In Conversation with Kolter Homes on the Evolution of Their 55+ Communities
In an era where active adult communities are evolving beyond the traditional retirement village model, Kolter Homes is leveraging extensive customer research and flexible design options to create living spaces that truly reflect how modern seniors want to live. According to John Manrique, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Kolter Homes, the company’s approach centers on two key principles: “built around you” and “the choices are yours.”
“This is often the first home that a person or couple really gets to build for themselves,” Manrique explains. “Your first home is usually about what you can afford and what’s closest to work. The next one might be driven by school districts and family needs. But this – this is really for you. And why shouldn’t it be? You’ve worked many years, you’re in your 50s or 60s, and it’s time to do that for you.”
Data-Driven Design Innovation
Kolter’s commitment to understanding their customers runs deep. The company conducts regular comprehensive surveys to identify emerging preferences and needs. Their current product offering stems from a major research initiative conducted in 2020, which revealed some surprising insights. For instance, customer feedback led to the creation of an innovative “snore room” option – a flexible space connected to the owner’s suite through the closet that can serve as an alternate sleeping space or personal retreat.
This attention to practical lifestyle needs extends throughout their designs. Key features that emerged from customer research include:
- Elevated ceiling heights (11’4″ in main spaces, 14′ in foyers) for a more open feel
- Increased window square footage to maximize natural light
- Dedicated pantry spaces in every kitchen
- Open-concept layouts that make the kitchen the heart of social gatherings
Guiding the Journey
Understanding that moving into a new home at this life stage is a significant decision, Kolter has developed a sophisticated approach to helping buyers make informed choices. They employ specialized tools like “floor plan voting” and “value mapping” to ensure customers focus on how they’ll actually live in the space rather than being swayed by model home décor.
“We don’t want them to be wowed into making the wrong decision,” Manrique emphasizes. Their sales team, dubbed “new home guides,” works with buyers to thoroughly evaluate their actual needs versus perceived ones. This might mean helping a couple realize they don’t need three bedrooms for children who visit once a year, allowing them to invest those resources in spaces they’ll use daily.
Community-Centric Amenities
The company’s research shows that community features play a crucial role in the active adult lifestyle. Walking trails consistently rank as the most desired amenity, serving both fitness and social purposes. “Walking isn’t just great fitness, but honestly, it’s great socialization,” Manrique notes. “That’s how so many people meet their neighbors.”
Perhaps most telling of evolving preferences is the explosive growth in pickleball facilities. Manrique shares that while early communities might have included four courts, current developments feature upwards of 20-40 courts, reflecting the sport’s surging popularity among active adults. At their Crescent Twin Lakes community in Georgia, they’re expanding to approximately 40 courts, while PGA Village Verano features 27 courts.
Recent and Upcoming Communities
Kolter Homes’ diverse portfolio showcases their ability to cater to different lifestyle preferences within the active adult market. Their recent developments exemplify this range:
The L’Ambiance community emphasizes personalization and private spaces, attracting buyers who want to create their dream home with customized features like pools, outdoor kitchens, and second-floor bonus rooms. In contrast, Woodland Preserve offers a balance of personalization options with community amenities, featuring an on-site clubhouse for fitness and social activities.
Their Cresswind development, located in Tavares, Florida (known as “America’s Seaplane City”), provides a unique waterfront lifestyle on Lake Harris. Located just 15 minutes from the charming town of Mount Dora, residents enjoy both water activities and a full social calendar managed by an on-site lifestyle director who coordinates events, parties, and concerts.
The company’s latest announcement includes several exciting new communities. Cresswind at Hammock Oaks, opening in early 2025 near The Villages in Lady Lake, Florida, will expand their presence in the Central Florida market. Salt Grass at Ward Creek in Florida’s Panhandle region will complement their existing Nature Walk community.
Perhaps most notably, their upcoming Esprit community in Palm Beach Gardens, located within the same master-planned development as L’Ambiance, represents an evolution in their active adult offerings. This 55+ community will be the first to feature on-site dining facilities, responding to growing demand for expanded amenities and convenience.
Looking Ahead
As Kolter Homes prepares for its next major product review, the company continues to evolve its offerings. New developments will include features like expanded smart home technology integration and enhanced fitness facilities including their exclusive E-gym circuit training system.
The company is also expanding geographically, with new communities planned in Alabama and Tennessee, while continuing to innovate within their existing Southeast markets. This expansion is guided by their commitment to data-driven decision making and deep understanding of their customer base.
Through this comprehensive approach to community development, Kolter Homes demonstrates how careful attention to customer needs and preferences can create living spaces that truly serve the modern active adult market. Their success suggests that the future of 55+ communities lies not in prescribed lifestyle packages, but in creating flexible spaces and communities that residents can truly make their own.
