The old adage that “necessity is the mother of invention” seems to be true in real estate too. At least it has been particularly salient for Colorado Springs’ market of low inventory and high demand.
The Pikes Peak region continues to see an influx of potential homebuyers, and a growing number of them are renters from larger cities like Denver or aging residents looking for simpler living. That environment has increased the popularity of affordable, low-maintenance, modern housing units that straddle the line between urban and suburban sensibility. And that is where the new Midtown Collection line of high-density, detached single-family homes by Colorado Springs-based Classic Homes is finding its niche.
The stylish homes caught our attention with their modern designs and versatility. Each of the 191 Midtown homes is based on one of five different floor plans, from a two-level, two-bedroom to a three-level, three-bedroom, ranging from 1,304 to 2,130 square feet. Each home is situated on a fenced and landscaped lot between 2,400 and 2,500 square feet for easy maintenance. They can be found currently in two communities: Foothills Farm, located at Interquest, and Cottonwood Creek, near Woodmen Road and Lee Vance Way. Prices start in the low $300,000s and work their way close to $400,000, depending on options.
“The homes in this collection are not only new, fresh and innovative, they are also one of Classic’s most affordable home collections introduced to the market in recent years,” Classic CEO Doug Stimple says. “With housing inventory at very low numbers, the Midtown Collection is timely, and we believe it will prove to be a great alternative to renting.”
The homes are modern, with exteriors comprising diverse materials: wood-look siding, stone facades, steel railings and subdued-yet-vibrant colors. A variety of architectural compositions, orientations and symmetrical attitudes give each home a unique identity in the kind of neighborhood that might otherwise be disorientingly uniform.
On the inside, airy simplicity rules. Among the material options are wood- and brick-like paneling, textured wallpapers, solid-surface countertops, stainless appliances and fixtures, undermounted sinks, sliding barn doors, tile, carpet and wood-look flooring.
“Designing homes that are built for the way people actually live is at the forefront of every home we build,” Stimple says. And that is apparent in the way the interior elements are curated to maximize space, efficiency and light.
Nine-foot ceilings with gradual vaults allow for more windows, while varying shades of gray and beige keep things looking clean and modern. Space is well-utilized, as you’d expect from a floor plan of this style—intentional about material and color, with a deliberate focus on the way those elements play off of each other to create a sense of openness. Most spaces even opt for can lighting rather than hanging fixtures, which adds even more to a sense of space. Kitchens with plumbed island bars rather than traditional dining rooms also help open things up and play to current trends.
But these floor plans are fairly customizable, allowing homebuyers to create a home as conservative or adventurous as they wish. To take advantage of Front Range views, each model also comes stock with a forward-facing balcony off the main living space, while private bedroom balconies are also an option.
“Watching a plan go from paper to becoming a home for our customers is very rewarding,” says Joe Loidolt, Classic Homes president, noting that the team began designing the Midtown Collection in 2016.
Colorado Springs Comprehensive Planning Manager Carl Schueler says developments such as these support “a diversity in housing choices throughout our large city, as well as supporting the PlanCOS goal of encouraging density in more urban center and corridors in appropriate areas of the city—especially in ways that work with and are reflective of the market.”
Classic is currently evaluating the possibility of creating Midtown communities in other parts of El Paso County, with announcements of new communities expected in late 2019 or early 2020.
Read More Dwell Features
Broadmoor Dream Home
Home, Sweet, Rustic Industrial Modern Home
Home Design Secrets: The Architect
