Buyers looking for custom, green, maintenance-free homes stop at Stone Ledge.
Property Profiles
Madness-Free Maintenance
Stone Ledge’s custom brick homes are easy on the environment and on homeowners.
BY
Tammy Worth
PHOTOGRAPHY
courtesy of Stone Ledge

When Gene and Patricia Patton moved to Kansas City 15 years ago, they were not planning on becoming developers, nor did Gene, a  former engineer for the oil industry, think he would have such a passion for green design.    

But the couple is as simple, open and welcoming as the homes they now build — they are just one of many charming aspects associated with the Stone Ledge subdivision in Leawood.

After moving around for years, the Pattons decided to land in Kansas City and purchase what they hoped would be their last home. They found out quickly, though, that there was a lack of custom-built, mid-sized,  maintenance-free homes in the market for under $1 million.

“We wanted a home that would take care of us rather than the other way around,” Gene says. “Then we thought if we want something like that, we can’t be the only people in the world who want that.”

After researching maintenance-free materials and technology, Gene says they uncovered some simple yet interesting ideas, including concrete tile roofs, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and insulation made from recycled newspapers that is pest-resistant, fireproof and highly sound-resistant.

“We weren’t trying to build a green community; we were trying to build a maintenance-free community,” he says. “Our market is people who are sick and tired of taking care of their homes.”

What they ended up with was a combination of sustainability and convenience. The exteriors of the homes are made from brick, stone and stucco, all of which require very little upkeep and reduce the use of lumber. The concrete roofing tiles are fireproof and guaranteed to last for years. The decks are made of a material that does not need paint or stain. Fences are wrought iron, the garage doors are steel, and there is no exposed wood on the home’s exteriors — all eaves and soffits are vinyl- or aluminum-clad.

Jim Blake was the first resident to build a home in the subdivision 10 years ago and says it was the low upkeep that sparked  his interest.

“I was really looking to develop a house that would truly be as maintenance-free as you can find,” he says. “That term is loosely described by a lot of builders, yet when it comes down to it, there is still a lot of exterior maintenance that has to be done.”

When he heard about the brick exteriors, the roof tiles and the synthetic deck  material, he was sold. And over the years, it has paid off, as he has seen friends repeatedly paint their homes and rebuild their shake-shingle roofs.

“I have had to invest almost nothing to keep the exterior of the house looking incredibly nice,” he says.

Jim also likes the fact that the home is equipped with a geothermal heating and cooling system. He simply sets the  thermostat, and one system ensures the house remains consistent.

Though geothermal systems are more expensive initially, the reduced energy cost typically makes up for the expense within four to five years, Gene says.

“When we think about energy savings and people tying themselves to trees, we typically think of granola crunchers,” Patricia says. “But people today are quite affluent and they are quite aware of what is happening … they are aware that you can’t keep doing what you are doing and expect a good result. They might have a lot of money, but they care about how they spend it.”

The geothermal system was attractive to homeowners Sandra and Greg Neylon as well. “Just knowing it’s not the economic part, but the fact that it is a savings to the environment, too, was exactly what we were looking for,” Sandra says.

But it was the ability to customize her new home that drew Sandra to Stone Ledge two years ago. After looking for months, she couldn’t find a builder who would allow her to design a home to fit her specifications. Sandra’s parents would be moving into her house soon, and she wanted to ensure it would be handicap-accessible in case the need should arise.

Her home in Stone Ledge has wheelchair accessibility on the entry level, bathrooms that are handicap-accessible, huge doorways, a washer and dryer on each floor, and   electrical outlets placed at the right height for someone in a wheelchair.

Homes in Stone Ledge, located at 154th and Nall, start at $390,000, with the average price in the low $400,000s. Ten of the 18 houses have already been built, and the Pattons plan to build no more than three homes per year so they can oversee all details of the construction.

“We are small,” Patricia explains. “We have no aspirations of being gigantic; we just want to build good, quality custom homes.”

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