News & Events

There’s No Place Like Home

Written by: Joshua Perry, Realtor/Director of Business Development

When I made the tough decision to retire from the NFL late this July, the decision of where I wanted to go wasn’t tough. I knew that Lewis Center was going to be home for me. It is a place that is extremely familiar and somewhere that has always felt like home. Growing up across the lake in Galena, I went to school in Lewis Center, made some long-lasting friendships in Lewis Center, and as an athlete, I cemented the foundation of my career in Lewis Center.

Before I left for training camp this summer, I stopped into the Evans Farm sales center. I started to see some of the homes going up and like many people around, I was curious to see what it was all about. When I pulled up to the office in Old Lewis Center, I walked up the steps to a porch and when I entered, I took a look around and found a charming little office that felt more like a living room than a sales floor. I was welcomed in and was immediately introduced to what was happening. Krista, a sales consultant, explained to me the vision for Evans Farm- New Urbanism. New Urbanism is what so many of us have gotten away from, but still deeply desire. Its community living based off front porches, social town centers and open recreation. You can live, work and play all in the same neighborhood. It takes on functional design- sweeping streetscapes with no breaks in the curb due to alley loaded garages, sidewalks leading to amenities no further than a quarter of a mile away and mindfully constructed homes that take inspiration from classic architectural styles. I was a bit taken back. It is such a stark departure from what we’ve all gotten accustomed to. We’ve become used to spacious homes with rooms that sit bare, on at least 100 feet of lot frontage (which you can still get here) and so much privacy that you almost feel in danger because you don’t know your neighbors. Evans Farm brings back a sense of community. I was intrigued.

After retirement, I had to find work. I took real estate classes and eventually became a REALTOR for Buckeye National Realty. My next journey was just beginning. Shortly thereafter, I received a call from the folks at Evans Farm. The rumblings around town were that I was home and trying to make a name in real estate. They were interested in meeting with me to see what other plans I might have. After a few meetings, I decided to take on another role- Director of Business Development at Evans Farm. The game plan would be for me to help develop a rapport between local REALTORs, businesses and Evans Farm. As a kid who grew up here there was a unique opportunity to reach out to the community. But through the number of meetings I had at Evans Farm, I was sold on the vision. Having a neighborhood development that strengthens the community not only through economic infusion, but the tenets of New Urbanism, was something in which I wanted to be involved. I imagined how different my childhood would have been in a place like this. Instead of having to wait on a ride to the park or my friend’s house, it could have been a short walk away. The ability to walk with my brothers to an ice cream shop during the summer would have created lasting memories. Spending time by the pond with my dad would have been special. But even now, living in a home of just two people, the allure of Evans Farm is strong. The sense of community just outside my door would be valuable and being just a short walk away from social life and entertainment, while experiencing all the conveniences of the suburbs, is a game changer. Regardless of what walk of life you’re in, this place will make you feel at home. Evans Farm won’t just be a place to live, work and play- it will be a vehicle that provides infrastructure to keep Lewis Center strong via partnerships with Olentangy Local Schools and the Evans Farm Foundation, and that impact will be sure to last.

I’m excited to watch this project as it evolves. It’s as organic of a community project as I’ve been around and it’s just the thing that will keep Lewis Center the type of place it is.

First Residents

November brought our first residents into Evans Farm. Shortly after, the next family moved into their new home. The anxiously awaiting families were thrilled to move into their newly constructed houses prior to the busy holiday season! It is expected that a few more families will move into their homes before the end of the year.

There are still some spec homes that are available for purchase for those that wish to be in Evans Farm within the next few months. Please make sure to stop by our sales center for more information regarding spec homes or building your own custom home with one of our 12 approved builders.

BIA Parade of Homes Update

As the first half of December progresses towards Christmas, over half of the parade houses have started to be constructed. These larger houses that face towards a wooded park are beautifully constructed by 12 different builders. Many of these builders have participated in the BIA Parade of Homes events in the past. However, there are a few builders that are new to this exceptional showcase of Central Ohio homes. Among these 12 builders are:

• Cua Builders
• P&D Builders
• Guzzo & Garner
• Sierra Homes
• Maronda Homes
• Bob Webb Homes
• ALTA
• Coppertree
• Arthur Rutenberg
• 3 Pillar Homes
• Kenric Fine Homes
• Stonecliff Homes

Promotional Video

In early November, LP Smart Siding partnered with Evans Farm to create a promotional video. The video team flew in from Minnesota to obtain almost two days of footage of Evans Farm. This included two families that will be moving into Evans Farm, some of the Evans Farm staff, a few of the businesses, onsite footage and nearby footage to help share the image of what makes Evans Farm unique. The promotional video will be released to Evans Farm before the end of the year. Check our website in the upcoming weeks at EvansFarmOH.com to view this video.

Evans Farm Marketplace

Phase 1 of Evans Farm commercial is scheduled to start during the first quarter of 2019. The image to the left is a visual representation of the first building on the east side of Evans Farm Dr. and is expected to house a bank, ice cream parlor, restaurant with a brewery, and a wine and cheese bar. On the second story small business spaces are available and the third story will be apartments for those interested in living in the downtown area of Evans Farm.

Also included in Phase 1 of commercial, are condos. These will start on the east side of Evans Farm Dr., just north of the Phase 1 building, shown above. All of the condos are planned to be a townhouse-style, rather than a ranch-style.

Christmas Open House(s)

Three builders opened their houses to over 100 visitors on December 12 and offered them free beverages and hors d’ouerves. The Open House(s) Tour began at 5773 Piatt Road built by Custom Elite Homes. Guests were treated to a beautiful sunset over the west lake from the wrap-around porch of this Craftsman Farmhouse style home. The full-sized refrigeration and freezer pair along with the stainless farm sink received the most compliments.

A short walk past one of Evans Farm’s first residents led guests to the Stonecliff Homes offering. Amish cabinetry and exquisite multi-layer millwork were favorites. This home offers a first floor master suite and a flexible second floor layout that boasts more than 2,500 square feet.

The final home of the tour is being built by 3 Pillar Homes. Visitors were wowed by the wide-open main floor plan. The kitchen is truly the heart of this home located in the center of the action. The deep front porch will overlook the downtown district and a private covered rear porch will offer residents a quiet place to relax.

The 2019 BIA Parade of Homes

Written by: Tracy Schiefferle, Assistant Executive Director, BIA of Central Ohio

Since 1943, the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio has represented single- and multi-family homebuilders, developers and remodelers throughout the area.  The BIA Parade of Homes has been wowing hundreds of thousands of visitors for 66 years, via its tour of new homes featuring the latest and greatest in-home design and decor.  Each year, central Ohio’s premier builders showcase their homes, offering Parade guests the opportunity experience the most current trends firsthand.

On behalf of the BIA, we are very excited to present the 2019 BIA Parade of Homes at Evans Farm.    

The concept of Evans Farm becoming a Parade of Homes site has been discussed for a while now.  Finally seeing it come together is exciting.  The New Urbanism living and design concepts that Evans Farm brings to the table will be a bit different for the Parade of Homes and we think that the public will respond with enthusiasm.

Evans Farm checked all the boxes for our Parade of Homes site selection committee.  The roughly 1,200-acre mixed use development offers Olentangy schools, a convenient location just north of Lewis Center Road.  The New Urbanism concept promotes walkable neighborhoods and a variety of architectural custom homes featuring front porches and hidden parking.  The concept of connecting neighbors and bringing people together is front and center with the network of paths and ponds, parks and green spaces.     

Our BIA member builders find the site appealing for the above but also the community’s architectural diversity of styles that include Craftsman, Italianate, Victorian and French Eclectic.  With a dozen plus BIA member builders participating in the 2019 Parade, we are excited about the opportunity to showcase some new builders to the Parade as well as the return of some veteran Parade builders.  It’s always exciting to see what different designs and floor plans the builders bring to a Parade home and with the Evans Farm design concept this will be a must-see Parade.

Evans Farm will be the 67th year the BIA has presented a Parade of Homes to the central Ohio Community.  Our first Parade was in 1952 and was a scattered site Parade throughout Upper Arlington.  Since that time the Parade has been at locations all over central Ohio.  We recently completed uploading the past Parade guide books to our Parade website and it’s been so fun to look back and see how the locations, homes and décor has changed over the past 66 years.

The one thing that fortunately hasn’t changed is the community’s interest in coming out each year to see the latest and greatest in new homes.  One of the best parts of my job is just strolling through the Parade site and listening to the attendees’ comments.  Everyone has an opinion about the styles and décor and it’s as varied as the homes can be.

As one can imagine, there is quite a bit of planning that goes into a Parade.  Aside from the builders working on their homes, the BIA event team goes to work to secure sponsors and exhibitors, site and parking layout, staffing, publicity and on and on.  Each location presents a different set of circumstances and all of that must be considered when trying to put together the best Parade experience for our guests.  There are lots of planning meetings well in advance.  Tony and Dan have been working with us to start plans and they have visited with our team during the past two Parades to get a good understanding of some of the behind the scenes issues.  I am excited to be working with them on plans for 2019.  It’s going to be fantastic Parade of Homes and I look forward to seeing the central Ohio community out to tour it July 13-28.

YMCA Update

The YMCA of Central Ohio recently completed its Market Analysis for a new YMCA, an important milestone in the effort to partner with the community to develop a new Y at Evans Farm.   The study, completed by Triangle2 Solutions, revealed a great amount of interest in supporting a new YMCA through participation in membership and programs.  As it pertains to the facility, the greatest amount of interest centered around swimming pools, a walking/running track, fitness center, gymnasium and outdoor turf.  The YMCA’s Senior Vice President on the project, Brian Kridler, had this to say: “All of the amenities that we would expect to hear about were there, but there was also a significant amount of interest expressed in arts programming, so we are taking that into account with our initial facility design.  The preliminary concepts will be completed by the end of October at which point we will begin holding community meetings to collect feedback and solidify the vision so that we can begin the really critical work of fundraising.  There will soon be opportunities for everyone to get involved.”  When asked what surprised him the most, Brian shared, “The number of members that the study said we would attract was larger than we anticipated.  It was great news, but we had to rethink the size of the building needed to serve this family-focused community.”

New Faces

Evans Farm has expanded its staff to include two new personnel, Bob Kuederle and Joshua Perry. These recent hires will positively impact the development as the community continues to grow. As Phase 1 nears completion, Phase 2 is in progress of engineering and approvals.

Mr. Kuederle is a licensed professional engineer, directing our engineering and construction operations. Mr. Kuederle joined Evans Farm after serving as a Vice President for American Structurepoint in its Columbus office for six years. Before that, Mr. Kuederle served in various roles with Woolpert, a national design, infrastructure and geospatial firm.

As our Director of Development, Mr. Kuederle oversees our capital program including design, engineering, permitting, construction and site management. He is responsible for procurement and managing a wide range of vendors including professional services consultants and construction contractors.

Mr. Perry, well known in the area for graduating from Olentangy High School and continuing to The Ohio State University while pursuing his football career, graduated from OSU with a degree in Consumer Sciences. During his time in college, Mr. Perry spent time with M/I Homes and Continental Realty (now Newmark Knight Frank), and through his time with these firms learned many skills that will help him transition into his position at Evans Farm.

His position will mainly focus on client and customer relations. He will bring his relationships and knowledge of the area to this team. In addition to his position at Evans Farm, Joshua is a licensed Realtor with Buckeye National Realty, locally.

Onsite Update

As homeowners are eager to move into their newly constructed houses, Evans Farm is excited to announce that Phase I construction is nearing completion. All of the utilities are wrapping up, while the paving of all the roads and alleys are also finishing. It is estimated that the paving will be completed before Thanksgiving.

With approximately 20 houses under construction and a few expected to be finished in the next few weeks, Evans Farm is progressing into the Lewis Center neighborhood that everyone has been talking about. Several of our approved builders have started homes onsite, with some still available for purchase. If you are interested in learning more about the community or the builders, please contact us at 740-548-0113 or stop in our sales office.

Tailgate Throwdown

The Ohio State Buckeyes rallied against the Penn State Nittany Lions to upset the white-out crowd in a 27-26 game at Happy Valley. This ‘edge of your seat’ match-up was pre-gamed at the Evans Farm site by 200-300 people who wanted to learn more about the community, hang out with their future neighbors, walk through the nearby house, play cornhole, make buckeye necklaces, and meet Joshua Perry (former OSU linebacker).

Three Joshua Perry signed footballs and a signed a pair of cornhole boards were raffled off to some of the attendees. All of the proceeds of this raffle went to support the Joshua Perry Family Foundation.