Super ’Star

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Shorter line-up and fall décor differentiate Parade at Northstar from its predecessors

After a few years of large, expansive tours, this year’s BIA Parade of Homes is focusing on a much smaller area – and promising in-depth exploration of the houses will be well worth it.

The 2015 Parade is scheduled for Sept. 19-Oct. 4 at Northstar, a master-planned community in Sunbury, developed by Nationwide Realty Investors and the Robert Weiler Company. Houses are expected to be in the $550,000-$700,000 range.

Six builders are part of this year’s Parade:

-Coppertree Homes

-Fischer Homes

-M/I Homes, Inc.

-P&D Builders, Ltd.

-Rockford Homes

-Weaver Custom Homes, Inc.

Paring the roster down to six homes – last year’s Parade had 12 – will allow visitors to commit more time to each house.

 “If you spent 20 minutes per house (last year), which is really blowing through them, you were there for hours,” says Amy Weirick of Weirick Communications, which is providing communications services for the Parade. “There were a lot of people who said, ‘I couldn’t get through them all.’”

The BIA Foundation Home – proceeds from which go primarily to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, with a few other children’s charities benefiting as well – rotates each year among the participating builders. This year, it was built by Weaver.

Because the Parade is taking place in the fall – rather than in the summer, when it is usually held – the décor will be noticeably different, Weirick says.

“It’s going to have a gorgeous backdrop of fall color,” she says.

Also differentiating this year’s Parade from those of years past is its comparably remote location. There are very few homes already built; a number of builders are waiting to see how the Parade goes before beginning their own efforts, Weirick says.

“Because that development is so new, the homes will really stand out,” she says. “It’s not in the middle of an established development.”

Additional highlights of Parade homes include:

-Multiple ranch houses, which have not appeared in the Parade for some time;

-Impressive first-floor master suites in almost all the homes;

-High ceilings in the 8-12 foot range, but no vaulted ceilings;

-Standing and soaker tubs, rather than large corner tubs;

-Drop-and-go areas such as mud rooms; and

-Outdoor living spaces designed for relaxation and entertaining.

 “People are thinking so much more about how they’re using space and making sure every inch is utilized,” says Weirick.

Around the Area

Of the community amenities that will be available to Northstar residents, probably the most noticeable is NorthStar Golf Club. It’s been a while since the Parade was held on a golf course community, Weirick says.

The golf course opened in 2007, with the pool and tennis courts following in 2009. The course was designed by father-and-son team Jim and John Cook. The former was a PGA Tour official; the latter is an 11-time PGA Tour winner. It has hosted multiple championships, including the 2013 U.S. Amateur Qualifier, the 2015 Division III Ohio High School Boys State Golf Championship and the 2015 Ohio Public Links Championship.

NorthStar’s uniqueness begins with its size.

“We are the longest golf course in Ohio; from the back tees, it’s about 7,550 yards,” says club General Manager Bill Gallant. “It’s also the largest piece of ground for a golf course (at) about 320 acres.”

Because the course is so long, it’s popular among skilled golfers who are up for a challenge, Gallant says.

Natural elements, including wetlands and marshes, abound throughout the course. Only three holes are intended to have homes on them, which means golfers have plenty of privacy, Gallant says.

“You don’t see people on the other holes,” he says.

The course is designed to be accommodating, offering six sets of tees so plenty of people can play, he says. Though the course is open to the public, members have access to perks such as the annual divot night, during which players are invited to bring friends, family and pets and are provided with beer, soda, burgers and brats.

Beyond the golf course, another major addition to the area is projected to open next summer: Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, an outlet mall with such tenants as Brooks Brothers, American Eagle and Ralph Lauren. The community is also not far from Interstate 71, and Polaris is just a short jaunt south.

“And yet it still has this beautiful, pastoral, … out-in-the-country setting,” Weirick says.

Chef Demos

The kitchens will be of special interest to Parade patrons this year. Chefs will provide cooking demonstrations with samples in five of the six houses. In this way, kitchen visitors can get ideas for more than just design, Weirick says.

One of the organizations involved in the chef series is the Hills Market, a gourmet market with locations in Worthington and downtown Columbus.

Representatives from the Hills will be at three of the houses during 10 tour days.

Holiday entertaining will be a big part of the Hills’ demonstrations, with a focus on hors d’oeuvres, plating and impressing friends, says Hills chef Nate Farley.

“I’m also going to do a few things where I show … how you can enhance some things you can get at the Hills, like our dips that we make in-house,” Farley says.

Farley plans to work in tandem with the heads of the Hills’ meat and floral departments for interesting ingredients and floral arrangements.

Parade visitors are often receptive to ideas, Farley says, and he expects them to be a good audience. He also looks forward to seeing this year’s kitchens.

“It’ll be really nice to see what they’re working with,” he says.

BIA officials are also planning a series of “Meet the Designer” events so visitors can learn more about how the Parade’s various décor ideas came to be.

Preview Party

Of course, for those who want to try out every Parade kitchen in one fell swoop, there’s the annual preview party. This year’s is slated for 5-9 p.m. Sept. 17.

All six houses will be open for viewing, and each will feature food on a progressive menu, with beer and wine pairings, by Cameron Mitchell Catering.

“Cameron Mitchell just goes all out for this,” Weirick says.

The 2015 judges’ awards will be displayed during the party.

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Habitat for Humanity and BIA Foundation charities. Tickets cost $75 per person until Sept. 10, when they go up to $90, and can be bought at www.biaparade.com.

Eye on Products

With half as many houses to visit, patrons perusing this year's Parade of Homes will have more time to focus on individual features.

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery is providing a variety of products to the Parade home, including faucets by Moen and Delta. Ferguson touts its wide selection of products from the most recognizable brands and is often part of the Parade. Last year alone, it provided products for five homes.

Garth Bishop is managing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.