Longleaf is being built on portions of a 16,000-acre ranch owned by the Starkey family, a longtime fixture in the Tampa Bay area. Two neighborhoods are currently being developed under the watchful eye of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Crosland LLC, one of the leading diversified real estate companies in the southeast.

Perry Reader, President of Crosland's Florida operations, describes Longleaf as a "close-knit community," with many Traditional Neighborhood elements that serve to influence the architectural style. Classical, Craftsman and Frame Vernacular home designs feature neighbor-friendly front porches that overlook wide sidewalks and narrow, interconnected streets. The inviting town center is just a short walk away, and a kid-friendly park is located within two blocks of every home. Longleaf has "a lot of the hometown feeling of a traditional village," Reader says.

Green Village Greens and Homes
Two of the largest parks recently earned certification from the University of Florida's "Yards & Neighborhoods" program for their sustainable, Florida-friendly characteristics. The university's program aims to help communities reduce storm water runoff, conserve water and enhance wildlife and plant diversity. At Longleaf, developers earned additional points for preserving much of the parks' existing vegetation during construction, as well as using solar-powered irrigation systems and soil moisture sensors to minimize water consumption.

Many of the homes themselves will also be constructed using environmentally friendly building practices. Two of the homebuilders at Longleaf offer residential units certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). A third builder includes many green features that are popular with homebuyers.

A Hardie Community
HardiePlank™ fiber cement lap siding is another prominent feature at Longleaf, according to Reader. "We were looking for an architectural product that our builders were very comfortable with," he explains, and a material with "good product recognition" among consumers.

Architecturally, the developer says Hardie is "very strong—and it can be mixed with other surfaces and other detailing to make some pretty interesting patterning along the streetscapes." Reader also likes that James Hardie manufactures matching trim and other components, offering greater product consistency and performance. He believes the suite of complementary products enables builders to better frame windows, do corners more proficiently and ensure that the "primary siding is installed and detailed correctly."

Reader, former president of Disney's famed Celebration neighborhood, says that the HardiePlank helped Crosland achieve "the look that we wanted in the community." He is also pleased to provide homeowners with a reputable product backed by a strong guarantee.

In all, 701 homes are planned for neighborhoods three and four at Longleaf, with build out anticipated in 2010. Townhomes start in the $190's, while single-family homes are priced from the low $200,000's to over $500,000. Interior living space ranges from 1,800 square feet to over 3,000 square feet.

For more information, visit: http://www.longleaftown.com

Streetscapes Online, Volume 25 <