Aquamarine condos ready to break ground
Avon Lake
By Lori E. Switaj

The Aqua Marine is back. Sort of.

A year and a half after Kopf Builders purchased the blighted resort, new condos are rising from the dust, "rejuvenating" the area, according to company spokespersons."Everyone in that area is excited something is happening," Sr. Vice President Barry Edelstein said. "This will equalize out the east and west ends of town." The nautical themed community has been appropriately named "Aqua Marine," and the proposed $100 million project is now underway.

"We kept the name and logo," Kearsten Kopf, director of marketing said. "We really tried to keep anything possible from the former resort but everything was in such bad shape."

Kearsten, daughter of Kopf Builders president Herman "Bucky" Kopf, said water damage and black mold was prevalent in the buildings, which had fallen under serious disarray under the ownership of the Maharashi Ayurvea.

The property of the former Aqua Marine resort, now leveled, will be home to luxury condominiums and apartments and include a nine-hole golf course, which is expected to remain open to the public. A pool and tennis courts will also be on-site, and the builders are upgrading the walking trail utilized by visitors to the original resort.

"We upgraded and improved the course over the winter," Edelstein said.

A 9,000-sq-ft. clubhouse, which will include a bar/grill, party room, pro shop, exercise room and "media room" is taking shape. Kearsten Kopf said the company is now taking reservations for the first of three building, expected to be completed in the fall of this year.

"We looking at occupancy for this year," Kopf said.

Sales and interest in the condominiums, which range in price from $155,900 to $204,900, are brisk. The condos, which range in size from 1,100-sq-ft. to 1,444-sq.-ft., each have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Building plans call for 19 units per building, and a total of 15 buildings.

"We've already had commitments on four units," Edelstein said, who added they have meetings set up with prospective buyers for the next several weeks.

The first building, closest to the clubhouse, is expected to be complete by September of this year.

Edelstein said considering the timeline, the project is moving along on schedule.

"I don't think we could have gone any faster," he said.

The Aqua Marine has become somewhat of a family project.

Bucky Kopf's son, Jason, is the project manager, and was responsible for the razing of the old resort and rebuilding of the new housing.

"It's neat," Edelstein said. "He's overseeing the whole cycle."

Jason had hoped to find something salvageable from the initial razing.

"He looked over every inch of that building," Kearsten said. "It would have been cool to find something."

In fact, in what may be an urban legend, workers diligently searched for an alleged time capsule, reportedly built into the building's walls during the resort's initial construction.

"We didn't find anything," Edelstein said. "It was supposed to be in the lodge."

Kopf Builders is also touting a 75 percent 10-year residential tax abatement that is being passed on to buyers. The rebate was an item of dispute in December of 2005. Residents, who questioned why a private developer was receiving a tax abatement on housing, circulated a petition to the abatement, approved by council in late 2005, rescinded. The group failed to garner enough signatures for a recall.

The developer said the abatement was necessary to make the project workable.

"It amounts to about $200 a month," Edelstein said. "When you think about it, that covers a utility and the ($150 monthly) maintenance fee."

The Building Industry Professionals have spoken! Kopf Builders and H.R. "Bucky" Kopf, have been voted: “Builder of the Year” and “Developer of the Year”.

Never before has any builder won these high accolades together! In addition, Legacy Pointe was voted by both the HBA and the BIA as The Best Planned Unit Development for 2004! Kopf Builders also won 8 other awards including: Best Interior Merchandising, Legacy Pointe. Best Product Design for Legacy Pointe and Waterside Crossings and Best Exterior Design for Legacy Pointe and Waterside Crossings!

The Awards were presented at The Circle of Excellence Ceremonies from both the Cleveland Homebuilders Association and the Lorain County Homebuilders Association. These prestigious awards are given in recognition of excellence in sales and marketing in the new home industry. They are presented annually to builders, developers, associates and sales people.

For over 38 Years Kopf Builders has been the leader in Northeast Ohio offering a wide variety of housing options and commercial venues. Dedicated to creating outstanding neighborhoods in Avon Lake and Westlake, H.R. “Bucky” Kopf is always a willing and generous supporter of local schools, athletic programs and community needs.

“These outstanding awards are a great compliment to myself and my dedicated employees. It is with passion and pride that we will continue to create quality lifestyles”, said Mr. Kopf.

The categories for The Circle of Excellence awards were judged by independent industry related judges from outside the area.

Kopf Builders is currently offering new homes, condominiums and detached maintenance-free living at Legacy Pointe, Waterside Crossings, and The Westwinds in Avon Lake. For more information on all Kopf communities call 440-933-6908 or 440-871-8234.

Grand Opening of Carriage Homes at Legacy Pointe!
Date: Jan 18, 2005

Now is a great time to start thinking about building a new home! This year the timing is even better with interest rates still at some of the lowest levels ever. But, as many of you know, those rates will not stay low and will most likely climb in the next few weeks. So, come today and tour one of Kopf Builder’s model homes and see which community and housing options fit your lifestyle.

At Legacy Pointe Golf Community in Avon Lake, Kopf Builders is happy to announce the Grand Opening of the Carriage Homes with two professionally decorated models. These homes are selling fast with 11 homes already sold in December alone! These maintenance free detached cluster homes feature great views and some fabulous golf course sites are now open! Call 440-930-4831.

The luxurious Legacy Pointe Townhomes are also now selling with great golf course views still available. With homes starting in the low $200s, these townhomes will sell fast! Please visit the decorated Legacy Pointe Chateaux model for more information and stay tuned for model openings in the spring. Call 440-930-0587.

Kopf Builders is also proud to announce the availability of NEW WESTWINDS cul de sac home sites. This is your last chance to build new in one of the west side’s most popular communities! Homes start in the low $300s for Walker Road sites and high $300s for the cul de sac home sites. Visit the information center on Walker Road between Lear Road and the Bay Village border for more details. Call 440-930-7762.

At Waterside Crossings, Avon Lake’s premier recreational community, Kopf Builders is offering free stainless kitchen appliance upgrades, or a free washer and dryer for a limited time. Stop in and tour the two professionally decorated models and to receive more details. Call 440-933-5613.

The Villages at Waterside Crossings are also selling phase 2 on the south side of Walker Road. These detached maintenance-free clusters are priced from the low $200s and feature new layouts with porches and increased storage space. Some great eyebrow home sites with lake views have also opened for reservations. For information on The Villages call 440-930-5579.

The always-popular Townhomes at Waterside Crossings are also quickly filling up. These townhomes offer many of the same features as the very popular townhomes at Wyndgate Club in Westlake. The townhomes are priced from the low $190s. Call 440-930-5735 for more information about The Townhomes at Waterside Crossings.

As a local builder with local ties to the community, Kopf Builders is committed to building the best quality homes and providing the best value for the homeowner. A visit to any Kopf community will confirm that commitment. For more information on any of Kopf’s communities, please contact a sales representative at 440-933-6908. Or, visit any of the professionally decorated models open daily from 11 am to 5 pm or check out www.kopf.net.