K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Monroe, a new active lifestyle community in Middlesex County, has made quite a splash since opening for sales last year in Monroe Township. Hundreds of interested buyers have attended the grand openings of the community’s three models, while many more are visiting every week to tour the models and learn about the neighborhood, which offers an impressive selection of single-family homes, with a desirable low-maintenance lifestyle, and active, contemporary amenities for 55+ buyers.
One of the reasons for the immediate success of K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Monroe is its collection of completely new single-family home designs. This is the first time that any of these 11 floorplans have been offered at a community in New Jersey. Buyers are eager to see them and immediately impressed when they do. The floorplans are more current than much of what’s on the market now, offering an open-concept design that is so popular among buyers today. Homes offer from 1,540 to 3,492 square feet of comfortable living space, with one- or two-story designs that include two bedrooms, two- to three-and-a-half baths, two-car garages, spectacular designer kitchens, and deluxe interiors that include dramatic 9- or 10-foot ceilings, with exquisite touches and finishes throughout. Pricing for the homes, which is subject to change, starts in the upper-$300s.
Another factor generating strong interest and buzz for the community is its new spin on the familiar 55+, active-lifestyle concept. Construction is commencing rapidly on the community’s clubhouse, which promises to be one of the area’s most diverse and modern lifestyle facilities, offering a variety of traditional and refreshingly new resort-like amenities. The two-story facility will feature some of the traditional elements buyers expect, like an outdoor pool, a kiddie pool for the grandchildren, an exercise room, and tennis, bocce and pickle ball courts. But the clubhouse will also include some more contemporary lifestyle elements that you might not find at other 55+ communities. There will be a cocktail lounge and a kitchen with a café area, a covered patio and porch, an area for aerobics, yoga and Pilates, and flexible space that can be used for a meditation room or on-site massage therapy.
Lisa Korcz is a regional director for NFC Amenity Management, one of the nation’s leading full-service amenities management companies. As lifestyle director for K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Monroe, she says the events and activities at this community will reflect the interests and demands of a new generation of 55+ buyers.
“This is not your grandfather’s 55+ community,” Korcz said, laughing. ”We have to do things different. Many of today’s 55+ buyers are baby boomers. We’re also starting to see the beginning of Gen X moving into these communities, many of whom are still working and may have older kids still living at home. These buyers are movers and shakers! They want to be active, but they also want to be relevant and current. We want our homeowners to feel like their community and our programs really reflect the way they like to live, and we’ll always be open to their suggestions for activities, clubs and social events.”
To understand the interests of buyers, Korcz does surveys and talks extensively to buyers and prospects, in order to plan appropriate activities and programs. She also keeps her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the culture at large, to know what’s trending, what’s cool and hip now. ”One thing we’re finding right now is that what’s old is new again,” she shares. ”There’s a popular bar in Williamsburg now that features shuffleboard, and ping pong clubs are hot in New York City. It’s all in how you present and execute things, to make them relevant for a new generation. We’re planning clubs centered on interests in film, cycling, craft brews, cigars, wine, and adventuring, for those who like daring activities like zip-lining and rock climbing. This generation is very much into mind-body and health, so we’ll have things like essential oil sessions, sunset and sunrise yoga, health fairs, and personal training sessions. We’ll have events like a farmers’ market, food trucks, tech talks, wine tastings, cooking demos, and fun things like a beer-and-bacon event. Compared to other 55+ communities, K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Monroe is going to be like the Williamsburg of this area!”
Adding even further to the community’s contemporary appeal is its lack of restrictions on adult (19+) children who can live at home with their parents. This family-friendly policy is unique among 55+ communities in the area and reflective of today’s boomerang generation, with more adult children returning home to live with parents, either temporarily or for an indefinite period of time. All homes within the community are subject to an age restriction whereby the homes are restricted to use and occupancy by at least one person of age 55 years or over, and with no permanent resident being under the age of 19.
In addition to the countless amenities, activities and events happening in their community, homeowners at K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Monroe will also enjoy the benefits of living in Monroe Township, which offers many local amenities and attractions of its own. Monroe has county parks, a variety of golf courses, many major shopping centers and fine restaurants. The Jersey shore is only a 20-minute drive to the east, and Princeton is just a short drive away, offering plenty of dining, educational, entertainment and cultural options.
Visit K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Monroe this spring to learn more about the unique lifestyle and homes that are distinguishing this new community from other active-lifestyle neighborhoods in Middlesex County and throughout the state. The community’s three furnished and decorated model homes are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For directions or more information, call 800-873-0902. You can also learn more about the new community online at khov.com/Monroe.