Markel Homes starts 2nd phase in Louisville

The Elkhorn model by Markel Homes.

A Boulder-based home builder is releasing the first 26 single-family lots for pre-sale in the Phase II expansion of its popular North End neighborhood in Louisville, where only one single-family home site remains unsold.

Markel Homes is building in North End, a community just west of Highway 42/ 95th St. and south of Paschal Drive. is five minutes from historic downtown Louisville.

Buyers can choose from more than a dozen two- and three-bedroom ranch and two-story designs, all green built and Energy Star® 3.0 certified. The open floor plan homes, featuring both Markel’s signature “newwest “contemporary and traditional architecture, are priced from $494,900 to $624,249. Homes range in size from 1,521 square feet to 2,729 square of finished space. Including basements, they range in size from about 2,300 square feet to 4,000 square feet.

The Energy Star component is important, said Michael Markel, founder of his namesake company.

“Building to the city’s code is required, while Energy Star is a voluntary program in which builders adhere to stricter standards in an effort to help conserve natural resources and promote energy efficiency,” Markel said.

“Not every builder chooses to meet Energy Star standards, but by doing so, we are able to deliver high-performance homes to the market, which include a long list of benefits for homeowners, and the planet.”

On the HERS index, where the lower the number the better, one of his homes typically gets a score in the low- to mid-60s. A typical resale home has a HERS score of 130, while a new home built to code typically gets a 100.

In other words, “a home with a score of 70 is 30 percent more efficient than a standard new home,” Markel said.

The first furnished models in the second phase of North End will be ready this fall.

Initial buyers, however, can create their semi-custom home on select lots with views of the Front Range as well as access to Hecla Lake open space and the footpaths and greenways that connect the North End development.

North End appeals to a range of buyers searching for that “elusive” new home in Louisville, which has twice topped Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” list, according to the company.

In the past, buyers have ranged from empty nesters looking for environmentally friendly homes with easy-living design, low maintenance yet high-quality features and appliances to younger families needing to move up to a larger home that is not an energy hog.

“In Boulder County, green living is close to people’s hearts,” Markel said. “It definitely helps buyers feel confident that they’re making a good investment,”

He noted his company also offers options to buyers such as solar photovoltaic cells, solar hot water heating systems andradiant floor heating.

He said it is difficult to estimate how much a buyer might save in utility costs.

“I’m not exactly sure, as this really depends on the way that the resident lives,” Markel said.

“Also, the savings is not only in utility costs, green building materials are longer-lasting and more durable, so they’re replaced much less often and require less maintenance.

Markel Homes is now in its 40th year as a Boulder county homebuilder.

In addition to energy-efficiency, other features offered at North End include:

• Large window design throughout to capture natural light.
• Metal accents and distinct roof lines.
• Fifteen exterior color packages.
• Vaulted ceilings and skylights in ranches.
• Optional lower level finish for more living, bedroom and storage space.
• Plans in multiple elevations.
• Access to open space, greenways and trail connectivity.

A handful of townhomes, priced from $414,900, are available in North End’s first phase, which kicked off in 2008.

The second phase, when completed, will have about 143 homes. It will include a mix of single-family homes, town homes and condos, in addition to new commercial space for neighborhood retail.

Read original article here