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What’s Your Pleasure?

By Cindy Hodnett
HomePlace Writer

Homebuyers who've been considering a move downtown have a wonderful opportunity to tour four condominium and townhome communities this afternoon when Prudential Carolinas Realty hosts a "downtown condominium open-house tour." Scheduled to be open are West End Village, Salem Place, Holly Village and 248 South Main, a group of distinctive housing options.

At West End Village, units in both the 4th & Broad, and Towns buildings are currently available, and marketing agent Deborah Malmo said that one of the most exciting things to mention to potential buyers is the planned opening of Caffe Prada on the ground floor of 4th & Broad.

"Caffe Prada is scheduled to open in late January," Malmo said. "This European-style café is the perfect addition to the urban environment envisioned by architect David Furman when he created West End Village. It will feature American and European coffee drinks, simple sandwiches, salads, and decadent desserts and all-natural gelato that will be made fresh daily. It will be the ultimate spot to hang out, read magazines, meet friends and surf the Web in a trendy, urban setting.

"When we came to Winston-Salem to look at this site, we saw an opportunity not to do a project, but to build a neighborhood," Furman said in a previous interview. "Being between West End and downtown gives us the best of both worlds."

Five separate developments will eventually be part of West End Village, and Malmo said the community is designed for "urban pioneers who catch the vision" of a revitalized downtown district. At 4th & Broad, there are 45 one-level and seven three-level condominiums priced in the $170,000s that share a landscaped terrace and convenient garage parking. The Towns features three-level condominiums with private rear courtyards and balconies, and many options including hardwoods, upgraded cabinetry and tile are available. Prices for the Towns start in the $220,000s.

PCR's Joyce Snelgrove said that only two homes remain at Holly Village townhomes, but both offer wonderful potential. At 582 Second St., the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath townhome includes hardwoods on the second and third levels as well as many upgrades. The custom apartment on the main level has a private entrance and enclosed brick courtyard and is a great opportunity for the buyer to create a work/home space convenient to all points of interest downtown.

At 562 Second St., future owners can customize the first level of a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home. The kitchen features granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances, and the living room has a gas fireplace and built-in bookcases.

Homeowners can walk to Old Salem from the Salem Place townhomes on South Marshall and Poplar streets developed by Bob Isner and Frank Mellon. One of the classic bungalow-style homes at Salem Place was a gold award-winner during the 2007 Parade of Homes, and three townhomes have already sold in the development since the official introduction in late fall. Snelgrove added that the lofts on Marshall Street are also under construction, and a model home will open later this month.

Buyers interested in a luxury downtown condominium will want to check out 248 South Main. Although the project is in the early stages, potential residents can visit the model home in Tar Branch Towers to get a firsthand look at what the community will offer. Base prices start at $245,900, and marketing agent Lloyd Dillon said that the base models offer many upscale amenities.

"The high level of quality at 248 South Main is not confined to the units," he said. "The building itself is an impressive neoclassical structure with a tumbled-brick exterior and a gabled roofline and effectively bridges the architectural gap between the historic styles of Old Salem and the glass-and-steel architecture of downtown. ... This classic structure will be built with steel and concrete framed construction utilizing high-quality commercial techniques for strength and insulation purposes. Additionally, each unit will feature its own heating and cooling system along with a sprinkler fire-protection system."

Square footage at 248 South Main ranges from 1,117 to more than 3,500. Developed by Beau Dancy Construction, the project offers interiors that can be customized by buyers with the number of desired bedrooms and baths, and the open floor plans with windows on all four sides have been designed to maximize the views of the city.

"For buyers wishing to downsize without giving up on luxury, 248 South Main offers the perfect opportunity to customize their own sophisticated urban space," Dillon said. "In a nutshell, 248 South Main offers the best of the best for buyers wanting the best of downtown Winston-Salem."

Salem Place, West End Village and Holly Village will be open today from 1 to 4 p.m. 248 South Main will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call Deborah Malmo (West End Village) at 336-760-7261, Joyce Snelgrove (Holly Village and Salem Place) at 336-748-2052 or Lloyd Dillon (248 South Main) at 336-748-2034.