 |
| Courtesy
photo |
A
breezeway leads to a central courtyard in the Radiance
model of Fireside at Norterra.
(Click
picture to see larger image) |
| |
 |
| Courtesy
photo |
Fireside's
Aura model is a 3,633 square foot home with the master
suite on the second floor.
(Click picture to see larger image) |
|
Over
the bridge and into Ponticello's secluded valley
by
RaeAnne Marsh
TRAMONTO - Custom home sites are now in the process of development
at the last parcel of land in Tramonto. Ponticello at Tramonto
will be an exclusive enclave in the gated Estates section
of the north Phoenix master planned community located off
Carefree Highway east of Interstate 17.
The name "Ponticello," which means "over the
bridge" in Italian, gives a hint as to the reason the
parcel was left for last, explains developer Don Allison:
It lies on the further side of a deep wash. Monogram Companies,
a Scottsdale based company that specializes in in fill projects,
bought the land last year from Tramonto's original developers,
Communities Southwest, and immediately faced the question,
"How do we provide access to this land?" One answer
was to build a concrete culvert across the wash; but, says
Allison, he and his partners, fellow native Arizonans Russ
Hermann and Dan Hellman, decided "that was not attractive
to us."
So they chose to build a bridge instead, and this decision
inspired a name for their development. "It's the most
sensitive [approach], aesthetically and environmentally,"
says Allison. At a span of 137 feet, it comes at "a lot
of expense to access just 24 lots," he adds, but notes
the bridge doesn't disturb the wash bottom and leaves the
corridor open for hikers, equestrians and wildlife.
Begun the
end of last year and now open to construction equipment, although
approximately two months from completion, the bridge will
carry the Tuscan motif found throughout the Tramonto community.
A stone monument sign will stand before the bridge, announcing
the entrance to the Ponticello enclave with a large "P."
The bridge will feature stone accents in a series of columns
to line each side. At the bottom of each column will be a
light sconce, creating a soft lighting for night that will
disturb the view of neither night sky nor city lights.
|
|
| |
On
the bridge Monogram Companies is building a sitting area on the
west side just within the Ponticello community to provide a place
from which to "enjoy the views and watch the sunset,"
as Allison puts it. Encircled by a low stone wall, the viewing bench,
like Ponticello's sign, bridge and sitting area, will come from
native stone from the site.
"Once you cross the bridge, the road goes to the top of the
ridge where you can see all of the Valley to the south and west,
and north to Anthem, before it drops into a valley," says Allison.
Ponticello's secluded valley is surrounded by city and state preserve
land-tall mountains, with canyons and arroyos opening to breathtaking
vistas.
The 40 acre parcel has been divided into 24 custom home sites that
range in size from slightly over one acre to a full three acres.
The sites follow the natural terrain, which is studded with towering
saguaros, and are situated to preserve the view corridors and the
native flora. Emphasizing Monogram's intent to leave as much land
undisturbed as possible while developing the home sites, Allison
points out there is no mass grading to put in the pads. "We
will leave the lots in a natural state, and the owner can position
the home around the natural features and plants and incorporate
those in [the individual] building plan for the lot."
Architectural guidelines follow those of the Tramonto master planned
community, but "we went a step further because of the hillside
lots," says Allison. Minimum square footage for a home is 3,000,
with a maximum disturbable area of 20,000 square feet on any lot.
Home exteriors must feature organic materials, stone and earthtone
colors, and landscaping must employ native vegetation.
In terms of massing, there will be no long stretches of straight
wall, which must be broken up in some way. This applies as well
to retaining walls that may be required on the pads. Allison explains
that the maximum height of the walls is six feet. If 12 feet of
wall is needed, they will first create a six foot wall, then a landscaped
area, then a second six foot wall to "break it up so it's architecturally
softer and more natural."
Commencing work on the lots had to wait until the bridge had been
built. Although the finishing touches have yet to be added, the
bridge allows construction equipment access to the development.
A loop road for the community has been graded. Once the utilities
are installed, the streets will be paved-all expected to be done
by September.
Construction activity is restricted to a confined site, says Allison.
In order to protect the natural areas, they have roped off the area
where construction is to take place. "It complicates construction
but you end up with a pristine site, which is the goal at the end
of the day."
Ponticello residents will have access to the amenities enjoyed by
all the other Tramonto residents: the hiking and bicycling trails,
pools, parks and community center.
James Henning is handling sales for Ponticello and can be reached
at james@themonogramcompanies
.com or 480 5113 9600. |
| |
| Back
To Real Estate |
|
