Ellington, CT Real Estate: Stunning in every season Autumn Chase

June 01, 2012|By TONY BACEWICZ

If customer word of mouth is still the best sales tool, the new one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments at Autumn Chase in Ellington may not be vacant for long based on conversations with several long-term tenants. Carl Larson moved from a home in Hebron to his two-bedroom apartment at Autumn Chase 10 years ago where he continues to enjoy his retirement.

Autumn Chase was his first stop while on his apartment hunt and he continued comparison shopping in Vernon and Manchester. He returned to Autumn Chase when he could not find anything as attractive. "I really liked the layout of the facility here, and as I looked at other apartments, I liked it more and more," says Larson.

Autumn Chase apartment buildings are set back a comfortable distance from West Road in Ellington and are buffered by an expansive green space that includes a pond with a fountain and a small wetland lined with cattails. The complex includes several more ponds, a well-landscaped cascading waterfall and a hiking trail more than a mile long. The main access road winds its way up the terraced hillside where each apartment building is nestled within the rising greenery on 70 acres offering views of the rolling farmland, woods and hills in the distance.

"I like the grounds very much. They do a great job of maintenance and the apartments are set up so you're not looking directly into somebody else's apartment," says Larson.

Larson also likes to take advantage of the roomy, well-equipped fitness center that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. His routine includes working out on the treadmills and lifting weights. The fitness center is so convenient, "I use it all the time," he says.

Michele Cooney joined her husband John at Autumn Chase when they married eight years ago. They now live in a two-bedroom apartment with an expansive view of the countryside. Their two-year-old daughter Carlie enjoys taking walks with mom and dad on the hiking trail and watching fish in the ponds.

Michele likes the convenience of easy access to shopping in Vernon and Manchester, and gives the Autumn Chase management high marks for periodic upgrades to the apartments and rapid response on maintenance issues. When they were ready to move from a smaller unit two years ago, Autumn Chase management offered to update their larger apartment with upgraded flooring, lighting fixtures and a number of other items before they moved in. According to Michele, "They look at things and theyÕre constantly upgrading." After a recent comment to management about their aging washing machine, Michele says, "They just gave us a new one.Ó She adds, "They always give us a quick response. They're very thorough." Michele also cites the friendly neighbors, attention to security and plenty of room to play family games on the expansive grounds as reasons why she and her husband have no desire to move from Autumn Chase anytime soon. "It's very quiet. People are respectful of each other. We always feel comfortable and safe here." All 80 newly constructed apartments at Autumn Chase are designed for single-floor living and include one- or two-car garages. There are six different floor plans to choose from, three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom designs. All units come with air conditioning, natural gas heat and a fully applianced kitchen with granite countertops in both the kitchen and bath.

The 1,353-square-foot, two-bedroom "Westport" design was chosen as Autumn Chase's model apartment. An open floor plan connects the 19-foot by 18-foot living room with the kitchen and dining area to create a spacious great room for family activities and entertaining. The marble-trimmed gas fireplace in the living room is within easy view of the kitchen and dining area where a granite-topped island with built-in sink and dishwasher provides an optimal area for food service or informal meals. A pantry offers plenty of space for storage and amenities include a set of Whirlpool appliances with a black finish and oak cabinets with a natural finish. Warm-toned wood laminate flooring covers the main living area and plush carpeting adds a cozy feel to the bedrooms and connecting hall space.

Every apartment includes ceiling fans in the living and bedroom areas and windows are tilt-in style insulated glass. Two full baths with tub and shower enclosures are included in the Westport model as are walk-in closets in both bedrooms. Nine-foot ceilings are standard in all rooms except for three second-floor models where cathedral or tray ceilings are found in the main living area.