Chandler development next ‘Street of Dreams'

A south Chandler subdivision has been tapped by a national marketing firm to become the state’s next Street of Dreams.

Finisterra, a custom home development in Chandler, has been selected by the Street of Dreams, Inc. to showcase seven magnificent custom homes. The development is west of Val Vista Drive on Ocotillo Road.

The Street of Dreams is a luxury home showcase featuring a collection of fully-furnished, accessorized and landscaped custom homes on a single street in premiere developments. The public is invited to tour the homes.

“This was the easiest negotiated deal in the Street of Dreams history,” said Scott Ward. “It’s going to be huge.”

According to David Straughan, president of the company, which has produced 80 of its trademarked events throughout the U.S., an estimated 40,000 people in a six-week period will walk through the doors of the 2009 Street of Dreams, generating more than $2.5 million in local commercial activity per show home.

“It’s a Disneyland for adults,” Straughan said. “Everybody can take ideas from the homes or maybe they’ll decide they want to live in Chandler. This is a wonderful opportunity for the area.”

Straughan said the event is promoted through a local and regional advertising and public relations campaign directed specifically at women and men ages 35 to 64 in upper income groups. Visitors pay admission to tour the homes and exhibits, see the latest products, gather ideas for new or existing homes and enjoy on-site entertainment and refreshments.

Ward of Ward Real Estate and Development and Joe Hogan of Hogan and Associates, both Chandler residents, are developing Finisterra.

Seven custom homes will be designed and constructed for the Street of Dreams and will sit within a private cul-de-sac. The community has 52 lots, each a half-acre in size, with a greenbelt neighborhood park in the center and a water feature.

Ward said the Street of Dreams homes will emphasize many “green” features, such as natural materials, solar panels, glass insulated windows, “cocooning” insulation and landscaping features.

“The whole house can be taken off the Salt River Project grid at certain times of the year,” Ward said. “We’ve become very energy conscious with our homes and demonstrating how to become better green neighbors.”

Ward said the style of homes that will be shown are English Tudor, Santa Barbara, Old World Tuscan, Modern Mediterranean and Spanish Mission.

“You can go from home to home and see an entirely different theme,” Ward said.

The show generates unprecedented exposure for the host development, accelerating house and lot sales. Builders secure between three and 10 contracts for new homes from show attendees, and the show homes traditionally sell much faster than the market norm for similarly priced homes.

According to Ward, price ranges for the homes start at $1.2 million and go to $3.5 million. Square footage ranges from 4,200 to 8,600 square feet.

Street of Dreams will be held in February 2009.

For more information, visit www.streetofdreams.com or www.warddevelopment.com.