Stratford Park
Stratford Park“The secret’s out,” declares Realtor Buddy Malin. He’s not talking about the book that made a big hit last year but a new subdivision called Stratford Park in Fountain City.
Situated on 60 acres of gently rolling property that overlooks ridges and valleys, Stratford Park is a private world unto itself. The community even has 8 acres of wetlands that attract deer, geese, wood ducks, cranes and herons.
Yet the conveniences of modern life are nearby. Residents enjoy a buffet of restaurants and shops one mile away on Merchants Drive. The interstate is two-tenths of a mile beyond that. Downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee are only 10-12 minutes away from the quiet enclave. The new St. Mary’s North hospital is less than 4 miles away on Emory Road.
“Nobody knows that it’s here,” says Malin, who lives in the Sterchi Mansion next door that used to be part of the same 3,500-acre estate. “It’s a secluded subdivision.”
Malin, Terry Wear and Larry Doss, developers of Stratford Park, are giving more people a chance to learn about the area’s charm. They are holding an open house today from 1 to 4 p.m., offering tours of several model homes with different floor plans.
Malin, his wife, Linda, and their three children enjoy the same conveniences and similar views from their 5,800-square-foot home, Stratford Hall, on Dry Gap Pike. “It’s less congested on this side of town,” says Linda, who grew up in Inskip.
Linda had always yearned to live in Stratford Hall, which James and Bertha Sterchi built a century ago. The family operated Sterchi Brothers Furniture Store in downtown Knoxville for decades. “The Sterchis called their home ‘Stratford Hall,’ and we named the subdivision Stratford Park after the manor house,” Malin says.
The Sterchis also had several enterprises on their Fountain City property, including a dairy farm. The fertile soil and 10 minnow ponds remain as a legacy that helps Stratford Park live up to its name. A creek also runs through the property, adding to the natural beauty, and residents enjoy mountain views.
Several young families, professionals and empty nesters already call Stratford Park home. Development began in 2006, and 23 lots out of 85 from Phase 1 are still available.
The developers just opened Phase 2 and released 65 lots ranging from $35,000 to $45,000.
Lots are one-quarter acre in size. There will be 199 in all.
Choice builders have constructed 26 houses so far, primarily brick with stone or stucco accents in an updated traditional style. Some of the builders and their houses are featured here.
A review committee approves building plans to help ensure esthetic integrity throughout the neighborhood. As Malin says, “We’re aiming for a very nice subdivision.”
Many of the homes have front porches, tall ceilings, hardwood floors, granite countertops and dimensional shingles.
“The interiors are fabulous,” raves Malin, who studied architecture in college.
Frank Betz, who was named Designer of the Year in 2006 by Building magazine, designed some of the home plans. He is a leading seller of stock plans and incorporates classical detailing and Southern charm into his creations.
Sizes and prices in Stratford Park vary from three to five bedrooms and approximately $245,000 to $425,000. Ranchers start at about 1,800 square feet, and two-level homes at 2,200 square feet.
A family-friendly neighborhood, Stratford Park has several cul-de-sacs. “It’s not a pass-through,” says Malin, noting the privacy makes the community a good place for children to play.
Stratford Park features sidewalks and streetlights, as well as underground utilities.
The development is zoned for Sterchi Elementary School, Gresham Middle School and Central High School.
For more information on Stratford Park, call Buddy Malin, 556-5917, or Terry Wear, 368-1259.
