Architectural Standards
After an extensive process to determine the highest and best use of the former Whitaker Park Apartments site, Gordon Grubb of Grubb Ventures and a team of residential designers, architects, and builders decided that they did not want to build multi-family units or a pocket of mega-mansions. Neither seemed appropriate for the surrounding neighborhood’s traditional homes.
One of the key features of this old Raleigh neighborhood is the variety of homes ranging from traditional Colonial Revival designs to cozy bungalows and brick ranches. The walkable historic Fallon Park neighborhood is a favorite for its tree-lined streets, parks and access to the Greenway.
"We decided that the best approach was to maintain all of these qualities in a neo-traditional , neighborhood with a scale and architectural design that resonate in context with the surrounding neighborhood," says Gordon Grubb. "This meant no cookie-cutter designs with front-loaded garages."
It meant unique traditional home designs characterized by fine architectural details, the latest in energy-efficiency, low maintenance yards, and homes that settle into the landscape without dominating it. It also meant keeping as many of the old neighborhood trees as possible, utilizing narrow rear alleyways for ease of access, and making room for private gardens, pocket parks, a playground, and clubhouse with pool.
Architectural Review Board
In addition to Gordon Grubb, the Architectural Review Board (ARB) is comprised of Cari W. Jones, AIA, NCARB of Cari Jones Architecture, residential designer Carter Skinner, and Martin Phillips, Director of Construction for Grubb Ventures. Jones developed the ARB criteria and leads the board in reviewing each house plan before construction can begin.
Cari W. Jones, AIA, NCARB is a seasoned, award-winning architect who focuses her practice on the design of traditionally-inspired architecture in existing communities and new neighborhoods. She enjoys partnering with talented teams of designers, developers, and builders to produce designs throughout North Carolina and Virginia. Her passion for Housing Design has inspired her to design thousands of multifamily and single family homes and related commercial buildings on the east coast throughout her career. Prior to the start up of her own firm, Ms. Jones was a senior partner and the Director of Housing for Cline Design Associates, where she directed a team of designers and architects in the Raleigh and Wilmington, NC offices. When she left the firm in 2007 to start her own practice it was the largest in the Triangle and the fourth largest in the state.
Cari has a B.A. degree in Environmental Design and a B.A. degree in Architecture from the College of Design at NC State University. She is a registered architect in North Carolina and a member of the American Institute of Architects and National Council of Architecture Registration Board. Cari was the architect for The Oaks’ clubhouse building, which serves as a gathering spot for neighborhood social events.
Carter Skinner of Ewing and Skinner Residential Designs is a prominent Raleigh, NC-based house designer. His main focus is designing fine homes and estates in the southeastern states of North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. Many of his finely detailed and historically based designs in the Raleigh area can be found in the older "inside-the-beltline" neighborhoods. His knowledge and talents stem from his passion for historical architecture that he has embraced since he was a child, from his experience working for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation early in his career, and his time working under the tutelage of his esteemed mentor, architect Arthur McKimmon, who designed many fine homes and public buildings in the Triangle area. Several of Carter’s award-winning home designs can be found in the Fallon Park neighborhood and in the adjacent residential areas.
Martin Phillips joined Grubb Ventures in 2007 as Director of Construction. With more than 22 years in the construction industry, Martin's role involves overseeing all construction and development projects for the company. Prior to joining Grubb Ventures, Martin spent more than 10 years as a project superintendent for Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC based in Birmingham, Alabama and was with CDI Contractors in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born and raised in Carrollton, Kentucky, Martin, along with his wife and son, have lived in Raleigh for the past six years.
Gordon Grubb has been CEO of Grubb Ventures in Raleigh, NC since 2002, when he founded the company to focus on commercial and residential in-fill development. Prior to founding Grubb Ventures, he served as CEO of Grubb Properties, one of the largest fully integrated real estate firms in the Southeast with operations, including development, construction, management, marketing and sales of a $300 million residential, commercial and retail portfolio. While there he directed and led the growth from 20 to 125 team members and increased the portfolio under ownership and management from $50 to $300 million. Gordon holds an MBA University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, and a B.S. from Washington and Lee University.
Read more about Gordon and his vision for Grubb Ventures in Developer’s Story.
