While Roswell’s landscape changes and the community embraces new businesses and residents, realtor Kim Wimbs is keeping her finger on the pulse. This month, she introduced us to the co-founders and A-team at South Haven Builders and together, they are sharing their take on the architecture and residential growth that is driving the modern market.
Sue Collins: You're our real estate expert and work with only the very finest builders and developers. What developments are you excited about this year?
Kim Wimbs: As an agent you get to see a variety of different builders and developers throughout Roswell. They each bring their own perspective, but when I was introduced to South Haven it was a breath of fresh air. They weren't repeating the same expected builds you see over and over again. They brought a unique aesthetic of Contemporary French Country to Roswell with The Preserve at Historic Roswell. I was in awe of the designs and curb appeal this community presents. I'm now eagerly awaiting their new development off of Hightower Road called Grayton. This 30A-inspired development will be another new concept to the Roswell neighborhood scene, which I welcome with open arms.
SC: South Haven's designs are so beautiful and timeless. What amenities or designs are your clients looking for this year?
KW: Luxury clients in 2023 are loving the modern day scullery and hidden walk-in pantries. Pools and dedicated office space are still on top of wish lists ever since covid shifted how we lived and worked at home.
SC: In the summer of 2019 you first began developing The Preserve at Historic Roswell, a 22-acre neighborhood of sixteen luxury homes, behind nearby Bulloch Hall and Mimosa Hall.
Shane Roach, South Haven Co-founder: Yes! We’re proud to finish our final few homes this spring of 2023! As we finish out the Preserve, we’re excited to begin Grayton, another new neighborhood of 10 luxury homes, just around the corner on Hightower Road. Grayton families can choose from our thoughtfully designed floor plans for the neighborhood or work alongside our design-build team to personalize a dream home unique to their lifestyle.
The first home for sale in Grayton, Lot 1, features a gorgeous open family/kitchen area on the main floor. These primary spaces are full of natural light, connecting to a covered patio and a lovely walk-out flat backyard with room for a pool. Also on the main floor, you'll find a beautiful wrap-around front porch, a formal dining room, butler's pantry, breakfast room, mud room, home office, walk-in pantry, a front study/guest bedroom, and attached a spacious 3-bay garage, with two full-car garage bays, and a third compact car/golf cart garage bay. Upstairs is the owner’s suite with a luxurious bath and his/her walk-in closets. Here you'll also find the laundry room, three additional bedrooms with en suite baths and walk- in closets.
SC: Why is the Roswell market a good fit for South Haven?
Alyson Roach, Real Estate and Business: We love Roswell! Many of our team are longtime residents, neighbors, or area professionals. It’s a joy to provide families with homes near historic downtown Roswell, the beautiful Chattahoochee River boardwalks, the wonderful schools, and the supportive community.
We’re especially fans of the historical areas and the timeless architecture. We’re grateful to be a part of the beautiful buildings, homes, places, and lifestyles that make Roswell one of the greatest communities in Atlanta.
SC: Tell us about South Haven's goals for 2023.
Jessye Archer, Co-founder: Our greatest inspiration is creating spaces people are proud to call home. This year we’re excited to build more than two dozen homes, from homes for Roswell families in Grayton, to custom homes for families in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and Brookhaven, and new homes and townhomes for residents in the Serenbe community, in Chattahoochee Hills. Our entire team enjoys bringing our experience and resources to make the home building process realistic, predictable, and delightful for our clients.
SC: What are a few design amenities you are excited about for 2023?
Pamela Stakemann, Director of Design: I’m excited to see deeper hues and soothing palettes with touches of intensity and moodiness in all the right places! People are again seeking creative color use in their homes. While our favorite, comfortable, and balanced neutrals will always remain relevant and important to any interior design, unexpected pairings with bold and eye-catching colors give them renewed life. The emerging mixed eras in architecture have also led to fun mixed media interiors. A delightful blend of natural elements, organic materials, and raw textures brings high character, imperfect surfaces and pieces to people's everyday lives. From fixtures to wall coverings, to architectural highlights, we now use un-lacquered brass, patinaed copper, rusted steel, tumbled stones, textured plasters, and handmade zellige tiles to bring unique personal touches and stories to any home. Whimsical touches also make for fun designs, tailored to each client’s personality.
Jessye Archer: There’s also an ongoing design shift from wide open-concept spaces to more tailored and creative floor plans. We enjoy creating cohesive, yet distinct rooms, each with their own personality and character. These purposefully designed spaces lead to greater flexibility and usability in the home. While home offices of all sizes are highly useful and desired for today’s families, every home we design includes the essential modern-day amenities of mud rooms, Costco closets, working pantries, and covered outdoor living spaces. It’s been fun to see clients enjoy purpose-built spaces for craft rooms, art studios, home gyms, prohibition and club rooms, and the ever-popular and beautiful wine rooms.
SC: What role do you play in this exciting process?
Pamela Stakemann: As Director of Design, I lead our home interior design teams and processes, working alongside our building teams as they deliver our designs in their day-to-day fieldwork. We often design interiors for homes in advance of having a homeowner. Many times we work hand in hand with clients, collaborating on their designs from blank paper to finished home. Occasionally we collaborate with clients and their own personal designers to bring their dream homes to life.
Jessye Archer: Along with the creativity and beauty that comes with interior design, both our design and our operations teams focus on delivering complete and accurate specifications. This allows our building team to have the ready information they need, when they need it. We review every detail to ensure our specifications are clear, concise, compatible with their surroundings, and meet the design intent.
"Roswell is a charming city that others try to duplicate, but fall short," says Kim. "Roswell has everything to offer with an award-winning recreation and parks program, rich history, highly rated restaurants and breweries, great schools, and outdoor activities, like hiking the mill waterfall trails or kayaking along the Chattahoochee."