New exclusive Johnston neighborhood requires country club membership to buy luxury $1.5M+ homes
An exclusive development of luxury custom homes next to Hyperion Field Club in Johnston is being touted by its developers as the first of its kind in central Iowa.
There are other developments of expensive homes near golf courses in the metro, such as the gated Glen Oaks community in West Des Moines. But Stephanie Denton, co-owner of Denton Homes and Carmel Developments, said the Carmel Hyperion neighborhood will be unique because membership to the golf club next door will be a requirement to own a home in the new cul-de-sac.
"The exclusivity of Carmel Hyperion is what really makes it stand apart," said Denton, who owns the companies with her husband, Scott Denton. "There are only 27 lots and when they're gone no more will be built."
Evan Summa, Hyperion's general manager, said the club in 1991 acquired the 30 acres of wooded property. Its board looked for ways to develop the land, but years of attempts to sell it went by.
That changed about two years ago when Hyperion decided to develop the land into a members-only housing community. The club sold the land July 25 to Carmel Hyperion SS Development LLC for $1.5 million. Carmel Hyperion on the same day took out a $10 million mortgage with Twin Cedars Bank.
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The plans call for 27 homes to be built on the east side of the driving range at 7390 N.W. Beaver Drive in Johnston, across from the entrance to the club, according to a news release. A new road will lead to the entrance to the neighborhood.
Construction on the road is expected to begin this fall.
Denton Homes and Carmel Developments will be the exclusive developers, designers and builders of the neighborhood, and there will be a homeowners association that sets some guidelines for homes.
But Stephanie Denton said there will be a lot of freedom for custom design, from "style and size to the infrastructure, along with preserving the architectural elements while staying within client budget expectations."
Lots will range between half an acre to almost 2 acres. The price for homes, including the lot, will start at $1.5 million, Denton said. Paths will connect the homes to the golf course.
Summa said he sees the development as something that could attract new members to the golf club as well as reward existing members who are looking to build a home.
"The exclusivity of the deal is something I'm really stressing," he said.
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Non-members can buy lots and become a member during that process, and current members won't get any first pick, Summa said.
The costs of the club's membership options are not posted on its website. Its regular golf membership is available to people aged 40 and older and provides access to all club amenities, which include a heated pool, lighted tennis and pickleball courts, tennis instruction, a cardio and strength training fitness center, fitness classes, and dining options.
The club will earn money from the initial sale of each lot in Carmel Hyperion, as well as in the future when the first owners sell their homes to any new buyers, Summa said.
The project has been celebrated by Johnston mayor Paula Dierenfeld.
“We appreciate the collaborative efforts of Denton Homes and Carmel Developments, Hyperion, city leaders and residents over the past year to design this truly unique development," Dierenfeld said in a news release. "It will be exciting to watch as Carmel Hyperion comes together to offer an exceptional living experience here in Johnston.”
The city did not offer any financial incentives for the development, said city spokesperson Janet Wilwerding.
More information is available at dentonhomesiowa.com.
Phillip Sitter covers suburban growth and development for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hyperion Field Club membership required to buy $1.5M+ home in Johnston
