Residential developers Rance Reehl and Eric and Jaime Windham have vision, and it is a patient and far-reaching vision. Their current project is North Hills at Fairhope, a residential development in Fairhope. North Hills is situated on approximately 97 acres that the team purchased from the Corte family five years ago. The site was chosen in large part for its topography, for the hills that inspired its name, and for the secluded, protected nature of the site. Reehl, a longtime resident of Baldwin County, says, “My wife and I raised our children in the beautiful community of Fairhope, and were – and still are – more than happy with everything we found here. There are great schools, plenty of leisure activities, from swimming, fishing and sailing to excellent golf, plenty of fine dining options, and great shopping. Plus, there are so many opportunities to learn and study the history and culture of the area.” Reehl has been in the real estate business for forty years and formed Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties in 1993, thirty years ago. He has two offices in Baldwin County, in Fairhope and Daphne, with around fifty licensed realtors. Over the span of his career, he has developed over a thousand residential lots. Reehl’s enthusiasm for his home turf is surely an asset in his development ventures and the driving force behind his work.
“The lakes are attractive focal points and provide gathering spots for residents, particularly the one nearest to the entrance, which boasts a covered pavilion overlooking one of the lakes.”
His vision for the North Hills property is clear – he foresees a vibrant community of people looking for a unique setting with architecturally pleasing homes in a peaceful environment, and a solid investment. His partner Eric Windham agrees, saying “North Hills is well insulated from any encroachment by future developments, as it is located between the 80-acre Auburn University Research Center to the west, an 80-acre private estate to the east, and a wetlands buffer to the north, and a large amount of lush landscaping and green space between highway 104 and the development itself, giving it a very private feel.”
The site work and other physical improvements began around 2019 and it took more than a full year to get the infrastructure in place and the first phase of lots laid out. The first phase consists of 48 lots, and phase two has 64 lots. The developers chose to place three lakes on the property. The lakes are attractive focal points and provide gathering spots for residents, particularly the one nearest to the entrance, which boasts a covered pavilion overlooking one of the lakes. The spacious pavilion is an ideal venue for resident gatherings, with a well-equipped and well-furnished kitchenbar area, comfortable furnishings, and a panoramic view of the entire development. The developers elected to preserve many of the pine trees that covered much of the site and augmented them with native trees and shrubs that seem to have been there forever. Reehl’s son Cameron, one of the approved builders for the project, designed and built both the entrance and the pavilion.
Reehl and Windham formed a Builders Guild, a list of seven pre-approved residential contractors who have proven expertise in homebuilding and are known for the ability to deliver a high-quality interior and exterior product. Builders include Crocker Homes, Farmstead Built, Frostholm Construction, Magnolia Construction & Design, Pickering Building, Reehlco Custom Homes, and Stewart & Whatley Builders. The Builders Guild approach allows the prospective homeowner a wide range of choices while assuring the quality of the end result.
There are three levels of lots and homes in the North Hills development. There are estate lots, which have a minimum home size of 3000 square feet; Cottage lots with a 2800 square foot minimum, and Villa lots with a 2600 square foot minimum. There are overall construction standards and materials requirements, and there is an architectural review process. There is a Property Owners Association (POA) with annual dues for maintaining the common areas. “We expect that North Hills at Fairhope will continue to attract a good mix of local residents and newcomers to the area – about half and half,” says Reehl. “We believe this is beneficial to the development and to the community at large. The proximity to downtown Fairhope is a real asset, with the availability of the many dining, shopping, and cultural options it offers. “We are excited about the response to our project,” Windham states. “It is the culmination of years of planning, and it is being well received by local residents and by the out of town prospects.”
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NORTH HILLS AT FAIRHOPE Hwy 104 and Mount Pleasant Boulevard
www.northhillsatfairhope.com
RANCE REEHL
rreehl@bellsouth.net
ERIC WINDHAM
etwindham@att.net
