Anne Arundel County is not just a great place to live, but it’s a great place to work, too. Defense contracts grew by more than 35 percent in Anne Arundel County in 2008, according to the recently released Consolidated Federal Funds Report.
Much of the defense industry business centers on Fort Meade. The Anne Arundel County government anticipates an influx of 33,000 new jobs in the region as a result of the Defense Department’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) committee.
In addition to defense industry jobs, employment can be found in local and state governments, the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, shops and restaurants in Annapolis, and the many shopping centers found around the county.
Anne Arundel County’s current population is 514,213, with an average household income of $98,028, according to the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corp. The county’s 534 miles of coastline provide plenty of places for fishing, boating and crabbing.
The county also has a rich history. European settlers arrived in the area in 1649, and the county is named after the wife of Cecil Calvert, an Englishman who had been granted the Colony by King Charles I.
Since that time, Anne Arundel County has evolved from a rural area filled primarily with tobacco farms to a regional transportation hub along the railroad to a prime defense industry and resort area. Visitors pour into Annapolis year-round to see the marina, historic buildings and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Residential development of new homes cluster primarily in two areas of the county: Annapolis and in the area linked by Odenton, Fort Meade and the airport in Hanover.
Annapolis area
Annapolis Towne Centre, a mixed-use development with condominiums built above the retail space, will have about 2.2 million square feet, with 700,000 square feet of retail space, 150,000 square feet of office space, a 100,000-square-foot hotel and nearly 1 million square feet for residential use. This $800,000,000 project sits on a 32-acre site. Shops and restaurants have already opened in the development, with a luxury hotel anticipated to be open in the future.
Sturbridge Homes is building 150 condominium homes at GrandView at Annapolis Towne Centre, where residents can enjoy a rooftop swimming pool, hot tub and lounge; a fitness center; a social club; and concierge services in addition to the shops and restaurants of the development.
The homes have up to three bedrooms with up to three full baths and some with a half bath. Standard features include 10- and 11-foot-high ceilings; ceramic tile floors in the foyer, kitchen and baths; granite counters in the kitchen; and a luxury master bath. Many of the homes have a covered balcony. The homes have about 840 to 3,654 finished square feet, with base prices from the $400,000s to more than $1,000,000. Condominium association fees are $462 and up per month. Call 410/268-1798 or visit www.sturbridgehomes.com.
JBJ/Carlyle Park Place LP is building condominiums at the Residences at Park Place in Annapolis, a seven-story building with an outdoor swimming pool, exercise facilities, a dog park, a library, a community entertainment lounge, a home theater room and concierge services. This mixed-use development has reserved parking, shops and restaurants. The one- to three-bedroom homes have one or two baths, moldings, an electric fireplace, granite kitchen counters, high-tech wiring, ceramic tile floors in the baths and a stacked washer and dryer. Some of the homes have balconies or terraces and some have a luxury master bath with a soaking tub and separate shower. The homes have about 800 to 2,000 finished square feet with base prices from $334,900 to $847,900. Condominium association fees average $572 per month. Call 866/413-0840 or visit www.parkplace-annapolis.com.
Madison Homes Inc. is building 106 condominiums, single-family homes and town homes at Acton’s Landing in Annapolis, within walking distance of downtown Annapolis and its historic buildings, shops, restaurants, art galleries and marina. The homes overlook Acton’s Cove and Spa Creek. The community is already over 80 percent sold out, with condominiums priced from the $500,000s to $1,000,000; town homes priced from the upper $900,000s and single-family homes priced from $1,700,000. Call 410/268-0412 or visit www.madisonhomesinc.com.
K. Hovnanian Homes is building 76 single-family homes at Monticello in Annapolis, near the intersection of Routes 50 and 97. These brick- or stone-front homes have 2,466 to 3,052 finished square feet, with four bedrooms, 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 baths, and a two-car garage. Standard features include high ceilings, moldings, a gas fireplace, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, and a luxury master bath. The homes are base-priced from $484,990 to $554,990. Call 410/224-4440 or visit www.khov.com.
At Homeport, Camberley Homes is building single-family homes on waterfront sites near historic Annapolis. These five waterfront homes will be built on sites of 1 acre or larger, each with a brick or stone front, high ceilings, oak stairs, a gas fireplace, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, and a gourmet kitchen with wood cabinets, granite counters and upgraded stainless steel appliances. These homes have 4,658 to 6,935 finished square feet, with base prices from $1,595,000 to $2,195,000. Call 410/997/0690 or visit www.camberleyhomes.com.
Porten Homes is building single-family homes priced from $649,000 and up at Annapolis Ridge. Each home has a brick front, four bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. The homes have more than 3,500 finished square feet, with standard features such as granite counters in the center-island kitchen, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, high ceilings, a gas fireplace and a two-tiered, columned front porch. Call 410/573-0445 or visit www.portenhomes.com.
At Heron Cove, NVHomes is building single-family homes in a water-oriented community on the Rhode River close to Annapolis in Edgewater. The community includes a crabbing, fishing and kayaking pier. The homes, priced from the upper $450,000s to the low $520,000s, have four bedrooms with 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 baths and a two-car garage. Standard features include ceramic tile floors in the baths, crown moldings and 42-inch maple cabinets and granite counters in the kitchen. Call 410/604-1396 or visit www.nvhomes.com.
Ryan Homes is building single-family homes in the newest section of Riva Trace in Annapolis, known as Falls Grove. This established community includes tennis courts, a tot lot, a basketball court, walking trails and a crabbing pier on Gingerville Creek. The homes have up to three finished levels, up to four bedrooms and four baths, a two-car garage, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, and 42-inch kitchen cabinets. Call 410/224-7501 or visit www.ryanhomes.com.
Severn
Classic Community Corp. is building 21 single-family homes at Victoria’s Landing in Severn near Arundel Mills Mall, the airport and Fort Meade. The homes have three or four bedrooms, 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 baths, and a two-car garage. The homes have up to 2,720 finished square feet, with prices starting in the $400,000s. Call 410/859-3560 or visit www.classiccommunitycompanies.com.
In Severn, Ryan Homes is building single-family homes at Colonial Woods, priced from the upper $390,000s to the mid-$400,000s. Located just minutes from shopping areas, these homes have up to five bedrooms and up to 4 1/2 baths, with a two-car garage. Call 410/519-4372 or visit www.ryanhomes.com.
Ryan Homes is also building single-family homes at Staton Crossing in Severn, priced from the upper $420,000s to the low $470,000s. Located near Arundel Mills Mall, this community has homes on wooded homesites with up to four bedrooms, up to 4 1/2 baths and a two-car garage. Call 410/969-5749 or visit www.ryanhomes.com.
Hanover
Toll Bros. Inc. is building both town homes and single-family homes at Arundel Preserve in Hanover, a planned community with a community center, a swimming pool, tennis courts, walking trails and playgrounds. The town homes in the Enclave, base-priced from $386,975 to $426,975, have 2,119 to 2,203 finished square feet with three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a garage. The brick-front single-family homes in the Glen have four bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths with a two-car garage. These homes are base-priced from $581,995 to $615,995. Just two single-family home sites are still available. Call 443/755-9400 or visit www.tollbrothers.com.
At Stoney Run in Hanover, Ryan Homes is building two styles of condominiums, including mid-rise elevator buildings and two-level town home-style condominiums with garages. Buyers can add fireplaces and home offices to these homes, which are convenient to Arundel Mills Mall. These homes are priced from the low $210,000s to the upper $280,000s. Call 410/519-5743 or visit www.ryanhomes.com.
Ryan Homes is also building single-family homes at Heritage Crossing in Hanover, with just 15 homes to be built on wooded, half-acre sites on cul-de-sacs. Priced from the upper $430,000s to the upper $490,000s, these homes have up to 6,900 finished square feet on three levels, with up to five bedrooms and up to 4 1/2 baths. Call 410/684-3331 or visit www.ryanhomes.com.
Glen Burnie
At Tanyard Springs in Glen Burnie, Ryan Homes is building town homes priced from the $240,000s. The community is surrounded by nature conservation areas and is close to shops, restaurants and the town of Pasadena. The homes have three bedrooms, two baths and a one-car garage. Plans for the community include walking trails, picnic areas, a club, a swimming pool, a fitness center, tennis courts, soccer fields and a basketball court. Call 410/360-3874 or visit www.ryanhomes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.