing new life to this family-owned farmland. After Alphonse and Marie Verhaeghe arrived in the U.S. from Belgium in 1919, they found an idyllic, 80-acre parcel of farmland complete with a large two-story house, “perfect for their big family, and sturdy barns for chickens, livestock and machinery,” wrote Gary Verhaeghe, developer of Century Farms.
Throughout the next 100 years, the Verhaeghe family built a successful farming business, cultivating a reputation for exemplary vegetables, bedding plants, grain crops and cattle.
“Alphonse proved to be an astute business man and expanded his land holdings to several hundred acres through both good and difficult economic times,” Verhaeghe wrote.
Now, two generations later, the land has a new purpose: Century Farms. Just as the Verhaeghe family built a reputation for agricultural excellence, they’re bringing that same commitment to quality to an exceptional new home community.
A team of renowned homebuilders — including Bickimer Homes, James Engle Custom Homes, JFE Construction, SAB Homes and Willis Custom Homes — each bring their vision and extensive experience to Century Farms.
The result is a stunning community that reflects an unwavering attention to detail, from the beautifully built homes to the community entrance complete with a windmill statue that pays homage to the community’s farmland heritage.
Once you pass through the eye-catching entrance, you’ll be greeted by a stately model row that features furnished model homes from each of Century Farms’ five builders. Rachelle Moley, who markets Century Farms with Mike Perry for Weichert Realtors, Welch & Company, says this is one of only a few model home rows in Kansas City where each model home is priced around $1 million. Additionally, each model home has earned Gold Awards from the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, a testament to each home’s quality, style and livability.
Century Farms gives prospective buyers an incredible opportunity to choose from more than 50 floor plans and build a new home in just nine to 10 months. It’s as easy as selecting your homesite, your floor plan and your exterior elevation. Then, in less than a year, you’ll be moved into your dream home and living amid history. Visit the Century Farms website at www.CenturyFarmsOP.com to explore floor plans. Or visit Mike and Rachelle in the Century Farms sales office, which is open daily, to select the floor plan that fits your lifestyle and needs. In addition to an extensive selection of floor plans, Century Farms offers more than 35 homesites, including cul-de-sac and greenspace locations ranging in size from ¼-acre to ½-acre. Prices start at $110,000.
Additionally, two dozen speculative homes are also underway, with prices starting in the $600,000s. Prospective buyers are invited to tour several move-in ready homes, including a beautiful two-story home with finished lower level and wine room from Bickimer Homes and a stunning, 3,600-square-foot reverse-style home by James Engle Custom Homes that backs to a private treed nature preserve.
Century Farms opened just under a year ago, and it’s already made a lasting impression on prospective homeowners. Perry and Moley report consistent sales traffic that’s “off the charts.” Several homeowners have already moved into Century Farms. Construction is expected to start soon on the community’s amenities. The centerpiece will be an airy yet rustic clubhouse that’s fully equipped with a fitness center, a rock fireplace and plenty of room to gather and relax.
Just outside the clubhouse, more amenities will be available, including a resort-style pool, a pickle ball and sports court, and a scenic wildflower walkway. A parcel of land will be designated as an outdoor sports field, giving kids and adults alike the perfect place to play catch, kick around a soccer ball, toss a Frisbee and more.
Century Farms will also continue the land’s agricultural legacy with several raised-bed gardens that will be available to residents to grow and maintain their own gardens. Verhaeghe, himself an accomplished rancher, will schedule occasional demonstrations to share some of his family’s tried-and-true gardening techniques, including his secrets to growing your own heirloom garlic.
More recreation and entertainment awaits just outside of Century Farms, a result of the community’s prime Overland Park location. The 1,238-acre Heritage Park is just half a block away from the community and offers a lake, off-leash dog area, outdoor exercise equipment, an 18-hole disc golf course and more.
Across the street, a brand-new city park named for the Verhaeghe family will offer another picturesque spot to play, explore and enjoy. Additionally, the Johnson County Parks trail system is nearby. Future plans call for trails within Century Farms to connect to the larger trail system.
Century Farms also puts homeowners minutes away from shopping, dining, services and convenient access to U.S. 69. New development near the junction of U.S. 69 and 159th Street includes a grocery store, several fast-casual restaurants and a number of services. Other nearby highlights include Shawnee Mission Hospital, Overland Park Arboretum, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, the Prairiefire entertainment complex and Deer Creek Golf Club, to name a few. Century Farms is served by the award-winning Blue Valley School District.
Make plans to visit and experience firsthand why the grass is greener at Century Farms. Live here and you’ll be part of both the history and the future of this scenic piece of Overland Park. Your next chapter awaits, and the story starts at Century Farms.
Century Farms
Prices: From the $600,000s
Location: South on Quivira Road to 168th Street, Overland Park, Kan.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Contact: Rachelle Moley, 913-433-4651 or Mike Perry, 816-210-4455, both with Weichert Realtors, Welch & Company
This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 12:00 AM.