Home Buyers Can Choose Something Quaint or Quite Impressive
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From historic homes built in the 19th century to modern abodes in amenity-filled neighborhoods, the Northland is brimming with housing options.
For those who relish the architecture of the past, Liberty features five historic districts. In the 1980s, Liberty Square became the first to receive the designation.
The Dougherty District, the main gateway to downtown Liberty, boasts premier examples of Prairie and Craftsman homes. Prospect Heights is also populated by Craftsman homes, as well as Colonial Revival structures.
Victorian architecture peppers the Lightburne District, and that elegant style also lines the streets of the Jewell District, adjacent to the William Jewell College campus. The Jewell District also includes Prairie and Georgian Revival-style homes.
Before Liberty officially defined the historic districts, many homes had fallen into disrepair, says Jonna Wensel, the preservation planner and community development manager for the city of Liberty.
It wasn’t unusual for owners to carve out apartment space to serve students. “Since then, a lot have been turned back into single-family homes and rehabilitated,” she says.
Because of the historic designation, exterior changes made today must be reviewed by the Historic District Review Commission.
“Some people are put off by it, but it’s like belonging to a homeowners’ association, only it’s free and it really helps preserve the property value and the character of the neighborhood – which is why people are buying houses there in the first place,” Wensel says.
“There are far more benefits than there are liabilities.”
In the Northland area, urban design isn’t limited to older properties. Northgate Village in North Kansas City, is an “infill” neighborhood built on space formerly occupied by one-story garden apartments.
The new 50-plus-acre development includes row homes, single-family homes and patio homes.
Northgate Village is ideal for people who work downtown or those who like urban living, says Tammy Henderson of Hunt Midwest Real Estate Development, which is handling much of the Northgate Village project.
“You can walk to dining, shopping, the community center and this huge park across the street,” Henderson says. “It’s new housing in the center of an urban area, and the houses fit in with the community around them.”
Hunt Midwest is also developing a suburban mixed-use community in Platte County called Riverstone. The 293-acre site features senior apartments, upscale apartments, retail sites, offices and single-family homes.
“It’s a great location – it’s just awesome,” Henderson says.
The Northland also pleases buyers who are looking for all the perks of suburban lifestyles, such as pools, clubhouses, lakes and greenway trails.
“When they come home, they’re looking for amenities that they don’t need to drive to,” says David Barth, who with his brother, John, owns Barth Real Estate.
Those amenities are available at Barth Real Estate’s Thousand Oaks, off Highway 45, and Seven Bridges, which is a mile south of Platte City. Silverbrooke is dotted by scenic lakes, and Montebella, near Park Hill South High School, sports downtown views, fountains, waterfalls and clever roundabouts.
Barth says he is seeing more demand for patio homes. Often built in the ranch style, these homes lack the yard work of freestanding houses.
Building is finally coming to an end in Harborview, north of Smithville.
“We have a very nice community,” says Dan Thompson, president of the homeowners association. Harborview is the closest community to Smithville Lake, which has 250 miles of shoreline. Residents also appreciate the pool and children’s play area.
Nearby amenities include Little Platte Park & Marina and the Paradise Pointe Golf Course, which offers two 18-hole courses.
“I can have my boat out of my garage and in the water in five minutes,” Thompson says. “I can tee off in five minutes, too.”
Since many builders are local or regional, the area has not felt the dramatic effects of the nation’s housing woes.
“You can get a home in just about any price range,” Henderson says. “The guy building your house probably lives in the subdivision next door. For that, I think you get a lot of home for the money here.”
