Custom home builders have come a long way since the days when piping Muzak through intercom systems was considered high tech. And home buyers have come a long way, too. Even those in their late 50s and 60s are raving about the beauty of integrated technology (once they get over the initial fear factor).

Today, sophisticated buyers want elite technology everywhere. They want audio in the shower. They want surround sound in the master suite. They want to be The Masters of Their Domain, magically controlling complex security systems, lighting, draperies and gas fireplaces with the touch of a button.

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Nevertheless, today’s high-tech homes can do everything the butler used to do—and more. While builders and developers are meeting buyers’ demands by wiring homes that can accommodate space-age technologies, the systems must be effortless to operate … so technology can be an enjoyable facet of everyday life.

The Mansions at the Commonwealth on Prairie Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
In the late 1800s, the Fields, Pullmans and Sears lived like kings in Prairie Avenue’s mansions. But to the dismay of preservationists, the homes were razed and rehabbed into industrial buildings, driving the historic street in ruins. Thankfully, Rezmar Development Group is reinventing history with 17 elegant row houses loaded with the high-tech amenities today’s well-heeled homeowners demand.

(From left) White stone, turrets, gabled roofs and bay windows, which overlook the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, abound. The dining room’s colorful antique poster and 200-year-old English oak server commingle stylishly. From the theater’s terrace, Lake Michigan and its sailboats are visible. (Click images to enlarge)

Rezmar, which complied with the Chicago Landmark Commission’s strict guidelines during every step of the Prairie Avenue project, has developed more than 2,000 Chicago townhouses and apartments. The developer was Chicago’s home technology leader by 1998, when technology basics included high-speed Internet connections, coaxial cable for TV, security systems with motion detectors and glass-breakage sensors, and programmable thermostats for heat, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC). Today, these technologies don’t compare with the mansions’ standard amenities. “Our buyers are remarkably young—in their mid-30s to mid-40s—and very technically savvy,” says Ronald Smith, vice president of sales and advertising. “With price points of $1.5 to more than $2 million, buyers expect the latest technology.”

With the expertise of David Welles of Tunnel Vision Technologies Inc., Rezmar installed an elaborate, easy-to-use Smart Systems home automation package into the 6,000-square-foot, five-story model. Equipped with touchscreens and remotes to control lighting, audio and video, security and HVAC operation, the system is wired with a CAT-5E cable for high-speed Internet access and telephones, and an RG-6 coaxial cable for satellite and cable TV. For ease of networking and updating with newer technologies, a single structured wiring box contains the phone, video and computer connections.

Welles likens the system to a fully loaded Mercedes-Benz. From the keypads you can play satellite radio in one room and a CD or DVD in another; or activate your preset level of lighting and music as you open the door by waving a special key fob across a small wall pad. It’s a house that responds to the homeowner—not the other way around. And for Prairie Avenue residents, these technologies are as critical as their high-end kitchen appliances.

While the foolproof technology makes for easy living, the aesthetics, handled by Chicago interior designer John Robert Wiltgen, further the bygone era’s elegance. Brought into the project by esteemed Chicago architect Pappageorge/Haymes Ltd., Wiltgen created a compelling mix of antiques, heirloom-quality furnishings and fine art. Other details include herringbone-patterned oak flooring and glazed living room walls that were rag-rolled by hand; Wood-Mode custom cabinetry is crafted of dark and light woods.

(From left) Designer John Robert Wiltgen. The kitchen’s stainless-steel chairs tie in nicely with the high-end Viking and Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances. Luxurious detailing, even in the master bath, includes cove ceilings, moldings, and granite and marble finishes; this bath was redesigned to span the 24-foot width of the home. (Click images to enlarge)

Wiltgen also worked with George Pappageorge to make several changes to the $2.9-million furnished model, from the theater’s walk-in wine cellar to its full-service wet bar and powder room. “We re-evaluated the plans and made some modifications to better reflect the sales price,” Wiltgen says. Other changes included moving the stairway three feet back from the entrance, accommodating a 4-by-6-foot kitchen pantry and dedicating the second floor to the master suite. Thanks to a detailed lighting, structured wiring and electrical plan designed before the joists were installed, homeowners can immediately enjoy the technical features without having to knock down drywall later.

“The neighborhood warranted that our interiors pay homage to what Prairie Avenue was 100 years ago,” Wiltgen says. “But we also wanted it to reflect the best of the 21st century.”

The theater, orchestrated by The Little Guys Home Electronics, is all 21st century—from the 50-inch Fujitsu plasma TV to a Denon surround receiver and matching DVD player, and M&K speakers; powered subwoofers boost the sound.

(From left) The kitchen includes a cozy seating area with an oversized mohair couch. The home’s genteel look of maturity prevails in its use of dark oak and African mahogany, as seen here in the staircase. (Click images to enlarge)

Because Wiltgen’s design beautifully blends today’s technology with Gilded Age grandeur, Rezmar is making buyers an offer they can’t refuse: 150 hours of Wiltgen’s coveted design services.

John Robert Wiltgen Design Inc.
312.744.1151
www.jrwdesign.com

The Little Guys Home Electronics
www.thelittleguys.com
708.754.8844

Pappageorge/Haymes Ltd.
312.337.3344

Rezmar Development Group
312.666.8887

Tunnel Vision Technology, Inc.
312.335.9145

StoneBrook Estates
Davie, Florida
Until the 1980s, the little town of Davie, just around the corner from Fort Lauderdale, was horse country. Ranches occupied large land parcels and cowboys bought their saddles and such in feed-and-seed stores like those in Lonesome Dove.

Even today, ranches and an old-timey downtown still flourish. But so do several private home developments, and none is more quietly appealing than the pastoral country-club community of StoneBrook Estates—129 luxury homes sequestered within a setting of sparkling lakes and native-tree hammocks. Buyers love the lot sizes (from a half-acre to nearly two acres) that make way for huge backyards and oversized pools with extended patios and outdoor kitchens.

(From left) The Vanderbilt model is rich in old-world influences, textured fabrics and warm hues of cappuccino and cream with burgundy accents. The classic, neutral-toned dedicated theater complements the home’s overall design, as does the family room. The formal living room is awash in luxuriously detailed furnishings—from the rich, plush rugs and marble floors below to the ornate chandelier above. (Click images to enlarge)

Since developer Jerome V. Ansel breathed life into StoneBrook Estates in 1989, buyers have been encouraged to customize their homes with the ideas provided in six furnished models that are designed to whet buyers’ appetites. “If a prospective buyer says, ‘This is what I want’—whether it’s a kitchen or technology—and it’s not part of our upgrades, the subcontractor will bring specialists in [to provide it],” Director of Sales Joan Eddings says.

The posh Vanderbilt model, at more than 5,000 square feet, exhibits the style, architectural details, stainless-steel appliances and detailed elevations of a luxury custom home, plus a home theater. “When buyers come in, their [kids] drive them insane to buy the Vanderbilt because of its theater,” Eddings adds.

(From left) The formal living room. The kitchen, with its Sub-Zero/Wolf and KitchenAid appliances and custom cabinetry, is the heart of the home. The formal dining room is also rich in details, from the textured wall coverings and ceiling treatment to lush drapery fabrics and the pattern of the dining room chair upholstery and rug below. (Click images to enlarge)

While the theater is optional, the high ceilings, spooled columns, arches and high-end appliances are standard, says builder David Levine of Regency Homes, which designed and built the model. The standard package incorporates a security system, CAT-5E cable for phone and high-speed Internet transmission, and RG-6 cable for TV. The closed-circuit video monitoring system allows homeowners to view security-camera images on TV. Most importantly, the house is future-proofed with structured wiring for the addition of new technologies.

If homeowners want to customize their technology amenities, StoneBrook Estates arranges a meeting with Digital Habitat Inc.’s Mark Jimenez. “We personally meet with each homeowner to design their technical environment,” says Jimenez, who has worked with Regency Homes since 1985. “That’s where Stone-Brook is incredible—everything is custom designed.”

“Some homeowners are taking technology to the extreme to turn on their lights, air-conditioning and ovens—even when traveling,” StoneBrook Vice President Ron Reitsma says. “People in the $700,000 to $2 million-plus price range are smart people who want smart homes,” he continues, adding that 40 percent of buyers are building theaters into their StoneBrook homes.

To blend these technical amenities into a luxurious, livable environment, The Interiors Group gave the Vanderbilt a timeless look with a “traditional design and Ralph Lauren-style overtones,” says Carmen Howe, project designer. That style is evidenced in the theater’s reclining taupe velvet theater chairs, silk blackout drapes and thick taupe carpeting. The living room centers around a soaring stone fireplace and is bathed in taupe and burgundy Baroque-style fabrics; the nearby step-down bar with a granite countertop opens to the patio. Spooled stone columns frame a table for 12 and lend an old-world look, allowing discriminating buyers to have the best of both worlds.

The Vanderbilt’s backyard accommodates an oversized pool and patio area for outdoor living. (Click image to enlarge)

Digital Habitats Inc.
800.341.0381
www.digitalhabitats.com

The Interiors Group
561.394.9172
www.theinteriorsgroup.com

Regency Homes
954.755.1775
www.regencyhomesfla.com

StoneBrook Estates
954.382.9500
www.stonebrookestates.com

WCI Communities Inc.
Naples, Florida
In less than 16 years, WCI has developed more than 85 luxury condominium towers, mid-rises and communities in Florida. And with its lion’s share of projects in Naples, it’s setting a new standard for Florida’s west coast.

The 20-story Trieste in the Bay Colony development says it all: private-entry elevators, Fort Knox-type security, private air-conditioned garages, spacious floor plans and spectacular views. And the average price: $2.3 million.

The Dolcetto’s backyard plays host to a capacious multilevel pool; integrated audio is everywhere—from the terraces and balconies to various corners of the lushly landscaped yard (left). The theater’s subtle, sophisticated design and classic movie posters appeal to baby-boomer home buyers (center and right). (Click images to enlarge)

Surprisingly, Naples’ historically conservative homeowners want the same kind of technology their offspring enjoy.

“Even our retired buyers want plasma TVs, theaters and smart-house capabilities,” Senior Project Manager Craig Klingensmith says, adding that today’s elite technologies allow many home owners to work from their home offices.

Recently, WCI started incorporating CAT-5E structured wiring systems to provide multiple telephone connections and high-speed Internet access through a single outlet. While customized technologies aren’t included in the standard technology package, WCI works with homeowners to ensure their technical dreams are integrated into the blueprints.

AVL Pro Design customizes those structured wiring systems, which range from $25,000 to $1.5 million and include the RG-6 Quad cable for top satellite and cable reception. “It can carry just about any signal you dream of,” Manuel Andalia says, a custom installer with AVL Pro.

Trieste’s amenity-floor home theater boasts a 64-inch Pioneer rear-projection high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound. The family room and grand salon flaunt 53-inch Pioneer rear-projection high-definition TVs with cable and satellite options, DVD players and surround sound. Every treadmill has a personal plasma TV, and day traders can check the stock market from any of the TVs on the amenity floor.

The tropical-Venetian look continues in the kitchen with soft-colored granite and a metal-and-glass chandelier; high-end appliances are by Miele, Sub-Zero/Wolf, and Viking (left). The living room, like many of the other rooms, is topped with an intricately coffered ceiling and floored with plush rugs atop gleaming marble; the silk taffeta draperies are luxurious, but don’t block out South Florida’s natural light (right). (Click images to enlarge)

Instead of concealing blackout shades in a reveal, interior designer Kim Collins of Collins & DuPont Interiors Inc. designed blackout draperies in panels of saffron, aubergine, sable and bronze to contrast with the solid sofas. In the grand salon, a bar is introduced near a dark oak built-in that houses the TV. While the well-heeled residents of Trieste may not qualify as boomers, they still know their stuff. And they want the satisfaction of enjoying as much IT as their boomer offspring.

To the northeast is WCI’s Tiburón, a property boasting two 18-hole Greg Norman championship golf courses and the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort Naples. The $7.5-million, 8,000-square-foot Dolcetto is the largest of four single-family estate models. Everything about the home is grand, including its technology.

“We started wiring [homes with a basic structured system] three years ago and have now stepped up,” Vice President of WCI Homebuilding Systems Charlie Maffett says. “It used to be just for cable, but now we provide structured lines so owners can integrate features into the network later.”

Tiburón homes are founded upon the US Tech system, which provides faster data transmission, as well as telephone, satellite and cable connection. All CAT-5E and RG-6 wiring is integrated into a single panel for future upgrades and additions.

To accommodate the luxurious price point, Advanced Audio Design pulled out all the stops with a Lutron HomeWorks whole-house automated lighting system that also provides mood and landscape lighting. The theater is loaded with a Sharp HD-capable DLP projector for the best picture available, a 100-inch screen and an HDTV satellite receiver—all controlled with the touch of a button. Security images, TV and distributed audio can be controlled from video touch panels. Even the home’s Jacuzzi can be heated from a remote.

Aesthetically speaking, Johannah Hall, an interior designer with Robb & Stucky, geared the Dolcetto’s grand interiors around livable, old-world style. “I wanted to convey the luminosity of Venice,” she says of the synchronous color palette of gold, moss green and earth tones.

Drawing inspiration from 1940s movie houses for the home theater, Hall added two-tiered seating to create a movie theater effect. Casually placed motorized leather sofas and chairs face an oak-framed screen. Matching millwork subtly separates the seating areas, while classic movie posters, which include Casablanca, pay homage to the era.

“This is the most high-end technology we’ve done,” sales consultant Jim Coleman says.

But WCI isn’t stopping there. To visit WCI’s most luxurious and tech-savvy property—One Bal Harbour, which is scheduled to open its doors in Boca Raton, Fla., in 2006—log onto www.wcicommunities.com

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Advanced Audio Design
239.949.4994
www.advanced-audio.com

AVL Pro Design
239.593.6455
www.avlpro.com

Collins & DuPont Interiors Inc.
239.948.2400
www.collins-dupont.com

Robb & Stucky
888.778.8259
www.robbstucky.com

WCI
800. WCI. 2290
www.wcicommunities.com

Christopher Homes
Las Vegas, Nevada
It’s rare for a home builder to appeal to a diverse group of buyers with varying tastes and needs, but Christopher Homes wowed thousands of attendees from all over the United States at the 2003 International Builders’ Show with its high-tech model home.

Partnering with Builder and Home magazines and a Newport, Calif.-based architect and interior designer, Newport Custom Homes created the consummate baby-boomer show home: The 10,000-square-foot creation, which sold before construction was complete, is one of 18 custom residences nestled within Southern Highlands Golf Club. The itemized technologies featured in the home filled 10 magazine pages.

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From the architecture to the interiors and the technology, no detail was spared in the $7.5-million showpiece. More importantly, it’s Newport Custom Homes’ first show home. “We explored the dreams and needs of wealthy boomers and used the results to drive the design,” Vice President of Marketing Erika Geiser says. The Crestron PRO2 integrated control system allows homeowners to “light” the fireplace, activate security, and control HVAC operations, lighting and audiovisual systems from a touchscreen, keypad or the Internet. That means residents vacationing in Tokyo can activate the home’s eight fireplaces or review as many as 30 days of stored security images if need be.

For customized technology, Christopher Homes directs buyers to Las Vegas–based Eagle Sentry. For the home’s operational lifeline, the firm selected the Crestron PRO2 system. “It’s the only system that can handle a project as big as this,” installer Cory Reif says. The system also interfaces with the fire pit near the Jacuzzi.

The layout is Tuscan-based to give a sense of proportion, says architect Dennis Danahy of Scheurer Architects. “Because it’s so large, we [broke] it down into smaller spaces to create different pods of courtyards that open up to one large courtyard,” he says.

The media/family room, framed with Eldorado stone, is an “adult space that lives well—you want to entertain there,” says the interior designer. The colors, which don’t detract from the surrounding desert, reflect a neutral palette: The sofa is khaki chenille; a woven reed wall covering highlights the wood-grid ceiling (left). The gym and spa incorporate soothing, peaceful colors. The sauna and bath areas are enveloped in glass tile (center). (Click images to enlarge)

Christine Johnson of Design Tec masterminded the sophisticated, casual-eclectic–styled theater powered by eight SpeakerCraft AIM speakers. “It’s a room that entertains well because you’re not worried about ruining the white sofa,” Johnson says.

But is controlling the home’s high-tech functions remotely, say from Paris, complicated? “It’s easy enough for a person who’s never been in the home to operate,” Reif says.

Christopher Homes
877.4.LUXURY
www.christopherhomes.com

Design Tec
949.221.4300

Eagle Sentry
www.eaglesentry.com
702.736.8880

Scheurer Architects
www.scheurerarchitects.com
949.752.4009

Newport Custom Homes
Carefree, Arizona
When it comes to Newport Homes, owners John and Rob Cioe have a distinct edge over and above the competition: They’re boomers themselves. So their enthusiasm for all things hightech is fueled into every home they build.

Newport’s structured wiring system is composed of CAT-5E and RG-6 cable—“miles of it for the future,” says John, adding that the company’s standard package provides distributed audio in four rooms, touchscreen controls for heat, air-conditioning, security and lighting, and prewiring for a home theater. But Newport takes it one step further: “We bundle our own wire to customize for the homeowner,” John continues. “We like every component in one location for control.”

(From left) The theater is simple and easy to use. All kitchen appliances are from the Viking Designer series. The exterior of the home follows the Southwestern theme prevalent throughout Arizona. (Click images to enlarge)

The company showcases its add-on options in a rack system. The bottom shelf houses the dedicated theater components—an assemblage of the market’s best products, from an HD satellite receiver to a Krell amplifier and receiver to a Faroudja video processor and a Marantz DVD player. The next level contains two Marantz DVD players and a Turtle Beach MP3 player for music distribution. Last, there’s the AMX Control System for home automation. The company estimates the upgraded theater components add $125,000 to the standard technology package.

With an eye on the future, Newport can even wire a wall for a plasma TV if homeowners decide to install one later. “We don’t want to come in later and take down drywall,” John says.

The model is the first house the Cioes built for their company, and it sold for $900,000—unfurnished—while still under construction. Today, the unfurnished house is back on the market for $1.3 million.

In addition to the various high-tech amenities, the 3,800-square-foot model includes Viking kitchen appliances, custom cabinetry, 12-foot ceilings and picturesque views of the Canyon Ridge mountains—all standard amenities for Newport homes. “When we build, we take advantage of the view corridors and implement them,” John says.

In deference to the views, Robb & Stucky interior designers gave the interiors a peaceful, subtle look with understated furnishings and a palette of earthy green, gold, brown and wheat to reflect the ever-changing moods of the canyon.

(From left) The home builder hires a certified AMX technician to handle all touchscreen programming. Owners John (left) and Rob Cioe. (Click images to enlarge)

While technology is prominent in the family room—the space houses a high-definition 61-inch Zenith rear-projection TV, SpeakerCraft in-ceiling speakers, and an OnQ Technologies automated system for controlling the fireplace, HVAC mechanisms, security and lighting—the home theater steals the show. On stage is the 108-inch Clarion screen, Canton-Ergo in-wall speakers, an AMX control system (which can be wired into the OnQ system), and a motorized, solar-shading, electronically controlled theater curtain.

In fact, technological quality is as high on the list as the architecture and interior design, so when the company could not find a local custom installation company to meet its needs, Newport created its own. Custom Home Technology USA now provides the design and installation of whole-house automation systems and custom home theaters. And its success? Builders from Massachusetts to California have been hiring the company. Just another affirmation of the importance of quality IT in today’s luxury homes.

Newport Custom Homes
480.281.1585
www.newporthomesaz.com

Robb & Stucky
888.778.8259
www.robbstucky.com