Discovery Days and Information Center Opening
Our Discovery Day weekends were a great success despite three successive rainy weekends. A variety of interested homebuyers, brokers and neighbors stopped by to learn more about South Shore, McLean’s premier neighborhood, and to take in some of the gorgeous autumn scenery on and around the property.
The weather has turned dryer and the leaves are in full color, and our information center in the historic McLean Home is now open daily, Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday and Monday 1 – 5 p.m. Sales staff and agents representing our custom lakefront and estate home builders Wieland and Peachtree will be in the McLean home each day.
Aspiring to Design Excellence
by Harry Schrader, RA – Schrader Design, Inc.
Prioritizing design excellence at McLean is my highest aspiration for the development. This starts with a commitment of the development team and builder partners to promote a higher standard of architecture regardless of style.
We are focusing on “delivering” architecture that is thoughtful, contextual, and identifiable in its style from not just the street facade but from all perspectives. As a community with more than 100 waterfront lots and many water view properties, we are equally interested in establishing McLean as well conceived and beautiful from a boat!
A decidedly American vernacular, representing a range of styles found throughout our country’s coastal/shoreline settings, will suit McLean very well. This does not mean a loss of creative expression or a lack of desirable design diversity, but rather an intention for cohesiveness that reflects context for a sense of place.
All great “places” that we gravitate towards as beautiful, timeless, and decidedly special, are rooted in initial and sustained commitments to discriminant architecture. At McLean, the architecture should be casual and understated in ways that reinforce the best elements of the local community, from the lake to Belmont itself. Many examples of shoreline architecture, including shingle style and coastal cottage, can inspire the character of what this place becomes; where we can meet the popular and cultural demands of our buyers, while providing the strong foundation of a place that will someday be timeless in its own right.
Fall Activities Galore
There are plenty of Fall activities happening around McLean. Here are some highlights:
Halloween Festivities – Celebrate Halloween early at Belmont’s not-so-frightening feature events. The Belmont Boo Bash will be held on Saturday, October 24 at Stowe Park in Belmont. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will also host Bootanical 2015 on October 24 and 25. The event will feature live music horse-drawn carriage rides, campfires, fun games and a Punkin Chunkin’.
Goat Island Park – Whether you stroll the greenway, or paddle the Catawba River, there’s no better way to enjoy the changing of the leaves than a trip to Goat Island Park. The park features am observation pier, two canoe/kayak landings, two picnic shelters, a natural tree house style playground, 18 hole disc golf course, ADA accessible greenway, walking trails, and an open air amphitheater located in the Town Center.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden –Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden takes new form as the summer air grows crisp, and the colors of the leaves begin to fade into beautiful oranges and reds. Events are planned for all ages throughout the fall, including Saturday morning yoga, Mommy (or Daddy) and Me Mondays, music festivals and guided walks through the garden. Visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden website to view the complete program calendar.
Belmont Arts and Crafts Fair –Holiday gifts will soon be in order, and the Belmont Arts and Crafts Fair is the perfect place to pick up fun and unique gifts for your entire family. The event is on November 7 and will feature 39 vendors selling handmade items, baked goods, books and more.