Neighborhood of the week: Coeur d'Alene Place

Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realtor and Project Manager Rob Brickett loves his job, and it shows. He has spent the last 15 years watching Coeur d'Alene Place grow from a dream into a reality and as the primary Realtor, is an expert on all that this master planned community has to offer.

Coeur d'Alene Place is a pedestrian-oriented community started in 1994 by Greenstone Corporation. The focus is on traditional people-centered neighborhoods. It's reminiscent of the communities we remember from the good old days, where neighbors visited on front porches, children walked to school, and families played together in local parks.

"Greenstone does everything in a thoughtful and deliberate way," Brickett says. "They don't have the attitude that it's 'only a housing subdivision.' They do what's right, not just because the city says they have to."

There are approximately 2,300 homes planned on more than 640 acres that include a diverse range from apartments, townhouses, alley homes, traditional homes and modest to estate-sized homes. More than 70 acres are dedicated to parks, playgrounds, greenbelts and an extensive trail system.

Neighborhoods are designed so that no home is more than a five-minute walk from one of the seven parks. Those parks feature a basketball court, playgrounds, picnic areas, ball fields and restrooms. In the summertime, bring your blanket and watch a movie outdoors with your family in the Park at Palais on an inflatable screen.

Bluegrass Park is the 12-acre heart of the community. Located at the center of Coeur d'Alene Place, it features a water spray park, covered picnic areas, playgrounds and bathrooms, and functions as the community center.

A network of more than 10 miles of extra-wide walking and biking trails link the neighborhoods of Coeur d'Alene Place. The Prairie Trail utilizes an old rail bed that connects to the Centennial Trail and takes you to local restaurants, schools, shopping - even Riverstone, the Kroc Center and downtown Coeur d'Alene.

"The trails aren't here because they're required," Brickett says. "They're a nice addition that enhance the residents' quality of life."

It's the little things that make Coeur d'Alene Place stand out. Walk through Dino Park and you'll notice dinosaur tracks embedded in the sidewalk leading to a climbing gym that looks suspiciously like the ribcage of a dinosaur.

One of the traffic roundabouts features a metal sculpture of a bear feeding on a salmon. But if you look closely, there's a small trapdoor in the side of the giant creature. Open that door and shine a light into his chest, and you'll find a surprise. (Just don't block traffic when you do.)

"It's a traffic feature, but it's so much more," says Brickett. "They've created something memorable. They had an artist come out and design a piece of public art. It doesn't have to be just functional - it can be fun, too."

There are artistic touches throughout the community. You'll find elegant brick monuments at the bottom of each light post and at intersections, identifying the streets. There are rolling hills and trees clustered in natural groupings along the winding trails.

The average days that homes in Coeur d'Alene Place remain on the market is 87, and the average price for a home year-to-date is $232,904.

Greenstone takes the time to do things right, Brickett says, because their great reputation is at stake.

"It's scary to put your name on a neighborhood," Brickett says. "There's a lot to lose. Good or bad, your name is on it."

As you drive through the main entrance to Coeur d'Alene Place, you'd be hard-pressed to picture the flat fields that the developers originally purchased. You'll pass through the sweeping brick gateway, and drive through rolling hills and clusters of evergreens. Everything has been designed to mimic nature. A large piece of land was sacrificed at the entrance to create a buffer from the intersection.

"They created such a beautiful entrance that people go out of their way to use it," says Brickett. "It's such a simple thing."

You won't find straight, checkerboard-style streets in Coeur d'Alene Place. Instead, the streets wind through the neighborhoods. Not only is it pretty, but it serves a traffic calming function, slowing down drivers and thus making the streets safer.

The master street tree program is designed to beautify the community, slow traffic, and increase safety for pedestrians. The trees are planted in such a way that as they grow, they'll canopy over the streets, creating a buffer between the homes and walkways and the traffic. So not only are they pretty, they're functional.

Greenstone owns much of the land surrounding Coeur d'Alene Place. Those fields are still being farmed, and will be until it's time to build on them. They carefully plan commercial development on the borders of their neighborhoods, ensuring residents easy access to a wide variety of shopping and dining options along with other vital services. There is often space for a church in the community, as well.

There are three schools located in the community: Skyway Elementary, Woodland Middle and Lake City High School. Children can bike or walk to school, and enjoy the independence of not relying on their parents for transportation. And Mom and Dad will appreciate being relieved of the role of chauffeur, too.

You won't find cookie-cutter homes in Coeur d'Alene Place; each has its own flair and individual touches that set it apart from its neighbors. Greenstone took a chance at the height of the market and redesigned the traditional "snout" houses (houses with the garage in front). They added front porches that sit slightly ahead of the garage, thus directing attention to the beauty of the house itself instead of to the garage door.

"They were either crazy or brilliant," says Brickett. "They're setting the bar higher for other developers."

There are covenants in place that ensure reasonable standards for the community. Homeowners choose from dynamic color palates. Homes follow architectural guidelines that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Amenities are right at your doorstep.

Buying a home is a long-term investment in more than just a house; it's a commitment to a lifestyle. Residents can transition from apartments to starter homes to family homes and eventually to gated communities with smaller homes and lawn care - and never leave Coeur d'Alene Place.

"Every aspect of your life can be represented in this neighborhood," says Brickett. "You could happily spend your whole life here."

The homeowners association plays an important role in the community. It's designed to protect the value of the homes, as well as the residents' quality of life. Dues support the maintenance of the parks, green spaces, trails and trees. Fees are generally $18 a month, and $83 a month in select neighborhoods that have additional maintenance included, like lawn care.

When buying a home, you should take into account much more than just the price of the house. Walk the streets and talk to the residents. Sit under a tree in a park and listen to the heartbeat of the neighborhood. Ask yourself if this is a place where you could be comfortable spending a few years of your life. Each community has a personality. Take the time to find out if this one is right for you.

"If you want to get a feel for a neighborhood, visit it after 5 p.m.," says Brickett. "That's when you'll see how the residents live. People using the parks, walking the trails, visiting with their neighbors. You'll experience the dynamic activity of a place."

Coeur d'Alene Place is one of the best-selling communities in the area, and it's easy to see why.

"Greenstone puts imagination and caring into their communities," says Brickett. "It's the little things that give them character."

To find out if Coeur d'Alene Place is the right community for you, contact Rob Brickett at Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty, (208) 664-1461.