Members of the community celebrated a ground breaking at 86 Transylvania Rd., Southbury, where Tom Pellicano of Grandview Homes, LLC, plans to create a ranch-style house that fits the lifestyle and preference of many modern families and the baby-boomers looking to downsize. They are Architect Steven Odams, Project Manager Tom Pelletier, Mr. Pellicano and his wife, Anne; Cathy Dalton, membership director of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce; and Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson. (Zukauskas photo)
by Linda Zukauskas
Published:
Wednesday, May 14, 2014 7:08 AM EDT
SOUTHBURY — Members of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce joined Tom Pellicano, owner of Grandview Homes, LLC, at to break ground for a home at 86 Transylvania Rd., which will offer something unique in the real estate market.Mr. Pellicano told Voices, “I’m not just building a home, I’m meeting the needs of the community with a single story solution.”
Referring to retirees, empty nesters or young families starting out, he said that homebuyers looking for a house on one level have had only three choices up to now.
“They can buy a condo or live in an age-restricted community, where they may want to do something as simple as garden, but find that the rules prevent this.”
He added, “Or, they could buy a 1960′s ranch and renovate, but that’s a lot of work.” And you still have a 1960′s ranch.
Mr. Pellicano worked with Architect Steven Odams of Newtown to create the design, noting, “He shared my vision for this project. He listened to what I was describing and enhanced my ideas.”
The layout of the home he will build at 86 Transylvaniia Rd. will offer cooking, dining and eating areas in one large, open space with nine-foot ceilings.
“It will have an airy feel and all the amenities of a 4,000-square-foot home but, because we’re using every square inch efficiently, the living space is 2,400 square feet.”
There will be an unfinished 600-square-foot bonus room on the second floor.
Mr. Odams explained that formal dining and living rooms are not part of a lifestyle for many of today’s families.
“This layout takes up a modest amount of space yet feels grand. The master bedroom is something you’d expect to see in a much larger house, with his and hers closets and a large, private bathroom.”
He went on to say that people are considering the future and their physical needs.
“If someone moves into a home when they’re 40 and stays for 25 years, they have to think about things like stairs and if they want to climb those when they’re 65.”
Calling on his extensive background in constructing and renovating homes, Mr. Pellicano said he would add features that home buyers don’t expect to find in a new home unless it is custom built. “There will be crown molding and hardwood floors.”
He described, “New homes are a product and the renovation side of my business is a service. I want to bring the product and service aspects together in this project.
“The trades I use are the same guys I’ve used for years. We’re a family. I trust them and want the homeowner to trust us because I want this venture to be a win-win for everyone involved.”
The home is currently listed for sale with Justin Bette of Joseph Bette Realtors, Southbury.
Mr. Pellicano would be happy for the new owner to be part of the construction process and make choices that will turn the house into a home.
At the groundbreaking, members of the chamber joined First Selectman Ed Edelson and a representative from Thomaston Savings Bank to show support for the project.
Dot Dorso, a real estate professional with Weichert Realtors and member of the Leads Group 2 at the chamber, supports Mr. Pellicano’s undertaking.
“There is a great need in the market for a new ranch,” she said.
Mr. Pellicano said, “The chamber sees this as creating something people have been asking to have built. This project is different, functional and attractive on a beautiful piece of property.”
Unlike a ranch built a half century ago, this home will meet all current codes and uses the latest in energy-efficient techniques.
It will be heated by propane.
“This house will even meet the new wind shear requirements that were put into effect just this year,” Mr. Pellicano said. “I like to build a premium quality home and this one is starting out with all the advantages.”
More information is available by contacting Mr. Pellicano at 203-228-4459 FREE or tom@grandviewhomesllc.com or by visiting www.grandviewhomesllc.com.
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