Cottonwood Canyon is one of the best of KC area golf course communities

When Kansas City entrepreneur and urban planner J. C. Nichols envisioned the city of Mission Hills in 1912, he paid particular attention to how the adjacent Mission Hills and Kansas City Country Clubs would add distinction and value to its residents. Over 100 years later, those homes have continued to hold their value much better than similar age neighborhoods.

Today, the residential community of Cottonwood Canyon, situated just one mile west of Interstate 435 on 95th St./Prairie Star Parkway in Lenexa, possesses many of those same characteristics: a first-rate golf course, distinctive high quality homes and an accessible location. In fact, only a few years ago the neighboring Golf Club of Kansas was ranked among Golfweek magazine’s “Best New Courses.”

According to developer Steve Hughes, the natural beauty and serenity derived from living in a golf course community plays an integral role in choosing where to live. And for those who don’t play golf, the walking and biking trails surrounding the community are unsurpassed, to say nothing of the planned shopping and restaurants at the nearby Lenexa City Center.

“There is no expectation for any new golf course communities in the metro area at the present time,” Hughes said, “and Cottonwood Canyon is the only community in Johnson County offering quality golf front lots.”

At Cottonwood Canyon, an astounding 85 percent of its only 125 total lots are amenity lots, each offering scenic views of the dramatic rolling hills, lakes and natural beauty of the Golf Club of Kansas.

“Cottonwood Canyon offers an exclusive and secure setting that feels like it is far from the big city,” Hughes said. “Living here is about a feeling of serenity and community, and we are fortunate to be able to offer that in one of the most dramatically beautiful subdivisions in town.”

In terms of home values, prospective buyers should note that premiums for houses on golf courses will hold value better over the long run as the demand for golf front houses will continue to grow, while the supply remains stable.

“In other words,” Hughes explained, “any golf lot like the ones offered at Cottonwood Canyon should hold value better than a typical lot.”

Cottonwood Canyon encompasses two residential neighborhoods: The Lake and The Village. Prospective buyers can find homes in The Lake ranging from $600,000 to over $1 million, and homes in The Village from $400,000 and up. Each offers distinctive design plans from some of the Kansas City area’s premier builders, including B.L. Rieke Custom Homes, JS Robinson Fine Homes, Don Julian Builders, Starr Homes, Reed Fuller Construction and Curtis Befort Construction.

During this year’s Fall Parade of Homes, which runs through Oct. 12, the Cottonwood Canyon marketing team will be offering the B.L. Rieke model home, awarded “Best Model Home $750,000 to $1 million” in 2011, for sale at the special price of $775,000, approximately $100,000 under today’s replacement cost.

This beautiful model home, located directly on the lake at 9202 Cottonwood Canyon Drive, continues to wow the critics and captivate buyers with two bedrooms, including the master, on the main floor, two bedrooms on the lower level, two living areas, a beautiful hearth area and an open kitchen.

The primary goal in building a home like this was to showcase many of the features that can be included in a Bruce Rieke home, as well as the breathtaking natural beauty of the Cottonwood Canyon community.

Prospective buyers can view the wealth of stunning interior and exterior features on the Cottonwood Canyon website at CottonwoodCanyon.info.

Starr Homes’ has an entry in the Parade here. It is an upscale reverse 11/2-story model home highlighted by four bedrooms, including a large master suite on the main floor, and four full and two half-bathrooms. Located in The Lake area, the home sits in a cozy cul-de-sac overlooking Cottonwood Canyon’s beautiful lake featuring a fountain that accentuates the surrounding natural beauty.

There are several other new spec homes that are both planned and under construction at Cottonwood Canyon, and many of the amenity lots have been placed under reservation. Plans for Phase 2 are also coming soon.

For information regarding Cottonwood Canyon, visit CottonwoodCanyon.info, or contact Angie Ripley or Nita Criswell at 913-492-4444 or at cottonwoodcanyonks@gmail.com

This story was originally published October 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Cottonwood Canyon is one of the best of KC area golf course communities."