When demand for smart home tech reached a fever pitch, Seattle-area builder Quadrant Homes took a bold leap last year, becoming the first builder to make smart tech standard in all its homes, with included features ranging from Nest thermostats and Ring doorbells to Alexa voice control.
Now, for homebuyers in one of the nation’s hottest housing markets and fastest-growing tech hubs, Quadrant is innovating again with homes in “hidden gem” neighborhoods that meet the demands of what buyers are looking for.
For instance, employees at Microsoft, T-Mobile, and other companies on Seattle’s Eastside might have usually started their home search in Redmond (Microsoft’s home town) or nearby in Bothell or Sammamish. While Quadrant builds homes in these high-demand areas, the company is also seeing growing demand for premium living in “small town” areas like Newcastle and Bainbridge Island.
Newcastle: Urban-inspired Living in A Pedestrian-friendly Community
There’s a reason Newcastle was ranked one of the best small towns in America by both Newsweek and CNN Money. On the South end of Seattle’s Eastside, this town of 11,000 people has started luring techies with its mix of small-town life and easy access to big-city amenities.
Quadrant is already seeing high demand for its new premium townhome community, Aldea, in one of Newcastle’s most desired neighborhoods. An urban retreat of 129 townhomes, Aldea offers access to long nature trails, great shopping and restaurants, athletic clubs, outdoor pools, and indoor/outdoor lounge areas with fire pits and gas grills.
“This is a very well-connected community, close to nearby employment, retail and amenities.” says Quadrant’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Bryan C. Jones. “In Aldea, all the benefits of city living are realized, with nature right out the back door.”
With innovative floor plans ranging from 1,373 square feet to 2,064 square feet, and starting in the $700s, buyers are falling for the premium design and gourmet kitchens, large walk-in closets, energy-efficient features and the latest in in-home tech, including integrated voice control throughout the home.
Bainbridge Island: Coming Home to Island Time
Tech workers need only take a look west across Puget Sound to find another undiscovered jewel. Bainbridge Island feels like a world away, but with a 30-minute ferry ride to downtown Seattle and quick connections to South Lake Union, tech workers at nearby campuses like Amazon, Google, and Facebook are hooked. Peace, quiet, and a small-town vibe make Bainbridge Island a top choice for homeowners who’ve decided they’d like to exchange bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-5 for sunsets over the water.
Quadrant Homes’ Winslow Grove community embodies island life, with a secluded enclave of 19 homes located in the heart of Bainbridge Island. These modern-farmhouse style homes are priced starting from $1.1 million and feature spacious floor plans that range from 3,053 to 4,243 square feet. Homeowners enjoy modern architecture with an emphasis on natural light, designer finishes, integrated home-tech and a manageable mile-and-a-half between their home and the ferry.
“Bainbridge Island offers buyers an incredible island lifestyle,” comments Jones. “These homes were uniquely curated for this community – it’s the perfect place to live.” In the last few years, the Seattle-area residential real estate market has seen major changes, and people have been looking for alternatives. Kitsap County, and Bainbridge Island in particular, offers buyers the best of both slow-paced and big-city worlds.
No Matter Where You Live…
It’s no surprise being close to work is important. According to the National Association of Realtors, 57% of first-time home buyers rate convenience to job as an important factor when purchasing a new home.
So, whether its uncovering hidden gems like Aldea in Newcastle, Winslow Grove on Bainbridge Island, or even just finding the perfect home in Redmond or Bothell, Quadrant Homes builds where dream homes — with dream commutes — begin.
