Couple Likes Plans, Goals of Community in Fishers Area
Couple Likes Plans, Goals of Community in Fishers Area
November 2, 2004 - Noblesville Ledger
By: Margaret Olek Esler
Steve Ullom’s commute to work is 2 minutes, if he takes “the scenic route.” He and his wife Kathy built a new home in Saxony, a master-planned mixed-use development that is also the new location of the Wesleyan Church headquarters, where he is employed.
He used to commute from their home in Lebanon, Indiana, to the former church headquarters in Castleton. Steve said the trip started to wear him out. “It got really old. I just didn’t want to have to make that commute anymore,” he said.
During their home search, the Ulloms discovered Drees Homes in Saxony, 700 acres in Fishers that includes diverse housing, office districts and retail. The community, located on the west side of Olio Road, just north of 126th Street, is designed to be pedestrian-friendly, he said.
“It was perfect in terms of work, and we really liked the plans and goals of the community,” Steve said.
Steve and Kathy said building with Drees was a good investment. “The Fishers area is growing, and Drees builds a very quality home,” he said. Their home was completed nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, and they moved in July 26, he added.
Steve said the company was “very accommodating,” and easy to work with. “So easy, in fact, it surprised me. They handled everything very well, financing and construction. This is the most carefree move I’ve ever made.”
Harry Sanders is division sales manager for Drees at Saxony. He said neighborhood amenities at Saxony include landscaped boulevards and entranceway, cul-de-sacs, quaint street lighting, roundabouts, parks, walking paths and a neighborhood swim club. Retail development is expected to include a variety of recreational, shopping and dining opportunities.
Drees’ section of Saxony is called Traditions at Saxony. Base priced from $232,900 - $280,900, homes offer 1,851 – 2,915 square feet, with expansion options available. Homes have three or four bedrooms and two to 3 – ½ baths.
Sanders said the builder is flexible with floor plans in an attempt to accommodate buyers’ needs.
All Drees homes at Saxony feature elevated front yards with extensive landscaping. Sanders also noted that the homes are part of an exclusive collection incorporating architectural elevations with brick foundations and raised front porches with wrought-iron railings.
The location is a major selling point for the Saxony community, Sanders said, with convenient access to interstates, schools, shopping golf courses, and parks, in rapidly developing Fishers. “Saxony is a suburban, exclusive setting with unique amenities that are a great fir for our homes,” he said.
All Drees homes come standard with detailed brick fronts with 24-inch brick skirt around the perimeter of the home. Interior standards are custom-finished smooth ceilings throughout, 9-foot first-floor ceilings, hardwood flooring in foyers and powder rooms, upgraded kitchen cabinetry, partial basements and fireplaces.
Sanders said hundreds of options are available for buyers to personalize their homes at Drees’ “brand-new” design center, located on Indianapolis’ north side, just off Interstate 465. Buyers can choose from a variety of elevations in the floor plans and exterior options include custom moldings and brick packages.
Additionally, Drees offers a variety of optional landscape packages. The Traditions at Saxony section will have 120 homes, with some available sites capable of accommodating side-entry garages.
Community sales manager John Fite said Drees’ homes at Saxony are unique and feature new exterior colors. He noted the brick skirt on each home, and the overall design makes the homes “different and beautiful.”
“The feel is more turn-of-the-century traditional. It’s a brand new Drees look in the Indianapolis market, and people are very receptive” Fite said.
Fite added that the major draw of the community is its mix of residential and business offerings. “It’s just a standout community, especially since you don’t have the standard, cookie-cutter palette of homes, and everything you need is right here,” he said.
A furnished, decorated model is open noon-6 pm daily.
The Easton floor plan, with a base square footage of 2,801, is shown with structural options at 3,196 square feet. The standard two-car garage can be extended by 4 feet, or can be converted into a three-car front-or side-entry garage.
The foyer, with coat closet and dual staircase, gives way through an angled door to the home’s study, with a bay window overlooking the front yard. Beyond the study lies a formal dining room, which leads to a hall accessing the kitchen.
The kitchen features a center serving island, planning desk and pantry. An adjacent morning room features a French door leading to the rear deck. A powder room and laundry room are located off the kitchen.
Tucked into the rear of the home is the gathering room that features a fireplace, has an optional four-foot extension and overlooks the home’s back yard.
The second-floor gallery overlooks the foyer and features an optional window seat facing the front of the home. Through a private hall and past a niche, the owner’s suite features a tray ceiling, two walk-in closets and a private bath with his-and-hers vanities, garden tub, step-in shower and separate water closet.
Each of three secondary bedrooms includes a double closet, and the second floor has an additional full bath. A flexible bonus room can be turned into an additional bedroom. The model, based at $283,400, is shown at $342,745.
Drees Homes was founded in 1928. The company is headquartered in Kentucky, and is one of the nation’s largest home builders. Drees builds in 12 communities throughout greater Indianapolis, as well as custom homes on buyers’ private lots.
Drees Homes at Saxony:
- Location – West side of Olio Road, north of 126th Street, Fishers
- Price - $232,900 - $280,900, base.
- Square footage – 1,851 to 2,915, base.
- Schools – Hamilton Southeastern; Fall Creek Elementary and Intermediate, Hamilton Southeastern Junior and Senior highs.
- Builder/phone/Web site – Drees Homes 317-774-3832. www.dreeshomes.com
