Developer Begins Work on Resort Neighborhoods Committed to ‘Humane Values’

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorBretton Woods, N.H.—Celebration Associates has initiated the development of approximately 1,000 new homes—including both multifamily and single-family offerings—in four neighborhoods surrounding Mount Washington Resort, with the first offerings now available.Celebration Associates acquired Mount Washington Resort—which included the historic hotel and several other inns—in June 2006. In addition to the resort and ski area, Celebration purchased 900 acres—300 of which will be developed—explains Michael Brunetti, partner at Celebration Associates and director of development for Mount Washington Resort.The estimated $1.1 billion refurbishment and expansion that is anticipated to span over the next 10 years “truly has components that would allow it to function as a New England hamlet town,” Brunetti tells MHN.The master plan is a collaboration between Pittsburgh-based Urban Design Associates and Asheville, N.C.-based Design Workshop.In addition to refurbishing the hotel and adding a 43,000-sq.-ft. spa and conference facility, Celebration is working on the development’s first residential component, Dartmouth Brook (pictured), which offers nearly 200 residential units, including condominiums, townhomes and single-family houses.Construction on Dartmouth Brook is slated to begin this fall, with first move-ins anticipated for the summer of 2010. The neighborhood will offer one-, two- and three- bedroom condos, ranging from the $300,000s to the upper $600,000s. Pricing for town homes will begin in the $600,000s.In addition to Dartmouth Brook, the proposed residential neighborhoods include Stone Hill Heights, which is slated to include approximately 140 residences—mostly high-density condos and townhomes, with some single-family homes—Mount Pleasant—which will include nearly 200 condos and single-family homes—and the Village, which is expected to add over 400 residences, Brunetti says.As Brunetti explains, each residential neighborhood has its own architectural style, though they all “fall into traditional New England styles.” Mount Washington Resort residential neighborhoods will be inspired by one of four styles, including White Mountain Shingle, North Country Victorian, Colonial Revival or White Mountain Camp. For example, says Brunetti, some of the condos are being built to look like historic inns or mansions found in the region.Celebration’s vision is for Mount Washington Resort to become the premier four-season destination resort in New England, including a growing community of homeowners, a new spa and conference center at the historic hotel and a pedestrian village at the base of the ski area. While residences at the community are currently primarily second homes, Brunetti notes that Celebration plans to include a school and a weather lab in the community. “If we have a school there, there will be students and people here all year long,” he says.The community’s development is based on the concept of “Celebratory Development,” which is the process of creating communities whose social and economic worth is not only rooted in, but is also increased by, enduring human values—treating history, culture, the environment, citizenship and humanity as essential elements of every community.The planned residential community is based on the principles of Smart Growth. Tthe community’s residential units are following sustainability guidelines, requiring all new developments to meet a minimum level of sustainability with the option of incorporating more advanced practices. Celebration Associates is the owner, operator and developer of Mount Washington Resort.