The fall equinox is a date that traditionally marks the beginning of darker evenings as sunset creeps earlier into the day. At Serenbe, we observed this change of season with an illumination event designed to introduce members of the media to the artists that are enlightening life in our community. The evening culminated with the lighting of our one-of-a-kind streetlamps and unveiling of the design for the Serenbe Center for Arts & Culture.

Nancie Merrill and Merrill Elam chat at the illumination event

Two members of the creative team that we featured in our April newsletter, Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects and landscape architecture firm Reed/Hilderbrand, have collaborated to design a building and grounds whose beauty will inspire creativity. The Serenbe Center for Arts & Culture will be a dramatic, contemporary-styled building that contributes to Serenbe’s architectural diversity.

Charged with creating a compelling arts program that will enrich the lives of residents and visitors is the Tomlinson Graham Group. The Tomlinson Graham Group has extensive experience in arts programming for a variety of clients including the Seaside Institute, Rialto Square Theater in Chicago and the new Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert hall. Tom Tomlinson and John Graham, principals, are leading the effort to bring the arts to life at the Serenbe Center for Arts & Culture, scheduled to open in 2006. The center is slated to have a destination restaurant, art studio, media center, dance/movement room and an artists’ residence as well as retail shops and office space. Future phases include an art school with studios, gallery, clay studio and kiln, additional retail and office space, a bakery, a wellness center and artists’ lofts.

The Serenbe Center for Arts & Culture is slated to open in Winter 2006/2007

As work progresses on the arts center, we are also making way for more residents to join us at Serenbe. The second phase of homes has just been released for sale and interest has already been extremely high. The release of these homes is a turning point for Serenbe, quite literally, as we round the curve in Selborne Lane and make the next portion of our vision a reality. Twelve cottages and eight estate lots are currently available, and four townhouses will soon be released as well. These homes will have the same charm and quality craftsmanship of Serenbe’s first homes, providing residents with a quality of life that is unmatched.

Phase I nears completion

Serenbe and its distinctive quality of life have been attracting quite a bit of news coverage lately. The most recent of these stories appeared recently in the New York Times. Writer Anne Berryman, who visited Serenbe a few weeks ago, tells about the chain of events that led to the creation of the Chattahoochee Hill Country and Serenbe, and also interviews a few residents about what drew them to life here. Read it for yourself here.

There is a lot of activity at Serenbe these days, and we would love for you to come get a first-hand look. Call 770.463.9997 to arrange a visit, or take a look at the latest construction photos on www.serenbecommunity.com.