Cottonwood Canyon offers last premium golf course lots in Johnson County
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 strong value.
Today, the residential community of Cottonwood Canyon, situated just one mile west of Interstate 435 on 95th Street/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, whether one enjoys golf or not, the natural beauty and ambiance derived from living in a golf course community plays an integral role in choosing where to live.
“There is no expectation for new golf course communities in the metro area at the present time,” Hughes said, “and Cottonwood Canyon is the only community left in Johnson County offering quality golf front lot options.”
At Cottonwood Canyon, an astounding 85 percent of the 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.
In terms of home values, prospective buyers should note that golf lots and golf course homes will hold value better over the long run, as the demand for golf lots will continue to grow while the supply remains stable.
Angie Ripley, lead Realtor for the Cottonwood Canyon community and named as the 2013 Kansas City Realtor Salesperson of the Year, loves selling homes, but notes that brick and mortar is just a small part of what makes a structure a home.
“Your home should offer a serene setting for relaxing and entertaining; an escape from the everyday ‘rat race;’ a subtle reminder to stop, slow down and relax,” she said. “Imagine a beautiful exterior living space overlooking scenic views of rock ledges, green fairways and bodies of water; add friends and family and this is a home.”
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, Don Julian Builders, Starr Homes, Reed Fuller Construction and Curtis Befort Construction.
Currently, B.L. Rieke, Reed Fuller Construction and Curtis Befort Construction have spec homes in The Village neighborhood.
The B.L. Rieke spec home, priced at $529,900, is a reverse 11/2-story floor plan with four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Reed Fuller’s spec home also features a reverse 11/2-story floor plan with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is priced at $400,000. Both homes are featured on the Spring Parade of Homes through Sunday. The Befort spec home, a mid-century modern design featuring three-bedrooms and four-bathrooms, will be priced in the mid $500,000s.
In The Lake neighborhood, prospective buyers will find two model homes. The B.L. Rieke model is a beautifully furnished, reverse 11/2-story floor plan priced at $799,000 with four bedrooms and three bathrooms with the master on the first floor. This home is also featured on the Spring Parade of Homes.
Soon to be completed is Starr Homes’ 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.
For information regarding Cottonwood Canyon, visit
This story was originally published May 10, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cottonwood Canyon offers last premium golf course lots in Johnson County."