Custom Homes Still Available to Build Near New Orleans

Unlike other towns in the United States that have to worry about the “sprawl” of a metro area that seems to be growing faster than is sustainable by the transportation and infrastructure that the city has to offer, New Orleans, Louisiana and its neighboring cities of Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge, and Harahan seem to be “bulging” at the seams when it comes to available lots to build new custom homes.  It seems that every available inch of space on this much sought-after ground is completely full of existing homes or recently-built homes (and by recent, I mean 10 – 50 years old).
The concept of a new home subdivision in the Greater New Orleans area is also kind of a foreign concept on the West Bank of the Mississippi River as well.  With towns like Terrytown, Algiers, Marrero, Harvey, and Gretna quickly filling up with many different communities of existing homes for sale, and literally very little real estate on which to build, you may have thought that it was a hopeless cause to be able to build your own home and live on the Southshore of New Orleans.  The best that many people can do is to buy a blighted home or even a much older, probably historic fixer-upper home to renovate or restore with more modern conveniences.  In the French Quarter, many residents are doing just that, purchasing abandoned buildings, gutting them, and then recreating them from the inside, leaving the outside facade as is.
If you have the money and resources (and know the right contractor to hire in the French Quarter), then living in the very heart of the culture and history of New Orleans might be the right choice for you.  If you are, however, looking to be able to buy an affordable new home with your own yard and little bit of room to breathe, not too far from the city, look no further than the Parks of Plaquemines, a gated, new home subdivision right next to Jefferson Parish on the West Bank.  The Parks of Plaquemines is a masterplan, new home community with different neighborhoods with contain many different sizes and choices of lots on which to build.
Our builders want you to know that there are custom homes still available to build near New Orleans.  In fact, the community is only 10.2 miles from the French Quarter and Central Business District in New Orleans.  Also, to make your already short commute even easier, you have two choices as to how you might travel to the city to do business, play, or simply go to work – the Crescent City Connection (driving) or the ferry.  Most of the homes built in our gated subdivision were built by home buyers like yourself who wanted to the experience of building their own home.  They were able to bring their plans to our Architectural Control Committee (ARC) for approval and then even use their own approved builder to build their new custom home.
Lots for sale in the Parks of Plaquemines range in price from the $70’s – $140’s, and new homes for sale range in price from the $300’s to over $1 million.  In fact, with the size of lots available, the sky’s the limit as to how much you want to customize your new home.  In addition to lots and homes for sale, the Parks of Plaquemines offers a little bit of country a short commute to New Orleans with a park & trail system, swimming pool, tennis court, and tot lot / playground.  Outside of the actual city of New Orleans taxable limits, you will also enjoy a convenient and SAFE location, excellent Plaquemines Parish Schools, low parish property taxes, low sewer and water rents, and a low risk of hurricane flooding.

So, Come Out & Visit Our New Home Neighborhood Today!  Call 504-364-2350 or E-mail Info@TheParksLifestyle.com to Set Up an Appointment!

Old World Look for Old Town Homes in New Orleans, Louisiana

If you have spent any time in the city of New Orleans or even its outlying suburbs on the West Bank such as Algiers, Gretna, Marrero, Terrytown, and Harvey; you have probably noticed a variety of architectural stylings of the historic and obviously 100-year to 200-year-old homes.  When you view these homes as a current resident or as a tourist, you probably don’t think about what it takes to retrofit these homes during a home renovation, restoration, or new construction on an addition.  If you did, you would be weighing the benefits of more modern systems that are energy efficient and more eco-friendly vs. trying to maintain the integrity of the historic architecture.
Specifically, when it comes to windows in historic homes, many homeowners and home buyers spend a lot of time going back and forth as to restoration or replacement.  The ROI (return on investment) of replacing every window in the house with an energy efficient, low-E, double or even triple paned tinted window is approximately 10 – 12 years for standard-sized windows.  However, the first dilemma in starting a historic restoration is that you are probably going to run into a lot of non-standard-sized windows in your new home purchase.  If you go to custom order a bunch of different window sizes, you may not see a return on investment in savings from your electric bill for up to 20 years.
The second issue that you will have to face is that if your home is already listed on the National Register of Historic Place OR if you are interested in getting your home listed on this registry or need tax incentives for doing a historic renovation or restoration, you will probably have to reconsider using modern vinyl, aluminum, or wood framed window in the home altogether.

Finally, let’s consider what you are really getting when you decide to replace your existing wooden / glass windows in your 100 to 200-year-old home.  The wood used in today’s construction is significantly less dense than lumber used in building 100 years ago in the Greater New Orleans area. The reason for this is that the trees had been standing for a much longer period of time because they may have never been cut.  Because of this, the rings in the trees are closer together and much more dense than today’s treed lumber.  Therefore, even though you may find windows that are more energy efficient that look the way you would like or need them to for your renovation or restoration, you may be trading durability for a perceived ROI benefit on your electric bill.

Before you make your decision, consider this: the wood casing for the windows on your historic home is much more durable than today’s wooden window casings.  Also, the construction used to create the window frames themselves was a type of joinery that allowed the wood to expand and contract with the intense humidity of the New Orleans climate.  Finally, today’s wood and even vinyl has been known not to be able to last through the direct rays of the sunshine in this southern region.
The glass that is used in your windows is actually a higher quality of glass than is used today as well.  With the proper insulation, resealing and caulking, glazing, and other energy-smart tactics such as black-out shades and blinds, you can reduce the amount of heat loss in the winter and gain in the summer to fully enjoy the aesthetics of keeping an old world look for old town homes in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Will Be Constructed in New Orleans

The much maligned and re-negotiated lease for the New Orleans World Trade Center finally has a viable tenant in the form of a world-renowned, international hotel chain – Four Seasons.  The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences will be constructed in New Orleans in the old World Trade Center Building with 2 additions to be added to either side of the building.  The Four Season group are partnered with Carpenter and Co. of Cambridge, MA, and Woodward Interests in New Orleans to completely renovate the structure, creating the addition of two wings to the side of the building as well.
Part of the attraction for the Four Season’s bid was the addition of the 76 hotel-serviced condos that would also be available for sale in addition to weekend, weekly, or monthly rentals.  The revenue of sales was a separate income item for the City of New Orleans.  The second attractive and unique part of their bid was their proposal for a “digital, immersive” experience for visitors who would want to visit an exhibit named New Orleans: History at the Confluence of Cultures.  This exhibit would present a digital story-telling experience of the City of New Orleans and would be put together by Henry Louis Gates Jr., a Harvard University professor of African-American studies, and Lawrence Powell, Tulane University history professor.
The financial ramifications of this project are far-reaching.  The construction of the hotel and condos would also contribute to the city’s tax revenues in construction payroll for the $364 million project which is $95 – $130 million higher than its competitors.  Of that amount approximately $127 million of the money is designated to go to minority-owned, women-owned, local, and disadvantaged businesses putting the money right back into the economy.  Along with the construction revenue in terms of payroll as well as building materials and supplies, the hotel would also pay the City of New Orleans a lease, locked in for 10 years of $3.25 million / year, increasing to $3.75 for the next year barring any significant increases in the tax threshold.  Also, percentages of the sales of the condos as well as the gross revenues of the digital exhibit would also be collected by the city, as well as any additional bonus revenue generating components of the hotel.
“In our estimation, in this case, we have both – picking the best cities and partnering with the best developers. I’m confident we will bring new visitors to the city and add to its already vibrant tourism,” said J. Allen Smith, Four Seasons president and CEO.

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Marrero Once Again Is Going to Feature Café Hope’s Local Food Festival

It’s spring in the Greater New Orleans area which means that it must be time for the many spring and summer festivals in all of the surrounding cities – including the West Bank – to make their appearance every weekend. In the spirit of good home making with fresh food and vegetables, Marrero once again is going to feature Café Hope’s Local Food Festival at the restaurant’s location at 1101 Barataria Blvd. in Marrero on Sunday, May 17, 2015.

Café Hope not only promotes the growing of fresh food, but this restaurant (with a full-fledged

garden next door) also is dedicated to the growth and maturity of the youth of the Greater New Orleans area. Café Hope trains interested participants on how to work in a professional restaurant environment, opening the door to the many restaurant working opportunities both on the West Bank as well as the city of New Orleans.

This year’s Local Food Festival is featuring a roasted pork sandwich with taleggio cheese and pickled kale from St. James Cheese Company; roasted eggplant salad, from Angeline; hogshead cheese, garnished with cucumber and cilantro from Coquette; Jamaican jerk pork loin stuffed with plaintains and pineapple, from Steamboat Natchez; cochon de lait, from the Rugby Pub; and chocolate or creole cream cheese ice cream, from Creole Creamery.

This event sponsored by Zatarain’s will also include additional food booths, children’s activities featuring a petting zoo, and a car show. Live, local music will be performed by Michael Liuzza, Los Poboycitos and Soul Creole. The proceeds from the event will be donated to Café Hope to benefit the restaurant training program for at-risk youth. This and other local festivals will be happening in Marrero, Louisiana, in the coming months, so check back often for the local news and events from The Parks of Plaquemines.

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Commercial Construction Work in The Greater New Orleans Area Rose 40%

Commercial construction work in the Greater New Orleans area rose 40% compared to previous months in March, 2015, and it also increased 39% year-over-year from March, 2014.  Construction contracts awarded in New Orleans totaled to $152.5 million in March.  Office, retail, hotel and other projects accounted for most of the commercial construction projects, and they increased sharply by 66% to $101.7 million in contracts.
In conjunction with the slow and steady growth of residential real estate both nationally and in the Greater New Orleans area, single-family home contracts and multi-family contracts increased by 6% in the same time period to $50.8 million. Across the Mississippi River from New Orleans West Bank cities such as Marrero, Harvey, Gretna, Terrytown, Algiers, Westwego, Arabi, and Belle Chasse have started to see more of the slow steady growth that has been experienced and then accelerated in New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and St. Tammany Parish.  St. Tammany Parish has seemed to lead the charge in new home and existing home sales behind New Orleans, but the West Bank has been slower to recover.

One new home subdivision, located on the West Bank next to Jefferson Parish is the Parks of Plaquemines.  This new home community features traditional and garden home lots and during the first 4 months of 2015 sold 4 lots and two new homes to buyers from other towns on the West Bank such as Marrero, Harvey and Gretna.  Sales at the Parks of Plaquemines have been slower because there are many lots for sale, and builders are building new CUSTOM homes so they are more tailored to “building on my lot homes” vs. “spec homes,” which would be new homes available and ready to sell.

If you are interested in residential real estate in the Greater New Orleans area and would like to build a new home for you or your family approximately 10 miles from New Orleans, visit the Parks of Plaquemines in Belle Chasse, Louisiana next to Jefferson Parish.  For More Information Call 504-364-2350 or E-mail Info@TheParksLifestyle.com.

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Gretna, LA Participated in the Great American Cleanup

Gretna, Louisiana is a community on the West Bank that is one of the partners in the Keeping America Beautiful Program.  According to its website, Keeping America Beautiful is the nation’s leading nonprofit that brings people together to build and sustain vibrant communities. With our powerful network of community-based affiliates, we work with millions of volunteers who take action in their communities to transform public spaces into beautiful places.

One of the programs associated with Keeping America Beautiful is the Great American Cleanup

which is done annually by volunteers from the participating local communities.  As part of this program, city projects which focus on beautification, landscaping, litter pick-up, and environment enhancement or protection are completed.  Gretna, LA participated in the Great American Cleanup this year sponsored by Entergy which partnered with the Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, calling it the “Spring Sweep.”

Not only did the city of Gretna benefit from the beautification project, but the cleanup and landscaping of the City of Gretna welcome sign also enhanced the entrance to the Westbank Expressway directly on the city’s line with Harvey, Louisiana.  A backhoe was brought in to clear the land for planting.  New landscaping was installed and mulched, and the welcome sign itself was given a fresh new coat of paint.

“We looked for projects that the public will notice and enjoy.  This year we chose to partner with the City of Gretna to cleanup and landscape the city sign location on the West Bank Expressway at the Harvey line,” Entergy’s Mary Fay Legnon said.

The city of Gretna hopes to continue the city’s beautification projects each year with Entergy as one of its main sponsors.  “Thank you to Entergy, an incredible community partner,” Mayor Belinda said. “We are so grateful that Entergy chose Gretna as the location for this year’s service project. Their community team is an asset to our city. The sign on the Expressway and the garden that surrounds it looks great.”

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Building a New, Custom Home in New Orleans

Some home buyers in the Greater New Orleans area have a natural interest in architecture and design and might have bought a new home for sale when they purchased their first new home.  However, most buyers have gone through a couple of cycles of buying and selling and existing home for sale before they make their first new home purchase.  While even a smaller percentage of home buyers in New Orleans and the West Bank are willing to go through the time and patience that is required to draw up plans and interview builders to build a new, custom home.  Building a new, custom home in New Orleans can be a daunting, challenging, and invigorating experience.  With a broad budget, it can be a lot of fun as well!
Building a new, custom home allows you as the home buyer to be able to pick out exactly what you want to put in your new home.  From the type of exterior you want (brick, stone, stucco, concrete siding, Western cedar, etc.) to the types of flooring you want to install, to the color of paint you put on the walls of each and every room in your house; you and your design choices deliver the final dream home in which you and your family will live.
At The Parks of Plaquemines on the West Bank, just 10 miles from New Orleans you can get creative choosing exterior amenities for your new home.  We have Traditional Lots with lots of room to make the exterior finishes of your home – covered porches, brick patios, outdoor fireplace and / or fire pit, outdoor kitchen set up, breezeways, detached garages, courtyards, fountains, etc. – spectacular and perfect for those home buyers that like to spend a lot of time outside.  In addition to adding amazing custom exterior features to your new, custom home, you can also use the subdivision amenities offered at The Parks of Plaquemines such as our walking and hiking trails, community swimming pool, tennis court, and tot lot.  For outdoor lovers, you get that fresh open air feeling, just a short drive from working and playing in New Orleans.
Adding interior design features to your new, custom home can be a thrill when you get to select and match all of the lights that will be installed in your new home.  From chandeliers, to can lighting, to under-counter lighting, and separate reading lights in the master bedroom, you can really create the exact ambiance your family will experience while living in your new home.  Many builders offer interiors selections for even inventory homes such as flooring choices, cabinet styles and colors, countertop material and design, and paint colors, however when you are building a completely custom, new home, you can also choose the type, material and color of the crown molding you would like to see in many different rooms, vaulted, treyed, and stepped ceiling designs, adding chair rails, wainscoting, picture molds, and bead board as architectural trim either painted or stained real wood throughout the many rooms of your new home.  While you are designing and making these selections, don’t forget that wood beams against a pure white ceiling create and rustic look and amazing contrast to really make a room “pop!”
When building a new, custom home, you can “go crazy” in rooms such as the kitchen, the master bath, and the family room where you can really dress up a fireplace and the fireplace surround with an in-wall cubby for a large-screen television, built-in’s for bookshelves and cabinetry, and the actual fireplace mantle and surrounding material can really be ornate.  The kitchen can be accessorized with matching styles of different floor tile, countertop material, and backsplashes against the walls underneath the cabinetry which can highlighted by using under-counter lighting.  This is also great for grabbing a midnight snack and not waking anyone else up!  Try convenience by installing a faucet over your 6 cooktop, Viking range which can be used to fill your pots while they are sitting on your stove.
If you have a sizable budget, a lot of dreams, a great imagination, and an internal drive to design and build your dream home, you can definitely build a new, custom home in New Orleans that will not only be a comfortable place to live, but it will be a show piece to be able to share with your friends and neighbors.  If you are looking for the perfect spot to build your new home, visit The Parks of Plaquemines today.  Call 504-364-2350 or E-mail Info@TheParksLifestyle.com.

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