Project Description
Heritage Sands is Cape Cod’s first new oceanfront cottage community in more than 50 years. Cottages are clustered around common greens to create “pocket neighborhoods,” and crushed shell paths wind down to over 600 feet of private beach. A community clubhouse and pool can play host to larger family functions, inter-cottage water volleyball games, or a quick workout. From the curve of a winding path to the strength of every roof rake, no detail at Heritage Sands has been overlooked. The architects used gray cedar shingles and white trim to accentuate the cottage’s classical forms and simple lines. Close attention was paid to the precedent set by historic cottage communities throughout Cape Cod. The design intent was to achieve an upscale but relaxed feel through simple craftsmanship. The 8 acre site was formerly a seasonal trailer park that hosted 150 RVs and 15 cottages on cement slabs. The developers harnessed the opportunity to work within Cape Cod’s seasonal cottage zoning ordinance to create an elegant, high density cottage community reminiscent of the Cape’s historic seasonal neighborhoods. The Cape has a rich history of summer communities populated by families returning year after year. This tradition began with tent sites and evolved over time to dense cottage neighborhoods, a land plan vernacular that was unique to the Cape. The development team endeavored to use this unique model instead of carving the site up into a handful of luxury waterfront “trophy homes.” In an effort to deliver exceptional quality, minimize site impacts and limit disturbance to residents, the team decided to pursue off-site modular production for the homes. Each cottage was carefully designed to dovetail with the parameters of modular construction without compromising any of the character associated with a classic cape cod cottage. Each home was also built to exacting coastal standards, with steel straps that bolt homes to their foundations and hurricane rated windows to withstand coastal storms. The interiors were designed to maximize the small footprints of each of the ten cottage prototypes in this neighborhood of 63 homes. With homes ranging from 900 to 1,350 sf, one and a half story compact floor plans combine open common space with tall, lofty ceilings with smaller private rooms. Finishes are high quality and selected from a neutral palette.