Having evolved from a small builder based in Toms River, New Jersey into a community-building powerhouse on a national scale, K. Hovnanian Homes is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. As of 2019, this renowned builder is represented at more than 80 active adult communities throughout the United States, attracting buyers by placing an emphasis on innovative designs, engaging amenities, and impressive execution.
Not content to rest on their laurels, K. Hovnanian Homes continues to push forward, expanding throughout the country. After building nearly 6,000 homes in 2018, the company is on track for a similarly successful year in 2019. Their recipe for success has been simple: Give homebuyers what they want at a fair price. In this piece, we’ll take a closer at what makes K. Hovnanian so popular with 55+ homebuyers.
History
The story of K. Hovnanian mirrors that of the classic American success story. In 1959, Kevork Hovnanian, a newly arrived Armenian immigrant set out to make his mark in the construction business. The company started modestly, with Kevork and his three brothers operating out of a trailer in Toms River, New Jersey that could be charitably described as “quirky”. They built affordable homes with young families in mind, reasonable in price but high in quality.
Hard work and determination were key to building the company. It’s said that elder Hovnanian cleared brush in the first 20-home subdivision himself, all while wearing his trademark three-piece suit. A resolute commitment to quality was essential as well, and it’s the reason the Hovnanian name is used on all of their communities to date—when one puts their name on something, they put their reputation on it as well.
While maintaining a diverse portfolio of offerings, K. Hovnanian is perhaps best known for the Four Seasons brand of active adult communities. These communities have earned a reputation as well-designed and thoughtfully executed neighborhoods. They can be found in a number of states that are home to some of the most attractive active adult communities in the country.
Amenities
One of the main draws of an active adult community is the amenities on offer to its residents. Owing to the low-maintenance features of the homes in these communities, residents have high expectations for the quality and variety of amenities in their community. K. Hovnanian is far from being a slouch in this department, to put it mildly.
Most K. Hovnanian communities have an expansive clubhouse that serves as a community center and gathering place for social amenities. Many of these clubhouses boast five-digit square footages and resort-like amenities ranging from the expected, like fitness centers and pools, to the more exotic, like salons and movie theaters. Outdoors, you can expect manicured grounds and beautiful views, making it easy to spend plenty of time outside.
Lifestyle
All of the amenities aren’t worth much without the lifestyle to compliment them. You can expect an active social scene with a calendar filled with events and gatherings. Card games, mahjong, and interest clubs with regular gathering times are found in most communities, perfect for low-key socializing and getting to meet the neighbors. However, you shouldn’t be under the impression that lifestyle options end there. How about line-dancing, theater clubs, or fitness classes? A few of the communities even have on-site lifestyle directors who will help you make the most of the offerings available to residents.
With more than 80 communities scattered across multiple states, you won’t be suffering for choices even within a certain region of the country. Here, we’ll get into some of the details and break down what K. Hovnanian’s specific communities have to offer.
New Jersey
Owing to its start in New Jersey, it should come as no surprise that many of K. Hovnanian’s communities call The Garden State home. With nearly 30 Four Seasons-branded communities, ranging in size from a cozy 46 homes to more than 1,300, homebuyers are sure to find a community that not only meets their needs, but also provides a fun and relaxing neighborhood to call home.
Four Seasons at Lakewood is the largest of the K. Hovnanian communities and, as such, has an impressive lineup of amenities to lure buyers and keep residents entertained. In addition to a fully equipped modern clubhouse, this community boasts its own 9-hole golf course which makes it easy to keep up on your game without going too far from home. The community is conveniently located in Ocean County with easy access to the Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City is just an hour away.
Four Seasons at Monroe is one of K. Hovnanian’s newer communities, offering single-family homes with a huge variety of customizable options. At 149 homes, this is an ideal community for a homebuyer who prefers a smaller, neighborhood feel when looking for an active adult community. A planned clubhouse with plenty of space for community gatherings will anchor the community. Outdoors homebuyers can expect a pool, a sunny outdoor seating area, and tennis courts, among other amenities.
California
Four Seasons at Hemet is a 1,106-home 55+ community in the heart of Southern California with a stunning view of the San Jacinto Mountains. The Lodge, the community’s impressive 14,859-square-foot clubhouse, boasts remarkable resort-like amenities including a state-of-the-art fitness center, a movie theater, loads of meeting spaces, and its own bistro. Four Seasons at Hemet also sits on the Hemet Golf Club. This Schmidt-Curley designed course boasts a challenging design that’s exciting for golfers of all skill levels and also features a driving range and pro-shop.
Also located in the Inland Empire, Four Seasons at Beaumont opened in 2005 and is continuing to expand. Homebuyers are no doubt drawn by the two clubhouses, expansive outdoor sports complex, and spa with full-service salon. Located in the San Gorgonio Pass area of Riverside County, the community offers easy access to Palm Springs to the southeast and the coast to the west. While conveniently close to Palm Springs, its higher elevation means a more moderate year-round temperature, perfect for those who love the area but don’t enjoy the heat of lower-lying areas.
Arizona
Hovnanian has been in the business too long to ignore the retirement destination that is Arizona. Four Season at The Manor began construction in 2015 and now offers homebuyers a modern, southwestern style. The 140-home community is located in Sun City, and as such, residents have access to the truly mindboggling array of amenities. By the numbers, you can expect eight amenity centers, 11 golf courses (public and private), 19 shopping areas, and more sports courts (tennis, bocce, shuffleboard) than you can shake a stick at. This community is a must-see for those who want it all in a well-developed and expansive active adult setting.
South Carolina
The southeast coastal region of the United States is one of the hottest areas of the country and that goes doubly for 55+ communities. Its charming southern cities and lovely climate have made it very much the “it” region of the moment. Four Seasons at The Lakes of Cane Bay broke ground in 2015 and construction is ongoing, offering active adult homebuyers the opportunity to customize their new home. In addition to its superb Charleston area location, Four Seasons at The Lakes of Cane Bay offers the sort of amenities buyers expect from K. Hovnanian, including a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, beautifully manicured grounds, and a boating and fishing lake.
Closer to the Fort Mill-Charlotte Area, Four Seasons at Gold Hill is one worth looking at if being near, but not too close to, a major metro area is on your list of wants. In addition to having easy access to the big city, residents also enjoy being just minutes away from Lake Wylie. This famed vacation and recreation area boasts 325 miles of shoreline, perfect for recreational boaters and anglers. Closer to home, homeowners enjoy a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse with plenty of outdoor space and a gazebo, perfect for BBQs with the neighbors.
Florida
Rounding out our selection of K. Hovnanian communities, we head to Florida, long a standard-bearer in the world of 55+ real estate. Four Seasons at Orlando couldn’t be in a better location. Major theme parks, including Walt Disney’s World’s Magic Kingdom, are less than 10 minutes from the entrance of this gleaming new community. Nestled among the palm trees is a 14,000-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, a resort-style outdoor pool, and even a dog park, ensuring residents’ four-legged friends aren’t let out of the excitement. As of this writing, 11 floor plans are currently available with features and price-points designed to attract discerning buyers of all stripes.
Further south in Broward County, we find Four Seasons at Parkland just minutes away from the ocean breezes of Boca Raton. K. Hovnanian is really going all-out on the amenities in this community with a huge 25,000-square-foot amenity center housing a state-of-the-art fitness center, virtual golf, a tennis pro-shop, and a grand ballroom. If it seems imposing, don’t worry, an on-site activities director is there to help you make the most of your experience or just help you find your way around. 18 floor plans are available, ranging from a tidy 1,965 square feet up to a luxurious 3,615 square feet. Construction began in 2015, and homes have been selling briskly due to this community’s excellent location and truly remarkable amenities.
A Premier Builder
This selection represents just a tiny portion of the communities that have come to define K. Hovnanian as one of the nation’s premier builders of active adult communities. While their emphasis on resort-like amenities is as laudable as it is impressive, their reputation for quality construction and design have helped them rise above competitors and cement their position as one of the most respected builders in the business.
