Vernon, CT Real Estate: The Comforts Of Home BridleWood
Buying a luxury townhouse at an affordable price may sound like an impossible dream to many. Homebuilder J.H. Scelza has gone a long way towards making that dream come true for Connecticut home buyers at BridleWood Luxury Townhomes in Vernon.

J.H. Scelza has a 45-year history of developing and building top quality homes in the Greater Hartford area. The company has an impressive track record of 29 established communities. Their long-standing philosophy, "Take care of our customers," has generated many repeat buyers seeking quality and value, according to Tony Scelza, vice president and sales manager for the company.

"These are not condos, these are luxury townhomes," says Scelza. "They are actual homes. We build single family homes as well and use the same quality materials and craftsmanship in this townhome environment."


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Creative variations abound on the exterior of each home where distinct combinations of siding color, brick and pillar configurations bring a sense of individuality to each unit within the development. Potential buyers also benefit from a wide range of custom choices and optional upgrades featured in every room of each model home offered.

The New England contemporary style of the homes is accented by a brick facade on the first level that wraps around sheltered front entrances and charming second-floor gable extensions that face the front of the units. There are four different townhouse styles to choose from at BridleWood. Models of BridleWood I, II and III feature a second-floor luxury master suite and can be viewed on site. Floor plans of The Morgan are available for those who prefer a first-floor master bedroom.

All of the homes in BridleWood's current Phase II of development are duplex style construction with each unit affording the privacy level of an end unit. All of the homes also come with a two-car garage and full basement that can be finished for additional living space. Homes with a walkout basement are also available. Natural oak hardwood floors are standard throughout the first floor of every unit with the option of tile in the kitchen or entrance areas. Top quality carpeting covers the second floor bedrooms and hallway. Also included is a gas fireplace in the living room and premium quality solid wood cabinetry in the kitchen. Formica is the standard kitchen countertop and an option to upgrade to granite is available.

Every unit has an outdoor sun deck that can be upgraded to a three-season porch, an option that Scelza says is "extremely popular." About half of BridleWood's current owners have chosen this upgrade. All rooms are wired to be cable-ready and all bedrooms include a walk-in closet. Three BridleWood models have a window that brings in natural light to the closet in the second bedroom. The upper level of all units includes a second full bathroom with combination shower and tub enclosure, cultured marble single sink as well as a tiled laundry area with drain.

The BridleWood I and II floor plans feature a spacious 18-foot by 16-foot living room that flows into the adjacent 10-foot by 13-foot kitchen and 11-foot by 12-foot dining area with a slightly larger living room offered in the BridleWood III model. All living rooms come with a gas fireplace with oak mantle and marble firebox surround.

Each kitchen area is defined from the adjacent living and dining areas by a drop ceiling with recessed lighting and includes an island with double bowl sink that easily serves the dining or living room areas and can be used as a breakfast bar or entertaining area. A GE brand gas range, refrigerator and dishwasher are included as standard with an optional upgrade to a stainless steel finish.

The master bath of every unit includes a cultured marble double sink, separate shower and toilet area and space for an optional whirlpool tub or walk-in closet. A standard package of wall-mounted, hanging and recessed lighting fixtures can be custom tailored for any home.

Creative variations of the interior layout distinguish the three primary models at BridleWood. The BridleWood I model is designed with a two-story entrance foyer that dramatically extends the vertical space up to an open balcony adjacent to the stairwell and connects to a window-lit loft. The optional third room on the second floor of the BridleWood II model can be used for a study or bedroom and comes with its own spacious walk-in closet. In the BridleWood III, the living room ceiling extends up to the second floor creating a very spacious and airy feel for the main downstairs living area.

City water, city sewer and natural gas heat are part of the attraction as well as affordable monthly association fees that range from $115 to $127 per month and include landscape maintenance, snow removal and trash pickup.

BridleWood also stands out for the convenience of its location. The short distance to Interstate 84 makes for an easy commute to Hartford or the University of Connecticut Campus at Storrs, both of which can be reached in 25 minutes or less. Many local options for dining and shopping can be found along Vernon's Hartford Turnpike and both The Shoppes at Buckland Hills and Evergreen Walk are just a short drive away. Ellington Ridge Country Club in Ellington and Star Hill Family Athletic Center in Tolland offer nearby indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Since there are no age restrictions on residency, BridleWood has a broad appeal across a wide spectrum of home buyers according to Scelza. "We have a nice mix of young singles, young couples and empty nesters that have chosen to come to BridleWood because of what we have to offer."

Open houses at BridleWood in Vernon are held every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Models are open for viewing from Monday to Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information on BridleWood, contact Tony Scelza of J.H. Scelza at 860-666-3130.

Tony Bacewicz is a free-lance writer based in Old Saybrook.

BridleWood Vernon, CT
  • Builder: J.H. Scelza
  • Price: Starting at $269,000
  • Style: Luxury contemporary townhouses
  • Rooms: 6 to 7
  • Bedrooms: 2 to 3
  • Baths: 2.5
  • Square Footage: 1,515 to 1,815 square feet
  • Tax Rate: 29.90 mills
  • Best Features: Quality materials, craftsmanship and convenient location
  • Contact: Tony Scelza J.H. Scelza 860-666-3130