A development the developer chooses for himself
By Avis Gunther-Rosenberg

JAMESTOWN -- What does a developer look for when he plans the neighborhood that he will call home? For Jeremy Sherer, president of Bluestone Inc., the answer is a combination of hushed seclusion and neighborly warmth, old-time charm and walk-to-town convenience. Sherer says he wanted a "private compound" with "a turn-of-the-century cottage-style feel" that is close to the center of town. His quest led him to a 10-acre meadow in Jamestown that he named Highland Meadow. Sherer received final approval to build on Highland Meadow in the late fall of 1999 and broke ground for the first house early last year. The project will have nine houses ranging in size from 2,500 to 4,000 square feet. Lots will be 1/4 to 1/2 acre. Sherer's house is almost finished, and he's scheduled to move in later this month, becoming the fourth resident of the quaint neighborhood. "I live in Edgewood right now," Sherer says. "I'm moving here for the peace and quiet. I want a quieter lifestyle for my children. I want them to be able to walk to the corner deli or ride their bikes to school." Several months ago, Sherer was putting final touches on a 2,600-square-foot shingled house that sold to a young family from New Mexico. The house has a farmhouse kitchen, formal dining room, sunken living room with stone fireplace and plenty of windows, a second-floor master suite, two additional bedrooms, an unfinished basement and an attached two-car garage. On a sweaty-hot day, Sherer crouched down and drew in the construction dust that covered the floor. Using the tip of his finger, he sketched out the development's footprint: "Here, we'll create a buffer of permanent open space," Sherer says. "You come in off Hamilton Avenue, and there's 400 feet to the first house line. The semi-circular lane dead-ends in a cul de sac." A stone wall surrounds the development.

Near schools
Highland Meadow is about a mile from the Jamestown schools and athletic fields, and is close to Mackerel Cove beach. It is a 10-minute walk from the center of town. Don and Amy Joyce were the first people to move in. He is a physician and she is a nurse. The couple have a new baby. Before Highland Meadow, they were renting in Jamestown. They watched the first house going up and were impressed by the design and quality of construction as well as "Jeremy's vision for development and attention to detail," Dr. Joyce says. "We talked to references who spoke highly of him." The Joyces have been satisfied with their home. "The house held up last winter through lots of storms," Dr. Joyce says. "There were a couple of small, minor things. Jeremy has been really prompt about responding. I'm looking forward to having him as a neighbor." Betty Ann Taylor was the second person to move in. She closed on her house April 27. Taylor had been living in a house several blocks away, on four acres of waterfront property, and wanted something smaller but still in the community. "I just love it -- the architecture, the style, the feel of it," Taylor says. "There is very little to maintain. At this stage in my life, I didn't need a big piece of property." Taylor can walk to McQuade's grocery store, the florist, several restaurants and the doctor's office. In addition to the location and design, Taylor loves her neighbors, especially the Joyces. "In my old neighborhood, I could have yelled and screamed to my heart's content, and no one would have known," Taylor says. "The Joyces gave me their phone number, and told me to call them any time." The next house is scheduled to be finished in the spring. It will have 3,500 square feet of living area and list at $735,000. The asking price on the remaining houses, yet to be built, will be $650,000 to $750,000. Sharon Steele of The Sharon Steele Group, Providence, is marketing the properties.

Published 12/9/2001

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