Living well in The Villages - 10/8/2004                Read entire article from the Daily Journal Daily Journal BY DENNIS SEID TUPELO - Maybe it's the community center, which includes a fitness room, office center, kitchen, conference room and swimming pool. Perhaps it's the lakes, walking trails and greenbelt areas. Or maybe it's simply about good living in a good place. Whatever the reason, The Villages, a four-year old residential development in West Tupelo, has been named the Subdivision Development of the Year by the Mississippi Homebuilders Association. "We're really honored," said Nat Grubbs, project manager for Premier Builders, which is developing the 89-acre site. "Our vision is to have seven different gated communities, each with their own character and style." The company will receive its award in November in Jackson. Located off Coley Road, The Villages is tucked away in a country-like setting, but is close enough to the amenities of the city. Planes landing and taking off at the nearby Tupelo Regional Airport can be heard, but residents still enjoy a bit of privacy. They get that feeling as soon as they pull onto Village Lake Drive, meticulously landscaped with a wrought iron fencing and giving the place a special feel. "We moved out here in January and we just love it," said Dr. John Vaughn, who, with his wife, Barbara, lives in the Georgetown section of The Villages. The Vaughns were living off Lawndale Drive, but after retirement, they decided they didn't want to take care of so much yard anymore. Some of their friends had moved to The Villages, and the New Orleans and Charleston-style homes in Georgetown had great appeal for the Vaughns. "It's quiet, everybody is friendly out here ... you feel like you can walk and leave your doors unlocked," he said. Big plans ahead Up to 389 home sites could eventually be built at The Villages, with home sizes ranging from 1,500 square feet to nearly 4,000 square feet. Premier Builders constructs homes from its own plans, of which there are about 30 from which to choose. Buyers can pick their exterior and interior finishings. "We offer them a lot of choices," Grubbs said. Prospective homeowners can also choose which section they'd like to live in: - Camellia Place is geared toward "active seniors" 55 and older. Two and three bedroom homes range in size from 1,510 to 1,783 square feet. - Madison Square is a single family development designed for all ages, offering homes ranging from 1,500 to 2,200 square feet. - Georgetown offers New Orleans and Charleston-style homes which feature private courtyards and rear garage entrances. Grubbs said the upcoming McClellen Place will offer luxury condominiums. All of them combined help make The Villages a low-maintenance lifestyle, Grubbs said. "We wanted to develop something special, and we've had just a great year," he said. "We have close to 20 houses under construction right now." And why is it that The Villages won the special award? "In my opinion, I think it's the mix that we offer here," Grubbs said. "We're selling more than just a home - we're selling a lifestyle." Read entire article from the Daily Journal