The developers of Windsong Properties, a quartet of adult lifestyle communities in Georgia, have come up with a new twist on an old concept to attract boomers/empty nesters. Some might call small cottages near a larger home a guest house but Windsong refers to the satellite structures at its recently opened Somerset community in Woodstock, Ga. as "casitas."
Spanish for "little house," this addition consists of a large, multi-function room with a walk-in closet and its own bathroom and covered porch, located across the breezeway from the main house. This was a selling point for new residents Bill and Pat Burndrett. "It gives us a great place for guests to stay. It's like their own personal apartment."
Windsong owners Mark Carruth and Steve Romeyn are empty nesters themselves. All homes meet standards set by EasyLiving Home, a voluntary certification program that encourages the inclusion of key features to make the home cost-effective and accessible, such as no-step access, wide doorways, lever handles and other amenities that accommodate changes in personal circumstances.
They are also certified by EarthCraft Home, a green building program, and Energy Star, offering assurance of economical, healthy and environmentally friendly living. Check information on the website at windsonglife.com.
Windsong's four communities are located in the metropolitan Atlanta region, an area that boasts of being a leader in the active adult market. Members of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association's 50-Plus Council took five 2008 Best of 50-Plus Housing Awards, announced at the 2008 Building for Boomers and Beyond: 50-Plus Housing Symposium, held in New Orleans in May.
"These awards demonstrate that Atlanta is a leader in bringing the highest level of dedication and service to this emerging market," said Betsy Sheppard, communications committee chair of the Atlanta builders association.
