HGTV Green Home 2011: First Impressions
The online crew arrived in Denver on Monday morning, eager to see HGTV Green Home 2011 and dive head-first into the photo shoot for the virtual tour, slated to launch on April 1 (mark your calendars, folks).
If I may paint you a picture: The home sits quietly at the edge of its picture-perfect neighborhood and faces a large sledding hill. If you were to step outside on a cold winter’s evening, the sound of children whizzing down the slope would greet you. There’s something very comforting about their chatter and laughter, as well as the sight of neighbors walking their dogs, jogging or strolling through the neighborhood and stopping to chat with friends as they make their way.
The front porch, with its wing-like overhang, makes a dramatic statement as one nears the entrance. Step inside and you are truly transported. Furnishings – modern in design – put one in mind of a SoHo or downtown Denver loft interior. “Sexy” is a word that comes to mind. Yet even with its sleek, contemporary vibe, the home invites, demands company and encourages family gathering.
While our able photographers snapped photos of each and every solitary inch of the home, I took time to talk with Partner and General Manager David Steinke and Chief Operations Manager John Hovde, both of Infinity Home Collection, and interior designer Linda Woodrum. Each approached the project from his or her own unqiue perspective and offered insight that I hope to share in upcoming features. I find the story of the home’s foundation particularly fascinating.
The most outstanding space to me? I’d probably have to say the second-floor loft. It’s the home’s sunniest, happiest spot and offers an insane view of the old Stapleton International Airport air traffic control tower, the snow-capped Rocky Mountains (a 30-minute drive away) and stunning Denver sunsets (the simmering orange shade is successfully translated in the home’s interior design).
I think I’ve teased you enough for now. Stay tuned as we share more details about the home, the Stapleton neighborhood and green features that make this home one in a million.
Photo, from left: Eric Perry, still photographer; Drew Liff; Bruce Cole, photographer and digital media producer; Jerry Hammarlund, photography assistant (and all-around good guy); Daniel Pratt, senior visual designer; Jeannine Shipp, interactive planning director; Mary Graff, editorial manager
The first 'plans" we had from the builder website (Balboa was the name of the plan) showed a rec room with optional bar area, optional 5th bedroom, and full bath.
http://infinityhomecollection.com/wp-content/uplo…
Not susceptable to Kool Aid – Capable of making my own decisions.
approx 12,000 homes upon completion, there are 3 elementary schools now, 2 jr high and 1 high school. there are plans for at least 2 more elementary/jr high and 1 high school. Completion is projected for 2020…
My son and his fiancee and her little sister and I went to see Gnomeo and Juliet today at the Stapleton theatres. They are great. The new Toby Keith restaurant went in. I drove by the Green House. The shades are all down, couldn't see inside but I tried to peek. There were two trucks parked in front of it but I didn't see any workmen come out of the house. There is much under construction in the Green House area, some beautiful houses. There are a lot of couples with young kids. People out walking everywhere or jogging or on bikes with little kids in various exercise compatible containment. It's very vibrant.
Thank you David! 12,000 is a pretty fair sized neighborhood.
Blog going soooooooooooo slooooooooowwwwww…….
Please give us something new. Somewhere. Here. Urban Oasis. Dream Home. Somewhere.
Where o where have you gone Mary?
Gail? You there?
Yooo Hoooo! Someone, anyone……
I'm a little confused. Are we sitting in our parents basement in OUR underwear, or our parents underwear? Or, are strangers sitting in our parents basement wearing underwear of questionable origin. Or, what if our parents don't have a basement?
Anyway, honesty IS the best policy, but a little tact goes a long way. This applies to both sides of the argument. Let's just enjoy the experience, and not take it too seriously.
The thing is, it's easy enough to remove the items you may not want around, either by storing them until the little one's are older, or giving them away, or selling them.
The point is they are a GIFT, and I was taught that one should ALWAYS be grateful for gifts. The idea is to showcase a designer inspired home. Now, most of us are not comfortable in a showcased interior for everyday usage, so you simply adapt the interior to your own taste, and needs.
The choice is yours. I like choices, and the opportunity for the winner to choose which, high-end furnishings to keep or use is the stuff dreams are made of, at least to me.
Thanks for the detailed real estate information on the Green Home area. In spite of the problems across the country with the economy, there are definitely signs of promise and renewal, and Stapleton appears to be one of them.
Remember the best looking fake grass I have ever seen.
It is real close to where I live! And I was on one of the last flights out of Stapleton Airport several years ago- would make coming back memorable.
We miss you- please come back!
Two weeks and nothing new on the blog? Come on HGTV.
I love all the homes and would be happy to win anyone of them. I am not picky.
It's really looks fabulous and amazing,Green house concept would really good out for the an environment becuase in the green house we are using natural related things..
houses for sale in omaha ne
We are probably not going to get a new post on the Green Home until maybe mid march because everybody being so busy with the Dream Home giveaway so let's have a little bit of patience specially me.
ok, I'm probably going to make some people upset….but, here goes. I think the house is (sorry HGTV) UGLY! It is pinned into this neighborhood with absolutely No land around it, Talk about feeling claustrophobic…YECHT! No Thank You! I will not waiste my time t his year….I'm sure that will make a lot of other people happy…ha ha ha one less person and all of that. You all talk the talk about being green..being green also means to be aware of your surroundings…not building one house on top of another. Not raiping the land. Oh well. Good luck to one that will be happy there.
Since it seems there are several people living in or near Stapleton viewing this blog, I was wondering. Since the home is listed around 550,000, what kind of yearly taxed would the winner be looking to pay? I think many people who win a home like this forget that even though the home itself is paid for, they will still be required to pay the yearly state, and local taxes on this property.
My family and I had tried to win the "Dream Home", but knew if we won, we would have to see the home since I dont see a middle income family being able to pay taxed on a 1mil + home.
Anyone who moved to Stapleton would more than likely have to find work once they arrived, unless by a stroke of luck they happen to aready live in Denver.
I live in Texas and most of my family live here as well. It would be easier for our famlilies to come visit in Denver than it would have if we had won the Dream Home in VT.
Unlike Whatnot12345, I like this home. True, there is not a lot of room when it comes to yard space, but since I live in a 2 beadroom apartment with no yard of any kind, this would be a step up.
I am not crazy about all the "Stuff" crammed into the house. Am I the only one who thinks the "stick chair" located on the loft is ugly? It does not look like it could be comfortable at all. The same goes for the "heater chair" in the living room? Would you honestly want to sit in that thing?
and I can see them spending alot of time in the loft area, but we are not a bit "art" family. The 4 of us living in a 2 bedroom apartment means we try to cut down on the clutter. If it's not usable, out it goes.
I have 2 daughters at home (4 &
I like the kids rooms, but we would be getting rid of a ton of stuff all over the house if we won.
This is the best HGTV can do??? I think that is the UGLIEST house I have ever seen!! There is nothing homey or inviting about it. If your going to give away a home, at least make it look like something that someone would actually want to come home to. It looks like a soap box that someone stuck a slap in the front to resemeble a porch??? Thanks but no thanks, this one you can keep!!
See this is one of the reasons that the housing market went downhill. People need to stop thinking of a home as a cash cow! When you buy a home, it's suppose to be something that you are going to leave to your children and their children. A family home, not something to pretend to live in for a few years and then dump. All these people running around from home to home to home have distroyed the American dream for everyone else. It's always a few who have to ruin it for the rest. Who gives a rat's arsw how many homes were sold and how many were new or resale…etc. You are supposed to buy a home to put down roots!
I've lived in three states due to job transfers lilbearhugz so we don't always have the option to stay in a house for a long time. I've loved every house and every state and the neighbors at each place. A house is the biggest investment most people make and it does matter what the value is of the neighborhood. Location, location, location really does apply. And having to sell my parents home because I couldn't commute from it for my job and also because I couldn't live in rural Iowa was a Godsend, as no one was around to take care of it and now a lovely young family has it. Not everyone is trying to get a McMansion or flipping homes.
Who is the interior decorator? Where can we find the artwork like on the walls and desks in the loft and landing? Great job!
My first thought was of all the places in Colorado or even Denver, why this area? Aurora has the highest crime rates of the city. At this time the light rail doesn't go out that way, there are so many other areas that would be close to the light rail.
I love the house, just not the area
There is actually crimes anywhere you live I cannot see THem putting the Green Home in a really bad place hopefully I have a chance to move here
I dont think you should down the area because every where you go there is crime I live in a small community in kentucky and there is crimes here you have to watch what your kids do and not just let them go with anybody my children know right from wrong.
It dont bother me living next door to people and I am sure my kids would make friends . Our house are somewhat close in kentucky and this house is sure nicer than what I have now so I am really excited for a chance to win this gorgeous Green Home!
I planned on looking for employment there I would love to have a chance to start a new beginning.Thanks HGTV.
The stick chair and radiator chair makes this house really unique I have never seen nothing like it. The yard is beautiful I love alot a landscaping.
Come on this house is beautiful maybe you already have a really nice home or something I would love to have a chance to win this home.
I'm very excited about the 2011 new Green Home. It would be a dream come true for me and my family to win this home. I'm rather shocked at some of the comments that some people have posted. With the state of the economy where people are loosing homes, without jobs, money, food, and wishing to have a nice home anywhere. The Green Home is a blessing no matter where it is. I guess I can appreciate that because just not to long ago my family lost our home, car, everything and had to start over. Big ups to HGTV for doing this each year. Thank you and good luck to everyone who is entering!
Hard to believe the contest is halfway through. June 2nd is going to sneak up really fast. I’m still excited about the chance to get back to Denver. In spite of what any naysayers (possibly husband included) I would definitly keep the house and move there!
IM A GREEN FREAK
The online crew must be like kids in a candy shop.
HGTV green team…you guys outdid yourselves…you did incredible!!!!!! Truth!!