The 2009 Martin Acres House Tour

by Osman Parvez
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We are a proud sponsor the 2009 Martin Acres House Tour.  Volunteering on behalf of the neighborhood association.

The tour is this Saturday, May 16 from 11am to 2pm and features recently expanded pop tops, sustainable energy efficient improvements, and affordable do it yourself remodels in Martin Acres.  You'll have a chance to meet the owners and connect with others in the community.  It's also  great way to get to know Martin Acres,  a bright spot in Boulder's real estate market.
  
Proceeds from the event benefit Chase House and Creekside Elementary. Tickets are only $5 per person and may be purchased at any house on the tour or at Creekside Elementary.

Homes on the tour include (click here for map):

2836 Elm Ave. - Talk directly to the team of Architects, Energy Raters, and Suppliers to learn how this house is being transformed into an energy superstar.

310 31st St. - Features a surprisingly easy and affordable remodeled kitchen including tiled floor, many original cabinets, modern lighting and built in wine case. The crown jewel of this house is the soaring, double vaulted master suite addition, with such amenities as fireplace, architectural fan, built-in bookshelves, south-facing 'Wall of Windows', and a master bath featuring concrete counters, dual shower heads, radiant heat floors and custom barn-door entry. The colossal deck was designed to connect the master suite with the kitchen via both sight lines and physical structure, creating a much bigger feel to this 1400 SF ranch.

265 31st St. - Tour an owner-built, "net-zero energy" pop-top, done in an extremely affordable manner, in stages or phases, over 6 yrs. (Read, " Pay-as-you go/as you can afford"). While full of cutting-edge innovations, the owner was careful to keep an exterior appearance within the character of Martin Acres homes, so that it blends in. The owner/builder will be on-hand to share lots of tips and secrets on how you can affordably achieve items featured in this house: Passive solar heating (Free energy! No expensive systems needed!), Solar Hot Water heating system, Active Solar Electric (Photo Voltaic) system (watch the meter run backwards!), radiant floor system, exterior walls built-out to the inside, for extreme high-performance insulation. The real hallmark of this house is its aesthetically pleasing interior, done in southwest "Sante Fe" styling, featuring handmade wood trim, extensive tile work, curved walls & arches, a vaulted cathedral ceiling, wet bar and a luxurious-designer scale bathroom.

200 31st St. - The house is designed with alternative energy in mind. All living spaces are exposed to the sun, so there is tremendous passive solar gain during the winter. A broad South-facing roof is ready for any variety of active solar systems as well. The house isn't for hermits! The main living spaces are very open to the front with the idea that porch living is taken to the extreme. The front of the house is designed to let the mountains and the gardens blend into the front room.

110 30th St. - Innovative "pop-top" remodel more than doubled original house size. Now the house has the most area on the second level!

3300 Martin Dr. - The home was originally owned by Bill Suits, an officer of Williams Bros. development company, which built many of the Martin Acres homes. He picked the extra large lot and was then able to enlarge the original plans, including a large fireplace. Of interest are the attached apartment, the garage/workshop and the landscaped back yard.

285 S 42nd St. - Neighborhood Supported DIY: YOU can add new windows and energy efficient measures and your neighbors can help!

On behalf of the neighborhood association, I  also want to acknowledge appreciation for other sponsors of the house tour:  Bestway Insulation    



Shiela Mudd Roberts and Linea Rein with Colorado Landmark Realtors





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