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CBS EVENING NEWS
TIMOTHY P. LIVINGSTON
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - ask the home experts
SEPT/OCT 2023
Q: Why should a prospective client choose to work with Classic Cottages?
A: We are a top homebuilder in the Northern Virginia region, standing out among fellow local homebuilders because of our unique organizational make-up. With all building facets housed under one roof, we have created a consistent, reliable and truly unique home building experience for our clients over the past thirteen years. Our talented, 45-person team is ready to put decades of accumulated experience to work for you!
Q: How does your organizational structure benefit your clients?
A: While other builders typically need to outsource one or more aspects of the home-building process, we believe our value to Arlington residents lies in having the team all in-house. This streamlined process allows us to deliver a cohesive and seamless building experience for our clients. And because we truly understand who our clients are, we can create designs that most effectively meet their lifestyle needs.
Not surprisingly, the relationships that we form continue well beyond the completion of a home. Our satisfied clients say that Classic Cottages is a local builder that feels more like a family.
Q: How do you keep your designs up-to-date?
A: Our fully integrated in-house team of architects, designers, sales, marketing and construction professionals consistently reinvent our beautiful models to adapt to industry trends and meet market demand. In fact, we have an extensive portfolio of over 15 model home designs, and we are extremely excited to be unveiling several new model home designs in the next few months!
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS
MAY/JUNE 2023
Classic Cottages is a top homebuilder in the Northern Virginia region, often standing out among fellow local homebuilders because of its unique organizational make-up. With all building facets housed under one roof, Classic Cottages has created a consistent, reliable and truly unique home building experience for its clients over the past 13 years.
Other builders typically need to outsource one or more aspects of the home building process. “We believe our value to Arlington residents lies in having the team all
in-house,” says Evan Muelenaer, Classic Cottages VP of Operations. “That allows us to deliver a cohesive and seamless building experience for our clients.”
Clients would say that Classic Cottages is a local builder that feels more like a family.
“We truly understand who our clients are and how our designs can most effectively meet their lifestyle needs,” adds Kim Musser, Classic Cottages VP of Design. “The relationships that we form continue well beyond the completion of a home.”
With a strong team in place and building bandwidth capable for growth, Classic Cottages is excited for what local changes in the market may bring for building opportunities in Arlington County. “We will continue to respond to what the market asks for, whether it is in residential single-family development, Backyard Cottages or something else entirely,” says Michelle Lynch, Classic Cottages Sales Manager. “At the end of the day, we are a local builder just doing what we do best—building beautiful, thoughtfully designed houses for our clients to call home.”
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - home SHOWCASE
MARCH/APRIL 2023
THE PROJECT:
Classic Cottages has a series of smaller models that serve home buyers who prefer slightly smaller floor plans than what you typically see on the market in Arlington and nearby communities. These 32’- 40’ wide homes, ranging in size from 3,500-4,500 square feet, with one or two-car garages, fit Arlington’s notorious 50’- 60’ narrow lots in popular neighborhoods throughout the area. “We’re hearing more home buyers asking for smaller homes with the preference of maintaining a decent yard space over the option of having 6+ bedrooms, 5+ bathrooms, separate dining rooms and living rooms, or even homes over 5,000 square feet,” says Michelle Lynch, sales manager at Classic Cottages. “If there is any room in their new home budget, they prefer to put their dollars toward upgrades that expand the living spaces from the inside out, with screened patios and porches being a popular must-have item on the new home checklist.”
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - KITCHEN & BATH SHOWCASE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
THE PROJECT:
In June 2022, Classic Cottages revealed its beautiful new Seabrook Model, a coastal modern home with design elements that freely transport you to the coast. With ocean blue, oyster white, sandy beige and driftwood gray tones, plus soaring 10’ -18’ ceilings, smooth marble accents, expansive windows and lofty open-concept living, this tranquil home exudes the very best of its seaside inspiration. With such a positive reception to the Seabrook Model, Classic Cottages has welcomed this plan into its Classics Collection, with another Seabrook in Addison Heights that is expected to deliver later this spring 2023.
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - ask the home experts
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
Q: How has Classic Cottages grown over the last few years?
A: Classic Cottages has been a top homebuilder within the Northern Virginia region, often standing out among fellow local homebuilders because of its unique organizational make-up. With all building facets housed under one roof, Classic Cottages has created a consistent, reliable and truly unique home building experience for its clients over the past twelve years. Since 2018, Classic Cottages has doubled its team to now employ over 40 talented team members in architecture and design, land planning, estimating, and construction. Since its inception, Classic Cottages has completed 400 transactions totaling half a billion dollars, with 50% taking place within the last four years.
Q: Is there any exciting news with Classic Cottages?
A: Classic Cottages recently launched a new website and unveiled a brand-new beautiful Design Showroom. This gorgeous showroom is now the primary design center for all clients building with Classic Cottages, but it is particularly an expansive display for their custom clients. The transformation of the design space reflects the recent company organizational segmentation establishing two successful building divisions under the acclaimed Classic Cottages umbrella. This will ideally position Classic Cottages to meet its customers’ needs, whether it be for a model home or a completely custom design. Classic Cottages leadership’s goal is to continue to grow the company while bringing high quality luxury homes into the greater DMV market.
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - BUILDERS & ARCHITECTS PROFILE
MAY/JUNE 2022
Classic Cottages president and founder David Tracy has a mantra: “We will be on time and on budget.” He takes particular pride in the fact that Classic Cottages has been able to honor fixed pricing in contracts even as material pricing surged starting in early-to-mid 2021, and they have met timelines when hitting completion dates has become increasingly challenging.
“We have certainly seen a whirlwind of change in our industry over the past two years,” says Tracy. “But we continue to assess the marketplace and adapt to circumstances outside of our control.”
For the buy, build, sell model home part of their business, Classic Cottages has adjusted by shortening the time available to prospective buyers for customization and implementing a hard stop in pre-construction. “We are already having to adjust to ever-changing product delivery timelines, product unavailability and labor shortages inside of our construction schedules,” says VP of operations Evan Muelenaer. “This additional complexity ends up filling the time previously devoted to entertaining and executing elective changes on behalf of our buyers during construction.”
Newer headwinds facing the industry are related to the unreliability of attaining permanent utilities and front-end permitting delays. Muelenaer explains that prior to middle of 2021, “maybe 5% to 10% of Classic Cottages’ jobs” had some level of disruption to the build schedule due to an inability to obtain permanent utilities.
For projects under construction or completed earlier this year, “every house is either coming down to the wire” with utilities installed just in time or “causing some level of delay near the finish line,” Muelenaer says. Classic Cottages finds it increasingly important to provide accurate guidance to buyers earlier so they can plan movers, settlement and other measures typically associated with buying or moving into a new home.
On a related issue, Arlington County rolled out new stormwater regulations in September 2021, with the goal of better managing runoff onto neighboring properties. “I think anybody who is responsibly building in the county believes the new regulations were well-intended,” says Tracy. “However, applying the intent in the short term has been challenging to accomplish.”
This has resulted in unpredictable timelines and short-term delays in the permitting durations. For years, Classic Cottages was able to receive permits to start construction approximately three to three-and-a-half months after the initial submission of the Land Disturbance Permit. Over the last two quarters, Classic Cottages has seen durations widen significantly to six months or longer.
“Everybody involved in the process—particularly county reviewers and civil engineers—is working harder, trying to interpret the new code and regulations in real time,” says Tracy. “However, it’s affecting our clients in the short term and adding to already lengthy build schedules.”
Through it all, Classic Cottages remains confident in the strength of the local single-family housing market and an eventual easing of current project lifecycle disruptions. “They aren’t making any new land here in Arlington,” notes Tracy. “We will continue to deliver high-quality homes to Arlington’s residents.”
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - home showcase
MARCH/APRIL 2022
THE PROJECT:
Just as our homes are truly unique, so is the homebuilding process for each of the families we work with. For this home (featured), we spent a while getting to know exactly what our client wanted for their dream home. They loved our Ridgeview model and wanted to use it as a starting point for their home, but there were several floor-plan changes and custom design selections that were important to them when building a home that completely suited their wants, needs and lifestyle. After spending months getting to know the vision for their home and searching for the right lot, we finally found the perfect “homesite” and construction was underway! At Classic Cottages, all aspects of building a new home are completed in-house, from drawing novel floor plans to selecting beautiful design features and finishes. Clients can even choose their home’s furnishings, giving “move-in ready” a whole new meaning.
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - ask the HOME experts
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
Q: What is one trait that helps Classic Cottages stand out from its competitors?
A: One trait that separates Classic Cottages from other custom home builders in Arlington is that we have our own in-house design department. Rather than outsourcing designers for every project, Kim Musser, vice president of design, and Kara Hannibal, project designer, are woven into the very fabric of the Classic Cottages family.
This purposeful integration helps to not only streamline the building process but allows for better communication and cohesion between all new construction disciplines. Our design department selects all design products and finishes, collaborates with preferred vendors for ordering specifications, manages all cabinetry in-house, creates 3D visuals for client presentation, and works one-on-one with clients throughout the entire build process. At the end of the design process, all of the elements come together beautifully, creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that someone else will call home.
Q: Does your design department offer additional design services?
A: Not only do we choose the permanent design elements of the home, but we also offer an add-on contract where we help clients choose which furnishings complement their home. After all, the design goal is to help turn a new house into a home. What goes into your home is just as important as the home itself. No designer knows your home better than the one who designed the entire home in the first place!
Buying from local vendors that offer high-quality, artisanal furnishings is an integral part of our furnishings program. One local shop we like to frequent with clients is J & J Oriental Rugs, located on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria (pictured).
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - builders & architects
MAY/JUNE 2021
As an outfitted custom home builder, Classic Cottages not only builds custom homes from scratch, but also works with tried-and-true floor plans that have become classic models over time. “With a semicustom approach to our model home program, we can make modifications to the home such as shifting interior walls, altering cabinetry layouts, switching out appliance packages, adjusting ceiling heights, and changing interior and exterior design features and finishes,” says Pierce Tracy, Classic Cottages’ vice president of business development. “This has become the most popular path to building with us in recent years and for good reason! While many of our clients choose to begin with a particular model in mind, they still have the flexibility to make changes to accommodate their personal lifestyle needs and design aesthetic—ultimately saving them time and money throughout the course of the build.” Classic Cottages recently released a new collection of homes that are slightly smaller than their classic models. “This collection includes brand new models that each feature 4 to 5 bedrooms and 3.5 to 5 bathrooms—all in less than 5,000 finished square feet,” adds Tracy. “These 32- to 42-foot-wide homes can fit on narrower home sites, which are in abundance in Arlington.” When a client chooses one of these new models, they will be able to choose their finishes from design packages that have been personally selected by Classic Cottages’ team of in-house designers. This allows them to completely customize the overall look of their new home to make it a truly unique, one-of-a kind masterpiece.
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - HOME SHOWCASE
MARCH/APRIL 2021
THE PROJECT:
Working with Classic Cottages is a truly unique homebuilding experience as each custom home built is tailored 100% to the home buyers wants and needs. All aspects of building a new home are completed in-house, from drawing novel floor plans to selecting beautiful design features and finishes. Clients can even choose their home's furnishings, giving "move-in ready" a whole new meaning. Having all departments under one roof allows Classic Cottages to implement an efficient building process, communicate effectively between disciplines and create an easy-to-understand building experience for its home buyers. Over the past 10 years, Classic Cottages has mastered the artful balance of incorporating timeless beauty and everyday functionality within every room of a home, illustrating its mission of bringing classic elegance to modern living. Featured are snapshots of some of Classic Cottages' favorite custom spaces from 2020. For more information on how you can build a custom home with Classic Cottages, visit www.ccottages.com.
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - KITCHEN & BATH SHOWCASE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
A new construction buyer has several paths he or she can take when it comes to building a new home with Classic Cottages. One of these "paths to ownership" is what Classic Cottages refers to as its BOYL Program (i.e. Build On Your Lot). This program allows homeowners to build a brand-new home on their existing lot. A survey of the lot is used to provide the homeowners with a feasibility study that assesses what size custom home and/or Classic Cottages model could fit on the existing lot, as well as topographical characteristics and boundaries. Classic Cottages' in-house team of sales, architecture, design and construction departments collaborate together in the production and coordination of materials that eventually become what you see here: a beautiful, one-of-a-kind home that exceeds homeowner expectations and aligns perfectly with their lifestyle. This project featured is of a BOYL home completed this past spring in Arlington. Smooth textures and high-contract tones were used throughout the home to achieve a minimalistic, modern aesthetic.
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - ASK THE HOME EXPERTS
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE -BUILDER & ARCHITECTS PROFILE
MAY/JUNE 2020
Classic Cottages is an experienced real estate, design and construction firm specializing in residential new construction in Arlington, Alexandria, McLean and the City of Falls Church. One benefit of working with Classic Cottages is that the construction, design, architecture, and sales and marketing departments are housed internally, whereas other builders typically need to outsource one or more aspects of the home-building process.
“We believe our value to Arlington residents lies in having the team all in-house,” says Evan Muelenaer, Classic Cottages VP of Construction. “That allows us to deliver a cohesive and seamless building experience for the families we work with.” Classic Cottages recently launched Backyard Cottages, a company focusing on detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs create a unique opportunity for Arlington County single-family home residents to add a flexible, separate living area, with benefits including long-term rental income or housing parents and visiting family and friends.
“The lifestyle flexibility and economics of these units are very compelling to homeowners or prospective purchasers,” says Pierce Tracy, Classic Cottages VP, Sales & Business Development. ”We expect interest to continue to rise through this year and coming years.” Clients would say that Classic Cottages is a local builder that feels more like a family. ”We truly understand who our clients are and how our designs can most effectively meet their lifestyle needs,” adds Kim Musser, Classic Cottages VP of Design. ”The relationships that we form continue well beyond the completion of a home.”
“Seeing a client’s reaction to their new home is priceless,” she continues. “Building a home for someone is personal because it’s just that: it’s their home. It’s the vessel in which they literally do life.”
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE - HOME SHOWCASE
MARCH/APRIL 2020
ARLNOW.COM - SMALL BUSINESS SHOUTOUT
APRIL 2020
Small Business Shoutout: Classic Cottages
ARLnow.com April 1, 2020 at 9:00pm
ARLNow is continuing a series of articles to highlight the local businesses that advertise with us and keep the community informed during these trying times.
Today we’re recognizing our sponsor Classic Cottages. The company, which focuses on Northern Virginia, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in June.
Ask a real estate agent to compare and contrast local homebuilders, and they’ll probably tell you that Classic Cottages stands out for its commitment to quality. And that commitment has paid off: you don’t have to go too far in Arlington to encounter a home built by Classic Cottages.
“Classic Cottages is passionate about building high quality homes that meet modern lifestyle needs,” the company says on its website. “Our fully integrated in-house team of architects, designers, sales, marketing, and construction professionals consistently reinvent our beautiful models to adapt to industry trends and meet market demand. When you build with Classic Cottages, you can be confident you will receive a quality home that will last for generations. Build well. Live well.”
If you’re considering buying a new home, or just want to take a gander at some HGTV-worthy interiors, you can see some of Classic Cottages’ recently-completed homes, home models and photo galleries on its website.
