Kent Homes Expands West Indies-Inspired Architecture at Brunswick Forest

Just across the Cape Fear River Bridge from Wilmington and surrounding local beaches, Brunswick Forest is a coastal community steeped in the ways of the region. In addition to its proximity to the ocean, the community borders Town Creek and is surrounded by marshes, giving residents immediate access to the area’s tidal waters.

Brunswick Forest also offers residents an enviable lifestyle, referred to as coastal by nature, for its relaxed, beach-inspired sensibility set amid the region’s sprawling natural beauty. It’s no surprise then that a neighborhood of island- inspired homes with a contemporary coastal flair is a perfect fit in this award-winning community.THE NEIGHBORHOODRenowned for its exceptional master plan and resort-like amenities, Brunswick Forest is a collection of unique neighborhoods within one cohesive community. The neighborhoods cover a remarkable range of architectural styles, sizes and price points, creating a pleasing variety of homes to suit many living preferences.One of the most popular neighborhoods of 2019 is The Lakes, built around its namesake water features and just a stone’s throw from the larger Hammock Lake, a central Brunswick Forest amenity with its park, trails, swimming pool and fitness center. The Lakes is being released in two phases, the first of which exclusively offers West Indies-inspired houses by Kent Homes. Referred to as North Lake, the section will ultimately have 40 homes offering nature and water views. Jerry Helms, Director of Sales and Marketing for Brunswick Forest, said there are two complete showcase models already open for touring, with two more joining presold homes under construction.THE ARCHITECTURE“This West Indies influence is very unique in our area,” said Helms. “I’m not aware of anywhere else they are building this style.” “We loved the opportunity to do something a little different,” agreed Dan Kent, founder and president of Kent Homes. “We worked with a Florida architecture firm to achieve a tropical flair. We were able to get creative with the design, and customers are really responding to it.” “In addition, the features that define the style, like large overhangs, a less steep roof pitch and Bahamian shutters, we can customize a number of items to achieve whatever our buyer wants,” added Ashley Kent, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Kent Homes. “For example, outdoor living is a signature component of these homes and we currently have a model that has a 30-foot by 13-foot screened porch with a stone fireplace at one end of it.”A presence throughout Brunswick Forest, Kent Homes also built The Leewards, the first neighborhood to feature the West Indies style, and its popularity drove the decision to continue it in The Lakes.“It’s an architecturally rich look,” summarized Helms, “and people get the concept immediately. It’s a new take on coastal, casual, sophisticated living.”THE BUILDER“Kent Homes is one of our original builders. We have been very successful collectively and our 12-year relationship couldn’t be stronger. They are first rate, from breaking ground on a new home to handing over the keys to the new owners.” - Jerry Helms Helms also commented on Kent Homes’ overall customer satisfaction rating. Kent is part of Guild Quality, a network of builders throughout North America. For the past seven years, Kent has won the Guildmaster with Highest Distinction Award, a remarkable feat. In 2018, for example, only two of 569 builders in the U.S. and Canada achieved that highest possible rating. “It’s a reflection of our ongoing rapport with our customers—including long after closing—that such a large percentage of them take the time to complete the survey and give us those marks,” said Dan Kent. “That is extremely satisfying and it’s a result of our company’s culture and philosophy. We realize buying a home is often the largest purchase of someone’s life. We take that responsibility seriously and we want to make that experience the best it can be.”THE COMMUNITYBrunswick Forest continues to see tremendous success, welcoming hundreds of new families every year. The secret lies in the variety of real estate offerings, and an amenity package that includes a renowned golf course, two fitness centers, three swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a creekside boat launch, miles of walking and biking trails, and a t own center at its entrance that includes restaurants, shops and a variety of services, from exceptional medical care to financial planning to pet boarding. “Additionally, people looking to relocate find Brunswick Forest fits their goals, regardless of their timeframe,” said Helms. “Some want to secure their first choice of homesites now and build in the future. For those with a more immediate move in mind, they can either buy a land/home package and start the building process, or buy an already completed home from one of our featured builders and move in right away. We have many choices in all three categories.”COME TAKE A TOURHomes in Brunswick Forest range from low-maintenance townhomes to lovely coastal cottages to custom golf course homes, all from the $300s to $800+. Premier homesites begin in the $80s.

To learn more, or to take a personalized tour among the dozens of model homes open daily, stop by the Welcome Center or call 910.239.3786 for an appointment.