In 1974 there were four styles of homes designed and built at Farmington Chase. According to the “Real Estate Agent’s Sale Brochure”, the land, planning and buildings featured the “dramatic designs of the young, Boston architectural firm named Childs, Bertman, Tseckares Associates”.
The Stanley Whitman
A one-bedroom model with a loft including 1½ baths and a free-standing fireplace was featured as “always an end model”. The initial price range was $39,900-$40,900.
The Elijah Peck
Featured as a two-bedroom model including 1½ baths, it was sometimes available with a full size basement. The initial price range was $36,990 - $41,900.
The Thankful Arnold
This two-bedroom model was noted as “especially wide” with 2½ baths and a studio area off the living room, and sometimes available with a full size basement. The initial price range was $40,074-$45,000.
The Oliver Ellsworth
Featured as a three-bedroom model with 2 full baths upstairs, ½ bath downstairs, and a studio room located next to the living room. Cathedral ceilings were also a selling feature. The initial price range was $46,950-$49,900.
Each model included carports/garages, private yards, patios, step-down living rooms, fireplaces, and separate dining rooms. Greenhouse windows were featured in all models. Kitchen appliances were part of the standard package. Entrance halls were considered a highlighted feature. Sound insulation, natural gas forced-air heating and central air conditioning was provided in each home and the concept of a 2nd floor laundry room was introduced.
As you might expect, this was the 70’s -- and the featured colors for appliances were Ice White, Golden Harvest, and the ever popular Avocado Green! Choices for kitchen counter tops included Sunflower Yellow and Pumpkin Orange, among other choices. Ripe Orange and Golden Treasure were among the nine color choices for carpet colors.
Marketing language in the agent’s Sale Brochure referred to the “Concepts reflected in Farmington Chase …… At Farmington Chase you own your own land -- the cluster home concept has been married to the land, to afford complete privacy. Each home has its own private garage, enclosed patio, garden entry, and each enjoys a back yard which extends forty wooded feet beyond the sliding glass wall of the sunken living room.”
Well, prices (and colors!) have certainly changed over the years, but what remains is the concept of seven separate villages buffered by natural areas left untouched between each village (we now call them clusters). As the marketing material boasted, Farmington Chase remains self-contained with no more than 148 homes.
The addition of the 10 estate homes was welcomed in 1978-1979. The carefully planned recreational facilities continue to be just the “right size” for our community. Our active community has some dedicated folks who garden avidly, both in common areas and in private yards, adding to the beauty of the whole community. Our amenities are excellent and are often an example of a community that offers more than most. An active and dedicated board of directors meets once a month and we are managed by a well known local property management company.
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