Luxurious New Homes Are Close To The Action

October 17, 2008

People say real estate is about location, location, location. J.H. Scelza Builders has once again created a desirable community that puts residents close to the action. Bridlewood in Vernon, just off Route 30, offers buyers luxury condominiums that are minutes from Route 84 and close to downtown Hartford, Buckland Hills and UConn. Construction began a year and a half ago. Today, Bridlewood offers four home styles and many upgrades and options so buyers can put their individual touches on their homes. Some standard features include hardwood floors on the first level with carpeting in bedrooms and ceramic tile in bathrooms and foyers. Kitchens feature GE ranges, microwaves and dishwashers, an island and Formica counters.Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, crown molding and Syn-Mar marble counters in the bathrooms are available as upgrades. The hardwood floors, kitchen island and custom cabinets create an inviting and open area. The kitchen flows into the dining and living rooms, making the houses ideal for entertaining. The development of 76 condominium homes features buildings with four attached townhouses. The two-story homes have distinctive architectural designs including a two-story living room in the Bridlewood III model. All homes have 2.5 baths and spacious master suites. The master baths offer the convenience of two sinks. Jacuzzi's can be added for an additional cost. The Scelza Company has a 45-year history of building communities in 29 Connecticut towns including Newington, where the business is based. Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Glastonbury and West Hartford also have Scelza-built communities. The company hires local workers to build its houses, said Tony Scelza, vice president of the family-run company. When you enter the model home on a chilly day, you instantly feel warmth from an attractive, marble-surround gas fireplace. The fireplace, which is a standard feature, is there for more than just aesthetic reasons. Its warmth can be felt upstairs in the master suite. In the summer, central air will keep the house cool. Natural light pours into the model home. A multitude of windows brings natural light into the house. Each unit has an outdoor deck so that owners can further enjoy the outdoors. Several owners of the 16 townhomes that are already sold have enclosed the porches to create three-season rooms. Some have added carpeting and a television to expand their living space. Each townhome has a basement, brick-face entrance and attached two-car garage. The community has no age restrictions and offers plans that accommodate many needs. For example, the Morgan model features a first-floor master suite with a full bath. The laundry area in this model also is conveniently located on the first floor. The Morgan has a second bedroom upstairs, along with an open loft area. An upgrade of a study or third bedroom is also available. Spacious walk-in closets are standard for all models. Bridlewood I, II and III have laundry rooms on the second floor near the bedrooms. Monthly fees, assessed to condominium owners, remove the burden of snow removal and landscaping. Open floor plans for enjoying time at home and the convenience of nearby shopping and highways make Bridlewood an attractive option for many potential buyers. Julie Cotnoir is a free-lance writer based in Enfield.