Neo-Traditional Housing Has Wide Appeal

Those homebuyers who yearn for a neighborhood of sidewalks, front porches and small-town charm will find the Neo-Traditional community made-to-order to fulfill their dreams. Appealing to lifestyles ranging from the first-time to the move-up to the right-sizing new home buyer, Neo-Traditional housing fills a special niche. Designed to evoke the best of an earlier time while providing the most modern conveniences, these communities also engender a spirit of neighborliness among those who live in them.
A prime example of a pure play in Neo-Traditional communities is Chapel Harbor At The Water, developed by Ryan Homes, in O'Hara Township. "It brings a new meaning to city living," said Grady Gaspar, regional market manager of Ryan Homes for Pittsburgh.
Chapel Harbor At The Water, however, was planned and developed as an integral part of the waterfront. It occupies 42 sprawling acres along the banks of the Allegheny River. While the riverside location is extraordinary, the Neo-Traditional neighborhood is every bit as compelling.
Exquisite single-family homes, with porches or decks, display a classic look. Their elegance is matched by distinctive townhomes. In either style of dwelling, windows look upon stunning views of the river. Cars aren't parked along the tree-lined streets, but in garages to the rear of the homes. There is a park, a fishing pier, a riverside trail, people-powered kayaks and canoes.
When strolling the sidewalks of this unique community, there is an irresistible urge to wave a hello to residents on their porches and decks. They will likely take a moment to wave back, perhaps even chat. This is what a neighborhood was meant to be. Yet in the midst of stepping into this tranquil page from the past, the amenities and entertainment of the surrounding area are but minutes away.
Another Ryan Homes' community that incorporates a wide range of lifestyle choices is The Berkshires, in South Fayette Township, in southern Allegheny County. Here, single-family homes of up to five bedrooms and townhomes of up to three bedrooms evoke an old-English charm. The setting is peaceful and wooded, and would seem miles from civilization if you didn't know better. Fine dining, shopping, and some excellent golf courses are close at hand.
Townhomes with numerous floor plans, Gaspar pointed out, fill any number of lifestyle needs in The Berkshires. Busy professionals, single heads of households, empty nesters and many other individuals in special circumstances find a townhome fits their situation like the proverbial glove. "Townhomes," said Gaspar, "offer terrific flexibility, which often includes maintenance-free living." And very often the prices are more affordable than those of single-family detached homes.
Neo-Traditional communities with a pedigree as pure as that of Chapel Harbor at The Water are exceptional. By continuing to offer traditional values to communities elsewhere, Ryan Homes has helped break new and important ground for homebuyers.