Extended opportunities at pristine Forest View

Past a cascading 50-foot waterfall, natural rock bluffs and lush greenery, sits Forest View, the crown jewel of Rodrock Development. Located just west of Kansas 7 highway on 119th Street in western Johnson County, this community recently opened up an expanded number of lots, offering discerning homebuyers the chance to build the home of their dreams in a neighborhood like no other.

Atop a gently winding boulevard, Forest View makes quite a first impression. Comprised of The Estates of Forest View, The Hills of Forest View and The Meadows of Forest View, the community offers truly breathtaking views. But as its homeowners are quick to admit, while a first glimpse left them in awe, the community leaves an even more impressive lasting impression.

“The entrance has an incredible waterfall with well kept grounds,” agreed Kevin Bouvier, who’s called the community home for eight months. “You can’t help but be in a good mood entering Forest View. Its location is perfect. Hidden back in the trees gives you that feeling of seclusion, yet you’re just minutes away from city life.

“But besides the natural beauty of this development, the people are truly friendly,” he continued. “Residents enjoy living here, and it shows. The Estates of Forest View felt like home from the first visit. There were plenty of housing options available and, importantly, it was a Rodrock Development. Rodrock knows how to plan and execute a community. As we looked around, one thing was clear: Rodrock Developments age gracefully.”

Jill Luse and her family have called the neighborhood home since September of 2013. “We wanted the feeling of living in the country with all of the conveniences of the city,” she said. “Forest View had what we were looking for with the natural stone, trees and wildlife, and only minutes from anywhere right off K-7. We moved here from out of state and wanted a smooth transition for our two children. This community was very family friendly and had top-notch, beautiful schools that we fell in love with.”

What’s more, the community offered a unique, natural beauty the family couldn’t find elsewhere. There were countless flat, square lots, with little privacy and small stunted trees on the market. But this isn’t what the Luse family was searching for.

“Forest View feels as though it was carved out of the stone and hills, around natural landscape,” Luse said. “We love the drive up Clare with the waterfall and treed entryway. The homes and landscape are unique, but everything fits with the feel of the neighborhood. It’s very peaceful walking through the community, visiting with friendly neighbors, and having wildlife around to give us that country feel we were looking for in a neighborhood setting. We love that everyone loves to live out here.”

This love for the community is distinctive, says Bruce Stout, manager at Forest View and a longtime Rodrock Development marketing agent.

“The most impressive thing about my experience here is the sense of community pride,” Stout said. “We have, on numerous occasions, met with current homeowners who’re either downsizing or need more room and each has expressed a very strong desire to stay within the Forest View community. Typically in our market, when people sell, they leave their subdivision and start over elsewhere. That hasn’t been the case here.”

Now with a number of new lots opening up, homebuyers are excited for all the potential of the expanded Forest View. “We’re expecting an abundant number of walkout and daylight lots, as well as several nice, flat lots,” said Linda Roberts, a Rodrock Development marketing agent.

These new lots will be in an area of The Estates called “The Enclaves” and the remaining lots will be in The Meadows of Forest View. The expansion complements the December release of lots in The Hills, which were very well received.

“This is a really a beautiful new phase, with the majority of the lots overlooking the wooded park area,” Roberts said. “The lots range from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, with the average size lot coming in at 13,650 square feet. Prices in The Estates have ranged from upper $400,000s to $600,000-plus. Buyers are anxiously awaiting the release of these lots. Several are ready to go to contract with their builder as soon as we have pricing available.”

Four model homebuilders — James Engle Custom Homes, J.S. Robinson Fine Homes, Summit Custom Homes and Hilmann Home Building Inc. — are available in the community. Allure Luxury Homes and K.C. Building Company Inc. have spec homes in The Estates, though the neighborhood is also open to outside builders.

As with all Rodrock Developments, the community boasts an impressive amenity package, including a large zero-entry pool, water park, playground, volleyball and picnic area.

“People enjoy the community, love the easy access to other areas within the metro and really embrace the fact that being off the beaten path, we enjoy a very picturesque and serene setting,” Stout said. “The overall community design, the developer-installed streetscape, the massive waterfall at the entry, the unique neighborhood feel and strong sense of pride sets Forest View apart.”

This story was originally published July 12, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Extended opportunities at pristine Forest View."