Major Master-Planned Community Takes Shape Near Sun Valley
Innovative Development Fills Much-Needed
Workforce Housing Niche
HAILEY, Idaho—Oct. 30, 2006—Weber + Thompson, a full-service architecture, interior design and planning firm based in Seattle, has completed the master plan of Sweetwater, and construction has begun on the 421-home community on 22 acres in Idaho's Sun Valley.
Home construction is booming in the spectacular mountain community renowned for skiing and other outdoor recreation activities. But most developers are building homes for the rich and famous, not members of the workforce that keeps the tourism industry humming. Seeing a great need for housing that is both affordable and aesthetically pleasing, officials of Sweetwater Company, LLC decided to develop Sweetwater. In addition to providing workforce housing, company representatives expect that Sweetwater also will appeal to retirees and middle-income earners wanting to buy second homes.
"We want to be inclusive of the local community," said J. Kevin Adams, a Sweetwater principal. "We wanted to develop a distinctive, affordable, pedestrian-oriented community for Sun Valley's working population." Currently, many of these workers now must commute up to 70 miles to afford housing.
Adams, CEO of Locally Global Investments LLC, organized the investment for Sweetwater Company, LLC to develop the village-like Sweetwater community in Hailey, Idaho, which is about 12 miles from Sun Valley. Sweetwater is one of the largest master-planned communities of its kind in the area. It will cost more than $100 million to build.
Construction of the first of Sweetwater's four phases has begun. Roth Development Group is the general contracting manager.
Sweetwater Company, LLC officials knew that proximity to Sun Valley was not enough to develop a successful community. While the project prioritizes affordability through the modest size of the majority of its 421 units, it does not scrimp on design quality or the highest standards of planning to create an authentic neighborhood. "The people of Hailey do not want a cookie-cutter housing tract. They want high-quality construction and design, amenities and green spaces," Adams said.
To carry out this vision, Sweetwater Company, LLC turned to Weber + Thompson, which is designing the architecture in addition to writing the master plan. The project team, led by Senior Associate and Director of Planning Catherine Benotto, AIA, ALSA, LEEP AP, designed a distinctive, village-like community of smaller-scaled buildings arranged around nearly three acres of green space. The plan implements the best principles of Smart Growth and New Urbanism to create a strong, pedestrian-oriented community. The mix of housing and ownership types, including fee-simple duplexes, live/work units, town homes, carriage houses and condominium flats ensures a diversity of residents.
"It was extremely important to the team that Sweetwater fit the scale and character of the surrounding community," said Benotto. "Having a wide variety of smaller-scaled, ground-related buildings, rather than a few large buildings, mimics the building pattern of old Hailey."
It was also critical that the existing grid street pattern be maintained so the development would be open and continuous with adjacent neighborhoods, Benotto said.
Additional measures were taken to instill a sense of place and community. The houses surround shared green spaces and courtyards, while a central park stands as the heart of the community. A community building at the edge of the park provides a place for residents to meet and socialize. It will have exercise rooms, a great room with a fireplace, a hobby room and a computer room for children. All mailboxes are in the community building, which encourages residents to interact as they collect their mail each day.
To emphasize the pedestrian experience, all garages are rear-alley loaded in tuck-under parking, creating a welcoming street front with no garage doors. The homes' orientation facing the street allows eyes to be on the community, thereby promoting security.
Another factor guiding Benotto and her colleagues is the belief that the architecture should look like it belongs in Hailey. "Local mining and agrarian architecture heavily influenced Sweetwater's design," she said. The building materials also relate to the local existing architecture, while the four seasons in Hailey inspired the color palettes.
Sweetwater's homes will range in size from 680 to more than 1800 square feet with prices ranging from $260,000 to $650,000. Homes will be available for reservation beginning in March 2007. Sotheby's International of Sun Valley, Idaho, is the exclusive listing company. Prospective buyers can be notified when homes will go on the market by the Sweetwater Sales Team at Sotheby's International by calling 208-578-3901 or visiting www.sweetwaterhailey.com.
Project Team
Owner and Developer: Sweetwater Company, LLC
Jason Roth, Director of Sales and Marketing
Janine Bear, Sotheby's International
Suxanne Walsh, Sotheby's International
Julie Hurst, Sotheby's International
Barb Vanderpool, Sotheby's International
Architecture and Planning: Weber + Thompson
- Scott Thompson, AIA, Architect
- Catherine Benotto, AIA, ALSA, LEEP AP, Project Manager and Master Planner
General Contactor: Roth Development Group
Landscape Architecture: Kurt Eggers and Associates
Consulting Architect: Michael Doty and Associates
Civil Engineering: Benchmark Associates
Environmental Graphics: RMB Vivid
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About Weber + Thompson
Seattle-based Weber + Thompson is a full-service West Coast design firm specializing in architecture, interior design, planning and landscape architecture. The award-winning company has an experienced staff of nearly 100 design and construction professionals. Since 1987, Weber + Thompson has developed a diverse practice with projects that include master-planned communities, high-rises, high-density urban infill, residential, hospitality, senior housing and commercial office projects. Weber + Thompson seeks effective results through a thoughtful and collaborative design process. For more information, visit www.weberthompson.com or contact Weber + Thompson at 206- 344-5700 or info@weberthompson.com.