Local developer wins HOBI for High Ridge Road project
as published by The New Canaan Advertiser, 03/25/2004

Stamford based RMS Construction recently won its second HOBI (Home Building Industry) award in as many years from the Home Builders Association of Connecticut.

Recipients of the 2003 “Best Small Attached Community” award for Vine Meadows, a 10-unit development on High Ridge Road in Stamford, RMS Construction also won special recognition in 2002 for a 10,000-plus-square-foot custom home in New Canaan noted for exceptional detailing, design and execution.

New Canaan resident Randy Salvatore, president of RMS Construction, said of the 2003 winner, “Vine Meadows is unique in Fairfield County. Located adjacent to commercial shopping centers, the 10-unit residential community is encircled entirely by grass lawns and a stonewall, and features bluestone walkways and shinglestyle architectural design reminiscent of traditional New England country homes. The homes open to patioed backyards with manicured treed landscaping.”

According to the association, the judges – Connecticut builders, architects, remodelers, Realtors and material suppliers – prescreen hundreds of applications to determine the top contenders for each award and then personally visit each project, touring all the homes and communities under consideration to assess the quality of construction. This peer evaluation process includes many additional determining factors depending on the project submitted.

In evaluating Vine Meadows, the judges considered the exterior design, interior floor plans and use of space in terms of creativity and execution, building materials, curb appeal and overall value of the properties. In addition, the community was assessed for the execution and creativity of land plan, the appropriateness and quality of landscape design and the feeling of variety and neighborhood achieved.

Mr. Salvatore explained that the property, situated on a busy corner of High Ridge Road, had been the subject of a long standing debate among city, commercial and residential neighborhood interests, who argued as to its future development plans.

The debate ended with a compromise development plan, constructed by RMS Construction, consisting of a 10-townhouse development in a “green” community, featuring a transition between its commercial and residential neighbors, according to the developer.

Construction began in mid September of 2002, and ended exactly 10 months later. All 10 townhouses were sold prior to completion; many went to contract during the first phase of the building process. The selling prices of the upscale homes ranged in the mid $500,000s.

“Vine Meadows is the ideal small town community, complete with an active homeowners association that provides the ultimate neighborhood watch benefits”, Mr. Salvatore said. He said that monthly maintenance fees cover all expenses related to landscaping, garbage disposal, and snowplowing. He added that features such as the outside gas lampposts, plantings, lawn space, old-fashioned stone walls and the “spread out feeling” between each of the homes “belie its commercial setting and set a new standard in small multi-unit communities”.

RMS Construction serves both the residential and commercial sectors, including property managements, leasing and development services.