Daybreak Ridge offers suburban conveniences minutes from its nature-surrounded homesites.
Property Profiles
Comfortable Seclusion
An open-space retreat meant to provide refuge from a hectic lifestyle places the action only a short distance away.
BY
Megan Felling
PHOTOGRAPHY
Renderings courtesy of Daybreak Ridge

Situated at 151st and Quivira in south Johnson County, Daybreak Ridge is minutes from major highways, retail shopping and is within the award-winning Blue Valley School District. Being close to everything is a requirement with today’s busy lifestyles, but developer Ken Nichols envisioned a retreat in the middle of this congestion. He began piecing together parcels formerly owned by the Blue Valley School District and Overland Park Christian Church when planning the neighborhood. From the first time he saw the land, he knew he had found the ideal location for an “open space” development of custom-designed, luxury, single-family homes.

The open-space concept comes with one stipulation: it will not be developed with more than one house per acre of land. Encompassing 151 acres, the community is limited to 151 residences, each homesite averaging close to one-half acre, preserving 60 acres for nature so that most homesites will back to open space or water. “The open space will be seeded with varieties of bluestem grasses, much like the Flint Hills of Kansas,” Ken notes. “The combination of open space, native grasses and walkways are a natural fit with the entrances, landscaped walls and cabana that will be constructed of rustic stone.”

“I love the beautiful vistas,” he adds. “With two creeks meandering through the development and ending in the lake, it only makes sense to leave them in their  natural state.”

The center of the development will be the community recreation area with numerous amenities. Residents will have access to a custom-designed zero-entrance pool and cabana. A veranda with a barbecue pit and fireplace create a vibrant place where families can gather and entertain while listening to the sounds of a nearby waterfall. A playground for the kids as well as a sports court for a friendly game of basketball or tennis will be easily accessed by the walking trails meandering  throughout the neighborhood.

The first model homes will be ready for the Spring 2009 Parade of Homes. Boyce and Nichols are building two models designed by architect John Mackaman of Elswood Smith Carlson Architects. “One will showcase a 1.5-story Country French design, while the other will be a reverse 1.5-story Tuscan-inspired home, both in the $850,000-$900,000 range,” Ken says. Buyers may choose from one of these models or bring their own plans and builder for approval by the community’s architectural review committee.

All home designs will have European inspiration, utilizing natural materials like stone and brick to blend with the land, and most roofs will be tile or composition.

Realtor Nancy Wilson of Daybreak Realty has worked with Ken on five previous subdivisions over the last 20 years. “Ken’s reputation for quality and craftsmanship is definitely a pay-off for buyers,” she says. “Ken has developed some of the finest communities in Johnson County, such as SaddleBrooke, Highlands Ranch, Highlands of Leawood and Highlands Creek. Purchasing a home in one of his subdivisions is great for resale.”

She also thinks the size of the lots at Daybreak Ridge will attract buyers. With each lot averaging 115 feet wide, buyers can accommodate a side-entry, three-car garage or courtyard garage. “Not many subdivisions offer that,” she says.

“The land has been thoughtfully designed with so much open area and with the abundance of cul-de-sac streets, most lots back up to green space,” she adds. More than 70 lots are available in the first phase, ranging from $150,000 to $260,000, many of which will accommodate a walk-out basement. Lake-view lots are available also.

At the crossroads of rustic charm and modern convenience, Daybreak Ridge allows residents to get away from it all without leaving behind the desire for comfortable living.

913.897.4727
www.daybreakridge.net