Industry-leading homebuilder PulteGroup announced the next chapter in Del Webb, one of the nation’s most iconic 55+ community developers. The new community concept, Del Webb Explore, removes all age restrictions and sets a new precedent for lifestyle-focused communities.
Del Webb is known for revolutionizing the 55+ community market by building Sun City in 1960, a massive 55+ community in Arizona that provides a resort lifestyle for its residents. With expansive amenities, engaging lifestyle activities, and low-maintenance homes crafted to accommodate the 55+ lifestyle, Del Webb’s formula soon became the gold standard for age-restricted living. Trusted homebuilder PulteGroup acquired Del Webb in 2001, combining their expertise to craft premier 55+ communities across North America.
Now, Del Webb seeks to revolutionize the lifestyle community market again with Del Webb Explore. This comprehensive guide explains what Del Webb Explore is and what this new venture means for 55+ homebuyers.
What Is “Del Webb Explore?”
Del Webb Explore is a new concept by PulteGroup that will offer its iconic resort-style communities without any age restrictions. This venture will allow a wider demographic of homebuyers to experience the distinctive Del Webb lifestyle.
Before now, Del Webb communities have been exclusive to 55+ active adults. The landmark developments across the country cater to the unique needs and preferences of active adults. With expansive amenities, low-maintenance lifestyle options, and cutting-edge homes designed for first-floor living, Del Webb communities have set the standard of the ideal active adult lifestyle. While pros and cons exist for living in a Del Webb community, the communities are easily one of the most popular brands for age-restricted living in the country.
Gen X Homebuyers
PulteGroup hopes to target a broader range of age groups with Del Webb Explore, specifically Gen X homebuyers between 45 and 60. The developer identified Gen X as a generation approaching their peak earning years and searching for a more vibrant, active lifestyle closer to home. Members of this energetic generation will soon be able to experience the benefits of a Del Webb community without needing to wait until they turn 55.
Though PulteGroup hopes to attract Gen X, adults of any age can live in a Del Webb Explore community. Homebuyers within generations younger than Gen X also seek convenient amenities close to home and social connections with their neighbors, a demand Del Webb Explore hopes to fulfill with this new enterprise.
Resort-Style Living for All Ages
Del Webb Explore is open to homebuyers of all ages, which means 55+ adults are certainly not excluded. In fact, many active adults may even prefer to live among homeowners of all ages while still enjoying the benefits of a Del Webb community. Del Webb Explore provides that option to 55+ homebuyers along with a fresh take on their signature resort lifestyle.
Key Features and Innovations
Del Webb Explore will use what makes existing Del Webb communities successful while introducing several new features and innovations. With cutting-edge amenity centers and modern home designs focused on comfort for all ages, Del Webb Explore aims to push the envelope of what’s possible in a lifestyle-based community.
Home Features
The homes featured in Del Webb Explore communities accommodate a wide range of ages, lifestyles, and needs. With an abundance of flexible space for dynamic everyday living, the personalizable floor plans include ample indoor and outdoor spaces for entertaining friends and family. Homebuyers can expect open-concept floor plans with gourmet kitchens, spacious living rooms, and owner’s suites with walk-in closets. The fine touches include features like widened hallways, zero-entry showers, smart home technology, and generous storage areas.
Amenities for All Ages
Amenities play a central role in the resort lifestyle of the Del Webb brand. In clubhouses, residents can expect amenities such as fitness centers filled with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, movement studios that host intensive fitness classes, and spacious gathering halls ideal for frequent events. The clubhouses will also feature amenities for modern tastes, including arcades, indoor and outdoor bars and grills, and high-tech golf simulators.
Outside amenities focus on relaxation, adventure, and connecting with nature. Residents of Del Web Explore communities can expect fresh takes on Del Webb staples like spacious lagoon-style pools with lap lanes, lazy rivers, and spas. The communities will include playgrounds and expansive dog parks outfitted with agility equipment. Some Del Webb Explore locations will also include extensive walking trail systems through wooded natural areas.
A Full Social Calendar
Supporting a vibrant social environment lies at the heart of communities under the Del Webb Explore brand. Full-time lifestyle directors will keep event calendars full of energizing fitness classes, inventive social activities, and engaging performances. Homeowners spanning multiple generations can gather for yoga on the event lawn, meet new friends at wine tastings, or hit the courts for impromptu pickleball tournaments.
How It Differs From Other Del Webb Communities
Since Del Webb communities with age requirements cater to those 55+, Del Webb Explore aims to modernize its tried-and-true formula to accommodate homeowners of all ages. Many key features of Del Webb communities will remain, but the new brand varies slightly from previous 55+ iterations.
Age Restrictions
The most significant difference is the absence of any age restrictions. Since homes in the new brand are open to all generations, especially Gen X, Del Webb Explore communities will include a diverse range of residents spanning multiple generations.
Existing Del Webb communities with age restrictions focus on providing a worry-free, low-maintenance environment for 55+ adults and retirees. Del Webb Explore communities will still maintain the resort lifestyle the builder is known for, but with an added emphasis on blending adventure and relaxation for homeowners who are still in the workforce.
Amenities
Additional differences can be found in the amenities offered. Del Webb Explore will feature modern amenities geared towards younger generations, like arcades and lazy rivers. Of course, all generations enjoy staple Del Webb amenities like resort-style pools, extensive walking trails, and clubhouses full of multipurpose gathering spaces.
Lifestyle
The lifestyle calendars of Del Webb Explore communities will differ from 55+ Del Webb communities. Future residents can expect events like high-octane fitness classes, golf tournaments, and social events that bring together homeowners of all ages.
Home Design
Traditional Del Webb homes for 55+ residents focus on first-floor living, accessible storage, and options for downsizing. Del Webb Explore homes share the same quality of construction while also including features for multi-generational living. The flexible floor plans in Del Webb Explore communities include features such as implemented smart home technology, widened hallways and living areas, second-story bedrooms, and ample space for indoor and outdoor entertaining.
What This Means for 55+ Homebuyers
Del Webb Explore opens up new possibilities for active adults searching for a quality home in a lifestyle-focused community. Though this brand is open to all ages, 55+ homebuyers will find that these communities still cater to active adults.
A large portion of 55+ homebuyers may prefer the all-ages approach to Del Webb Explore over the developer’s established communities. The results of market research conducted by PulteHomes concluded that 40% of those interested in buying a home in a Del Webb community would favor one with the builder’s iconic resort-like benefits but without age restrictions. The homebuyers in this research detailed several reasons for their choice:
- Resident Age Variation: While many active adults would rather live in a 55+ community where all of their neighbors are of a similar age and share the same lifestyle, some homebuyers may prefer to live around people of all ages. Age diversity can brighten the overall energy of a community and create connections in unexpected ways.
- Adult Children and Grandchildren: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1 in 3 adults between 18 and 34 live at home with their parents. This is a contributing factor to why a 55+ homebuyer may want to live in a community without age restrictions. However, it still might be possible for an adult child to live with their parents in an age-restricted community, depending on specific legal frameworks for 55+ communities.
- Too Young: A common reason an active adult may choose a non-age-restricted community is that they have not yet reached the minimum required age, typically 55. A homebuyer who is 50 would not be eligible to experience the resort lifestyle that a Del Webb community offers. With Del Webb Explore, any homebuyer can see what 55+ homeowners have been enjoying for decades.
Start Living a Resort-Style Lifestyle Today!
By removing age restrictions, Del Webb Explore broadens the possibilities of lifestyle-focused communities across the nation. Age is no longer a limiting factor for homeowners looking for thoughtfully crafted homes and modern resort-style amenities. Also, Del Webb Explore communities offer active adults an alternative to age-restricted communities without sacrificing the iconic Del Webb lifestyle.
Ready to find your dream home in an active lifestyle community? Contact 55places today to start your home search with the help of real estate experts. Utilizing powerful market data and insider information, we can provide support throughout your entire homebuying journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Del Webb Explore
1. What is Del Webb Explore?
Del Webb Explore is a new community concept by PulteGroup that offers the signature Del Webb lifestyle, complete with resort-style amenities and modern homes, without any age restrictions.
2. Who can live in a Del Webb Explore community?
Anyone can live in a Del Webb Explore community, regardless of age. While many Del Webb communities are traditionally 55+, Explore opens the door to younger generations as well.
3. How is Del Webb Explore different from traditional Del Webb communities?
The main difference is the absence of age restrictions. Explore communities are designed for multi-generational living, while still providing the high-quality homes, amenities, and lifestyle programming Del Webb is known for.
4. What types of homes are available in Del Webb Explore?
Homes will feature open-concept layouts, gourmet kitchens, spacious living rooms, smart home technology, widened hallways, zero-entry showers, and flexible spaces for multi-generational living and entertaining.
5. What kinds of amenities will these communities include?
Residents can expect modern amenities like lagoon-style pools, lazy rivers, golf simulators, fitness centers, arcades, dog parks, and expansive trail systems, along with Del Webb favorites such as clubhouses and social spaces.
- Insights and market stats
- Instant new home alerts
- Answers from local 55+ experts
