Our first thought was that this new insertion into an historic fabric needed to keep the spirit of bringing people together. To that end was built a communal and comfortable lane down the center, surrounded by 13 homes of various shapes and sizes. The lane was designed to welcome anywhere from 2 to 200 people to gather, dance, play games, or break bread. It’s surrounded by cantilevers and porches and doors and windows in order to facilitate a human[e] and comfortable feel. Terminating that short space we crafted a small plot where neighbors can grow vegetables, hold picnics or warm themselves by the fire.
The unit mix is intentional to provide variety in people as well as product. There are three duplexes, one large single-family home, one large townhome, four three-story single-family homes and one carriage house. Each home has a front and back porch for public and private gathering as well as a one or two car garage in the back, so the lane also provides an entryway for vehicles so residents don’t park on the street.
The aesthetic of the homes morphs from more traditional and contextual at the eastern end to more modern and contemporary as you approach the Beltline, but all homes have fresh, tad funky and, clean lines that fit their street and shape of the parcel. No gaudy trim or froufrou columns are found here, the design is decidedly updated but welcoming. At every turn our sustainable features are showed off like awnings, canopies, pervious durable pavers, durable and local materials, as well as shiny rainwater cisterns.
There were a handful of hardwoods on the site prior to our development. We took the time and effort to mill those into boards for reuse throughout the project. They show up as featured countertops, decorative walls, distinct shelving, and even a stunning pecan headboard for one of our buyer couples.
Rtown Lane literally connects to the community through a relationship with Stein Steel—Reynoldstown’s oldest operating business. Their contribution to the project included the lights that are atop the amenity columns, 142 Gibson’s porch, the fire ring, vanity supports and many other brackets. The use of steel gets heavier and heavier as you get closer to their shop and the addition of these details certainly tips a hat to the rich history of the neighborhood.
Rtown Lane literally connects to the community through a relationship with Stein Steel—Reynoldstown’s oldest operating business. Their contribution to the project included the lights that are atop the amenity columns, 142 Gibson’s porch, the fire ring, vanity supports and many other brackets. The use of steel gets heavier and heavier as you get closer to their shop and the addition of these details certainly tips a hat to the rich history of the neighborhood.
The people who live at Rtown Lane live here because they have an affinity for close but comfortable interactions.
Beyond the impending addition of the BeltLine, our homeowners sought us out because they love Reynoldstown and appreciate the good neighboring that RTown Lane encourages.