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Southern Village, a favorite Chapel Hill neighborhood

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Real Estate Agent with Triangle Area Real Estate 146786

Southern Village was developed in the early 90's and was a new concept for Chapel Hill. The plan was to build a "new old neighborhood" reminiscent of the way people lived in the early part of the 20th century. There would be a Main Street (now Market Street) with shops restaurants and small businesses. Homes would have front porches and alleys for the garages in back. The neighborhood would be quite dense with approximately 300 acres with 90 acres of that green space. There would be 1150 housing units consisting of single family homes, condos, town homes and apartments. This type of neo traditional neighborhood had been done successful in several parts of the US including Kentlands in Gathersburg Md.
Before Southern Village was developed Chapel Hillians loved their large lots and trees.  I along with others wondered if it would ever get off the ground. My sister lived in Kentlands so I was familiar with the concept but Gaithersburg Md. was very different from Chapel Hill. It was also FLAT! The Southern Village property was very hilly and I just couldn't imagine how they would get all of those houses on small lots with all of that topography.
As it turns out, they did and the neighborhood has been a great success. Clients that I have sold homes to in Southern Village love it. The walk-ability of the neighborhood with the trails, sidewalks and the wonderful commercial area make it a fun and friendly place to live. Here is a link to a detailed history of Southern Village.
The commercial area includes several restaurants, many shops and businesses, a movie theatre, church, day care center, elementary school, and common green where there is always something going on.
Here are some photos and another blog post I did of Southern Village during the Walk for Paws benefit.

 

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