Judy Richter, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Alden Place's Plan Two is about 2,803 square feet, with four bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. As part of Lennar Mare Island's "Everything's Included" program, the house comes with front landscaping and sprinklers. Chronicle photo by Paul Chinn
When a developer opens its model homes, they're usually gussied up with expensive options like upgraded flooring, granite countertops and high- end appliances.
However, the listed prices are for plain vanilla. Choosing all those expensive options can boost he price by thousands of dollars.
Not so at Lennar Mare Island's two new neighborhoods at the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo. Its "Everything's Included" program means just that: The one option is the flooring.
"Everything's Included" applies to lighting fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing fixtures and other basics. Window coverings, furniture and backyard landscaping are excluded.
Working with Vallejo to convert the decommissioned Navy base to civilian use, LMI plans to develop 1,400 residential units ranging from new houses and condos to live-work lofts in renovated Navy buildings.
The 125 single-family homes in its first two neighborhoods, Alden Place and Gardner's Glen, are being built on a former Navy housing site on the west side of the island. Each neighborhood has three two-story models.
In Gardner's Glen, the less expensive project, they range from 2,039 square feet with three bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms to 2,496 square feet with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Lots are 4,500 to 5,000 square feet. Prices range from $647,950 to $684,950.
Alden Place is a bit pricier. Its houses range from $709,950 for the four- bedroom, three-bath, 2,599-square-foot Plan One to $740,950 for the four- bedroom, four-bath, 2,878-square-foot Plan Three. Lots are 5,500 to 7,000 square feet.
Another neighborhood, Kirkland Isle, goes on sale this week, with three models ranging from 2,100 to 2,700 square feet and prices ranging from $632, 000 to $706,000.
The "Everything's Included" list at Alden Place includes maple cabinetry, granite countertops and backsplashes, front landscaping with automatic irrigation, and dual-zoned heating and air conditioning with two digital thermostats.
With those prices -- reasonable by Bay Area standards -- interest in the project has been keen, with the first homes allocated by lottery. However, they are available only to owner occupants. An anti-investor clause prohibits buyers from renting them out.
Plan Two at Alden Place is $721,250 to $723,550 (depending on the lot) for four bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms in 2,803 square feet. Its two-car garage has a third tandem space that could be used for parking, storage or a workshop. The garage sits toward the back of the house, forming a courtyard off the kitchen.
Three facades are available. The model is 2C.
A porch spans the front, leading to a tiled entry. To the left is the formal dining room. To the right is a cozy room labeled the parlor. As in many other model homes, it's actually a vestigial living room.
A short hallway leads past a linen closet, guest closet, stairway and half-bath into the tiled kitchen and informal dining area. An island with sink and dishwasher separates the two spaces.
The kitchen comes with GE stainless steel appliances including five- burner gas cooktop, microwave, oven and dishwasher. It also has under-cabinet task lighting and two pantries.
The dining area has a built-in desk on one side and French doors leading to the courtyard on the other side.
The family room offers a media niche, a gas fireplace and a door to the backyard.
The bedrooms and laundry room are upstairs. At the top of the stairs are cabinets under a small window. The two front bedrooms are off this area. One of them opens to a small deck.
A light-filled hall, with room for cabinets under the row of windows, leads past a bathroom and the laundry room, which includes a white GE washer and gas dryer. Beyond that are a smaller bedroom and the master suite.
The master bath has a double sink, a toilet closet, a tub and a shower stall. Windows in the master bedroom and bathroom overlook marshy areas, a haven for birds, and views of the North Bay hills.
As in many of today's new homes, though, the walk-in closet is accessed from the bathroom. Moreover, there's no door between the bedroom and bathroom, a drawback for those who like their privacy.
Otherwise, this model and all of the others in both neighborhoods feature functional floor plans and lots of storage.
There are no homeowner dues, but the area is part of a community facilities district formed by the city. Homeowners will pay a tax that will add about half a percentage point to their property tax bill, based on the purchase price. The tax will pay for capital improvements and maintenance of streets, lighting and other facilities.
Project: Alden Place
City: Vallejo
Model: Residence Two
Builder: Lennar Mare Island
Architect: Dahlin Group
Square feet: 2,803
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2 1/2
Garage: 2 parallel spaces, 1 tandem
Lot size: 5,500-7,000 square feet
Price: $721,000-$723,550
Sales office hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily except Monday
Address: 340 Klein Ave.
Phone: (707) 556-3405
Web: http://www.discovermareisland.com/
E-mail Judy Richter at jrichter@sfchronicle.com.
